HERE YOU GO: How Eagles lined up in Closed Door Session....

[deanotito]

I think owngoal should be responsible enough not to be leaking "closed door" information to the public. Just my 2 cents

[Kabalega]

I think owngoal should be responsible enough not to be leaking "closed door" information to the public. Just my 2 cents

If owngoal can sneak in, then a team that carry their own pillows snuck in too.
They probably have bugs in the SE's hotel too.

Besides, even I could have picked this team.

[Otitokoro]

Truth is Alampasu has more BIG game experience, albeit at the U17 level.
The only big game Akpeyi ever played was the Egypt match, in which he was pretty average.
Let's hope he doesn't stink up the joint on Saturday.

My take is to go with the keeper that is hot at the moment: Alampasu.

Italy did it with Gianluigi Donnarumma...

papilo,

Scary but the better choice. The truth is that it is scary to play any of the three goalkeepers now in camp but one must play. Alampasu is good but the occasion is a BIG BIG ONE and how are we sure he can handle it? Atleast we know that Akpeyi can as he was out there in unfriendly environment in Cairo against Egypt. Lets just hope that most of the pressure is on Algeria.

[Enugu II]

Truth is Alampasu has more BIG game experience, albeit at the U17 level.
The only big game Akpeyi ever played was the Egypt match, in which he was pretty average.
Let's hope he doesn't stink up the joint on Saturday.

My take is to go with the keeper that is hot at the moment: Alampasu.

Italy did it with Gianluigi Donnarumma...

papilo,

Scary but the better choice. The truth is that it is scary to play any of the three goalkeepers now in camp but one must play. Alampasu is good but the occasion is a BIG BIG ONE and how are we sure he can handle it? Atleast we know that Akpeyi can as he was out there in unfriendly environment in Cairo against Egypt. Lets just hope that most of the pressure is on Algeria.

Actually, I disagree. Big game at the youth level (at that a U17 tourney) is never equated to big game at the senior level in front of thousands of yelling and passionate spectators. In that Cairo game, Akpeyi played well facing tremendous pressure, the kind that will not even be approached in tomorrow's game. Moreover, he did the same in an international game in South Africa where he saved a penalty for Nigeria, again at the senior level.

While I believe Alampasu is Nigeria's future, he has not faced the same atmosphere either at the national level or at his club. This is where international friendlies should have helped.

While Akpeyi is certainly not Ikeme, he is a better choice for this game than Alampasu. I certainly give Rohr kudos for that decision.

[theYemster]

Good grief why can't the game be played at night? Most of these guys are acclimated to cooler weather.

7-7:30pm is pretty reasonable no?

[miky]

Whats up with Nigerians and these experience nonsense. alampasu is a way better goalkeeper than that akpeyi guy, that guy is clueless. yes alams might go in with nerves but he will turn around.

he might have had the final say, but it seems we are now ready to give akpeyi the say just based on alams not having enough experience. akpeyi needs no more chances.

[Enugu II]

Whats up with Nigerians and these experience nonsense. alampasu is a way better goalkeeper than that akpeyi guy, that guy is clueless. yes alams might go in with nerves but he will turn around.

Is Gernot Rohr Nigerian? Decision made by Rohr, bros. I guess he does not think experience is nonsense.

[Otitokoro]

E2, I can respect your stance but with all due respect to Akpeyi, he wasn't really tested against Egypt in that game thanks to the defense.
Sometimes, we tend to overrate experience. The likes of Iheanacho and Iwobi had little or no international experience but held their own. Ditto that for Abdullahi Shehu and even Musa Mohammed. So, why not Alampasu?

Fact is I have never been impressed with Akpeyi. The fact that he even played second fiddle during the Olympics speaks volumes of his net minding abilities (or lack thereof).

Truth is Alampasu has more BIG game experience, albeit at the U17 level.
The only big game Akpeyi ever played was the Egypt match, in which he was pretty average.
Let's hope he doesn't stink up the joint on Saturday.

My take is to go with the keeper that is hot at the moment: Alampasu.

