BlackAlbino6:


You have not seen someone play, but you still went ahebelieve oubt the persons abilities. That is serious. May be because of your love for home grown talents right?

Now Sir, if you seriously want Nigerian grassroot football development to grow, it must not depend solely on the CAF AND FIFA U17 tournaments or age grade competitions.

Depending on FIFA age grade competitions a lone won't take us any where.

Why can't we encourage all our Clubs to buy into the idea of having age grade teams like the Europeans do. In England, all the Clubs do this and its yielding results for their Clubs.

So we should do same. If it works there then, It will also work here.

tbaba1234:
Alaba and Adebayor came to audition for under 17 but we rejected them for 'grassroots' players, some of whom were old men.

Which Nigerian left back in our history is as good as Alaba?
How many strikers have we had that were as good as Adebayor at his prime?, you can count them on one hand.

If we see exceptional talent, we should get them, home or abroad.

TheGoodJoe:


You people only see Alaba. You will not see Iheanacho, Success, Alampasu, Omeruo, Onazi who were local talents who benefited from the grassroots development of the U17.

The foreign born Nigerians who want to play for us, should fight for their place in the U20. The U17 is for grassroots development.

tbaba1234:


None of Iheanacho, Success, Alampasu, Omeruo, Onazi have reached the level of Alaba. Perhaps with time.

We should give opportunities to exceptional young players who want to play for us so we do not lose them when they are older.

TheGoodJoe:


So how many Nigerian trainees overseas have reached Alaba's level?

The exceptional young players who want to play for us should do so in the U20 level. The U17 is for grooming local talents.

It is a good grassroots program and bringing in a foreign trainee takes away the chance of grooming a local grassroots talent with less opportunity.

tbaba1234:


No problem with grassroots but if there is a Nigerian Messi or even Alaba, get them at under 17. Get them as early as possible.

If Nigeria gave Alaba a shot when he came, perhaps he would be playing for us now not Austria.

tbaba1234:


No problem with grassroots but if there is a Nigerian Messi or even Alaba, get them at under 17. Get them as early as possible.

If Nigeria gave Alaba a shot when he came, perhaps he would be playing for us now not Austria.

TheGoodJoe:


You people only see Alaba. You will not see Iheanacho, Success, Alampasu, Omeruo, Onazi who were local talents who benefited from the grassroots development of the U17.

The foreign born Nigerians who want to play for us, should fight for their place in the U20. The U17 is for grassroots development.

joseph1013:
All you are saying are simply your own perspective. There is nowhere in the NFF constitution that exceptional foreign starlets in the age bracket should not be invited. I already gave you an example of Habib who was in Chelsea when he was invited to Manu's squad.

What we need to do is do more of it. I cannot have a child abroad and you will tell me he is not as Nigerian as another Nigerian. You be Lord Lugard?

Icon4s:


It may not be in the NFF constitution but the current system is very convenient for the NFF and the technical Crews and our results so far show for much.

tbaba1234:
Alaba and Adebayor came to audition for under 17 but we rejected them for 'grassroots' players, some of whom were old men.

Which Nigerian left back in our history is as good as Alaba?
How many strikers have we had that were as good as Adebayor at his prime?, you can count them on one hand.

If we see exceptional talent, we should get them, home or abroad.

BlackAlbino6:
[b][size=14pt]
Nigeria to try to convince Sheyi Ojo, others to play for Eagles
Biyi Akangbe
[/size]

A top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has hinted that the Football House has set its sight on getting the trio of Dominic Solanke (Chelsea), Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool) and Ademola Lookman (Charlton Athletic) play for the Super Eagles.


The three players are all 18 years old and all but Lookman have represented England at under age levels and a source in the NFF told Nation Sport that some persons in the Glasshouse depending on the availability of funds will soon be embarking on tour of some England and Holland to woo eligible Nigerians to represent their place of origin.


The source specifically disclosed that after the success story of Alex Iwobi who now plays for the Eagles after the intervention of the NFF, the mentioned trio alongside Chuba Akpom(Arsenal) and a 12-year-old Lateef Omidiji Jr (FC Dordrecht U-14) who is said could spark a bidding war between Nigeria and the USA are all closely being monitored.


Nation Sport gathered that the NFF scouts will strive to make these players commit their allegiance to Nigeria and not follow the trend some of their compatriots took in the past only to be used and dumped by their preferred foreign countries.


