Game Thread: Egypt 1-0 Nigeria FT No NGR ANC!

[globalinksnn]

It was always going to be difficult to get the better of Egyptians with their ultra defensive strategy.
they were only happy to counter attack. well it was all our fault, if we had won on friday they would have attacked us and we would have been able to capitalize on the openings.

however Ighalo is never a lead striker neva neva.

musa is neva going to be a great winger(we did not need him in the game today


we will qualify for WC, if we can start immediate preparations.

This team will beat any african team if some of the weeds in the team are removed (musa , ighalo)

[olu]

Siasia really messed up not starting Iwobi in any of the two games. He's our best AM by a mile. His movement and passing ability would have freed up Ighalo. Musa and Ighalo are really suffering in out current set up. Musa because he plays out wide and Ighalo because he gets little service.

Siasia probably likes Umar because of his workrate, which is probably the same reason Keshi liked Babatunde, and Oliseh liked Igboun. But like the aforementioned players, Umar doesn't know what to do with the ball in the final third.

[oloye]

@Oloye, in regards to the all that going on around them, again, it comes down to mentality, winners win. Nigeria, having been crowned in 2013, sought to lose their throne at earliest opportunity and have neither the self-belief nor strength in heart to seize it back.

I hear you coach

[rasak74]

Siasia really messed up not starting Iwobi in any of the two games. He's our best AM by a mile. His movement and passing ability would have freed up Ighalo. Musa and Ighalo are really suffering in out current set up. Musa because he plays out wide and Ighalo because he gets little service.

Siasia probably likes Umar because of his workrate, which is probably the same reason Keshi liked Babatunde, and Oliseh liked Igboun. But like the aforementioned players, Umar doesn't know what to do with the ball in the final third.

Iwobi is the best AM and yet Arsenal dey where again?

Babatunde and Umar are not in the same league, Umar is not the reason we did win today. Go and watch umar interchange play with Lawal and That other African guy
In Turkey, We r not playing this players where they can excel. We need to stop inviting them if we can't use them right.

[olu]

Umar was played in the wrong position. He is best used on the right wing or probably as a striker but not as an AM. Iwobi is still better than any other options we have. Wenger starting him against Barcelona over more experienced players is a sign of how highly rated he is. Could you see a team like Arsenal showing interest in any of our other AMs?

Siasia really messed up not starting Iwobi in any of the two games. He's our best AM by a mile. His movement and passing ability would have freed up Ighalo. Musa and Ighalo are really suffering in out current set up. Musa because he plays out wide and Ighalo because he gets little service.

Siasia probably likes Umar because of his workrate, which is probably the same reason Keshi liked Babatunde, and Oliseh liked Igboun. But like the aforementioned players, Umar doesn't know what to do with the ball in the final third.

Iwobi is the best AM and yet Arsenal dey where again?

Babatunde and Umar are not in the same league, Umar is not the reason we did win today. Go and watch umar interchange play with Lawal and That other African guy
In Turkey, We r not playing this players where they can excel. We need to stop inviting them if we can't use them right.

[rasak74]

Umar was played in the wrong position. He is best used on the right wing or probably as a striker but not as an AM. Iwobi is still better than any other options we have. Wenger starting him against Barcelona over more experienced players is a sign of how highly rated he is. Could you see a team like Arsenal showing interest in any of our other AMs?

Siasia really messed up not starting Iwobi in any of the two games. He's our best AM by a mile. His movement and passing ability would have freed up Ighalo. Musa and Ighalo are really suffering in out current set up. Musa because he plays out wide and Ighalo because he gets little service.

Siasia probably likes Umar because of his workrate, which is probably the same reason Keshi liked Babatunde, and Oliseh liked Igboun. But like the aforementioned players, Umar doesn't know what to do with the ball in the final third.

Iwobi is the best AM and yet Arsenal dey where again?

Babatunde and Umar are not in the same league, Umar is not the reason we did win today. Go and watch umar interchange play with Lawal and That other African guy
In Turkey, We r not playing this players where they can excel. We need to stop inviting them if we can't use them right.

