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://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20060123/i/r4610700.BBC CLOCKWATCH...Read the full article.

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I watched the game, and would think that the Super Eagles performance was fairly ok, also being their first match, they need a little more time to get into the groove, but having said that Coach Augustine Eguavoen shoul sort our back 4 (The defence), Joseph Yobo didn't impress and should work his lines better. Coach Eguavoen showed some passion, a change from previous coaches.

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Oga Admin,
I begi! If possible lets have some webcast here of the games for those of us who are fuming that even though we have FSC and Gol TV both have refused to carry the ANC! And I am too poor right now to shell out about $500 for AIT!

Uche,
I think being their first game against strong opponents like Ghana, they must have done well. Let see how Senegal fares, but with Diouf and Camara spearing the attack, I think Zimbabwae is in a whole lot of trouble.

As for Yobo, we mey need to cut him some slack, remember, he has been the rock of the Everton defense, the guy sometimes would run post to post! So he may be a bit slow at times. I noticed in some Everton games he did need to recover a lot to save the day, but his commitment was always 100%

You i wonder what your opinion? I was fuming over The yaks choice to stay at borough, and I think the gods of football made it known that they did not like his choice with the 7-0 walloping that Asernel gave them last week!

Anyhow congrats eagles hope things get better!

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N.A.R

Senegal missed a million chances before seeing Zimbabwe off with a 2-0 defeat, Henri Camara picked up where he left off in the Premiership, and continued with his incredible goal scoring form giving Senegal the opener. On paper, Senegal is looking good, as the team to beat, what else would you say about a team that could afford to leave the likes of Papa Buba Dioup on the sub bench. Anyway, since we are in the same group, the Nigeria -Senegal match will be a beauty to watch.

Don't mind Yak, was i happy that Middlesbrough lost again last weekend (3-2), i've always questioned his commitment to the cause, he says that there is no point going to Egypt only to warm the bench, remember how he schemed with Harry Redknapp in 2004 to break camp rules so as to get booted out, would you believe that Portsmouth flew him back to the UK on a private jet, and whisked away from the airport with police escort/siren to the stadium for a football match, maybe now that he has finally got his work permit, he thinks he is all that, remember that when middlesbrough originally applied for him, the Home Office turned him down but they won on appeal, we will see what happens next. anyway, if my madam go gree me watch all the games, i will be providing some commentaries here since you guys on the other side of the planet are not able to see the games live.

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Uche N,
Do not mind Yak! Its funny, I have tried to follow Niaja soccer constantly from 1994 when the won the ANC. Its ironic that one can see how Okocha did change and grow and become a more disciplined and constant player, I was stuuned when he said and I realize that he has served the national team for 11 years! Whoa!

Now guys like Yak forget that one day one day, you can fall out with your club, and then the national team is the only way out to seek glory and get a nice new contract. Look at Kanu how the nationakl team revived his carrier like two times! No wonder even with his poor broken head he still headed for Egypt!

Personally I hope that John Mikael Obi gets a shot I am very worried that while his compatirot (Messa) now at Barca is busy scoring goals and mesmerizing defenders, he is still fighting contractual troubles! left to me I wonder why he does not simply take the Man U offer? Does he think he can dethrone Essien at Cheslsa?

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Below was something I wrote immediately after the match:


Yeah, I watched the game and I’m relieved we won, because, frankly, I’m not hugely impressed. Yobo as stand-in Captain showed some level of naivety a few times for someone who plays in the Premiership week in, week out. He hardly was communicating with other members of the back-four or with his midfield and forward players. He was switching off at random; moving away with his back to the ball when the opponents were in dangerous set-pieces positions and, even on one occasion, was actually handing the ball to the opponents when he himself wasn’t yet in position, talk less of organizing his defence! The link-up play from back to front was atrocious, to say the least.

