joseph1013:
I'm still trying to find the words to coin the title of the thread, but the objective is simple: This is a thread to discuss the progress of our young players abroad, just like Orkpekyandega suggested.

With the inability of our U17 and U20 players to qualify for the continental, and subsequently global, competitions, the former threads have been rendered inactive. This means that we are poised to miss the emergence of another generation of very promising players in the mould of Iheanacho, Isaac Success, Osimhen, Nwakali etc, but this thread aims to scouts the ones who are fortunate to find themselves abroad and thus distinguishing themselves.

Welcome

cc: Icon4s, TheGoodJoe, TheSuperNerd, Forgiveness, Safarigirl, tbaba1234, zoboizee, Mickael2, Napoleon55, Lordabas, goldfish80, enomakos, Daninya11, zuchyblink, CFCFan, Blackalbino6, Terzurum5, Confun, irondome, Pavarotti, OdenigboAroli, apologies if I omit your name.

joseph1013:
I'm still trying to find the words to coin the title of the thread, but the objective is simple: This is a thread to discuss the progress of our young players abroad, just like Orkpekyandega suggested.

With the inability of our U17 and U20 players to qualify for the continental, and subsequently global, competitions, the former threads have been rendered inactive. This means that we are poised to miss the emergence of another generation of very promising players in the mould of Iheanacho, Isaac Success, Osimhen, Nwakali etc, but this thread aims to scouts the ones who are fortunate to find themselves abroad and thus distinguishing themselves.

Welcome

cc: Icon4s, TheGoodJoe, TheSuperNerd, Forgiveness, Safarigirl, tbaba1234, zoboizee, Mickael2, Napoleon55, Lordabas, goldfish80, enomakos, Daninya11, zuchyblink, CFCFan, Blackalbino6, Terzurum5, Confun, irondome, Pavarotti, OdenigboAroli, apologies if I omit your name.

amagunnerfan:
I wonder why NFF can't employ some of us on here to help with their scouting. The level of the scouting done via the previous youth threads is amazing.

Which our football body can swallow their prides and engage the passionate people on here.

joseph1013:
I'm still trying to find the words to coin the title of the thread, but the objective is simple: This is a thread to discuss the progress of our young players abroad, just like Orkpekyandega suggested.

With the inability of our U17 and U20 players to qualify for the continental, and subsequently global, competitions, the former threads have been rendered inactive. This means that we are poised to miss the emergence of another generation of very promising players in the mould of Iheanacho, Isaac Success, Osimhen, Nwakali etc, but this thread aims to scout the ones who are fortunate enough to find themselves abroad and thus distinguishing themselves.

Welcome

cc: Icon4s, TheGoodJoe, TheSuperNerd, Forgiveness, Safarigirl, tbaba1234, zoboizee, Mickael2, Napoleon55, Lordabas, goldfish80, enomakos, Daninya11, zuchyblink, CFCFan, Blackalbino6, Terzurum5, Confun, irondome, Pavarotti, OdenigboAroli, apologies if I omit your name.

TheGoodJoe:
Nice vision.

I am down with this. I hope we do not waste Amunike's U20 boys and Manu Garba's boys who failed to qualify for the U17. We need much talented players as possible.

I hope the NFF gives Manu Garba the next U20 job. So he can continue with his lads. Please, NFF, support the players. The way we abandoned them this time showed in the results.

amagunnerfan:
I wonder why NFF can't employ some of us on here to help with their scouting. The level of the scouting done via the previous youth threads is amazing.

Which our football body can swallow their prides and engage the passionate people on here.

Icon4s:


I agreed with everything u said until you mentioned "so he can continue with HIS lads". That has never worked for us. The coaches have made a mess of that transition from U17 to U20. The coach moves straight from the U17 with HIS boys and shut out other U20 players because of selfish gains when the money bags start coming.

We should not progress an U17 coach with the boys to U20 again. Our best performing U20 sets did not have coaches that progressed from the previous U17. Sebastian Brodrick-Imasuen was the coach of the 1987 Eaglets but Tunde Disu took charge of the Saudi 89 Flying Eagles that finished second.
Augustine Eguavoen discovered Mikel, Ogbuike, Bala and co at the 2003 U17 but Samson Siasia took the team to finish second at the 2005 U20WC.

When a previous U17 coach is progressed to the U20 (just like the last 2 sets of Flying Eagles)he would automatically prefer to work with his previous U17 shuting out other quality U20 players.

Icon4s:


I agreed with everything u said until you mentioned "so he can continue with HIS lads". That has never worked for us. The coaches have made a mess of that transition from U17 to U20. The coach moves straight from the U17 with HIS boys and shut out other U20 players because of selfish gains when the money bags start coming.

We should not progress an U17 coach with the boys to U20 again. Our best performing U20 sets did not have coaches that progressed from the previous U17. Sebastian Brodrick-Imasuen was the coach of the 1987 Eaglets but Tunde Disu took charge of the Saudi 89 Flying Eagles that finished second.
Augustine Eguavoen discovered Mikel, Ogbuike, Bala and co at the 2003 U17 but Samson Siasia took the team to finish second at the 2005 U20WC.

