NewStats: 3,265,062 , 8,185,513 topics. Date: Friday, 13 June 2025 at 10:34 AM q506y

jihday:
most low blocks put 10 men behind the ball with no plan to score, they just want to kick the ball away unlike a defensive team that will put at least two men in a position where they can quickly counter if the ball falls to them. Shots and curlers from outside are quite tough when you have 10 players inside the box willing to throw themselves at the ball, in most cases players will end up playing the ball too high because they always have to rush their actions.

That is where switching plays, incisive runs and also picking players with the gift of shooting long range balls come in. Game plan is key.

One of my favorites outside Nigeria is Dybala.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjM8DdbRmSs

Mujtahida:

Iwobi used to score like that. I his goal against Zambia in Uyo

Then he's part of the 8%.

TheGoodJoe is actually right. His video examples may not be the best but he is spot on. Stretching a low block defence and creating offensive overloads in between their defensive lines would eventually distort the low block shape and create space for us in the free 8 zones offensively giving room for cutbacks into that area leading to precise outside or in the box shots or giving room for another final ball to locate a free teammate in the midst of all the chaos.

Bringing in a dribbler as we saw with Chukwueze is good but it was against a tired inexperienced Libyan defence. If it was against another die hard north African defence like the Moroccans or Egyptians, Chuks' or Ejuke's dribbles won't be fruitful in the end in many circumstances. Dribbling is risky and you are more likely to lose the ball dribbling into a crowded zone than holding on to it. Dribbling is nice but it is not the sure fire way to break down low blocks unless the dribbler is ed by offensive overloads which takes some of the markers from his way.

And getting plenty corners is not a guarantee again. The low block side would just crowd their box with all 11 players + their GK. In that instance, it is the Iheanacho scenario vs Tanzania in Rohr's first game that will crack such a defence. Lethally precise outside shots.

So TheGoodJoe's analysis is right.

In a nutshell...

Against low blocks...
▶️Stretch them with 2-way wingers (wingers who can switch between going on the outside and on the inside)

▶️Create Offensive Overloads. Against 10men camped in their defensive half, move in at least 7-8 of your lads in and around their defensive lines but closer to where the ball is to create ing options and spaces that confuses the low block structure.

▶️Use Deception.
This means fool them into expecting crosses while using cutbacks. And when they feel they have figured out the cutback trick, deceive them again by using actual timed crosses aimed at a zone with at least 3 or 2 of your lads.

▶️In the Free 8 zone where the receiving player for the cutbacks is, he is licenced to use his ball striking to damage the opponent and draw blood with goals.

▶️Use Switch plays tactics too. Lure the opponent to one side and quickly switch play to the other wing and quickly hit them using the space created before the low block shifts to that wing can recover shape.

▶️When using Dribblers, have 2 ing options available to them in a triangle format so that the dribbler can use footwork to execute sweet 1-2s and open up spaces in behind the low blocks.

▶️Don't double pivot when playing against a low block (e.g. using Ndidi and Onyeka vs Libya's lowblock was counter productive). We need only one #6 and he must be highly -progressive.

Chikena.

jihday:
I think you are confusing a defensive team with a team on low block, a defensive team doesn’t put 10 men behind the ball but a low block does. So this your theory of playing plenty shots may not hold, IMO the best way to break a low block is what we eventually did to succeed, get a pacy dribbler to run at them, they’ll panic and either cause PK or you start getting plenty corners

TheSuperNerd:
TheGoodJoe is actually right. His video examples may not be the best but he is spot on. Stretching a low block defence and creating offensive overloads in between their defensive lines would eventually distort the low block shape and create space for us in the free 8 zones offensively giving room for cutbacks into that area leading to precise outside or in the box shots or giving room for another final ball to locate a free teammate in the midst of all the chaos.

Bringing in a dribbler as we saw with Chukwueze is good but it was against a tired inexperienced Libyan defence. If it was against another die hard north African defence like the Moroccans or Egyptians, Chuks' or Ejuke's dribbles won't be fruitful in the end in many circumstances. Dribbling is risky and you are more likely to lose the ball dribbling into a crowded zone than holding on to it. Dribbling is nice but it is not the sure fire way to break down low blocks unless the dribbler is ed by offensive overloads which takes some of the markers from his way.

