safarigirl:
you mean like Iwobi that's played for England and is now turning to Nigeria? Unless Britain has a new law that can grant a player citizenship after 2-3 years, then your fears are unfounded

terzurum5:
[b][size=14pt]
2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Nigeria (U20)
Iheanacho vs Iwobi: Where did Oliseh get it wrong?
[/size]

Iheanacho (left) has done more than Iwobi to earn an Eagles call-up
by Samm Audu
Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has generated another selection controversy after he picked Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi ahead of another promising youngster Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City.
Both players are in the age-group category Oliseh has said he will look at as he begins rebuilding the Super Eagles.
But while Iheanacho has scored his first goal in the English Premier League with City, Iwobi, who at 19 is a year older, has yet to make his competitive Arsenal debut.
Iwobi is registered in the EPL this season mainly because he holds a British passport, while Iheanacho earned his work permit as a “special talent” after he was crowned MVP of the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
This season, Iheanacho has been on the bench for City in the league in six matches and has scored a goal – a famous last-gasp match winner at Crystal Palace.
Iwobi, on the other hand, has yet to be listed even on the bench for Arsenal this season.
Another Nigerian-born youngster, Chuba Akpom, is even ahead of Iwobi at The Gunners and has only been shipped out on loan to Hull City to enjoy regular first-team football and gain more experience.
Iheanacho is also a more versatile player than Iwobi.
The City youngster could play as a left-sided midfielder, playmaker or striker, while Iwobi is a left winger.
And a time when Oliseh's Eagles are desperately in need of proven class in a problematic midfield, Iheanacho ought to be given a more immediate consideration.
Iheanacho has been capped by Nigeria at U20 level and has trained with the home-based Eagles prior to the 2014 CHAN and would have made the final squad but at the time he was pursuing his move to City.
Iwobi trained with the Nigeria U23, but this was then put on hold as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) needed to clarify his eligibility having played several times for various England age-group teams.
Unlike Liverpool forward Jordon Ibe, Iwobi is not yet knocking on the door of the Three Lions of England.
There are also those who have suggested that Iwobi has only been considered ahead of Iheanacho because he is a nephew of the legendary Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, who is chairman of the NFF study group and a former teammate of coach Oliseh.
Odion Ighalo's exploits in the English top flight have forced Oliseh to recall the Watford striker after he overlooked him for last month’s AFCON qualifier in Tanzania amid a national outcry.
Iheanaho’s remarkable progress in England ought to have earned him an invite as well on current form and the needs of the Eagles.
[/b]
africanfootball.com//news/570670/Iheanacho-vs-Iwobi-Where-did-Oliseh-get-it-wrong

safarigirl:
kelechi is Kelechi, not Neymar, not Owen, not Pele, not Rooney, he's Kelechi and he isn't complaining about not being included in the team. It took NFF 5 years to call up Ighalo, Enyeama didn't get his chance to shine till 22. Oliseh may not be keen to allow Kelechi start a game and a player his calibre isn't a bencher. Relax, you can only complain here, but the coach will make the last decision, besides, it's just friendlies

BascoVanVeli:


I love when people say he is not so and so but did Pele have over 1000 goals and 3 world cups at the age of 18? Nope...But guess what? He was on the Brazilian National team.
Enyeama was actually 20 at the world cup even at 22 that's very young for keepers. Jude Ighalo got hot just last year around November and was called twice already. He really never did much outside of Watford he was just like Success being owned by Granada and Malaga i think. You cannot compare either to Iheanacho because those 2 just popped up while we've know Iheanacho since u-17. How has Nigeria helped with his progress since then. The NFF not any coach is to blame because they should have set aside spots for Nacho and co, if our league can have 6 spots what stops Nacho Awoniyi and Success from being there also.
Why wouldn't you let them start a friendly what is there to lose our 40 something ranking. What can be worse than Haruna Lukman

TheSuperNerd:
Na wa o! Una still dey trash out this matter? Ok suit una selves........... Anyway I just wanna make a small correction.

Ighalo, like Success, was snapped up by Udinese of italy, not malaga, and loaned to Granada before being sold to Watford. Coincidentally, these three clubs(Udinese, Granada and Watford) are owned by one family *cant recall their name now but I think it's an Italian family dynasty*

That's the main reason for the interchange of players among the 3 sides. *smiles*

Ok....... U guys can carry on now........ *smiles*

But seriously, pls let's move on........... *smiles*

I believe I've done enough justice to the matter but hey the choice lies with you guys aiiit...... Anytime you're ready........ *smiles*

TheSuperNerd:
Maybe Sir or in fact, certainly....... But there's undisputably still enough room for "MERIT" and based on this, Isaac Success and the other uncapped star prodigies will get their chance.

