NewStats: 3,262,135 , 8,176,171 topics. Date: Saturday, 31 May 2025 at 09:58 PM 3z1e69

semid4lyfe:
South Africa has a whopping +5 goal difference, and that's my real worry.

Their 13 points haul will be reduced to 10 points when FIFA deducts 3 points for their fielding of an ineligible player. (I'm confident this will happen).

Also, SA's goal difference will take a hit with 3 goals deduction and reduce to +2.

With 10 points, if SA wins three matches of their remaining four matches (I assume they'll lose against us), they'll be on 19 points.

If the Super Eagles win all their four remaining matches, which includes beating SA in their home, we'll be on 19 points too.

In my mind we can defeat Benin Republic at home. Lesotho away and Rwanda at home....,and it must be done handsomely..

Anyhow e wan be, we must pick 3 points against South Africa.

Ultimately, it'll boil down to goal difference so we must score goals.

Is this doable and possible, emphatically YES.

There's still that glimmer of hope so I ain't giving up yet.

Tedium lies the road to success and like 2baba go talk, if e easy na set up.

Believe.

Our SA brothers have also accepted their fate with regards the FIFA hammer. It's just a matter of "when" not "if" for them now. FIFA would not like the case going to CAS.
The head-to-head rule takes precedence over goal difference if two are 2 teams tie at top (like Angola and Nigeria in 2006 WCQ). If these guys manage to win in SA, and tie them on points, Nigeria qualifies irrespective of their goal difference..but can these guys we are seeing do it I only feel sorry for Osimhen , Lookman and the die hard SE fans.

Trust me, our boys will get the job done with better defenders. The team could shake things up by introducing Onyedika’s relentless energy, Nwakali’s flair and vision, and Iwobi’s adaptability into the starting lineup, while benching Ndidi to bring a new spark to the midfield and give him a breather after his recent intense performances. Chelle should try this combination during those friendly games.

Almost every team out there is hoping and praying for a chance to face the Super Eagles and beat us. If that’s not the case, then why are players openly calling for Leon Balogun’s return? It’s a clear sign that our current defenders—aside from Aina—are mediocre at best.
Even then, I don’t rate Aina too highly because he can be unpredictable and sloppy whenever he feels like it, which leaves us vulnerable at the back.

TheSuperNerd:
Lyon sits 6th on the Ligue 1 table.

they potentially face relegation if they can’t meet some financial obligations by the end of the season

caprikon:


Our SA brothers have also accepted their fate with regards the FIFA hammer. It's just a matter of "when" not "if" for them now. FIFA would not like the case going to CAS.

The head-to-head rule takes precedence over goal difference if two are 2 teams tie at top (like Angola and Nigeria in 2006 WCQ).

If these guys manage to win in SA, and tie them on points, Nigeria qualifies irrespective of their goal difference..but can these guys we are seeing do it I only feel sorry for Osimhen , Lookman and the die hard SE fans.

The emboldened is not true sir. That head to head rule was only used in 2006. Since then, FIFA has ditched it.

For the 2026 world cup, goal difference takes precedence over head-to-head. Specifically, teams that are tied on points will be separated based on

1. Goal difference
2. Goals for
3. Head-to-head.

We just need to stop conceding goals, and win all our matches handsomely.

Tomorrow is pregnant. only time will tell if the pregnancy will abort or deliver a world cup berth.

I choose to believe.

joelsteron:
Trust me, our boys will get the job done with better defenders. The team could shake things up by introducing Onyedika’s relentless energy, Nwakali’s flair and vision, and Iwobi’s adaptability into the starting lineup, while benching Ndidi to bring a new spark to the midfield and give him a breather after his recent intense performances. Chelle should try this combination during those friendly games.

Almost every team out there is hoping and praying for a chance to face the Super Eagles and beat us. If that’s not the case, then why are players openly calling for Leon Balogun’s return? It’s a clear sign that our current defenders—aside from Aina—are mediocre at best.
Even then, I don’t rate Aina too highly because he can be unpredictable and sloppy whenever he feels like it, which leaves us vulnerable at the back.