Ojo is now an established Liverpool winger and Solanke is also being closely monitored by Chelsea in Vitesse Arnhem (Holland) where is presently on loan after he emerged as Chelsea Youth Player of the Year in 2015 while Lookman is also trying his best as a striker with Charlton Athletic and he is rumoured to be on the radar of Arsenal FC.
http://www.soccernet.com.ng/2016/04/nigeria-to-try-to-convince-sheyi-ojo.html
[/b]
cc:Icon4s, TheSuperNerd, tbaba1234, forgiveness, TheGoodJoe, Joseph1013, e.t.c. Our prayers have been answered.

BlackAlbino6:
[b][size=14pt]
Nigeria Target Kelvin Arase Shines As Austria Beat Bosnia In UEFA U17 Championship
Published: May 05, 2016
[/size]

Nigerian-born striker Kelvin Arase helped the Austria U17s beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in both countries first Group B match at the UEFA U17 Championship taking place in Azerbaijan.


The 17-year-old was lively throughout the contest at Bakcell Arena (Bakı) and was unlucky not to open his goalscoring account for his adopted country.

Austria controlled the game from the beginning and were rewarded for their efforts in the first half, with Baumgartner netting a brace.


Retired Nigeria international Benedict Akwuegbu earlier stated that he will approach Arase’s parents so the youngster commits his international future to Nigeria instead of Austria but it appears it turned out to be a wild-goose chase.


Arase, who is on the books of the U18 team of Rapid Vienna, appeared 6 times for the Austria U17s in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship (Qualifying round) and was credited with two assists.


German-based trio David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Rubin Okotie (1860 Munich) and Karim Onisiwo (Mainz 05) have represented Austria at senior level.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel
http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/68364Kelvin.jpg
[/b]

BlackAlbino6:
[b][size=14pt]
Nigeria Lagging Behind England For Services Of Highly-Rated Arsenal Goalie Arthur
[/size]

The English FA is ahead of the Nigeria Football Federation for the services of highly-rated Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.


The Gunners U15s netminder has made remarkable progress at Arsenal since he joined the club and is on the brink of earning a promotion to the U18s after he made the squad for their 4-1 win over Sunderland U18s last Friday.


Arthur Okonkwo has been described by one of his peers, who keeps goal for a rival London team, as a goalkeeper with good reflexes and has tipped him to make the grade at Arsenal.


“He is a good goalkeeper, good overall. He is good in shot-stopping and distribution, I have played against him,” the source told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“For his age, he is tall for a goalkeeper. England are ahead of Nigeria now for his services.”

Arthur Okonkwo has played for England at U15 level.
http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=18843
[/b]
Please all eyes on this guy
cc:Icon4s, TheSuperNerd, tbaba1234, forgiveness, TheGoodJoe, Joseph1013, e.t.c. Please someone should contact Coach Manu Garba to invite the boy to at least participate in one of their trainings.

enomakos:
the news say he hads already plays for england at u-15 level there is no chance of him playing for the eaglet or flying eagles

tbaba1234:


Not True... A player can play for different countries in the age group... Eg Zalelem

enomakos:
are there any other players that have been able to make such switch?
Why was alex iwobi unable to play for the u-23 until he was capped for the super eagle?

TheSuperNerd:
Man City Striker Iheanacho Urges Omidiji Jr To Choose Nigeria Ahead Of USA, Holland

Kelechi Iheanacho (C) and Lateef Omidiji Jnr (R).






Manchester City wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho has urged FC Dordrecht sensation Lateef Omidiji Jr to commit his international future to Nigeria ahead of the United States, where he was born, and country of residence Netherlands.




Lateef Omidiji Jr and his family made the 160-mile journey from Dordrecht to Luxembourg City earlier this week to offer their support and fraternize with the Super Eagles stars before the international friendly with the European minnows.



“Kelechi told him that Lateef Jr is known all over England and he thinks if he keeps it up, he has the skillset to follow in his footsteps but that comes with playing for Nigeria,” the striker’s dad Lateef Omidiji Sr told allnigeriasoccer.com.



“He said a lot of the officials in the NFF are aware of him as well and he’s heard nothing but great things.


“He also spoke with Troost-Ekong who used to play at Jr’s current academy- very encouraging- said keep doing what you’re doing, the sky is the limit. ”


Lateef Omidiji Jr’s elder sister Sophia Omotola Omidiji has already pledged her allegiance to Nigeria and her ambition is to represent the Falconets at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.


It is known that the United States Soccer Federation are interested in capping Lateef Omidiji Jr before the Nigerian Federation, and plan to invite him to one of their youth teams in the not too distant future.


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=19291