Thank you, Umar should be played as a winger just like in his club, Musa as a striker and Iwobi as a winger....nothing more nothing less. Let dem excel in their natural position.

[Enugu II]

Hindsight is always 20-20. If we believe SE then we definitely would have won this game if those who did not start were the ones who started. IMHO, that is nothing but hogwash.

If you watched the game carefully, then you would have to admit that the Egyptian team at home was no easy opponent. Respect that. Even when we controlled possession we never threatened their goal as they did at our end. It was not just because we didn't have our best player it was ALSO THE TACTICS USED BY EGYPT. They always had numbers behind the ball. It appeared that they had a sweeper back their who served as the "safety switch." They always found him when they could not go forward with possession and then we never really pressured the guy. Give credit to Egypt and their coach. One hundred Iwobis, Iheanachos, Baloguns, Ikemes, you name them may not have made the difference. Sometimes acknowledge the other team can play too and today Egypt did what IMO should have been anticipated i.e earn a point or win it. Just my tuppence.

[rasak74]

Hindsight is always 20-20. If we believe SE then we definitely would have won this game if those who did not start were the ones who started. IMHO, that is nothing but hogwash.

If you watched the game carefully, then you would have to admit that the Egyptian team at home was no easy opponent. Respect that. Even when we controlled possession we never threatened their goal as they did at our end. It was not just because we didn't have our best player it was ALSO THE TACTICS USED BY EGYPT. They always had numbers behind the ball. It appeared that they had a sweeper back their who served as the "safety switch." They always found him when they could not go forward with possession and then we never really pressured the guy. Give credit to Egypt and their coach. One hundred Iwobis, Iheanachos, Baloguns, Ikemes, you name them may not have made the difference. Sometimes acknowledge the other team can play too and today Egypt did what IMO should have been anticipated i.e earn a point or win it. Just my tuppence.

God bless you my broda, u sabi.

[bamenda boy]

E get one kin' shiite wey come dey catch me now...the last time my bowels move like this we were playing Sudan away after tieing 0-0 in Lagos...we skatta dem 4-0 that day..
Pa

Jinxter

[Cellular]

Hindsight is always 20-20. If we believe SE then we definitely would have won this game if those who did not start were the ones who started. IMHO, that is nothing but hogwash.

If you watched the game carefully, then you would have to admit that the Egyptian team at home was no easy opponent. Respect that. Even when we controlled possession we never threatened their goal as they did at our end. It was not just because we didn't have our best player it was ALSO THE TACTICS USED BY EGYPT. They always had numbers behind the ball. It appeared that they had a sweeper back their who served as the "safety switch." They always found him when they could not go forward with possession and then we never really pressured the guy. Give credit to Egypt and their coach. One hundred Iwobis, Iheanachos, Baloguns, Ikemes, you name them may not have made the difference. Sometimes acknowledge the other team can play too and today Egypt did what IMO should have been anticipated i.e earn a point or win it. Just my tuppence.

Prof., you never lied ever since I have known you.

What the NFF should do is not to make another emotional decision. What us fans should do on our part acknowledge that there's no substitute for hard work and preparation.

We are not good enough to throw players together and expect to beat a TEAM.

Once the administrators (NFF) and us fans understand that a TEAM is forged over time and is a function of continuity (understanding each other) then we can begin to expect wins. Never in my life will l plant a seed and expect divine intervention to nurture it.

I am so proud of the players for leaving everything on the field. They gave way more than we deserved.
Any other result would have made a mockery of the importance of preparation and doing so without distractions.

THANK YOU TO THE PLAYERS!

[jette1]

EJIAGHA

[ElHadary]

GG guys, well behaved as always. If only you guys could teach the Ghanaians proper manners as well.

[charlie]

Hindsight is always 20-20. If we believe SE then we definitely would have won this game if those who did not start were the ones who started. IMHO, that is nothing but hogwash.