When a previous U17 coach is progressed to the U20 (just like the last 2 sets of Flying Eagles)he would automatically prefer to work with his previous U17 shuting out other quality U20 players.

For instance Etebo, Azubuike and Ajayi were eligible to play for the 2015 Flying Eagles. Etebo and Azubuike in particular would have added a lot to that team.

Icon4s:


I agreed with everything u said until you mentioned "so he can continue with HIS lads". That has never worked for us. The coaches have made a mess of that transition from U17 to U20. The coach moves straight from the U17 with HIS boys and shut out other U20 players because of selfish gains when the money bags start coming.

We should not progress an U17 coach with the boys to U20 again. Our best performing U20 sets did not have coaches that progressed from the previous U17. Sebastian Brodrick-Imasuen was the coach of the 1987 Eaglets but Tunde Disu took charge of the Saudi 89 Flying Eagles that finished second.
Augustine Eguavoen discovered Mikel, Ogbuike, Bala and co at the 2003 U17 but Samson Siasia took the team to finish second at the 2005 U20WC.

When a previous U17 coach is progressed to the U20 (just like the last 2 sets of Flying Eagles)he would automatically prefer to work with his previous U17 shuting out other quality U20 players.

For instance Etebo, Azubuike and Ajayi were eligible to play for the 2015 Flying Eagles. Etebo and Azubuike in particular would have added a lot to that team.

TheGoodJoe:


Remember when the U20 kicks off, we will need a team ready to meet the challenges of the qualifiers. If they have not gelled, it will back fire.

Manu Garba's U20 boys gelled brilliantly. They were close to perfect during the warm up and qualifiers. Did well in the Super Six competition, Won the AYC.

So it is not all bad promoting the U17 coaches.

Amunike's boys had to do with abandon than lack of talent. I think we missed out of a promising team.

You did not take into consideration that those boys Won the U17 and got nothing. In camp, they were abandoned by the NFF.

You can not blame the system if the preparation is faulty.

This time, the failure is on the NFF and not the coaches. These coaches deserve fair chances and not neglect.

TheGoodJoe:


As much as we gun for Etebo, we should remember Manchester City turned down Celtic FC from signing Chidebere Nwakali. So Manu Garba's decision was not bad.

TheGoodJoe:


Wilfred Ndidi is already a Super Eagles player. I think Manu Garba picked the better choice. Chidebere Nwakali was at the World Cup. Another brilliant choice.

People miss that Amunike screened over 600 players for the U20 qualifiers. Spending months in camp with these players.

It was not a biased selection but players ready to give him what he wanted.

Icon4s:


The U20 team can start with a new coach with the previous U17 but a proper open camp for screening be carried out.Series of friendlies can also be arranged at this stage.

An U17 graduate should only be a candidate for the U20 team. Not all U17 graduates are U20 materials. Go look at the 1987 Eaglets squad and compare with d 1989 Flying Eagles. Do same for the 2003 Eagles and 2005 Flying Eagles.

Icon4s:


Wilfred Ndidi was not part of the U17 winning squad. Ndidi had even already played U20 in 2013. It is the inclusion of such players that I am clamouring for. U20 players with experience and already playing professional football.

Icon4s:


Compare Azubuike with Chidi Nwakali and not Etebo.

TheGoodJoe:


I feel the U17 is what they are a team. A framework for the next set. If we are working with the former U17 coach, it is a continuation of his old work. He has to keep searching for better talents in every role.

I do not mind if the whole team is flushed by better talents but we have to continue from where we stopped. It makes us a step ahead of other teams.

The main thing is continuity. I feel it is a strength.

Napoleon55:
This is good,
I think THE NIGERIA YOUTH/YOUNG PLAYERS/TALENTS THREAD is ok,whether home or abroad, cos most of these our young players didn't start from abroad.

TheGoodJoe:


I am talking of Manu Garba going with Ndidi to New Zealand ahead of Azubuike.

TheGoodJoe:


Chidi is now a box to box player and not just a holding midfielder.

Chidebere is also very versatile.

Icon4s:


What of Chidi Nwakali that made d squad vs Azubuike.?

Icon4s:


Would u have picked him over Azubuike as the DMF in the Rio Team?

Icon4s:


The problem is the way FIFA categorizes these age grade competitions.Ideally It should be U17, U19, U21 & U23 just like UEFA. This is a system that can more effectively encourage continuity.

What do you make of an U20 team that 90% of the players are 17-18 years olds.Such was our New Zealand Team.They could only beat North Korea and Hungary in that tourney and fell like pack of cards against more gifted sides like Brazil and Germany.

Icon4s:


What of Chidi Nwakali that made d squad vs Azubuike.?

TheGoodJoe:


Chidebere Nwakali is box to box and will play ahead of Azubuike. It is just like Etebo and Azubuike. Etebo is forward and Azubuike is behind.

I will play Ndidi ahead of Azubuike. As for Etebo and Chidebere Nwakali, I will take Etebo ahead, even though it is a tough choice for me. This is due to Chidi's multiple man of the match performances for his club.

I will take Etebo because of his goals history.

Icon4s:


Ndidi was not part of the 2013 U17 winning squad. I dnt have issues with Ndidi being in that 2015 U20 team. He was even played as a CB.