Analysis: England 2–1 Nigeria

I have a theory, friends and neighbours.

If someone makes a mess of the avoidable variety, and then proceeds to salvage said mess to some degree, it does not seem to me that the individual in question should be due marked praise for that. Maybe I’m…

Analysis: Argentina 2–4 Nigeria

It was something of a game of two halves in Krasnodar, and although the Super Eagles produced a rousing comeback to win 4–2, Argentina posed difficult questions all game.

Now that we are born again (Part 1)

So, we made rather light work of this qualifying malarkey, didn’t we? Six games: four wins, two draws, an average of two goals scored per game. Four goals conceded: two of those penalties, at least one of them contentious. All impressive numbers. Look back on where…

Let people enjoy things, Solace…

Often, a win of this magnitude is the enemy of analysis. Beating Cameroon will always elicit euphoria…

Brief thoughts on Poland vs Nigeria

While Gernot Rohr has not strayed too much in terms of his call-ups, he seems quite keen to…

Analysis: South Africa 1–1 Nigeria

Nigeria secured a ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2013 after a 1–1…

All hail ‘Balogunbauer’

It is in observing the simplicity of football that we appreciate its complexity.

That there are three basic departments to a team — defence (of which the goalkeeper consists), midfield and attack — is easy enough to grasp, and is essential in understanding what…

Very brief thoughts on Nigeria vs DR Congo

I was not going to write anything at all about this game against DR Congo. As a matter of principle, I found it offensive; in terms of utility, I found it unnecessary.

Now that we are born again (Part 2)

Apparently, I may have spooked some by highlighting a problem with our attacking play in the last post (haha!), so today we will take a look instead at what the Super Eagles have excelled at through the qualifiers. See, I’m not all gloom and doom. Consider this a…

Marc Wilmots: What is Ivory Coast trying to achieve?

Note: This piece is longer than I typically write on here. I wrote it…