If you watched the game carefully, then you would have to admit that the Egyptian team at home was no easy opponent. Respect that. Even when we controlled possession we never threatened their goal as they did at our end. It was not just because we didn't have our best player it was ALSO THE TACTICS USED BY EGYPT. They always had numbers behind the ball. It appeared that they had a sweeper back their who served as the "safety switch." They always found him when they could not go forward with possession and then we never really pressured the guy. Give credit to Egypt and their coach. One hundred Iwobis, Iheanachos, Baloguns, Ikemes, you name them may not have made the difference. Sometimes acknowledge the other team can play too and today Egypt did what IMO should have been anticipated i.e earn a point or win it. Just my tuppence.

Prof., you never lied ever since I have known you.

What the NFF should do is not to make another emotional decision. What us fans should do on our part acknowledge that there's no substitute for hard work and preparation.

We are not good enough to throw players together and expect to beat a TEAM.

Once the administrators (NFF) and us fans understand that a TEAM is forged over time and is a function of continuity (understanding each other) then we can begin to expect wins. Never in my life will l plant a seed and expect divine intervention to nurture it.

I am so proud of the players for leaving everything on the field. They gave way more than we deserved.
Any other result would have made a mockery of the importance of preparation and doing so without distractions.

THANK YOU TO THE PLAYERS!

Well said chief! The players did their very best, and their efforts showed.

[patrick]

But when Etebo scored he was being hailed as superstar..some of these shadowy writers are part of the rot.

SMH!!! Amuzie has played 6 games after returning from Injury. http://ca.soccerway.com/players/stanley-amuzie/435681/

Aminu is one of the best Nigerian players in Europe, won like 4 MOTMs this season and there is no way he will not be ranked among top 20 Nigerian players in Europe.

Etebo was good against Egypt in Kaduna, there is no way a sane coach will drop him after the 1st Leg.

Shehu: is a very good player, a regular player for his club and his call up to SE is justified due to his versatility. He is not a RB, I told Oliseh that against good wingers dude will be exposed.

I had an argument with Muyiwalawal before WC when he rated Uchebo ahead Imoh Ezekiel. He kept a sealed lips when Keshi invited a recuperating Gabriel Reuben and a Reserve player; Uche Nwofor. Thank God the truth is gradually coming out.

[airwolex]

I won't miss SE not being in CAN because I won't even bother watching.

I can wager a bet you will be watching...you will get over today and life moves on.

True dat!

I will support my second teams, CIV and anyone Ghana is playing.

[akamoke]

Disappointing result no doubt but for some reason I m not sad. I see promise in this team if we have the patience to actually let them gel instead of chop and change because of a bad result. I hope we can actually see the positives and build on it

[Chimex101]

Disappointing result no doubt but for some reason I m not sad. I see promise in this team if we have the patience to actually let them gel instead of chop and change because of a bad result. I hope we can actually see the positives and build on it

you see promise in a team that couldn't attempt a decent attack till the 80th minute? lol you are part of the problem of Nigerian football

[Damunk]

The players on the field were just not good enough period. During the half time they showed the Cameroon and SA game and the quality gulf was just too evident. Those guys were mobile and strong while both Nigeria and Eqypt looked like they were sleep walking. The game could have gone on for two more days and NGR would still not have scored.

And the fact that we were chaotic in our preparations does not factor? All the rubbish going on around the team that led to the loss of our best keeper does not factor? Hiring 3 coaches in the spate of two years each trying to rebuild does not factor?

This is the problem with us as a nation ,we down play the importance of adequate preparation and stability while demanding excellence. It is the reason for the ills in our society,seriously my good friend.

In order to make a proper comparison, you need to go all the way..as they say better soup,na money make am! We were effectively out before today,but since we are eternal optimist as a nation we kept on believing we could nick it even when stats kept screaming at us you are out!

KPOM!!!
Nuff said.

