International Football - The Football Castle

July 4, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football, Premier League, Serie A, Tactical Analysis, UEFA Champions League

The easier way: Grit or flair?

A tight defence, balanced midfield and flowing attack; these are the three components that make a great football team. Down the years, national teams and club sides have been deficient in particular departments with success; but which is the easier way to succeed? 2019 Champions League winners Liverpool had a fantastic forward line and a…

June 27, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football, Tactical Analysis

Gritty does it for Nigeria

Dear reader, ever wondered how to produce fantastic results without fantastic performances? Look no further than Gernot Rohr’s Nigeria. The Super Eagles are the first team to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 courtesy of another 1-0 win, this time against the Syli stars of Guinea. Much like in qualifying…

June 20, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football

The battle to become Africa’s finest

The 2019 Africa cup of nations kicks off a special era in African football. A refreshed tournament that expands to 24 teams in the summer months of June-July allows the bulk of European-based stars to concentrate fully on continental gold. For years, the African continental tournament was undermined by being played in January, when Africa’s…

June 15, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football

AFCON Eagles

Crunch time is almost upon us and excitement fills the air as football unites Nigeria once more. The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations was a long time coming for the Super Eagles, having played in two World Cups since last featuring in an AFCON. The Eagles can finally ‘defend’ their 2013 title in the actual…

June 7, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football, Tactical Analysis

Can the real gems please stand up?

Did they forget that competitive football was still on? After showing some cojones in the Champions League knockouts, English players finally collapsed with errors and misfortune with the national team. The UEFA Nations League final sets up a Netherlands versus Portugal clash after entertaining 3-1 wins in the semifinals. It pits Virgil Van Dijk against…

March 25, 2019

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football, Tactical Analysis

Germany on the mend

Germany are back to winning ways. That post-2014 world cup spirit of grabbing the win anyhow is certainly welcome in the new era. The Germans are rebuilding following last year’s disastrous world cup defence and limp UEFA Nation’s League campaign; culminating in Joachim Low forcing early retirements on Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller….

November 22, 2018

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Fantasy Premier League, Features, International Football, Player Analysis, Premier League, Tactical Analysis

Sané Spark

Leroy Sané had a slow start to the season. After a great start last season, culminating in the PFA Young player of the year award at the end of 2017/2018. The Manchester City winger faced an indifferent start this term amid concerns over his attitude after missing out on the world cup over the summer….

November 19, 2018

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football

Cameroon-Bound

It’s been a long time coming but Nigeria are through to AFCON 2019. The Super Eagles qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations with a game to spare. They return to AFCON for the first time since they won it in 2013 under the tutelage of the Late Stephen Keshi in South Africa. Qualification was…

November 15, 2018

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football

International Glory

The international break is upon the football universe for the final time in 2018 and competitive campaigns in Africa arrive at the business end. The South Africa versus Nigeria match at FNB stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday by 2pm Nigeria time in the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 qualifiers is one with so much at…

October 11, 2018

Bolu Alabi-Hundeyin

Features, International Football

What’s on?

It’s that time of the year again as the attention of the football world turns to internationals, I lamented in the previous post how boring the international break can be for most football fans who revel in the glow and excitement of everyday club football, thankfully the October international window offers a lot of competitive…

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