And getting plenty corners is not a guarantee again. The low block side would just crowd their box with all 11 players + their GK. In that instance, it is the Iheanacho scenario vs Tanzania in Rohr's first game that will crack such a defence. Lethally precise outside shots.

So TheGoodJoe's analysis is right.

In a nutshell...

Against low blocks...
▶️Stretch them with 2-way wingers (wingers who can switch between going on the outside on the inside)

▶️Create Offensive Overloads. Against 10men camped in their defensive half, move in at least 7-8 of your lads in and around their defensive lines but closer to where the ball is to create ing options and spaces that confuses the low block structure.

▶️Use Deception.
This means fool them into expecting crosses while using cutbacks. And when they feel they have figured out the cutback trick, deceive them again by using actual timed crosses aimed at a zone with at least 3 or 2 of your lads.

▶️In the Free 8 zone where the receiving player for the cutbacks is, he is licenced to use his ball striking to damage the opponent and draw blood with goals.

▶️Use Switch plays tactics too. Lure the opponent to one side and quickly switch play to the other wing and quickly hit them using the space created before the low block shifts to that wing can recover shape.

▶️When using Dribblers, have 2 ing options available to them in a triangle format so that the dribbler can use footwork to execute sweet 1-2s and open up spaces in behind the low blocks.

▶️Don't double pivot when playing against a low block (e.g. using Ndidi and Onyeka vs Libya's lowblock was counter productive). We news only one #6 and he must be highly -progressive.

Chikena.

Tactical Professor. You know book. See thesis.

Some finesse shots to cool the belly.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV1Y1nD1Ric

lbrichman2:
At some point in the match yesterday, if felt like we were watching Man City..
Wave after wave after wave of attacks..

I love the spirit and attitude AE has inspired in the team
They just kept going
They kept believing
And it popped!!

Big confidence boost!
Looks we're going on a 15-20 game unbeaten run
Because I don't see this team losing anytime soon

exactly brother..

I was a bit nervous and same time anxious watching us play primally because we needed a goal.

We kept attacking with urgency until we got the goal.. then the Libyans came out of their shell to attack, personally I believed we would have punished them more when they came out if we had more time.

Stanley Nwabali for Nigeria 🇳🇬
🎮 14 games
🛡️ 7 clean sheets
🥅 10 goals conceded
🧤 1.92 saves per match

Better goalkeeper 💎
During Uzoho tenure, na make we no concede one or two person dey always pray for, but now, hope for clean sheet dey dey 🤠

Emi Martínez na Argentina Nwabali 😁

who come wise ... person wey never score who fake fainting or person wey him side score come hold in chest? ... only a genius will know the answer. ?\

We have the materials but we need to harness it.

Iwobinho goal vs Man Utd..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_0N3aD2U7Y

zuchyblink:
Dele Bashiru - 2 international goals
Bonifacey - 22 international memes

Haha🙂….Boniface had it so good with Leverkusen cuz of club tactics but In National Team it’s a different ball game,now he has been a starter in the last three matches with no much inputs but let’s see what will happen in Tripoli

Iwobi's ball striking is so frustrating. He can score a worldie today and miss the next 5 shots he gets.

Below is the best example of using outside shots from a corner situation vs a low block.

This was Iheanacho vs Tanzania in 2016 (under Rohr).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmYwJw6X7g?si=hcB7q1qMn9WDfJHh

TheGoodJoe:
We have the materials but we need to harness it.

Iwobinho goal vs Man Utd..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_0N3aD2U7Y

TheSuperNerd:
TheGoodJoe is actually right. His video examples may not be the best but he is spot on. Stretching a low block defence and creating offensive overloads in between their defensive lines would eventually distort the low block shape and create space for us in the free 8 zones offensively giving room for cutbacks into that area leading to precise outside or in the box shots or giving room for another final ball to locate a free teammate in the midst of all the chaos.

