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Ifeanyi Eze - Straight Outta Karkh

69 replies · 4,249 views

5 months ago

He looked gutted at the end of the game must be so bloody disheartening to put so much effort in and have so little come off.
You do wonder about some of the players ability to read the game and see some of the runs he makes. More than once he gave a lead to a player who was moving forward with the ball only for them to ignore him and either pass friggens sideways or friggen backwards.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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5 months ago

theprof

Second half this weekend a couple of pommie gits moved in behind me and they were raving on about how shark Eze was and that he should never have been signed and needed to be subbed, they were very quiet after he scored. I was going to ask to kindly shut it and explain to them that at their rather ample physique I'd be surprised if they could make a tenth of the runs that Eze made.

he has been overall a good pick up but has often scored the hard goal and missed the easier ones.

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caFU

mj+2

5 months ago

2nd or 3rd goal conceded Nix kick off and some of the body language looked awful, then the ball is kicked forward to Eze and he’s sprinting giving 100% to win the ball. That stuff you notice

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5 months ago

Bullion

theprof

he has been overall a good pick up but has often scored the hard goal and missed the easier ones.

Yeah, he's still very raw but I can see him improving a lot each year he stays in this league. Only 26 so about to hit the strikers prime of late 20's and he might be more of a late bloomer than most with spending most of his career in lower leagues that might've not had as good facilities we have at NCIS.

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16 days ago

Excited to see where he goes. He's been a great servant in his one season here and he's definitely earned that European move.

All the best Eze and thank you.

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16 days ago

He scored some good goals and did not seem to have blown his fuse when repeatedly floored by the opposition.

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16 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

Mainland FC wrote:
He scored some good goals and did not seem to have blown his fuse when repeatedly floored by the opposition.

After his first few games (a bit of flopping, and angry reactions to tackles), I thought he was a walking red card.

Full credit to him he adapted and never did get sent off, despite a host of dodgy stuff on him. Rollo gives us hope he can be replaced. Hooper, Zawada, Hemed, Eze - who next

After effectively using the A-League as a shop window after playing in obscurity in Iraq, Eze appears set to depart when his 12-month contract expires, finishing with 10 goals – one behind joint golden boot winners Sam Cosgrove and Luka Jovanovic.

However, the Phoenix have a strong track record when it comes to signing strikers and could have all five import spots available to reinforce the squad, with every visa player off contract.

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16 days ago

Striker seems to be one area the club has consistently got right over the years.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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16 days ago

ballane wrote:
Striker seems to be one area the club has consistently got right over the years.

Problem is that for the just completed season we only had one on the field, Eze.

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16 days ago

I look forward to following Eze in his next club. I sure hope he doesnt go to Victory or WSW. Best on field attitude of any of our imports and redefined the concept of work rate.
Its a shame he didnt get the golden boot. 10 goals in a team finishing bottom half of the league is excellent work.
As an aside this years GB winners only got 11 goals which is the lowest since Danny Allsop got 11 way way back in the second year of ALs existence. The last 10 years GB winners have averaged over 20 goals

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3 days ago

https://twitter.com/i/status/2052634100175946222

🚨💰 EXCL | Buriram, Al Arabi (Kuwait), two K1 Korean teams, a J1 Japanese club and other international sides submitted offers for Ifeanyi Eze as a free agent.

Wellington Phoenix want to renew the striker, who scored 10 goals this season, but a new adventure now looks likely. pic.twitter.com/nm5X6xKLYW
— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) May 8, 2026

Something tells me we're not going to be match the financial clout of these other clubs who are in for him.

One and done by the looks. Good cor us that we can find these types of players, but an indictment that we couldn't tie him down for longer... But anyway I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing him turn out for us.

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

If he had come to the Nix as say a 22 yr old, a 2 year deal may have been possible. However then what if he'd been a dud?

But he turned 27 a few days ago. He's married (got kids?). Eze knows he has 4-5 years likely left to maximise his football career. He may have extended family back in Nigeria looking for bit of financial assistance. The A League was always basically a shop window.

Gill/Chiefy did well to scout him in the first place, and the good news is that no other A League club can afford him now either.

