CAUTION: SE May Not Qualify for WC IF.....

[txj]

...we persist with this uncertainty....

1. The NFF needs to confirm Finidi as substantive manager and remove the interim tag, or hire a new manager, based hopefully on a criteria that they may have determined.

WHY?

Because Finidi, both figuratively and substantively looked like an interim manager, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, his team looked like an "interim team", both in tactics, personnel and mentality. In the two games....

I'm not concerned about the result or the performance, although I would strongly disagree with his assessment of the 2nd game.

I'm concerned about the mentality. You expect a "new manager bounce" with a new appointment. There was nothing visible here...

2. However, from the two friendlies, its very hard to make any conclusions about Finidi, one way or the other.

Its very hard to make conclusions about any manager on the basis of non-competitive games, but you do get one or two clues.

3. What are these clues and are they of any concern or encouraging, looking ahead?

(a) He wants to play two strikers to improve ball possession/retention up top, as well as the pressing system.

vs Ghana he was willing to sacrifice the wide MFs and use the wingbacks for width. A very poor Ghana offered little in response to challenge this concept of the game.

But it did improve MF play with Ndidi back alongside Onyeka and Iwobi allowed to find the game.

However the movement up top and the relationships among attacking players was surprisingly lacking for long periods, except notably on the 2nd goal, during which a wide MF, Lookman had come on...

This weakness was especially glaring in the 2nd game, and the Malian press in central MF rendered this concept completely ineffective.

Without quality wingbacks, and lacking wide MFs, Nigeria never controlled the game, and he was not able to or willing to pivot...For all the criticisms of Peseiro, re substitutes, its easy to see why he lacked confidence in his bench.

I was especially disappointed not to see Tella come in to test this concept of the game, either as a wingback as he plays in Leverkusen, or a wide midfielder.

Furthermore, without Onyeka the integrity of the press was badly exposed by the Malian triangles in possession, which leads me to the defensive side of the game.

(b) While there were some positive signs on offense, the defensive block that we came out of AFCON with seemed not to exist anymore. That is a MAJOR concern.

4. There's a need to keep developing this team in terms of looking for new options in MF and defence. That process needs to continue, but not with players like Tanimu, who will need a longer time...

We need to focus on players who are performing at a higher level. We need to qualify for the WC not win an affirmative action contest...

5. Finally, Finidi is a reflection of where we are wrt Nigerian managers. He has the advantage of being already part of the setup. IMO the NFF needs to confirm him and let him build his staff and get down to work.

Alternatively, hire a new manager ASAP.

If we persist with this uncertainty, I fear SA will beat us to a spot in the WCQs.

And we need to accept the fact that this is a young manager who will learn, and HOPEFULLY, grow on the job.

[Cellular]

...we persist with this uncertainty....

1. The NFF needs to confirm Finidi as substantive manager and remove the interim tag, or hire a new manager, based hopefully on a criteria that they may have determined.

WHY?

Because Finidi, both figuratively and substantively looked like an interim manager, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, his team looked like an "interim team", both in tactics, personnel and mentality. In the two games....

I'm not concerned about the result or the performance, although I would strongly disagree with his assessment of the 2nd game.

I'm concerned about the mentality. You expect a "new manager bounce" with a new appointment. There was nothing visible here...

2. However, from the two friendlies, its very hard to make any conclusions about Finidi, one way or the other.

Its very hard to make conclusions about any manager on the basis of non-competitive games, but you do get one or two clues.

3. What are these clues and are they of any concern or encouraging, looking ahead?

(a) He wants to play two strikers to improve ball possession/retention up top, as well as the pressing system.

vs Ghana he was willing to sacrifice the wide MFs and use the wingbacks for width. A very poor Ghana offered little in response to challenge this concept of the game.

But it did improve MF play with Ndidi back alongside Onyeka and Iwobi allowed to find the game.

However the movement up top and the relationships among attacking players was surprisingly lacking for long periods, except notably on the 2nd goal, during which a wide MF, Lookman had come on...