Bringing in a dribbler as we saw with Chukwueze is good but it was against a tired inexperienced Libyan defence. If it was against another die hard north African defence like the Moroccans or Egyptians, Chuks' or Ejuke's dribbles won't be fruitful in the end in many circumstances. Dribbling is risky and you are more likely to lose the ball dribbling into a crowded zone than holding on to it. Dribbling is nice but it is not the sure fire way to break down low blocks unless the dribbler is ed by offensive overloads which takes some of the markers from his way.

And getting plenty corners is not a guarantee again. The low block side would just crowd their box with all 11 players + their GK. In that instance, it is the Iheanacho scenario vs Tanzania in Rohr's first game that will crack such a defence. Lethally precise outside shots.

So TheGoodJoe's analysis is right.

In a nutshell...

Against low blocks...
▶️Stretch them with 2-way wingers (wingers who can switch between going on the outside and on the inside)

▶️Create Offensive Overloads. Against 10men camped in their defensive half, move in at least 7-8 of your lads in and around their defensive lines but closer to where the ball is to create ing options and spaces that confuses the low block structure.

▶️Use Deception.
This means fool them into expecting crosses while using cutbacks. And when they feel they have figured out the cutback trick, deceive them again by using actual timed crosses aimed at a zone with at least 3 or 2 of your lads.

▶️In the Free 8 zone where the receiving player for the cutbacks is, he is licenced to use his ball striking to damage the opponent and draw blood with goals.

▶️Use Switch plays tactics too. Lure the opponent to one side and quickly switch play to the other wing and quickly hit them using the space created before the low block shifts to that wing can recover shape.

▶️When using Dribblers, have 2 ing options available to them in a triangle format so that the dribbler can use footwork to execute sweet 1-2s and open up spaces in behind the low blocks.

▶️Don't double pivot when playing against a low block (e.g. using Ndidi and Onyeka vs Libya's lowblock was counter productive). We need only one #6 and he must be highly -progressive.

Chikena.

yes cutbacks I agree but just playing shots from outside the box? Omo una fit play 50 shots without success, we could have brought on Iheanacho yesterday with the aim of playing those shots and he may not even hit the target, long rangers/curlers is an art very few players have mastered. Your second point is quite risky tho, overload on one side and you loose possession to them before you blink you could have a Torres bearing down on your Valdes very quickly and the last point is a no brainier, it’s why I thought Onyeka should have been removed by halftime.

Mujtahida:

Low block is actually the medicine to tiki taka because in tiki taka, what you are advocating for invariably rarely happens as it is not part of the tactics.

thought I was alone on this.
I'm actually surprised good joe made that statement...

There was this match between Barcelona vs Celtic... Barcelona had around 79% possession while Celtic had about 21% can't really , but guess the scoreline?
0:1 in favour of Celtic.. players that shoot from such distance in a tiki taka set ups, do that from individual brilliance and not necessarily from a designed pattern of play.

50% cleansheet across 14 International caps is impressive.

Cleansheets vs CIV, Cameroun, Angola and Rohr's Benin dey included.

BankyGee:
Stanley Nwabali for Nigeria 🇳🇬
🎮 14 games
🛡️ 7 clean sheets
🥅 10 goals conceded
🧤 1.92 saves per match

Better goalkeeper 💎
During Uzoho tenure, na make we no concede one or two person dey always pray for, but now, hope for clean sheet dey dey 🤠

Emi Martínez na Argentina Nwabali 😁

TheSuperNerd:
Iwobi's ball striking is so frustrating. He can score a worldie today and miss the next 5 shots he gets.

Below is the best example of using outside shots from a corner situation vs a low block.

This was Iheanacho vs Tanzania in 2016 (under Rohr).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmYwJw6X7g?si=hcB7q1qMn9WDfJHh

Amazing. And I feel Iheanacho, Fisayo, Boniface, Onyedika, Lookman, and Simon have these in their arsenal for the coaching crew to exploit. I am expecting more teams to approach us with low blocks due to our ultra attacking nature under Eguavoen.

