Lagarback’s Super Eagles a continuation of Amodu’s?

April 22nd, 2010 | by: Bc Osunneye |

SOCCER-EURO/SWEDEN

A lot of happenings on the Nigerian football scene in the past month but none is surprising, rather annoying that we just fail to get things right.

Several friendliesincluding matches with North Korea, Ukraine, Greece and Portugal have been brandished as if everything is sealed but alas no single friendly is confirmed for Lagarback’s boys. Coming to Lagarback, he released a 44-man list to camp 6 weeks to the world cup isn’t that a joke? Eguavoen has been trying to defend the list Where his first opponents Argentina, are already reeling out the likely starting line up for the day we are busy exploring.
Anyway that is expected too since we employed a new coach late February.

However I decide to look at the bright side and appreciate the fact that all the Angola squad were invited except two players, Nwaneri who has never had a business being part of our Super Eagles and the injured Yusuf Mohammed. This means we will have a high level of continuity and the fact that Lagarback would not be starting all over.
Some commentary on this say that it is a continuation of Amodu in disguise although i can readily attest to that, i hope that 4-6 ‘new’ players will make the team.

Like the last write up where we listed about 4 players in Ajilore, Ike Uche, Adeleye and Haruna to make the team i will want to look at boys from Angola team who may be left out.

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1. Seyi Olofinjana (Defensive Midfield) out: in Oluwafemi Ajilore (Attacking midfield)
2. Obinna Nwaneri (Central Defense) out: in Ayodele Adeleye(Central defense)
3. Mohammed Yusuf(Right Full back) out: in Olubayo Adefemi (Right full back)
4. Ayila Yussuf (Defensive midfield) out in Lukman Haruna (Attacking midfield)
5. Kanu Nwankwo(Forward) out: in Ike Uche (Forward)

Fringe players remain
1. Eneramo
2. Aluko
3. Utaka John
4. Utaka Peter etc

I actually do not expect any major surprise apart from the possibility of Nwankwo Kanu making the team and a player like Haruna or Ajilore being dropped. Sani Keita and Shittu’s places are also shaky. It will however be very hard to drop Kalu Uche who seem to be hitting form with his club about now. All the likes of Yakubu, Martins and Obinna Nsofor are almost a sure bet. They are boys the coach will most likely judge based on their past performances and the fact that they are still getting games with their clubs here and there. Or what about injuries, fresh ones are still possible though we pray against it.

Another thing that occurred in the news earlier today is the issue of NFF not able to obtain British Visas for the 6 home based players called to camp by Lagarback. Like they scuttled Amodu’s 33 man list to the South African camp then, they are on the way to scuttling Lagarback’s plan to at least expose these home based boys to better training and facilities.

The reason they say is that their passports are with WAFU since they took part in the just concluded cup tournament but my question is where is WAFU? The passports should have been retrieved by Saturday evening after the finals or at most Sunday morning. Okay, what if they were shipped to WAFU office in Abidjan, how long does it take to travel down there and back? Is it Australia we are talking about? God help us.

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Icegaze

I would love to see a young and dynamic looking SE side mixed with some experience. Here’s the 23-man list I wish to see in SA:

Goalies: Enyeama, Ejide, Etafia;

Defenders: Afolabi, Yobo, Adeleye, Apam, Adefemi, Odiah, Taiwo, Echiejile;

Midfielders: Mikel Obi, Ajilore, Haruna, Etuhu, Nsofor, Ibenegbu;

Forwards: Odemwingie, Obasi, Anichebe, Musa, Ike Uche, Yakubu.
http://nigeria.worldcupblog.org Bc Osunneye

This is quite bold and very tricky for a new manager. Musa and Ibenegbu may be good but it will take some magic in training and friendly matches (if we play) for them to make the squad. You must be familiar with them.

Rabiu Afolabi is a veteran and for whatever its worth the ‘man’ plays week in week out in Austria so why not.
Icegaze

Afolabi is a fantastic asset for the team, great in the air. Regular shirt with the leading club of Austrian football this season. He even scored a vital equalizer for Salzburg this weekend.