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3 days ago

coochiee wrote:
If he had come to the Nix as say a 22 yr old, a 2 year deal may have been possible. However then what if he'd been a dud?

But he turned 27 a few days ago. He's married (got kids?). Eze knows he has 4-5 years likely left to maximise his football career. He may have extended family back in Nigeria looking for bit of financial assistance. The A League was always basically a shop window.

Gill/Chiefy did well to scout him in the first place, and the good news is that no other A League club can afford him now either.

All hypotheticals, but it is at best doubtful he would have had the traits we may have been after if indeed he were a 22 year old coming out of the Nigerian domestic scene.

Could have been a project player at that age, but then again your visas are (/should?) typically be your more established character with a bit of a record behind them. We tend to buck the trend a little on that one in all honesty, but that's not necessarily a bad thing either.

I wish him well though. Imagine he'd at the very least double, or even triple whatever he's on down here going to any of those other clubs.

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

Always thought that Japan would be his route.

Hope he goes for the J league.

Maybe the two Japanese boys at the Nix have also got him interested.

Auckland will rise once more

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3 days ago

I think this will turn out quite nicely for us to be honest. I hope he goes to the best club with the biggest paycheck, because then we can approach more players like him. As a club we have given him the platform to perform and play to his strengths, and that's something we can highlight for prospective quality visa players looking to sign on.

Good on ya Eze - great to watch this season.

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3 days ago

I’d say we have an outside shot, if all the offers come from Asia.

We’re a project on the make where he’d be the main guy. Greenie is a striker with English connections.

If he blew away the league, as we significantly improved he might be able to get to the Championship or the SPFL or somewhere. A new contract in Asia with a new environment is a gamble.

He rationalised hopefully.

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

At age 27, if Eze got offered a 2 year contract in an Asian league that was so double what the Nix (or any ALM club) were paying, he would be mad not to take it.

A bad injury or big drop off in form, and that type of offer may never come around again. Football can be a cruel mistress sometimes. You take the dosh when it's offered.

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

Cough.

Nah, nah, he apparently is a shrewd operator and only negotiates one year deals because all Nigerians want to go to Europe apparently.

Auckland will rise once more

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3 days ago

Even if the financial aspect was the same here and overseas, the way it worked out, Eze was always going to be here for one season (and if he didn't do as well, he would have been happy to be retained on a lower deal).

He could have easily signed for a club (pre-contract) when Chiefy left and downed tools so credit to him.

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3 days ago

martinb wrote:
I’d say we have an outside shot, if all the offers come from Asia.

We’re a project on the make where he’d be the main guy. Greenie is a striker with English connections.

If he blew away the league, as we significantly improved he might be able to get to the Championship or the SPFL or somewhere. A new contract in Asia with a new environment is a gamble.

He rationalised hopefully.

No we don't.

Thai league, J-League and K-League are all better than the A-League right now, and they can sure as heck offer more money. At a conservative estimate, Buriram for example have about 2-3x our wage budget. J-League heavy hitters will be similar or more. Same if its a big K-League club.

Also - why would he not be able to chase the dream of playing in Europe from those leagues? Not everyone is looking for a move to St. Mirren or Dundee lol

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2 days ago

LT01 wrote:
martinb wrote:
I’d say we have an outside shot, if all the offers come from Asia.

We’re a project on the make where he’d be the main guy. Greenie is a striker with English connections.

If he blew away the league, as we significantly improved he might be able to get to the Championship or the SPFL or somewhere. A new contract in Asia with a new environment is a gamble.

He rationalised hopefully.
No we don't.

Thai league, J-League and K-League are all better than the A-League right now, and they can sure as heck offer more money. At a conservative estimate, Buriram for example have about 2-3x our wage budget. J-League heavy hitters will be similar or more. Same if its a big K-League club.

Also - why would he not be able to chase the dream of playing in Europe from those leagues? Not everyone is looking for a move to St. Mirren or Dundee *United* lol

Fixed that for you 😉

There’s no chance we compete with those leagues. I’m just glad we got to see home play for a season, hopefully serve us in good stead and as someone else said, gives us a good name abroad. Go well Ifeanyi!

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2 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

LT01 wrote:
martinb wrote:
I’d say we have an outside shot, if all the offers come from Asia.

