2022 World Cup qualifiers: Awoniyi replaces Lorient's Moffi in Nigeria squad

Source: https://wallpapersafari.com/w/gM8Lls

2022 World Cup qualifiers: Awoniyi replaces Lorient’s Moffi in Nigeria squad

(Partner Content) For those new to international football: many of the top Nigerian professional footballers play for a Bundesliga club, as well as the Nigerian national football side. There’s certainly no rest for the wickedest goalscorers!

2022 World Cup qualifiers: Awoniyi replaces Lorient's Moffi in Nigeria squad

Source: https://wallpapersafari.com/w/gM8Lls

PLAY HARD, WIN EASY

The Nigeria Super Eagles Instagram post states: “!!! @awoniyi18 called up to replace injured @moffigram for the WCQ vs #CentralAfricaRepublic. Get well soon, Terem #soarsupereagles #team9jastrong”. While Taiwo Awoniyi, 24, is certainly a Nigerian player to keep your peepers fixed on in the upcoming Bundesliga match – between Union Berlin and Stuttgart at 5:30 pm in the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart, on 24 October 2021 – you may also want to scan the fixtures featuring FC Cologne and TSG Hoffenheim!

Apparently, the other two Nigerians to watch are Kingsley Ehizibue, 26, who is based at FC Cologne and Kevin Akpoguma, also 26, who plays for Bundesliga’s TSG Hoffenheim.

But what happened to Lorient forward, Terem Moffi, 22, in the 1-1 draw against Clermont on 3 October? It appears, from the likes of CompleteSports.com, that he sustained a pretty intense shoulder injury that will also see him missing Nigeria’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying double-header against the Wild Beasts of Central African Republic. This is a letdown for Moffi, who has scored at least twice in nine league appearances for Lorient this season. On the other hand, for Awoniyi, the fans appeared ecstatic – responding excitedly to the same Instagram post: “Finally”, “Scored 2 goals today”, “As it should be” and “Long overdue”.

Essentially, Awoniyi has been rewarded for his impressive goalscoring run in the Bundesliga to date. His invitation to join Gernot Rohr’s Nigeria squad was announced on Sunday, 3 October, after he scored a second-half brace in Union Berlin’s 2-1 comeback win against Mainz. In fact, the 24-year-old scored six goals in 10 appearances across competitions, leading fans to question why Rohr had excluded him from their opening World Cup qualifiers in the first place.

However, the Nigerian team’s manager defended his position to the media, saying: “There are people calling for Awoniyi… [But] we can only bring three centre forwards, we already have Victor Osimhem, we have Paul Onuachu, we have Terem Moffi who is doing well in Lorient and we even have Kelechi Iheanacho. So, which one do you want me to take out to put in Awoniyi?” But then, sometimes, the unexpected happens.

FACTS, FIGURES AND PERTINENT FOOTBALLER DATA

When you’re downloading your Nigerian football wallpapers, or ordering other must-have memorabilia online, don’t skip over the crucial data that will put you ahead in any pub quiz.

Sources: https://wallpapersafari.com/w/ESMAOh

Taiwo Awoniyi, who hails from Ilorin, Nigeria, was first signed by Union Berlin on 20 July 2021 for a sum of £6 500 000 (US$8 968 667, 50). Awoniyi’s position is forward, and his style of play has been equated with that of Nigeria’s all-time highest goalscorer, Rashidi Yekini.

Then, although Kingsley Ehizibue was born in Munich, Germany, it was to Nigerian parents – so he now represents Nigeria internationally. Ehizibue was signed to Cologne on 01 July 2019, but the sum he receives is a closely-guarded secret. His position is right back.

The fee Kevin Akpoguma receives is also closely-guarded. He’s a defender for Hoffenburg, and was signed on 01 July 2017. Akpoguma plays centre back for his Bundesliga club and, although he played as a youth international for Germany, he’s since switched (as of 21 September 2020) and now represents the Nigerian national team.

And let’s not forget Terem Moffi, who was signed to Lorient on 01 October 2020, also for an unknown fee and plays forward for that Bundesliga team along with the Nigerian national side. Of interest is that Moffi’s father, Leo, was a pro footballer in Nigeria back in the day, playing the position of goalkeeper.

THE GERMANY-NIGERIA FOOTBALL CONNECTION

Again, if you’re explaining theGermany-Nigeria football connection to an enthusiastic, if newbie, football fan, an article on the Vanguardngr.com says it best: “Growing up in the ’90s as a young boy, it was almost impossible not to be consumed by the football craze in Nigeria. It always felt like there was a mini-curfew anytime the Super Eagles were playing, a goal from our boys and the nation would erupt in unison…”

 

Source: https://wallpapersafari.com/w/5R2bDz

Yet one term the writer Temisan Amoye couldn’t shake, was “German machines”. He later came to understand that it referred to the efficient way in which their players were coached and the unison in which they operated. “There’s no dispute,” he writes, “that despite being among the Top 5 European leagues, the Bundesliga lags behind its English and Spanish counterparts in terms of spending power, superstar attraction and publicity. But for what it lacks in glitz and exorbitant wages, it has in abundance incredible coaching and talent development.”

In the article titled “How Germany revolutionized football, and what Nigeria can learn”, Amoye argues that the German national team always seems to “emerge as strong favorites” during any tournament and that for Nigeria to do that same, his recommendation is that they follow the blueprint laid down by Germany as they work towards “developing and maintaining a functioning football system” – perhaps by revamping the National Institute of Sports in the country. Is it not all about new-generation coaches and administrators coming in to manage local clubs, equipped with the very best coaching skills and techniques?

WORLD CUP 2022 CHANCES?

One last question: what are Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2022 finals?

 

Source: pexels-jeshootscom-1201996.jpg

No one could be better qualified to weigh in on the subject than former Nigerian team striker Yakubu Ayegbeni, 38. “I think when any country wants to play Nigeria,” he enthuses, “they always [have to] give more, and it gets tough,” he recently told FIFA. “… we’ve got a chance to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. I think with the players we have in the team, like Ndidi and Osimhem, the striker, we have a chance to qualify… We’ve struggled in the past, but I think with this team and the way they play now, and the countries they’re playing against now, I think we’ve got chances to pull through.”

All eyes will be on Nigeria as they take on Liberia, in the World Cup Qualifiers Second Round, at the Accra Sports Stadium on 11 November 2021.