Football writer. Writer for money. Any old fixture will do. | Published: @Goal @PulseSportsNG @NewFrame_News @guardian_sport @espn | Newsletter: @Chaos_Digest
Feb 12 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
Fact that, following #AFCON2023, Alex Iwobi is getting more criticism than either of Zaidu Sanusi and Samuel Chukwueze tells you all you need to know. If you've been paying attention, it should come as no surprise. Pattern behavior.
@iamkoolkola Nigerians consistently hold the best of us to the highest standards of performance and behavior, while lowering the bar for the most bankrupt.
Is it any wonder then that, despite having produced so many excellent individuals, we remain a thoroughly mediocre nation?
Feb 12, 2022 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
Perhaps the single biggest deficiency in Victor Osimhen's game is his relative lack of skill. He makes up for it to a large extent with his powerful stride and physicality, but if he had that, he would be genuinely unstoppable.
Genuinely puzzled by a lot of the reaction to this. As far as I can tell, there are two problems here. One is cultural, the other is comprehension.
Nigerians are the only people I know for whom anything other than rating someone as "perfect" = criticism.
May 4, 2020 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
For me, the biggest argument for Victor Osimhen to remain exactly where he is: Ligue 1 is offering him a platform to develop, not just through playing time, but by experimentation.
His finishing is becoming more varied, and you can observe him consciously adding new things.
For instance, when he arrived in Ligue 1, he was mostly about shooting quickly and often. His link-up play was not a major strength.
As time has gone on, he has added new features: wall passes to bring a fellow forward into play and prise defences open;
Jul 6, 2019 • 5 tweets • 3 min read
Partly due to injury, @NGSuperEagles play with full-backs who offer little going forward.
Rohr fields two defensive midfielders who are, at best, average passers, and who sit at home.
Ighalo is a static striker who has been isolated and bullied by every defence he's faced.
In addition of these, Rohr still decides to pick wingers primarily for their ability to track back.
Good thing Cameroon aren't very good themselves. I, for one, do not understand how Nigeria are considered favourites here.
To correct a misconception: #Nigeria has not yet qualified for the #FIFAU17WC. Still need a point from the final game. #U17AFCON
There is a scenario in which 3 teams can still finish on 6 pts, in which case results against Tanzania will be discounted. Only the results in matches between the three tied teams will be used.
*If* that scenario plays out (Nigeria lose to Uganda, Angola beat Tanzania)...
Mar 28, 2019 • 14 tweets • 5 min read
The CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations will take place from the 14th to the 28th of April in Tanzania.
For the first time ever, women referees have been nominated for a CAF men's tournament. cafonline.com/en-US/NewsCent…
Group 🅰️ (Dar Es Salaam)
Tanzania 🇹🇿, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Angola 🇦🇴, Uganda 🇺🇬
If Gernot Rohr has actually watched Rotherham's games extensively, and has decided on the basis of them that Semi Ajayi is a viable option in midfield for the Super Eagles, then I give up.
Semi Ajayi completes 15.3(!) passes per game. He plays in midfield
Interceptions: 1.2 pg (well outside top 50 in Ch'ship)
Clearances: 3.8 pg (well outside top 50 in Ch'ship)
Tackles: 1.4 pg (25th in Ch'ship)
Duels: 7.2 pg, a 58% success rate (healthy)
Errors leading to a goal: 3
Nov 12, 2018 • 14 tweets • 3 min read
Wrote this about two weeks ago. Since then, the call for Leon Balogun to be dropped and Kenneth Omeruo to be plugged in has only intensified.
Will try to address why (I think) this is not a good idea in the short term.
The idea seems to be that a pairing of Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong would be more deserving, as both are seeing regular minutes at Leganes and Udinese, respectively.
Important to note the debate is about form, rather than ability.