This weakness was especially glaring in the 2nd game, and the Malian press in central MF rendered this concept completely ineffective.

Without quality wingbacks, and lacking wide MFs, Nigeria never controlled the game, and he was not able to or willing to pivot...For all the criticisms of Peseiro, re substitutes, its easy to see why he lacked confidence in his bench.

I was especially disappointed not to see Tella come in to test this concept of the game, either as a wingback as he plays in Leverkusen, or a wide midfielder.

Furthermore, without Onyeka the integrity of the press was badly exposed by the Malian triangles in possession, which leads me to the defensive side of the game.

(b) While there were some positive signs on offense, the defensive block that we came out of AFCON with seemed not to exist anymore. That is a MAJOR concern.

4. There's a need to keep developing this team in terms of looking for new options in MF and defence. That process needs to continue, but not with players like Tanimu, who will need a longer time...

We need to focus on players who are performing at a higher level. We need to qualify for the WC not win an affirmative action contest...

5. Finally, Finidi is a reflection of where we are wrt Nigerian managers. He has the advantage of being already part of the setup. IMO the NFF needs to confirm him and let him build his staff and get down to work.

Alternatively, hire a new manager ASAP.

If we persist with this uncertainty, I fear SA will beat us to a spot in the WCQs.

And we need to accept the fact that this is a young manager who will learn, and HOPEFULLY, grow on the job.

Well put. (I don't like that I am agreeing with you these days...)

Unfortunately, the interim coaching opportunity is what is available. Thing is that we are already in a hole with our World Cup qualification having dropped points at home. We will need to secure maximum points against SA (our main rivals) or get 4 points out of the possible 6 points. I wish there was a way to see Finidi coach the full squad and see if they are better or worse than what we saw under the previous handler.

But whatever decision NFF wants to make they better make it fast.

[tedder89]

Biggest head scratcher for me was our lack of intensity vs Mali (especially in the first half) compared to the Ghana game where we were clearly up for it

Looked like we couldn’t wait to get it over and done with….

[ohenhen1]

Even if they hire the best coach in the world. Nigeria may not qualify. The team need some luck. It will take time to fix the problems in the team. It is the NFF fault. I saw a lot of depth problems.

[joao]

Too many overhyped players with bad on-field attitudes. Worst is, if we look at the players invited
for camping in the last ten years, there are some that are quite unproductive to SE but still getting
invited. Issues relating to players invitations with regards official intrusion needs be addressed as too
many unproductive players keep being invited.
Like many things about Nigeria, the SE needs a tough disciplinarian as coach and not the baby-sitters
we have been parading. The team on-field attitude is too lackadaisical and needs focus in its execution.

[aruako1]

...we persist with this uncertainty....

1. The NFF needs to confirm Finidi as substantive manager and remove the interim tag, or hire a new manager, based hopefully on a criteria that they may have determined.

WHY?

Because Finidi, both figuratively and substantively looked like an interim manager, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, his team looked like an "interim team", both in tactics, personnel and mentality. In the two games....

I'm not concerned about the result or the performance, although I would strongly disagree with his assessment of the 2nd game.

I'm concerned about the mentality. You expect a "new manager bounce" with a new appointment. There was nothing visible here...

2. However, from the two friendlies, its very hard to make any conclusions about Finidi, one way or the other.

Its very hard to make conclusions about any manager on the basis of non-competitive games, but you do get one or two clues.

3. What are these clues and are they of any concern or encouraging, looking ahead?

(a) He wants to play two strikers to improve ball possession/retention up top, as well as the pressing system.

vs Ghana he was willing to sacrifice the wide MFs and use the wingbacks for width. A very poor Ghana offered little in response to challenge this concept of the game.

But it did improve MF play with Ndidi back alongside Onyeka and Iwobi allowed to find the game.

However the movement up top and the relationships among attacking players was surprisingly lacking for long periods, except notably on the 2nd goal, during which a wide MF, Lookman had come on...

