haha true, on watching Algeria here maybe Nigeria isn't that good afterall. Iwobi is no better than the Egyptian or Tunisian wingers & Iheanacho is a bench player unlike Drogba, Etoo, Mané, Diouf and other players who were the face of their team.
So many errors in such a short response... 1. No. Not true. Iheanacho is on the Champions League squad. Stop peddling alternative facts. 2. Where was Drogba, Eto'o, Mane, Diouf and othe players at the age of 20 and where is Iheanacho? At Manchester City with the highest goal per minute ratio in EPL history. Sure, he's in tough territory right now playing under a coach whose style does not suit him, but he's still ahead of all the players you mentioned at his age. 3. Nigeria frontline isn't a question of one player. Nigeria frontline currently fields a key player for EPL title leaders Chelsea (and many Chelsea fans will say he's the POTY), a key player for Champions League stalwarts Arsenal and one of the best youngsters at Manchester City. All this before the likes of Osimhen (Wolfsburg), Kelechi Nwakali (Arsenal pending a work permit), Onyekuru (revelation of the season in Belgium), Etebo come into play... And that's just the attacking players. 4. Iheanacho - a player with the highest GPM ratio in EPL history who has scored 24 goals (de facto 25 goals) and recorded 9 assists in 2300 minutes of senior football at the highest level possible. Thats a goal or assist every 70 minutes, which is basically... Messi in his prime level stats. Actually his stats are significantly better than Messi's or Ronaldo's were at the same age. And that's despite the slump in form from November to now. I'm not saying he's a Messi or a Ronaldo, but I'm putting this out there to highlight how ridiculous the 'he's not all that' statements are. Iheanacho obviously has his issues right now with a limited Guardiola, poor first touch, loss of confidence, but people sure are forgetful... That goes for club fans who seem to judge him on his past two months, not on the two years that came before it. 5. Iwobi isn't a winger. He's an attacking / creative midfielder that is being schooled to take over from Oezil. Egypt or Tunisia don't have anyone similar to him. That's exactly why Nigeria is ahead of them. Both teams wish they had someone in his mold.
Gabriel Jesus putting in another great performance.. the difference between him and Kelechi.. Kelechi can't pass and integrate other players into attack. He's as tradition of a #9 as they come. btw Iwobi isn't that good.. he has 3-4 terrible performances, then 1 really good one.
Kelechi's assist rate and goal-scoring opportunity rate paint an entirely different picture. He's played many great passes and through ball and one-twos... He did all that superbly... People have tragically short memories. No one seems to remember Kelechi saving the day vs Southampton or winning the Manchester derby or putting a MOTM performance vs Bournemouth. All this year (I'm not even mentioning the Pellegrini era). Jesus is a Guardiola type player. And has one attribute that Kelechi does not have - a great first touch. And given so far Jesus has been a tap-in king against: - the 17th team in the league (Swansea H) - the 19th team in the league (Crystal Palace H) - a team which Man City thrashed without Gabriel Jesus just a few weeks back (West Ham A) He's had decent performances against three of the worst teams in the EPL (West Ham has been terrible in January). Also - Kelechi isn't a #9. He doesn't even play as a no 9 for Nigeria. Iheanacho has pure and simply been mismanaged by Pep. He was in great form in October, then Pep for whatever reason decided not to play him for a single minute in November, after which Iheanacho was supposed to magically fill the void made by Aguero. He had one indifferent game and suddenly Pep threw all the vitroil on him. The one thing that Gabriel Jesus has over Iheanacho is two full seasons of first team football, which would have been beneficial for Iheanacho. --- I'm not sure whats been going on, but since Pep came in and especially since November, Iheanacho passing has deteriorated, his finishing isn't as confident, his first touch has gotten even worse. He plays like someone whose confidence has been destroyed...
He's 20 and already better than players like Oscar ever were. And if Wenger knows how to do one thing its to hone talent and shows him their trust, despite having one or two off games. Something Pep is uncapable of.
Manipulation, dude. Very below the belt and a yellow card in my book. Small sample. Kelechi maintains a goal per 90 minutes ratio with 20 goals scored. And he's kept up this ratio for club and country for two plus years. The 'driest' run Iheanacho has ever had is right now - 1 goals in the past 150 minutes. Lets see if Jesus keeps his up... Not to mention he didn't scored in the cup game. And pray tell - what's Jesus's goal ratio in the Brasilian league? A goal every 180 or so minutes... So Iheanacho driest run is better than Jesus's norm. Besides - this isn't a Jesus vs Iheanacho bashing competition.
Egypt beg to differ. Crisp shot by Elneny into the roof of the Cameroon net. Had acres of space and loads of time to pick his spot. Not the best work from the Cameroon defence. 1-0 Egypt!
Egypt continue to shine a glaring spotlight on the two enduring weaknesses of African teams 1. Lack of truly top class clinical strikers 2. Substandard defensive organization You need 1. to put away chances against teams as well organized as Egypt who will eventually make you pay because of 2. It seems like these days we should just hand Egypt the cup when they qualify for an AFCON
Brainless play from the Cameroonian stepover fiend, who neglected to see a completely wide open team mate to his left at the top of the Egyptian box. Cost his team a very good chance.
Who woulda thunk it? Egypt are vulnerable to crosses. They look discombobulated every time Cameroon whips one in.
2-1 Cameroon!! Abubakar!!!!! From nothing! Egypt continue to be discombobulated by high balls into the box.
Cameroon by far the better team and deserved to win. Egypt's kick has run out Cameroon reclaim their rightful crown at the summit of African Football! Indomitable Lions! 5 time champions This team could represent us well at the Confederations Cup