[Damunk]

get rid of pinnick, mikel, the 'old players' .....because they don't play to instruction and sia1......very dubious selection bordering on cluelessness with a hint of spivving

Typical.
Replace Mikel with whom? Etebo? Onazi? Tell me one player we have that plays one touch football apart from maybe Iwobi.
Mention one player with such a high pass completion rate.
Becos he is not rushing around like a headless chicken does not subtract the fact that his ball retention is unmatched.

YOU CANNOT SCORE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE BALL, DUH!!!!

Typical misdiagnosis with knee-jerk reaction. How are you any different from all the clueless NFF and even some of the coaches?
Remove Mikel nah, make we see who you wan take replace am.

You have to admit that when we are chasing a game, Mikel offers nothing. There was a time VM fed him just infront of the 18, another player whould have driven on and shot but he just slowed the game down. Also the time he miskicked the ball in the first half. For a WC player he has the worst offensive ability I have seen. We need to at least re-appraise his role in that team or surround him with players that make up for his shortcomings.

That short man that came in displayed more offensive nuance in 15 minutes than Mikel in the whole game.

Its like saying when you are chasing a game, take off all your defenders and even your 'Keeper, paapa. Replace them with strikers.
It doesn't work that way. I know the very incident you are referring to and I was equally infuriated. But what Mikel gives to the team (midfield stability) is by far, far in excess of what he detracts from it (offensive pace). Its a no brainer.
Mikel's game is not JJ Okocha's game. It is not Onazi's game. His primary role is to stabilise the midfield and by so doing stabilise the team. What percentage of his playing time should he be 'chasing' the game?

Watching yesterday, any time Mikel had the ball, I was confident we were truly in possession, the ball would go to another NIGERIAN player, and NOBODY would take that ball off him.
When he was available - which he always was - I was sure that if need be, his one-touch pass would STILL find a Nigerian player. Just get the ball to him. Finish.
That is his role in the centre of the park and yet again it is those simple things he does so effortlessly that makes people underappreciate the crucial role he plays. Right now,there is NOBODY that has that commanding presence in midfield that we have as a replacement. Nobody. Maybe give Kelechi Nwakali a few years, but right now there are no guarantees.

For that clever pass in the final third, you need an Iwobi or an Iheanacho. Getting Mikel to go offensive up there is risking far too much. Beating defenders one-on-one is not his strong point. He doesn't have pace for one. The chances taken by making him offensively take on defenders will drastically drop his ball retention rate and what's worse, that midfield develops a hole into which the opponents will flood. It happened a few times yesterday when he was caught upfield.

Our offensive problems are not Mikel related. I am no Bigporkey-type 'Mikelmaniac', but this predictable knee-jerk misdiagnosis and reaction to Mikel's role is like that of a harried doctor deciding in his blind panic to amputate your left leg after a minor stroke.

The team should be retained with minor reinforcements here and there, with Mikel as bona fide captain.

[Mr. Piffington]

I honestly don't get the complaints from some of you. I can't believe you actually thought Nigeria was really going to qualify after all the backroom drama. Nigeria frustrates me like most of you and I'm no Siasia fan but expecting him to qualify for the ANC with such lousy preparation (mostly not his fault) is pretty asinine. However, what I watched when Iwobi came on was a spectacle I haven't witnessed in the SE in a very long time so it gives me a bit of hope that when the backroom drama gets less political the future of the SE is bright.

[Chimex101]

get rid of pinnick, mikel, the 'old players' .....because they don't play to instruction and sia1......very dubious selection bordering on cluelessness with a hint of spivving

Typical.
Replace Mikel with whom? Etebo? Onazi? Tell me one player we have that plays one touch football apart from maybe Iwobi.
Mention one player with such a high pass completion rate.
Becos he is not rushing around like a headless chicken does not subtract the fact that his ball retention is unmatched.

YOU CANNOT SCORE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE BALL, DUH!!!!

Typical misdiagnosis with knee-jerk reaction. How are you any different from all the clueless NFF and even some of the coaches?
Remove Mikel nah, make we see who you wan take replace am.