This weakness was especially glaring in the 2nd game, and the Malian press in central MF rendered this concept completely ineffective.

Without quality wingbacks, and lacking wide MFs, Nigeria never controlled the game, and he was not able to or willing to pivot...For all the criticisms of Peseiro, re substitutes, its easy to see why he lacked confidence in his bench.

I was especially disappointed not to see Tella come in to test this concept of the game, either as a wingback as he plays in Leverkusen, or a wide midfielder.

Furthermore, without Onyeka the integrity of the press was badly exposed by the Malian triangles in possession, which leads me to the defensive side of the game.

(b) While there were some positive signs on offense, the defensive block that we came out of AFCON with seemed not to exist anymore. That is a MAJOR concern.

4. There's a need to keep developing this team in terms of looking for new options in MF and defence. That process needs to continue, but not with players like Tanimu, who will need a longer time...

We need to focus on players who are performing at a higher level. We need to qualify for the WC not win an affirmative action contest...

5. Finally, Finidi is a reflection of where we are wrt Nigerian managers. He has the advantage of being already part of the setup. IMO the NFF needs to confirm him and let him build his staff and get down to work.

Alternatively, hire a new manager ASAP.

If we persist with this uncertainty, I fear SA will beat us to a spot in the WCQs.

And we need to accept the fact that this is a young manager who will learn, and HOPEFULLY, grow on the job.

Spot on! The uncertainty is the biggest issue now. Finidi is not my preference (even though I'm grateful or last year's title with Enyimba) but we have to hire him or get a new manager quickly. My preference is Pitso Mosimane but Goncalves, the Angolan coach might be more affordable with decent output. My favourite amongst the local coaches is Amuneke

[Agbako]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

[1naija]

The SE are in the best position to qualify from the group. South Africa has lost one of its 2 games played. Rwanda won one game and drew one of theirs, both games at home. They will lose several games on the road. In fact, I see both Rwanda and South Africa losing in Zimbabwe. We just need to focus and win the next 2 games and we will be sitting on the top of the table all by ourself.

[The YeyeMan]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

[The YeyeMan]

I'm aligned with the thrust of txj's post in terms of moving quickly - whatever the NFF decides it should do it decisively.

[ohenhen1]

If I were the NFF. I would keep Finidi. The guy that knows the players. But would work on the backroom staff and work on the depth issues. It is too late to hire a new coach. That is the reality.

[YUJAM]

Nigeria is a world cup caliber team. This AFCON squad is a battle tested team that will beat most teams out there. FWIW, Mali is also a top team as we saw in the AFCON.

The only thing in the way of Nigeria is S Africa. I think the outcome of the group is determined by the two games between S Africa and Nigeria. It won't be easy but I think Nigeria can do it

I'm aligned with the thrust of txj's post in terms of moving quickly - whatever the NFF decides it should do it decisively.

[Schillachi]

I was seriously rooting for Finidi but I'm very pissed that he's making me question his integrity. Whey Dessrs over Lookman as a starter and as a replacement for Simon? Why did he not use more subs in the Malian game even when we were down?

I really hate to think like this but the only logical explanation from what I saw from him yesterday is that he, in cahoots with NFF, decided to... let's just say, make some bad decisions..

[mcal]

Biggest head scratcher for me was our lack of intensity vs Mali (especially in the first half) compared to the Ghana game where we were clearly up for it

Looked like we couldn’t wait to get it over and done with….

...I noticed that, no intensity, no hunger like the Ghana match.
Looked like they were tired, or too much rest.
Look at other friendlies including big names in Europe and elsewhere who also played 2 matches, everything was intense.

[packerland]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

[The YeyeMan]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

Sure. I'm just wondering why he'd want to hire someone whose been banned for match-fixing? Why example does it set?

[Enugu II]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

Sure. I'm just wondering why he'd want to hire someone whose been banned for match-fixing? Why example does it set?

Yeyeman

You keep mentioning that Siasia was banned for match-fixing:
As far as I can recall, that claim is not accurate.