Having said the above, I’m happy with the performance of Taiwo and Wilson Oruma, the latter deputizing for the injured Okocha. Martins was also lively, but in spite of coming close twice, the service simply wasn’t there; though it must be said that Ghana played five at the back and with the hugely experienced Kuffour marshalling them, it was always going to be difficult.

I don’t want to analyze this game too much, because it’s the first group game in the supposed ‘Group of Death’ and we at least have earned the three points. Apart from Senegal, Ghana was always going to be another tough team to play, not only because they’re a good team with a lot of experienced players, but also because of the traditionally fierce rivalry between both countries in football. We are facing Zimbabwe next and we should be able to take the points in that encounter to put us in a strong position.

I’m happy that we have a young team that will grow together and possibly be formidable by the time the next World Cup qualifications come up. So, really, whatever happens in this Nations Cup outing, I’ll accept it and hope we concentrate on the future, especially as the early signs from the competition are indicating that our representatives in Germany this year aren’t up to par. Ghana has just lost to us and before then Togo had lost to Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola to Cameroon. Only Tunisia amongst the World Cup qualifiers won its opening match against Zambia.

I’m happy for Eguavoen, because after the debacle of the World Cup qualifications, which he took up at the tail end, this is really his first competitive outing. It’s good for him to start on a winning note. In all, I’d say we’ve had an average performance and a great result, which is good for confidence-building.

Bring on Zimbabwe!



Mr Robinson,

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Personally I hope that John Mikael Obi gets a shot I am very worried that while his compatirot (Messa) now at Barca is busy scoring goals and mesmerizing defenders, he is still fighting contractual troubles! left to me I wonder why he does not simply take the Man U offer? Does he think he can dethrone Essien at Cheslsa?

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Who is “Messa”? Or, do you mean Lionel Messi? If so, how is he Mikel Obi’s “compatriot” when he’s not a Nigerian? The man is from Argentina, plays for Argentina and you call him Mikel Obi's compatriot? Listen, the fact that they played against each other in a FIFA organized tournament does not make them compatriots, okay?:rolleyes:

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kenn1
I used the wrong terminology, so bit me jare! As if you do not know what I am talking about Messi (who won the golden boot) is plying his trade for the number one club in Spain, while Obi (Who won the silver boot) is still struggling to find a club and its arguable if Messi was that much better at the Youth Championships. Yet Obi is wasting time, talent and money and losing valuable experience in a protracted contract dispute. Even T. Taiwo (Who won the bronze boot) is doing so well and is a regular first team player for one of the best clubs in France (despite their mid table standing). No do you understand that or not?

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I think that the super eagles were impressive. I was really mesmerised by Oruma's display. Happy that he is finally stamping his foot down.

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In my humble opinion, two games will decide who will advance in this group - Senegal vs. Ghana; Nigeria vs. Senegal . Nigeria must strive to win against Senegal to comfortably advance to the next round to face possibly Tunisia or Guinea. If we don't, then lets hope that Senegal had earlier defeated Ghana, then we are still in the race. Ghana though has the potential to spoil the party - imagine a situation where Senegal falls to Ghana, but defeats Nigeria. We will have 3 teams with 6 points apiece, where utilizing a head to head record will be mute, and the teams to advance will be selected on the basis of goal difference . Nigeria better score a lot of goals against Zimbabwe!

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There is a small part of me that does not even want Nigeria to do well in this competition. The dismal performance so far of three of the world cup qualifiers has painfully reiterated the lack of dedication that resulted in our failure to qualify for the world cup.

I mean, if Nigeria wins the cup, how can you rest knowing she triumphed over countries who qualified for the world cup, including Angola? At least if they get eliminated, I can always console myself by saying, well, they weren't going to do well at the world cup anyway.

Some people might see a victory as a fitting consolation prize, but I know I'll ask, "why did'nt you beat Angola in Nigeria and qualify for the world cup?" But I suppose I shouldn't nit pick. It sure is painful to see countries I know Nigeria is better than warming up for the world cup, while we are preparing for a summer on the sidelines.

All the same, best wishes to the Super Eagles.