Orkpekyandega:

Do you know why I drew that conclusion?
If you can recall carefully, Icon4s once said 'he was one of those who made Coach Sunday Oliseh not to Invite Kelechi Iheanacho', so am beginning to wonder why he did encourage the Coach to invite Alex Iwobi
also, don't forget the Jay-Jay Okocha factor. He is indeed Alex's cousin. Does Nacho have any body like that to work for him? I did also like Sir Icon4s to come and tell me Alex is better than Nacho.

"Bigger Smiles~`

joseph1013:
At the risk of sounding condescending, I think icon is just bluffing. He told Oliseh not to invite Kelechi? Talk better abeg.

Orkpekyandega:

Do you know why I drew that conclusion?
If you can recall carefully, Icon4s once said 'he was one of those who made Coach Sunday Oliseh not to Invite Kelechi Iheanacho', so am beginning to wonder why he did encourage the Coach to invite Alex Iwobi
also, don't forget the Jay-Jay Okocha factor. He is indeed Alex's cousin. Does Nacho have any body like that to work for him? I did also like Sir Icon4s to come and tell me Alex is better than Nacho.

"Bigger Smiles~`

Orkpekyandega:
Cameroon Name Strong Squad for Nigeria Friendly
Has any one taken note of the fact that, one of the so called strongest squad named by Cameroun to face Nigeria has a player that plays for – KV Ostende?
That player is Siani Sebastien, Godwin Saviour's team mate.
– KV Ostende am sure is better than most Clubs in Nigerian Professional Football League.

TheSuperNerd:
Yeah, I've seen the cameroun squad list and I was excited at the attack we'll come up against in Vincent Aboubakar of Fc porto and Choupo Maxim Moting of Schalke 04. It'll be a great test for our defence.

That guy from Oostende is quite a good player too.

Mehn! Check out the camerounian defence: Nkoulou, Chedjou, and Bassong will be good sparring opponents for our interesting and "full of surprises" young but dynamic attack of Ighalo, Victor, Musa/Simon among others.

*smiles*

Orkpekyandega:

You see, when I learnt that Godwin Saviour joined – KV Ostende, I became worried because I never took the Club serious, especially when you look at their position and history in the Belgian League. However, the thought of one of their players been listed among one of the West African Giants Squad, shows that the Club is actually not be a too bad one for Godwin Saviour to start from and learn the trade.

BascoVanVeli:


Man City were not going to pay so much for Bony and let him be the third striker so i feel thats why Dzeko was loaned to give Bony a chance to prove his worth.
Dzeko, Aguero and Bony all make 100k and up a week so it would make sense to drop one and use an academy player as your third striker.
For City and Iheanacho it is a low risk high reward issue, if he shines all praises to their youth system.
I do agree that Iheanacho had a part in Dzeko moving on but it was not so big a part.

TheSuperNerd:
Your point is well noted Sir. I too wanna see Nacho in the Super Eagles a.s.a.p

But pls understand Oliseh. Only one news site got it right concerning why he called up Iwobi now. And that site shared my exact thoughts on the matter.

The way some media houses are going about this isn't so right. They are making it an "Iheanacho vs Iwobi" matter.

It's true Iheanacho would hv gotten his first senior cap by now but pls, Oliseh just took over and have played just 2 games. So more opportunities will surely come for Nacho and the other uncapped super young talents. Keshi refused to give Iheanacho the eye so he's partly responsible for this (and let know one cite that chan incident where Nacho left camp on permission to go wrap up his deal at man city as the reason keshi did not give Nacho anoda look-in. What people don't realise is that Fifa does not rate the Chan as a grade 'A' tournament and would hv contributed nothing to enhancing Nacho's "special talent" credentials. Do u think man city is stupid? If the chan would have boosted Nacho's case for a work permit in england, they would hv left him with Keshi and co for the chan tournament in south africa).

So relax Sir, Nacho's senior debut isn't so far off. It's all a matter of time and when it does come (and it will come soon enough- between now and within the first 6 months of next year- as a 19-yr old) we'll all feel the immediate impact as great signs of bigger things to come for Nigerian football....... Our gladness and Joy will know no bounds.


Coincidentally, Nacho's 19th birthday is on October 3rd, the same day that may mark his recovery from this injury setback inspite of whether he gets to feature against Newcastle or whether Pellegrinni rests him further. But one thing is certain, at the latest, that's the weekend Nacho recovers fully.

Keep happy y'all........... *smiles*

Orkpekyandega:

Do you know why I drew that conclusion?
If you can recall carefully, Icon4s once said 'he was one of those who made Coach Sunday Oliseh not to Invite Kelechi Iheanacho', so am beginning to wonder why he did encourage the Coach to invite Alex Iwobi
also, don't forget the Jay-Jay Okocha factor. He is indeed Alex's cousin. Does Nacho have any body like that to work for him? I did also like Sir Icon4s to come and tell me Alex is better than Nacho.