What is accurate is that Siasia was banned for failing to respond, in a timely manner, to allegations of match fixing. There is a difference.

If you state otherwise, can you please let us know which match Siasia was found guilty of fixing and the details of that finding. It will better inform me as I want to be sure that I am fully informed.

[txj]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

Sure. I'm just wondering why he'd want to hire someone whose been banned for match-fixing? Why example does it set?

Yeyeman

You keep mentioning that Siasia was banned for match-fixing:
As far as I can recall, that claim is not accurate.

What is accurate is that Siasia was banned for failing to respond, in a timely manner, to allegations of match fixing. There is a difference.

If you state otherwise, can you please let us know which match Siasia was found guilty of fixing and the details of that finding. It will better inform me as I want to be sure that I am fully informed.

initially sanctioned in 2019 by Fifa for agreeing to "receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches."

[txj]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

Sure. I'm just wondering why he'd want to hire someone whose been banned for match-fixing? Why example does it set?

Yeyeman

You keep mentioning that Siasia was banned for match-fixing:
As far as I can recall, that claim is not accurate.

What is accurate is that Siasia was banned for failing to respond, in a timely manner, to allegations of match fixing. There is a difference.

If you state otherwise, can you please let us know which match Siasia was found guilty of fixing and the details of that finding. It will better inform me as I want to be sure that I am fully informed.

initially sanctioned in 2019 by Fifa for agreeing to "receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches."

[Enugu II]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

Sure. I'm just wondering why he'd want to hire someone whose been banned for match-fixing? Why example does it set?

Yeyeman

You keep mentioning that Siasia was banned for match-fixing:
As far as I can recall, that claim is not accurate.

What is accurate is that Siasia was banned for failing to respond, in a timely manner, to allegations of match fixing. There is a difference.

If you state otherwise, can you please let us know which match Siasia was found guilty of fixing and the details of that finding. It will better inform me as I want to be sure that I am fully informed.

initially sanctioned in 2019 by Fifa for agreeing to "receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches."

Txj,

That is what he was charged with. However, he never defended the case and there was no proof that he in fact received the bribe nor acted to impact a game. In reality, there was never a proof that he received bribe nor was there proof that he fixed a single match. In reality, Siasia acted naively and demonstrated extreme poor judgment by not reporting the matter. When he received the charge document, he further messed up. For some reason (possibly money issues) he ignored the charge, thinking that it will not be acted on. BIG MISTAKE. The reality, however, is that there was never a proof nor did he defend the charges. You may want to read this:

While the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ruled that Siasia did not receive any bribe and did not fix any match, the court said he erred by not reporting the matter when he was asked to fix matches by a club official at a club he sought to coach.


https://saharareporters.com/2021/08/03/ ... a-us-court

[txj]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

Sure. I'm just wondering why he'd want to hire someone whose been banned for match-fixing? Why example does it set?

Yeyeman

You keep mentioning that Siasia was banned for match-fixing:
As far as I can recall, that claim is not accurate.

What is accurate is that Siasia was banned for failing to respond, in a timely manner, to allegations of match fixing. There is a difference.

If you state otherwise, can you please let us know which match Siasia was found guilty of fixing and the details of that finding. It will better inform me as I want to be sure that I am fully informed.

initially sanctioned in 2019 by Fifa for agreeing to "receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches."

Txj,

That is what he was charged with. However, he never defended the case and there was no proof that he in fact received the bribe nor acted to impact a game. In reality, there was never a proof that he received bribe nor was there proof that he fixed a single match. In reality, Siasia acted naively and demonstrated extreme poor judgment by not reporting the matter. When he received the charge document, he further messed up. For some reason (possibly money issues) he ignored the charge, thinking that it will not be acted on. BIG MISTAKE. The reality, however, is that there was never a proof nor did he defend the charges. You may want to read this:

While the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ruled that Siasia did not receive any bribe and did not fix any match, the court said he erred by not reporting the matter when he was asked to fix matches by a club official at a club he sought to coach.


https://saharareporters.com/2021/08/03/ ... a-us-court

That's a whole lot of verbiage saying exactly nothing substantively!