I’m not familiar with Ibenegbu and Musa. I included them based on media hype alone. But they cannot get any worse than Kaita and current form Kanu (with all due respect). If Musa isn’t good enough then Martins would take his spot. I believe we need player like Ibenegbu in the midfield because he’s able to distribute clever balls and is quite skilled in set pieces.
http://nigeria.worldcupblog.org Bc Osunneye

As you have said its based on our media reports that could be solicited so am afraid we have to base this on what they do when they play friendlies , if they get to lol!

I agree on Afolabi, at least he would surely be better than bench warmers.
http://argentina.worlcupblog.org Maxi Lopez

Bc Osunneye and all Nigerian friends,

I am Maxi Lopez from the Argentina blog. As Argentina and Nigeria will face eachother very soon in South Africa, I have posted a topic regarding Nigeria. We invite you guys to exchange your thoughts & ideas about the game. What are your tactical expectations? Your strenghts? Weaknesses? Your pronostic? You are very welcome on the Argentina blog. Please come and participate to friendly discussions!

http://argentina.worldcupblog.org/
http://argentina.worlcupblog.org Maxi Lopez

http://argentina.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2010/argentina-nigeria.html
Alex

While I agree with most of your changes, I believe more are in order. I don’t believe Echiejile or Adefemi warrant a place in the Super Eagles World Cup squad, as neither of them get any first team football for their clubs. Odiah and Taiwo should be the right and left back, and Apam can replace either of them if it comes to that. Only four more defenders should be needed: Yobo, Adeleye, Afolabi, and Shittu (his solid performance in Angola excuses the lack of action he has seen for Bolton). Having one less defender opens up a place for Peter Utaka, who has scored 18 goals in Denmark this season. Ike Uche is also not likely to be in playing shape, and including a player who has only just recovered from such a serious injury would be a mistake. Victor Anichebe, who has put in some fine performances for Everton recently, would be a much safer selection to replace Kanu. Sani Kaita is also not needed because we already have Etuhu and Mikel as defensive midfielders. John Utaka is in fine form at the moment and should not be overlooked. Also, Obinna Nsofor’s form and fitness is questionable at the moment, meaning a spot could open up for Sone Aluko.
http://nigeria.worldcupblog.org Bc Osunneye

mmmh Alex, you are right about Adefemi and Echiejile but i have a feeling this man would want to take Kanu
Icegaze

30 man list is out.

LINK –> http://www.kickoff.com/news/15312/lagerback-names-squad-olofinjana-out.php#commenting
paolo

FROM ITALY

I’m italian but i love super eagles…i always follow nigeria in every game…i hope we can do well at world cup because we have the players to do it…
about the players i think that afolabi must play absolutely because is very good…haruna lukman must play too…odemwingie and ike uche are necessary because they have fancy and dribbling.

In my opinion this is the squad that i would love to see playing:

Enyeama

Odiah Yobo Afolabi Taiwo(echiejile)

Lukman MIkel Etuhu(Yussuf)

Odemwingie Yak Ike uche
Icegaze

@Paolo,

Decent line-up. Buuut, we still don’t know what formation Lars Lagerback would use. It’s between a classic 4-4-2 with wide flank players and a 4-3-3, Dutch style.

Answer on May 25 against Saudi Arabia.
paolo

A question:
What do Think about Lars Lagerback? Do you think he has the experience to guide the super eagles? I think we had to take another coach….i hope i’ll wrong
Icegaze

The NFF seemed pretty amazed by the knowledge of Nigerian football displayed by Lars during the job itw. Not to say that I trust their judgement at all cost, but I believe that if they were that positively surprised, then Lars is the man the team needs.

I am positive. But its 50-50 back at home (Nigeria) from what I hear and see on the Internet. Only time will tell.
I can’t wait for May 25!!
paolo

i hope…i hope…i think that with a good organisation nigeria could be a strong team and i think could write the history of african’s football…only time can tell and we wait…

Do you know why Onuoha won’t take part to nigeria in the world cup?
Icegaze

Apparently, he needs time to think about his international future. His family have adviced him to wait before taking action.

I guess he still believes he has a chance with England. Why not. But it won’t be a given. Good luck to him anyway.
paolo

Surely a good player i hope he’ll choose for nigeria!!!