We’re a project on the make where he’d be the main guy. Greenie is a striker with English connections.

If he blew away the league, as we significantly improved he might be able to get to the Championship or the SPFL or somewhere. A new contract in Asia with a new environment is a gamble.

He rationalised hopefully.
No we don't.

Thai league, J-League and K-League are all better than the A-League right now, and they can sure as heck offer more money. At a conservative estimate, Buriram for example have about 2-3x our wage budget. J-League heavy hitters will be similar or more. Same if its a big K-League club.

Also - why would he not be able to chase the dream of playing in Europe from those leagues? Not everyone is looking for a move to St. Mirren or Dundee *United* lol

Double post

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2 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

I knew we should've bought him a Jet Ski.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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2 days ago

LT01 wrote:
martinb wrote:
I’d say we have an outside shot, if all the offers come from Asia.

We’re a project on the make where he’d be the main guy. Greenie is a striker with English connections.

If he blew away the league, as we significantly improved he might be able to get to the Championship or the SPFL or somewhere. A new contract in Asia with a new environment is a gamble.

He rationalised hopefully.
No we don't.

Thai league, J-League and K-League are all better than the A-League right now, and they can sure as heck offer more money. At a conservative estimate, Buriram for example have about 2-3x our wage budget. J-League heavy hitters will be similar or more. Same if its a big K-League club.

Also - why would he not be able to chase the dream of playing in Europe from those leagues? Not everyone is looking for a move to St. Mirren or Dundee lol

You don’t have to buy into a scenario, however low percentage, where we find a way to keep him!

A new gaffer, a new team and a new club is always an unknown.

Maybe, with the strength of the league etc, you’re competing for a start. Maybe there’s conflict in who the gaffer wants and who the owners or sporting director wants. Or maybe there’s gaffer gets cut early in the season, and the new guy doesn’t play you as much. Maybe there’s a problem with local players unhappy about too many imports. Maybe, like Chico’s team, the owners have assembled an overly large squad. All problems he wouldn’t have at the Nix.

I didn’t say anything about money. I was hopeful that a settled environment with good training facilities and a known gaffer might entice him to stay.

He himself has said Europe, and sure probably no Dundee United for a Nigerian, but he could have got a better contract in Asia than the Nix this season if it was just about the money.

Perhaps Greenie, with his cold country northern hemisphere contacts, might convince him to stay and chase a more clinical golden boot performance?

Based on the fact he was in a club in Asia and came to us talking about wanting to chase European football, he seems to think we could be a better pathway than Cambodia, Kuwait or Thailand.

And remember that Wellington lifestyle!

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2 days ago

Gill, Dome and Greenie will no doubt be putting what hey consider a decent offer in front of Eze, whether he wants to have another run at the golden boot this year is an unknown but he'll also suffer a bit of the second season syndrome if he stays, in that defenders will know what he brings and will be more aware of how to negate his impact.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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2 days ago

The piggy bank for players' contracts is not infinite. I agree that if Eze stays it would be a massive bonus, but would that not impact any potential signings that might otherwise be impacted as a result? Eze would fit right in into Greenie's preferred play (unlike say Armiento) but we still need support players for him and in any case something needs to be done about our defence. The stats show that we leaked more goals (again) than any other team in this completed season, with 14 against goals coming in just three games (one derby, and two away losses - Victory and Macarthur). I love Eze like the next bloke, but I would take a Taylor over an Eze for our next season if we cannot afford both.

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2 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

Would always take the striker- they are gold.

We also already have three defenders who are more than decent enough for the A league in Billy T, Payne and Hughes.

Just need a competent A league keeper and left back.

Auckland will rise once more

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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History

I guess it depends as well where Mr. Piper Corban fits into Greenie’s thinking.
4 assists and 4 goals, as well as quite a few others created and near misses, is no slouch season, tbf.

I am happy to eat my words after watching his initial efforts up front. And after a pre-season with Greenie, maybe our forward line doesn’t need Eze, but someone local and similar to Randall in skills, who could play off Corban. Walker? How’s that lad tracking?

