At least they scored... Brave performance nevertheless. They actually looked good in parts of the game.
Yup...but this game also showed how far African teams are behind the world's elite. Terrible in front of the goal, bad tactics,... Actually seem to have regressed in the last decades.
Nigeria are much better/more organized than that and in my opinion they played like crap (compared to their form during the AFCON). Should have scored 10 goals given how wasteful they were in midfield and attack for much of the game. Hopefully they get their act together before the Uruguay game.
Did you watch the AFCON dude? You're basing this opinion(terrible in front of goal, bad tactics -not sure what more the Nigerian MGR could have done technically today, and the regression) on one match vs Tahiti? Yeah no. A few things, Nigeria were the last team to arrive and were in Brazil 36 hours or less before the match. Fatigue possibly played a major part today but that won't be really known until the next two matches and how they play in those. Terrible in front of goal- Their current #1 striker is out injured. They have a list of strikers (from their AFCON run and win as well as those that didn't even play in that but probably would be in contention for the Confed. cup) that are out injured or chose not to play in the Confed.Cup or crossed paths with the manager. I wouldn't base thoughts about a regression in African Football on a match vs Tahiti. Or any Confederations Cup match either.
Exactly. It was one match. Some selection choices by the manager are/were questionable but he's earned the benefit of the doubt with his AFCON win and he has two more matches for his team to show better.
Not trying to sound too harsh but after a day of listening to the condescending Kasey Keller and always $hitty Alexi Lalas spout rubbish, i just wasn't feeling the post. Anyway, don't let a Ghanaian fan hear your thoughts on African teams based on the performance of Nigeria in the Confed cup. Ghana-Nigeria= no Football love.
Yes I did and also followed the online reception that time. The vast majority had the same view, quality of the tournament was alarming and the teams are making no progress. Ghana was good at 2010 WC but their displays after that were not m on the same level agai
Darn phone, accidentally replied too early. Trust me, I'm the last person to jump to conclusions after one match and am very aware of the state of African football. Nearly all opinions I read after/during Africa Cup shared my opinion. The state of African football is more than alarming, the youth system is poisoned by money-hungry institutions that look to sell their players as quick as possible instead of properly developing them. The infrastructure of the clubs and national teams is horrible and doesn't help the issue. Things won't get better if there are no drastic systematic changes.
I never read such opinions and I wonder, did you read them from European writers and European media outlets or African writers/African media outlets? Alarming is a bit much in terms of hyperbole. The state of African Football has changed little in the past decade. Now compare it with 20 years ago, I'd say in terms of club Football it has changed for the worse. In terms of National teams/International Football, it's gotten better slowly(in some cases it's remained the same) but I wouldn't say regression. There has been very little change in the infrastracture of national teams and youth systems in Africa have been like that since the 90s. No change for better or worse in that regard imo. Teams making no progress? Keep in mind this was the 2nd AFCON in 2 years(due to the format/year change). Zambia have made fantastic progress over the past decade and a half. Same with Ghana. Ghana's displays post WC 2010 have been fine imo. They flatter to deceive in the AFCONS of the past decade, much like Ivory Coast although both have reached AFCON finals. Ghana went out of the AFCON in the semi-finals in 2012 and 2013. They haven't lost outside of AFCON tournament matches in 2013 or 2013. Their form could have been better in certain matches against other African and South American/Asian opposition but what national team outside of a few giants of the game, has played perfect Football over the past 3 years? I have no idea who wrote what you said about the quality of the tournament being alarming but from my perspective and from the African analysts I keep up with, I never heard that view. Nigeria played perhaps some of the highest quality Football they've played in years. Zambia was almost as solid as they were last year. Ghana were solid. Mali and Burkina Faso were quite good. I don't know what else viewers or the people/analysts/writers you're referencing, wanted from it. There was a bit more excitement than last years tournament imo although last year had a more surprising team win it(Zambia).
Bruh, bruh, bruh hold on there I would never say one my beloved Barca players suck!! All I said was he really hasn't improved much in the past season or so, probably due to the lack of playing time which unless Xavi goes down I don't see changing that much in the upcoming season. But yah don't worry I doubt your man-crush leaves Barca this season. P.s. he always shines con la rojita!
He is slowly coming into his own. Isco is going to be a beast in my opinion. Such a talented and smart player. Definitely a good crop of young players coming up for the Spaniards.
I know Man Utd is coming hard and Pep supposedly wants him at Bayern as well but Barca will not sell him. The only way he leaves is if a team pays his clause ( 18 million euros) which really isn't much for a player of this caliber. I'm a firm believer that he will stay with us at least this upcoming season. Having said that, he needs to be a bit more patient as his time is coming.