"Bigger Smiles~`

TheGoodJoe:
Nacho's agent is to blame for Keshi's snub. CHAN is a FIFA rated tournament and he had a chance to break into the National team at a very young age. His agent was greedy. One month would not destroy his chance of joining Man City.

Keshi even released him and told them to sign a post dated contract and return the boy to camp and they refused.

I do not think Coach Keshi deserves a blame for this.

It is in the past and it is time to wipe the wrongs.

TheSuperNerd:
Ok...... Thanks for the clarification coz there were many sides to the events of that time. And Yeah, Chan is fifa-rated But not a Fifa-Grade A Tournament. It's rated Fifa grade B.

Who's Nacho agent by the way? Is he an american or something?

As for keshi, his refusal to put that incident aside and call up Nacho showed his immature and selfish ego. Did he hv to still prove he was the "Big Boss"? He's an elder and could hv overlooked certain things for the good of the nation. I like Keshi but what he did was downright immature and a lot of nigerian coaches have this flaw inspite of how tactically brilliant some of them may be.

Anyway, you've said it all. It's in the past and We have the chance to still do things right. *smiles*

terzurum5:
[b][size=14pt]
International Friendlies Nigeria U23
Why Oliseh called up Iwobi - NFF VP
[/size]

Iwobi (right) has been considered ahead of Iheanacho by coach Oliseh
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 2ndvice president Shehu Dikko has clarified the rationale behind the invitation of Arsenal U21 star Alex Iwobi to the Super Eagles for a series of the friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon next month.
Iwobi, 19, has been handed a late invitation by Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh.
Shehu Dikko, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria league, has now disclosed Sunday Oliseh did so for U23 coach Samson Siasia, who needs the youngster him for the U23s and he must therefore play at full international stage for Nigeria to make that happen.
"The call-up to Iwobi is simple a footballing as well technical one and for the good of the country. Iwobi has declared intention to represent Nigeria and he is good enough to represent Nigeria at U23 level. However, as he has played for England at the junior level he cannot play for Nigeria again at the junior level as FIFA would only approve his change of Nationality if he plays for the main Super Eagles,” wrote Shehu Dikko on his Facebook page.
“Therefore, his call-up now is to get his nationality change sorted and thus make him available to play for the Nigeria U23 If selected.
“Hence, Oliseh called him up on the request of Siasia who wants to use him for the U23s and by this action Nigeria will have secured his allegiance and this would also further motivate other players like him to come along.
“Finally on footballing terms, the potential of Iwobi is not in doubt based on what he did during Arsenal pre-season so in the long term this might be a very good decision for Nigeria and Iwobi."
[/b]
africanfootball.com//news/570835/Why-Oliseh-called-up-Iwobi-NFF-VP

TheSuperNerd:
Nice work Sir Terzurum5. I was hoping to find this here. I believe this settles the "core" reason for Iwobi's surprise invitation. Funnily it carries my exact thoughts on the matter. *smiles* happy weekend everyone.

terzurum5:
[b][size=14pt]
International Friendlies Nigeria U23
Why Oliseh called up Iwobi - NFF VP
[/size]

Iwobi (right) has been considered ahead of Iheanacho by coach Oliseh
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 2ndvice president Shehu Dikko has clarified the rationale behind the invitation of Arsenal U21 star Alex Iwobi to the Super Eagles for a series of the friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon next month.
Iwobi, 19, has been handed a late invitation by Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh.
Shehu Dikko, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria league, has now disclosed Sunday Oliseh did so for U23 coach Samson Siasia, who needs the youngster him for the U23s and he must therefore play at full international stage for Nigeria to make that happen.
"The call-up to Iwobi is simple a footballing as well technical one and for the good of the country. Iwobi has declared intention to represent Nigeria and he is good enough to represent Nigeria at U23 level. However, as he has played for England at the junior level he cannot play for Nigeria again at the junior level as FIFA would only approve his change of Nationality if he plays for the main Super Eagles,” wrote Shehu Dikko on his Facebook page.
“Therefore, his call-up now is to get his nationality change sorted and thus make him available to play for the Nigeria U23 If selected.
“Hence, Oliseh called him up on the request of Siasia who wants to use him for the U23s and by this action Nigeria will have secured his allegiance and this would also further motivate other players like him to come along.
“Finally on footballing terms, the potential of Iwobi is not in doubt based on what he did during Arsenal pre-season so in the long term this might be a very good decision for Nigeria and Iwobi."
[/b]
africanfootball.com//news/570835/Why-Oliseh-called-up-Iwobi-NFF-VP