Nwakali in 2025, are we moving forwards or backwards

yinkeys:

Can he distribute long balls like Ekong does
Can he build from the back like Ekong does ?
Can he pose serious threats to the opposition in setpieces?
We need our best legs ready in September
Time will tell

I don’t know if this is sarcasm but Ekong being good on the ball is such a myth because if you watch him for a full match his long balls are horrendously inaccurate, There is nothing Ekong can give us that will not be replaced by any of our young defenders in addition to athleticism and speed

Goke7:


Keep your explanation for when the authorities come calling! 😂

Abeg oo. E never reach like that. Let's settle 😏😏

Mujtahida:

My brother, I wasn't comfortable seeing him. play Aina on the left even in the first match. Aina is the best RB in the EPL for God's sake. Why short change him just so you can play a mediocre Osayi on the right? Well as Aina gave an assist on the left, na so Osayi assisted Zimbabwe on the right.

jihday:
until I see his next squad list for June before I raise eyebrow on him

I hope he comes up with a good selection

Whenever naija win, I will spend days online reading and watching different analysis. When we lose (that Zimbabwe match was a defeat) I'd avoid those very channels, blogs and pages.

Subzerooo:


Nwakali in 2025, are we moving forwards or backwards

Backward... Nigeria just qualified for world cup after topping the group with 15 pt ahead of African minors.

elyte89:


I don’t think England is part of d tournament..heard it’s Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹

Ohk
But why don't we play friendly with Africa team like Comoros, Angola, Tanzania or Madagascar self because those are the only teams that can give us clue on how to play low stubborn Teams in our group
And if playing abroad Team dey hungry NFF make Dem arrange friendly with Belgium, Sweden, Serbia, wales or Ireland na at least Dem get better FIFA ranking us
What the heck is Trinidad and Tobago

caprikon:


Our SA brothers have also accepted their fate with regards the FIFA hammer. It's just a matter of "when" not "if" for them now. FIFA would not like the case going to CAS.
The head-to-head rule takes precedence over goal difference if two are 2 teams tie at top (like Angola and Nigeria in 2006 WCQ). If these guys manage to win in SA, and tie them on points, Nigeria qualifies irrespective of their goal difference..but can these guys we are seeing do it I only feel sorry for Osimhen , Lookman and the die hard SE fans.

I only feel for Osimhen. He's the only one who has shown desire for us to win. Lookman, toh if he had/has desire to be at the world cup, he would have been generous in working to provide an assist rather than hunting for personal glory.

Always one must keep the greater goal above one's own personal aggrandizement

Subzerooo:


Nwakali in 2025, are we moving forwards or backwards

E shock you, na Uche had played his way from third division Spanish team, straight to la-liga, and still balling,

Same Nwakali can't even made it from liga 2, yet he is the missing clog anything we draw of loss

Eric Chelle used to be a rugged defender in his days.

He needs to fix our defense asap.

jihday:
yes, you people are always crying for home based players and they gave you those guys

we cried for homebase (which I'm not part of) we were given Europe rejects. Ever since fans started crying for nwakali to be tried in our midfield, they should also give us nwakali

I'm about to open up a can of worms here 😂.

But mano a mano, let us really discuss.

To the detractors and critics, what exactly gan gan is the problem with Kelechi Nwakali 🤔?

All of Una still hoping to qualify for the World Cup Una get mind o, I hope to be like you when I grow up. With the way Una players no really care you still believe in them. You should be studied 😂

yinkeys:

Can he distribute long balls like Ekong does
Can he build from the back like Ekong does ?
Can he pose serious threats to the opposition in setpieces?
We need our best legs ready in September
Time will tell

Ekong build from the back?

FiveFootNinja:
I'm about to open up a can of worms here 😂.

But mano a mano, let us really discuss.

To the detractors and critics, what exactly gan gan is the problem with Kelechi Nwakali 🤔?

