{"id":360413,"date":"2017-10-09T12:20:23","date_gmt":"2017-10-09T12:20:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=360413"},"modified":"2017-10-09T12:20:23","modified_gmt":"2017-10-09T12:20:23","slug":"final-whistle-eagles-and-pharoahs-russia-bound-nba-rookie-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2017\/10\/final-whistle-eagles-and-pharoahs-russia-bound-nba-rookie-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"Final Whistle: Eagles and Pharoahs Russia bound, NBA rookie watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Worthy Continent Representatives\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The red nation of Egypt was led out of the land of thirst by\u00a0 Mohammed Salah while the Green and white nation of Nigeria required Alex Iwobi to seal their ticket to the Russia 2018 World Cup. Both teams achieved the feat with a game to spare.<\/p>\n

The Super Eagles of Nigeria became Africa\u2019s first nation to make it to Russia, mainly because they allowed football to do the talking.<\/p>\n

It helped that they hired Gernot Rohr who helped the team keep the vision in what was rightly dubbed the Group of death.<\/p>\n

\"iwo\"<\/p>\n

Scoring 11 goals and letting in just 3 in a group that has Cameroon,Zambia\u00a0\u00a0 and Algeria is evidence of the dominance of the West African powerhouse.<\/p>\n

Remember the name\u00a0William Troost-Ekong, the center back who has played every single minute of the qualifiers for the Eagles but while you are at it don\u2019t forget skipper Obi Mikel who has been the key orchestrator of the team with Victor Moses of Chelsea providing 3 goals and 1 assist along the way.<\/p>\n

This might not be Nigeria\u2019s golden generation but they have positive problems especially in the area of selection with the likes of Iheanacho and Musa struggling to crack the starting unit.<\/p>\n

If Nigeria can steer clear of any unnecessary distractions in the build up to the competition they should be one of the surprise packages,after all they caused an entire nation to briefly forget their issues amidst the frenzy and partying that followed.<\/p>\n

In the city of Alexandria and for that matter the whole of Egypt the story was no different.<\/p>\n

From animated prayers from commentators on national television to crying fans in the stands,the significance and value of the qualification cannot be understated for Egypt.<\/p>\n

A land plagued with political anarchy and activities of terror can hold hands and unite with their upcoming journey to Russia as the rallying point.<\/p>\n

Hector Cuper\u2019s confession that he had been on medication for high blood pressure, paints the mural better of a nation that over achieved on the continent and yearned for that global expedition.<\/p>\n

Indeed the 88th minute volley of\u00a0Arnold Bouka-Moutou to draw Congo level was lethal enough to hand the wily Argentine a cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n

Regardless of what happens Mohammed Salah will go down in Egyptian folklore after he showed nerves of steel to make history with an entire nation holding its breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Credit:KingFut\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Twenty-seven years is a long time to wait and the Egyptians will hope that they will leave an indelible mark on the competition that goes beyond being mere participants.<\/p>\n

Salah has done a lot of the heavy lifting for the team all through the qualifiers and thus any injury to him will spell doom for the side.<\/p>\n

Preparation for the World Cup starts with the match against Ghana, according to Hector Cuper, the perfect attitude to have if they will be greater than the sum of their parts.<\/p>\n

Egypt goalkeeper El Hadary could also become the oldest player at a World Cup ever, he turns 45 next year.<\/p>\n

NBA\u00a0Rookie revelations<\/strong><\/p>\n

With eight days to go till tip off the little action that we have witnessed as team\u2019s work out their rough edges indicate that this will be a big season for rookies.<\/p>\n

A number of them are primed for big minutes for their respective team\u2019s with Lonzo Ball of the Lakers, Dennis Smith Junior of the Dallas Mavericks and Frank Ntilikina of the Knicks looking like stand out candidates in that regard.<\/p>\n

\"ntikum\"<\/p>\n

However I believe that some unseen forces will come together to have De\u2019Aaron Fox emerge as rookie of the year when it is all said and done.<\/p>\n

The Sacramento Kings point guard from Kentucky is a speed demon with combo guard skills and athleticism that have already earned him comparisons to John Wall.<\/p>\n

He is the perfect case study of what point guards in the NBA are gradually evolving into,but isn\u2019t all about the physical metrics.<\/p>\n

At age 19,he displays a veteran savvy that shows that he will quickly develop into the floor general that the Kings so desire.<\/p>\n

Attacking the basket remains his biggest attribute,but a reliable 3 point shot,refined ball handles and the ability to do the unexpected will serve him well as he seeks to stand heads above he peers.<\/p>\n

\"dz\"<\/p>\n

Let me not make this all about him as a number of his peers are also primed to have a big season all things being equal.<\/p>\n

For a player who was picked late in the first round of the draft the Lakers will be grinning from ear to ear after what they have been treated to by power forward Kyle Kuzma. His chemistry with fellow rookie Lonzo Ball during summer league was a delight to witness,not forgetting the ease and efficiency with which he shoots the deep ball.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Kuzma\"<\/p>\n

Kuzma<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Jayson Tatum of the Celtics is another that looks NBA ready and could contribute right away if given the opportunity\u00a0 even though that looks unlikely to happen with Boston overloaded on the wings.<\/p>\n

Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets led his team in scoring in just their second preseason game and will likely see big minutes in a back court that will feature Kemba Walker.<\/p>\n

Monk has shown a\u00a0 knack for coming alive in clutch situations and that should be on display when the season starts.<\/p>\n

It will not be an all guard show as the draft class parades some interesting post prospects that can also do damage on the perimeter.<\/p>\n

Lauri Markkanen of the Bulls,T.J Leaf of the Pacers and Zach Collins of the Blazers have all made significant noise in the run up to the opener to give their respective coaches a lot to think about.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By:Benjamin Nketsia\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Worthy Continent Representatives\u00a0 The red nation of Egypt was led out of the land of thirst by\u00a0 Mohammed Salah while the Green and white nation of Nigeria required Alex Iwobi to seal their ticket to the Russia 2018 World Cup. Both teams achieved the feat with a game to spare. The Super Eagles of Nigeria […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nFinal Whistle: Eagles and Pharoahs Russia bound, NBA rookie watch - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. 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