We've got to give it to Simon Moses yesterday after switching position with Mola. His chemistry with Onye was good and the cross was placed in the dangerous part of the box for anyone to connect and Dele lashed on it.
Also thank God Chuks docked if not the goal wouldn't have come.
Kudos to our silent achiever Moses Simon keep shining bro!

Emmy450:
thought I was alone on this.
I'm actually surprised good joe made that statement...

There was this match between Barcelona vs Celtic... Barcelona had around 79% possession while Celtic had about 21% can't really , but guess the scoreline?
0:1 in favour of Celtic.. players that shoot from such distance in a tiki taka set ups, do that from individual brilliance and not necessarily from a designed pattern of play.

That is why I am proposing it being added to the arsenal. I am tired of seeing teams trying to run or dribble through a defensive wall. It goes against the Time and Space theory. The space is in front of the wall. Shoot over it.

charlesemeka85:
funny monickers wey person Dey see here once in every 9 months 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

their comments they always mud me Aje.

charlesemeka85:
Former Super Eagles defender Sam Elijah has voiced his concerns regarding the potential of 22-year-old Benjamin Tanimu ahead of Nigeria's 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya.

Tanimu is among the players selected for the crucial clash against the Mediterranean Knights, but he faces stiff competition from six other defenders included in the 23-man squad announced by interim manager Austin Eguavoen.

In an interview with allnigeriasoccer.com, Elijah expressed doubts about Tanimu's readiness and abilities, emphasizing that the young defender needs to demonstrate consistency and strong performances at the club level.

"For me, I am still having second thoughts about him. I am not too sure about him," Elijah stated.



"I think he needs to do more in playing matches for his club. We need to see him at the top of his game."

Elijah further articulated that being invited to the Super Eagles should not be seen as a privilege but rather a deserved recognition based on merit.

"It is not just about bringing people because of connection. No, he has to be a good player in his team, playing consistently and with confidence," he remarked.

Currently, Nigeria tops Group D with four points following a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin and a goalless draw against Rwanda in Kigali.

Tanimu recently ed League One club Crawley Town on a two-year contract from Tanzanian club Singida Black Stars.

However, since his move in September, he has yet to make an appearance for the Red Devils, raising further concerns about his potential as the Super Eagles prepare for their important qualifier against Libya.

With crucial games ahead, Tanimu will need to prove himself to secure a spot in the national team, especially as Nigeria aims to maintain its strong performance in the AFCON qualifiers.

I heard that a strong politician and financier/fund raiser for the NFF is responsible for Tanimu's place in the SE

jihday:
yes cutbacks I agree but just playing shots from outside the box? Omo una fit play 50 shots without success, we could have brought on Iheanacho yesterday with the aim of playing those shots and he may not even hit the target, long rangers/curlers is an art very few players have mastered. Your second point is quite risky tho, overload on one side and you loose possession to them before you blink you could have a Torres bearing down on your Valdes very quickly and the last point is a no brainier, it’s why I thought Onyeka should have been removed by halftime.

Iheanacho will hit the target if given license to shoot from far. You can count on it. He has been doing it for years.

Emmy450:
thought I was alone on this.
I'm actually surprised good joe made that statement...

There was this match between Barcelona vs Celtic... Barcelona had around 79% possession while Celtic had about 21% can't really , but guess the scoreline?
0:1 in favour of Celtic.. players that shoot from such distance in a tiki taka set ups, do that from individual brilliance and not necessarily from a designed pattern of play.

We've seen Spain struggle many times with such teams.

Mujtahida:

Abi oooo. Help me shout it for those at the back.

Once some people are watching a match and it doesn't go the way they like they start panicking. Yes you can panic, it's normal but leave Eguavoen out of your soft ass.

soft ass ke?🤣🤣

Mujtahida:

How will he impress you with his tactics when from your first sentence it is obvious you misinterpreted his tactics. He played 4-3-3 not 4-2-3-1. Iwobi played his natural AM role, Onyeka was the CM and Ndidi the DM.

He will only impress you when he plays Ejuke 😏😏

Oh my God.

It is so clear that Eguavoen played 4231.
Iwobi played very close to Boniface that sometimes you will think it is 442.
Iwobi sometimes pressed the Libyans alone especially in the first half.