Oya open d can of
Worms o

Kog45:
Ekong build from the back?

Our coaches do not appear to be toonintelligent. Just do a 3 man centre back and let olisah ndah build from back with 2 other defenders behind him. Uche and inyeka in midfield. Try akinsanmiro as an attacking midfielder. Try it in a friendly
Our coaches should pray to God for wisdom. Wisdom of the way to use our players us the main problem of our team.
Almight God please give our coaches Wisdom as you gave Solomon.
The sat we get a ciach who understands us we will achieve great things.
The coach of zimbabwe should be our coach. Our opponents see our weaknesses while we don't.
Instead of tactics we keep talking of leagues the player is playing in.
God almighty give our coaches Wisdom the way you gave solomon. God pkease

Do you see Chelle using the Peseiro approach with a little tweak vs SA? Massive defending and counter attack. For what it's worth, 3 player have earned their place on the bench and it is up to Chelle to find replacements aspa before September comes.

Chuks
Ndidi
Osayi


He should stop wasting that 9 slot abeg and get more midfielders in the fray. If anything happens to Iwobi, e no go good o. But play that guy advanced and scream down his neck to get back his shooting at goal boots. Guy wan dey do like low budget Odegaard when it comes to shooting. Very annoying.

In all you do as a coach, train your team not to concede in the 4 most tensioned moments of the game.
5 minutes from kick off,
5 minutes before HT,
5 minutes from resumption of the Second half,
5 minutes Before FT.

My guy hope always springs eternal.

Nigeria was far off the log to qualify for 2002, 2010 WC yet we inexplicably made it. Doesn't guarantee it will still be the case now but we can only hope (that word again )

I learned lessons from CIV in last year's AFCON out for the count in the group stages yet rode their luck to win the whole thing.

Goke7:
All of Una still hoping to qualify for the World Cup Una get mind o, I hope to be like you when I grow up. With the way Una players no really care you still believe in them. You should be studied 😂

Ndidi and Chuks should be given seatbelt for bench duties until further notice. Osayi no be am. Need to find a reliable backup for Aina.

daveP:
Do you see Chelle using the Peseiro approach with a little tweak vs SA? Massive defending and counter attack. For what it's worth, 3 player have earned their place on the bench and it is up to Chelle to find replacements aspa before September comes.

Chuks
Ndidi
Osayi


He should stop wasting that 9 slot abeg and get more midfielders in the fray. If anything happens to Iwobi, e no go good o. But play that guy advanced and scream down his neck to get back his shooting at goal boots. Guy wan dey do like low budget Odegaard when it comes to shooting. Very annoying.

FiveFootNinja:
I'm about to open up a can of worms here 😂.

But mano a mano, let us really discuss.

To the detractors and critics, what exactly gan gan is the problem with Kelechi Nwakali 🤔?

Open it, we are all here

Samueltemi337:


So?

The comparison is unfair.
Goals per minutes ratio, Ejuke is ahead.

Christantus Uche is touted not for his goals.

chrisooblog:
Ndidi and Chuks should be given seatbelt for bench duties until further notice. Osayi no be am. Need to find a reliable backup for Aina.

Why should Ndidi be given a seatbelt.
He does his work.

Meliforme:


The comparison is unfair.
Goals per minutes ratio, Ejuke is ahead.

Christantus Uche is touted not for his goals.

Boniface has a better goals per minute ratio than Dessers does that mean Boniface has had a better season than Dessers?

jihday:
more than Iwobi? 😁

Yes.
If we bring in the positions played on the pitch as a factor.

Samueltemi337:


Boniface has a better goals per minute ratio than Dessers does that mean Boniface has had a better season than Dessers?

What exactly do you intend to achieve with these positions.
I wish i could pick your destination.

Meliforme:


What exactly do you intend to achieve with these positions.
I wish i could pick your destination.

Meliforme:


He is yet to show it, but i have my eyes on him.

He is yet to show it
But Ejuke has?