Italy did it with Gianluigi Donnarumma...

papilo,

Scary but the better choice. The truth is that it is scary to play any of the three goalkeepers now in camp but one must play. Alampasu is good but the occasion is a BIG BIG ONE and how are we sure he can handle it? Atleast we know that Akpeyi can as he was out there in unfriendly environment in Cairo against Egypt. Lets just hope that most of the pressure is on Algeria.

Actually, I disagree. Big game at the youth level (at that a U17 tourney) is never equated to big game at the senior level in front of thousands of yelling and passionate spectators. In that Cairo game, Akpeyi played well facing tremendous pressure, the kind that will not even be approached in tomorrow's game. Moreover, he did the same in an international game in South Africa where he saved a penalty for Nigeria, again at the senior level.

While I believe Alampasu is Nigeria's future, he has not faced the same atmosphere either at the national level or at his club. This is where international friendlies should have helped.

While Akpeyi is certainly not Ikeme, he is a better choice for this game than Alampasu. I certainly give Rohr kudos for that decision.

[west33637]

REVEALED: How Super Eagles Lined Up In 3-4-3 Formation During Close Door Session
http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/11/11/re ... r-session/


The Super Eagles of Nigeria held their first tactical session at the Nest of Champions ahead of their World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Algeria.

Coach Gernot Rohr held the session behind close doors but Owngoalnigeria.com eagle eyed correspondent watched the training from a section of the stadium unnoticed.

Rohr tried the players in two different formations during the session, starting with a 3-4-3 formation before switching formations again during the session.

Here is how the probables were lined up against the possibles in a 3-4-3 formation as witnessed by our correspondent.

Daniel Akpeyi (GK)

William Troost Ekong ( DF)

Leon Balogun (DF)

Kenneth Omeruo (DF)

Victor Moses (RWB)

Ahmed Musa ( LWB)

Mikel Obi ( MF)

Eddy Onazi (MF)

Oghenekaro Etebo (MF)

Alex Iwobi (FW)

Kelechi Iheanacho (FW)

Keys:

GK: Goalkepper
DF: Defender
RWB: Right Wing Back
LWB: Left Wing Back
MF: Midfielder
FW: Forward

Semantics but it looks more like a 3-5-2

Yep. I saw 3-5-2 also. The article says 3-4-3, but the line up is 3-5-2.

[1naija]

Behind closed doors with correspondents? Is this the same as an open secret? Hmmm

[Enugu II]

Otitokoro,

Go back and rematch the Egypt game or even the threads on CE regarding that game. You will note the work of Akpeyi praised even on this site on that day against Egypt (I have posted the player rating of the game from CompleteSports site as a help). He was the second highest rated Nigerian player in that game!! Note also the same in the South African game. Those are now matter of easily accessible records. Playing second fiddle at the Olympics means little. If you note, Akpeyi was only called up because Siasia wanted it as a warning to Emmanuel Daniel to up his game after the disastrous Suwon tournament. Best to understand the circumstances. Daniel was always going to be the starter as he was clearly one of the best players for the u23 but SSS was simply miffed at that 2-6 loss and he stated so publicly in the media. Thus, the fact that Akpeyi was on the bench states very little about his abilities if you ask me. It was symbolic and a way to motivate Daniel.

In any case, Akpeyi is no Ikeme but I am certain that there isn't a concern about stage fright which is a legitimate issue in the case of Alampasu. Here, I love your examples. Go and take a look at the first games played for Nigeria by both Iheanacho and Iwobi and you will note that their performances are not even close to where they are now with the team. That is the concern with Alampasu and in such an important match.

If we are playing a friendly, I would love for Alampasu to start but this isn't a friendly. As I noted, sure he is probably Nigeria's future in a few years time but that future should not be destroyed by throwing him into the fire when he has not shown that he can handle it. Best move is introduce him with the type of caution shown in the case of both Iheanacho and Iwobi. BTW, both Shehu Abdullah and Musa Mohammed that you mentioned were also eased into the team via international friendlies.