How do you guys watch matches and interpret so little.

Eguavoen was poor, some said he wasn't conservative, but he was to some extent. Our wingers sat deeper, off the ball.
We had more of the ball and looked like we were doing most of the attacking, because the Libyans were very poor, so so poor, with a mediocre game plan, and Eguavoen did not take advantage of this to utilise our players that are in form.
Our wingers played deeper than they should and weren't pressing the Libyans.
Our wingers got few shots.

You misunderstood the second point. It is not an overcommitment of resources to one side. It is a strategic placing of your lads starting from the 2 lads closest to the ball position when in possession. The closest to the ball are the two lads forming a triangle with the winger holding the ball and seeking to create gaps through interplays with teammates and movements.

The rest defence is set easy as the opponents have all 10men behind the ball.

And I don't know how you are seeing the point on outside shots but it is a tool created only by the usage of Deception as explained and the offensive overloads and switch plays tactics.

You use outside shots or in the box or top of the box shots when the space or half space is created to hit them. See Iheanacho's example vs Low block Tanzania... in 2016!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmYwJw6X7g?si=hcB7q1qMn9WDfJHh

jihday:
yes cutbacks I agree but just playing shots from outside the box? Omo una fit play 50 shots without success, we could have brought on Iheanacho yesterday with the aim of playing those shots and he may not even hit the target, long rangers/curlers is an art very few players have mastered. Your second point is quite risky tho, overload on one side and you loose possession to them before you blink you could have a Torres bearing down on your Valdes very quickly and the last point is a no brainier, it’s why I thought Onyeka should have been removed by halftime.

Kog45:
Haha🙂….Boniface had it so good with Leverkusen cuz of club tactics but In National Team it’s a different ball game,now he has been a starter in the last three matches with no much inputs but let’s see what will happen in Tripoli

Boniface will be fine, he probably need to go to a tournament with Nigeria, the players will train more and also spend more time together that will allow both his team mates and the coach to understand him better

How many clear cut chances did we create, we created few.

I will say things the way they are, and hope to see improvements.

Eguavoen did not impress me with his tactics.

Mujtahida:

100% agreed.

That’s why I feel bad for Finidi for such a person with a very big profile in his playing days shouldn’t be giving us such crap after a good Afcon outing. He almost embolden a big case for foreign coaches. I can only hope that case will finally be buried with AE.

Lovely from the Monster Machine. Very beautiful to see.

Victor Boniface. Your goals will come. We cannot have a striking talent like him and not enjoy it, mbanu!!!

BankyGee:
Victor Osimhen encouraging Victor Boniface.

Victor Osimhen knows how to fight for his teammates always, I after AFCON when people wan finish Iwobi, he ed Iwobi too and got all the other Super Eagles players to do same. Future captain.

TheSuperNerd:
You misunderstood the second point. It is not an overcommitment of resources to one side. It is a strategic placing of your lads starting from the 2 lads closest to the ball position when in possession. The closest to the ball are the two lads forming a triangle with the winger holding the ball and seeking to create gaps through interplays with teammates and movements.

The rest defence is set easy as the opponents have all 10men behind the ball.

And I don't know how you are seeing the point on outside shots but it is a tool created only by the usage of Deception as explained and the offensive overloads and switch plays tactics.

You use outside shots or in the box or top of the box shots when the space or half space is created to hit them. See Iheanacho's example vs Low block Tanzania... in 2016!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmYwJw6X7g?si=hcB7q1qMn9WDfJHh

I get it now

jihday:
Boniface will be fine, he probably need to go to a tournament with Nigeria, the players will train more and also spend more time together that will allow both his team mates and the coach to understand him better

True, Afcon brought out the best from Ademola, Aina, Onyeka, Bassey. Boniface missing out was a big deal. Hopefully he gets much better with the team.

Libya also intentionally delayed the Kick Off of the second Half for about 7 minutes after all our Players had been out on the pitch

In my assessment of the game, Ademola Lookman was our best player yesterday and not Moses Simon.

Lookman did more both offensively and defensively.