Or another young striker, capable of coming off the bench and creating a bit of havoc, Aussie or Kiwi. Or even someone like Mitch Duke with a few miles in the clock, but a bit of fire still in the engine…

If we have LBS and Walker starting to fill out and come into their prime, with Kazu or other midfielders getting forward also, maybe we can share the goals around, rather than funnel everything through a 9. Risky strategy, but not impossible.

But yes: a star left back who could defend and get forward, with Edwards understudying, would be a sight for sore eyes, especially if Payne can maintain his form and fitness further most of the season!

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about 20 hours ago

martinb wrote:
I guess it depends as well where Mr. Piper Corban fits into Greenie’s thinking.
4 assists and 4 goals, as well as quite a few others created and near misses, is no slouch season, tbf.

I am happy to eat my words after watching his initial efforts up front. And after a pre-season with Greenie, maybe our forward line doesn’t need Eze, but someone local and similar to Randall in skills, who could play off Corban. Walker? How’s that lad tracking?

Or another young striker, capable of coming off the bench and creating a bit of havoc, Aussie or Kiwi. Or even someone like Mitch Duke with a few miles in the clock, but a bit of fire still in the engine…

If we have LBS and Walker starting to fill out and come into their prime, with Kazu or other midfielders getting forward also, maybe we can share the goals around, rather than funnel everything through a 9. Risky strategy, but not impossible.

But yes: a star left back who could defend and get forward, with Edwards understudying, would be a sight for sore eyes, especially if Payne can maintain his form and fitness further most of the season!

Definitely need at least 1 visa striker. Would almost lean towards needing 2 as I don't think we'd sign a local of the same quality as you'd hope the visa would be.
And as much as I do like Piper I think he'd be better suited as a squad player coming on causing havoc for the last 30 minutes and filling in occasionally with injuries.

I know some people don't like xG but I wanted to see what Corbans was, as felt like he missed a lot of decent chances a more natural striker would put away.
4 goals for 6.4xG not awful but not great. Compared to Eze 10 goals 8.7xG.
Though Kosta wasn't much better this season 4 goals 6.2xG.
Randall 9 goals 8.6xG

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about 19 hours ago

wilbaker wrote:
martinb wrote:
I guess it depends as well where Mr. Piper Corban fits into Greenie’s thinking.
4 assists and 4 goals, as well as quite a few others created and near misses, is no slouch season, tbf.

I am happy to eat my words after watching his initial efforts up front. And after a pre-season with Greenie, maybe our forward line doesn’t need Eze, but someone local and similar to Randall in skills, who could play off Corban. Walker? How’s that lad tracking?

Or another young striker, capable of coming off the bench and creating a bit of havoc, Aussie or Kiwi. Or even someone like Mitch Duke with a few miles in the clock, but a bit of fire still in the engine…

If we have LBS and Walker starting to fill out and come into their prime, with Kazu or other midfielders getting forward also, maybe we can share the goals around, rather than funnel everything through a 9. Risky strategy, but not impossible.

But yes: a star left back who could defend and get forward, with Edwards understudying, would be a sight for sore eyes, especially if Payne can maintain his form and fitness further most of the season!
Definitely need at least 1 visa striker. Would almost lean towards needing 2 as I don't think we'd sign a local of the same quality as you'd hope the visa would be.
And as much as I do like Piper I think he'd be better suited as a squad player coming on causing havoc for the last 30 minutes and filling in occasionally with injuries.

I know some people don't like xG but I wanted to see what Corbans was, as felt like he missed a lot of decent chances a more natural striker would put away.
4 goals for 6.4xG not awful but not great. Compared to Eze 10 goals 8.7xG.
Though Kosta wasn't much better this season 4 goals 6.2xG.
Randall 9 goals 8.6xG

I think I would say though: he’s created that xG. He’s a wrecking ball, with the occasional step over!

He misses a fair few, but creates plenty for himself and others. In that horrible old saying, he grows the pie. He isn’t clinical, but makes significantly more xG available to everyone. He creates high probability chances.

(Eze takes and scores more low probability chances. )

Chief dropped him when he frustrated the crap out of Eze.

Anyway, it’s Greenie’s dice to throw.

I always enjoy watching him play these days. He’s better than a squaddie, but what kind of starter he could be is a tricky one that might influence the kind of striker we are after.

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