You have to admit that when we are chasing a game, Mikel offers nothing. There was a time VM fed him just infront of the 18, another player whould have driven on and shot but he just slowed the game down. Also the time he miskicked the ball in the first half. For a WC player he has the worst offensive ability I have seen. We need to at least re-appraise his role in that team or surround him with players that make up for his shortcomings.

That short man that came in displayed more offensive nuance in 15 minutes than Mikel in the whole game.

Its like saying when you are chasing a game, take off all your defenders and even your 'Keeper, paapa. Replace them with strikers.
It doesn't work that way. I know the very incident you are referring to and I was equally infuriated. But what Mikel gives to the team (midfield stability) is by far, far in excess of what he detracts from it (offensive pace). Its a no brainer.
Mikel's game is not JJ Okocha's game. It is not Onazi's game. His primary role is to stabilise the midfield and by so doing stabilise the team. What percentage of his playing time should he be 'chasing' the game?

Watching yesterday, any time Mikel had the ball, I was confident we were truly in possession, the ball would go to another NIGERIAN player, and NOBODY would take that ball off him.
When he was available - which he always was - I was sure that if need be, his one-touch pass would STILL find a Nigerian player. Just get the ball to him. Finish.
That is his role in the centre of the park and yet again it is those simple things he does so effortlessly that makes people underappreciate the crucial role he plays. Right now,there is NOBODY that has that commanding presence in midfield that we have as a replacement. Nobody. Maybe give Kelechi Nwakali a few years, but right now there are no guarantees.

For that clever pass in the final third, you need an Iwobi or an Iheanacho. Getting Mikel to go offensive up there is risking far too much. Beating defenders one-on-one is not his strong point. He doesn't have pace for one. The chances taken by making him offensively take on defenders will drastically drop his ball retention rate and what's worse, that midfield develops a hole into which the opponents will flood. It happened a few times yesterday when he was caught upfield.

Our offensive problems are not Mikel related. I am no Bigporkey-type 'Mikelmanic', but this predictable knee-jerk misdiagnosis and reaction to Mikel's role is like that of a harried doctor deciding in his blind panic to amputate your left leg after a minor stroke.

The team should be retained with minor reinforcements here and there, with Mikel as bona fide captain.

NO, the team should be disbanded, what more can the likes of Mikel, Onazi, Echejilie, Efe etc offer us at this point Damunk? for once be truthful to yourself...our players are glorified dead weights! lets salvage the few positives from this team- Iwobi, Ihenacho, Vic Moses,and Simon and maybe Musa...inject younger players from the Olympic crop to form the new Super Eagles team ahead of the world cup.

[Cristao II]

Hindsight is always 20-20. If we believe SE then we definitely would have won this game if those who did not start were the ones who started. IMHO, that is nothing but hogwash.

If you watched the game carefully, then you would have to admit that the Egyptian team at home was no easy opponent. Respect that. Even when we controlled possession we never threatened their goal as they did at our end. It was not just because we didn't have our best player it was ALSO THE TACTICS USED BY EGYPT. They always had numbers behind the ball. It appeared that they had a sweeper back their who served as the "safety switch." They always found him when they could not go forward with possession and then we never really pressured the guy. Give credit to Egypt and their coach. One hundred Iwobis, Iheanachos, Baloguns, Ikemes, you name them may not have made the difference. Sometimes acknowledge the other team can play too and today Egypt did what IMO should have been anticipated i.e earn a point or win it. Just my tuppence.

Hector Cuper is not a slouch!!

[leftee]

But when Etebo scored he was being hailed as superstar..some of these shadowy writers are part of the rot.

So we are calling muyiwalawal a "shadowy writer" these days...
Frankly, I have no qualms with Etebo (and Amuzie) on the team, and we know Shehu is a result of circumstance.

He has always been ...i was waiting for him to out himself.

Funny how Muyiwa never, ever called Keshi out like that.