I mean where do you come off citing sahara reports? Are you serious?

ALL of those explanations are all well and dandy, but the CHARGE and the SANCTION by FIFA remains ABSOLUTELY CLEAR- ""for agreeing to receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches."

What the CAS did was take some mitigating circumstances into consideration in reducing the sanctions, but none of that changes the substantive matter.

So YeyeMan's comments above are in fact correct and you need to stop giving out false information on this...

[The YeyeMan]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

Sure. I'm just wondering why he'd want to hire someone whose been banned for match-fixing? Why example does it set?

Yeyeman

You keep mentioning that Siasia was banned for match-fixing:
As far as I can recall, that claim is not accurate.

What is accurate is that Siasia was banned for failing to respond, in a timely manner, to allegations of match fixing. There is a difference.

If you state otherwise, can you please let us know which match Siasia was found guilty of fixing and the details of that finding. It will better inform me as I want to be sure that I am fully informed.

initially sanctioned in 2019 by Fifa for agreeing to "receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches."

Txj,

That is what he was charged with. However, he never defended the case and there was no proof that he in fact received the bribe nor acted to impact a game. In reality, there was never a proof that he received bribe nor was there proof that he fixed a single match. In reality, Siasia acted naively and demonstrated extreme poor judgment by not reporting the matter. When he received the charge document, he further messed up. For some reason (possibly money issues) he ignored the charge, thinking that it will not be acted on. BIG MISTAKE. The reality, however, is that there was never a proof nor did he defend the charges. You may want to read this:

While the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ruled that Siasia did not receive any bribe and did not fix any match, the court said he erred by not reporting the matter when he was asked to fix matches by a club official at a club he sought to coach.


https://saharareporters.com/2021/08/03/ ... a-us-court

OK, but if he didn't defend the case or if the case wasn't heard then how can you say there was no proof (or evidence)?

But fair enough we can say he showed extremely poor judgement on two occasions. This affair is still enough to rule him out of managing the SE, IMO.

[aruako1]

Make he deh dia till July when Sia sia will be cleared to Coach . I think both Combos will win us the World Cup. If we qualify.

I deh dream... allow me please to.......

You know he was banned for match-fixing, right?

I think his ban ends in July (I believe it was reduced). The main question is why do we think these coaches like working together or it would work? Both men are HC caliber. This is not the NFL where 2 or 3 former head coaches can work together. One can be hired to coach the offense and the other defense or special teams.

Sure. I'm just wondering why he'd want to hire someone whose been banned for match-fixing? Why example does it set?

Yeyeman

You keep mentioning that Siasia was banned for match-fixing:
As far as I can recall, that claim is not accurate.

What is accurate is that Siasia was banned for failing to respond, in a timely manner, to allegations of match fixing. There is a difference.

If you state otherwise, can you please let us know which match Siasia was found guilty of fixing and the details of that finding. It will better inform me as I want to be sure that I am fully informed.

initially sanctioned in 2019 by Fifa for agreeing to "receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches."

Txj,

That is what he was charged with. However, he never defended the case and there was no proof that he in fact received the bribe nor acted to impact a game. In reality, there was never a proof that he received bribe nor was there proof that he fixed a single match. In reality, Siasia acted naively and demonstrated extreme poor judgment by not reporting the matter. When he received the charge document, he further messed up. For some reason (possibly money issues) he ignored the charge, thinking that it will not be acted on. BIG MISTAKE. The reality, however, is that there was never a proof nor did he defend the charges. You may want to read this:

While the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ruled that Siasia did not receive any bribe and did not fix any match, the court said he erred by not reporting the matter when he was asked to fix matches by a club official at a club he sought to coach.


https://saharareporters.com/2021/08/03/ ... a-us-court

He was still convicted. He should not be anywhere near the SE in the future.