EGYPT 1-0 NIGERIA: How Super Eagles Rated Vs Pharaohs
29 MAR 2016 HEADLINES, TOP FEATURES, TOP STORIES
By Adeboye Amosu:
http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/eg ... -pharaohs/


DANIEL AKPEYI 7/10
Put up a brave performance in what was his first competitive game for the Super Eagles. Made two brilliant saves on 39 minutes and could do nothing to prevent the Pharaohs from scoring the winner.

SHEHU ABDULAHI 4/10
A below-par showing from the Uniao Madeira of Portugal defender. He was constantly caught out of position especially in the first half and contributed little going forward.

EFE AMBROSE 5/10
The Celtic man did well to curtail the Pharaohs attackers, but couldn't prevent them from scoring the decisive goal. He also lost possession a few times.

GODFREY OBOABONA 6/10
Solid as ever, but was unfortunate to end up on the losing side.

STANLEY AMUZIE 3/10
Surprisingly kept his place in the starting eleven and put up a shoddy display in the game. He was rightly substituted at the start of the second half after an error-prone performance.

OGHENEKARO ETEBO 4/10
Couldn't replicate his first leg performance. He make little impact in the game and was substituted due to injury.

MIKEL OBI 5/10
The Chelsea midfielder had an average game although he started well, controlling the midfield early on. He however failed to lift his side to get a positive result from the game.

AMINU UMAR 4/10
A surprise inclusion in the starting line up. Umar toiled hard to make an impression in the game with no success.

AHMED MUSA 3/10
Another horrific display from the winger. Never made any significant impact in the game for the entire 90 minutes he spent on the pitch.

VICTOR MOSES 8/10
Unarguably Super Eagles best player in the game. Came close to getting the equalising goal late in the game when his shot hit the post.

ODION IGHAL0 4/10
Yet to make an impact on the international stage. The Watford forward struggled to get going and had a poor game by his Premier League standards.

SUBSTITUTES
ELDERSON ECHIEJILE 5/10
Took the place of Stanley Amuzie at the start of the second half and did little to change the complexion of the game.

AZUBUIKE IKECHUKWU 6/10
The defensive midfielder helped stabilise the Super Eagles midfield when he came on for the injured Oghenekaro Etebo. He surely has a big future ahead of him.

ALEX IWOBI 6/10
Brought some life into the Super Eagles attack when he replaced Aminu Umar in the 72 minute.

E2, I can respect your stance but with all due respect to Akpeyi, he wasn't really tested against Egypt in that game thanks to the defense.
Sometimes, we tend to overrate experience. The likes of Iheanacho and Iwobi had little or no international experience but held their own. Ditto that for Abdullahi Shehu and even Musa Mohammed. So, why not Alampasu?

Fact is I have never been impressed with Akpeyi. The fact that he even played second fiddle during the Olympics speaks volumes of his net minding abilities (or lack thereof).

Truth is Alampasu has more BIG game experience, albeit at the U17 level.
The only big game Akpeyi ever played was the Egypt match, in which he was pretty average.
Let's hope he doesn't stink up the joint on Saturday.

My take is to go with the keeper that is hot at the moment: Alampasu.

Italy did it with Gianluigi Donnarumma...

papilo,

Scary but the better choice. The truth is that it is scary to play any of the three goalkeepers now in camp but one must play. Alampasu is good but the occasion is a BIG BIG ONE and how are we sure he can handle it? Atleast we know that Akpeyi can as he was out there in unfriendly environment in Cairo against Egypt. Lets just hope that most of the pressure is on Algeria.

Actually, I disagree. Big game at the youth level (at that a U17 tourney) is never equated to big game at the senior level in front of thousands of yelling and passionate spectators. In that Cairo game, Akpeyi played well facing tremendous pressure, the kind that will not even be approached in tomorrow's game. Moreover, he did the same in an international game in South Africa where he saved a penalty for Nigeria, again at the senior level.

While I believe Alampasu is Nigeria's future, he has not faced the same atmosphere either at the national level or at his club. This is where international friendlies should have helped.

While Akpeyi is certainly not Ikeme, he is a better choice for this game than Alampasu. I certainly give Rohr kudos for that decision.