₦airaland Forum

safarigirl:
Biko, these people should allow us relish in our excitement and stop reminding us of the failures of over-aged men of 1987 and 2005

When you send men to play with boys, do you expect to win the younger, faster kids? We are talking of pacy, dogged, insatiable BOYS and people want to place them side-by-side with slow, unserious, nonchallant men. Why?

These boys make their own destiny, can anyone tell us the preparation of the past teams? How many games did they play enroute the Championships? How many wins did they have? How many draws and losses? What were the stats of their best players? How many goals per match? What about clubs? What clubs bought them? What clubs did they play for? What were their records for those clubs? What about team work? How well did they work as a team?

The next person that wants to be smart and make comparisons better do so in totality. We don't want partial comparisons

seconded.
I won't want us to doubt this boys ability. The boys are aware of what befell their predecessors n having it in mind that de re there to prove to the world that their marauding victories @ UAE wasn't just a fluke(breaking the total goals scored by a team @U-17 TOURNEY) and that they ain't just cadet winners but world beaters. The technical crew knows this well and are full of history. I fear for the samba boys because de will be backing on history-de'll be suprise!.. Let's just be optimistic and supportive. #FLYflyingEAGLES

Meet Nigerian-German Kevin Akpoguma, captain of the Germany U20 side
The Hoffenheim defender, who has a Nigerian father, is part of a talented side that is one of the favourites to win the U20 World Cup in New Zealand
May 23, 2015 12:24:29PROFILEByLolade Adewuyi Follow on Twitter
Tall, strong and imposing, Kevin Akpoguma has been favourably compared with his idol, Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng.
Apart from both being defenders, their fathers hailed from Africa, migrated to Germany and were born to German mothers – Boateng’s father went from Ghana while Akpoguma’s left from Nigeria.
While Boateng has won the biggest diadem in football, the Fifa World Cup last year in Brazil, Akpoguma’s path is just being laid and it could be as illustrious as the older player. They have both won gold Fritz Walter-Medals for their impact in German youth football.
20-year-old Hoffenheim defender Akpoguma has already started building a good foundation for himself in the German game where he has played in all their youth teams – U16, U17, U18 and U19.
Last year, he won the European U19 Championship in Hungary where they defeated Portugal 1-0 in the final.
As captain, next week he begins the journey to deliver the Fifa U20 World Cup thereby adding it to Germany’s senior title. He would hope to lead the Europeans to their first title since 1981 when they won as West Germany against Qatar in Australia.
“His 1.92 metres (6'4in) are perfect for a centre back. He has speed, good technique and is a dynamic player. In 2013 he got the Fritz-Walter medal in gold from the DFB, which honours every year the best German players of U17, U18 and U19. He has said that the coaches want him to become more stable, to play a whole game without errors,” said Goal Germany’s Christoph Kockeis.
Akpoguma is the modern day defender – big, nimble footed and intimidating. He used to be a forward before he was converted by a former youth team coach.
Even though he has not really made his mark in the Hoffenheim senior team, Akpoguma hopes that New Zealand would be a good tournament where he can show himself to the world. Early in May he committed to a two year loan deal at Fortuna Dusseldorf in the 2 Bundesliga.
“After the season we have put together a timetable and plan for the future, because next year I want to make the step into professional football. That's why I'm always glad to be at the U20. Here we can show ourselves internationally,” he told the official DFB site.
He is a veritable asset that could have played for Nigeria, and still could if he fails to make it into the German senior team.
In a 2014 interview with Goal, Akpoguma talked about playing for Super Eagles not being an option if he makes it into the German seniors.
“I have been to Nigeria twice,” Akpoguma told Goal. “When I was very young, about four years on holiday. Life is just much different than here.”
The defender said that the the Nigerian Football Federation had not yet approached him, however, his first allegiance is to Germany.
“And since I was born and grew up here in Germany, I see myself as a German, I would prefer to play for the German senior team, if that is possible,” he said
“Until then, it's probably still a few years away - but as long as I see that the opportunity is there somewhere, Nigeria is not in anyway an option for me.”
Still, Akpoguma could have an early reunion with Nigeria depending on the way things go in New Zealand.
With Nigeria’s Flying Eagles drawn in Group E alongside Brazil, Hungary and Korea DPR, the second placed side would most likely meet Germany who are drawn in a relatively easy Group F which includes Fiji, Uzbekistan and Honduras

CFCfan:
FIFA, probably in a bid to pacify the football clubs, doesn't put relatively 'minor' tourneys in its calendar. They want the clubs to maximally utilize the services of players who they (clubs) pay every week.

Not long ago, the Olympic football tourneys weren't listed on FIFA's calendar until 2012! I remember Arsenal refusing to release Kanu for the 2000 Olympic Games, and an Israeli club refusing to release Enyeama to the Dream Team in 2008. Both clubs cited the fact that the tournament wasn't listed on FIFA calendar as the reason for holding onto the players.

Just as the Olympics was considered as a 'minor' tourney, the suits at Fifa may be of the view that the U-17 and U-20 world cups are purely developmental competitions, which aren't at the level of the senior World Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

thank you Sir.

lexyman:
I agreed with you that Keshi has his short comings as a coach , but I must let you know this sir. He once assembled a fantastic team to win the nations cup in 2013 and he can do better than that if he's given the support . Although he has his bad side too as a coach ( he doesn't take responsibility when his team fail or when things go wrong) but I think he would have done well in the past if they didn't denied him of his back room staff , he knows his weakness and he chose some caliber of people to work with, but Nff denied him of the resources he needed to succeed . You can't have a perfect set of crew , Manu can't work alone , he knows he needed Ugbade and as u can see they are doing well together and it's yielding results .The problems we have now was originated from glass house , (Nff) and that is what is also affecting our league . Don't forget ,the product of our league is the reflection of what you are seeing in the super eagles ... Except some individuals who have managed to travel out of the shore of the country to play in some funny league around the world . You and I know that we don't really have any exceptional talents among the international footballers we have ,90% of them are bench warmers .

Please take your mind back to the set of players we had in USA 94 . Majority of them were in major league in the world . And Nigeria league back then was very functional and people were passionate about football ,So was the set of players we had in France 98 . Can you ask ur self what has gone wrong?

The Nff has seen their flaws and they re working at the moment to put things in place ...they have a structure already that they have put in place ....which is training of coaches and building of football academy to encourage the youth .

And don't forget this projects are for the future ...if they fail to restructure our league , it's like back to square one .


My brother ,Keshi is not that bad the way u have painted it to be , if Keshi handles these boys after the World Cup , they can become world beaters and we can be the first team in Africa to win the senior Worldcup.

sorry, if I may ask hope you aint talking about Garba's boys. Keshi will only destroy those boys. Make im stick to his system of team selection. Garba boys(prob. 70% of them ) should be allowed to prosecute d olympics first.

Tomtoxic:
How could the nff forget someones passport dis guys are getting worse by the day oh anyway izik sucesx na from benin maybe person from em mama village dn dae press e button

can't stop laughing. U mean se Mba's curse de fight im too. He is delivered.

P0intBlank:
The question is no longer are the Flying Eagles good but how good are they? Where do they rank compared to other flying eagles' teams of d past. Have they flattered to deceive or are they the real deal? I don't read too much into friendly results. The reason being friendlies are what they are - friendlies. Hostilities begin June 1. For me that's d litmus test. Beat Brazil, d jinx is broken and d cup is there for taken. See previous results against South American opposition to see why I'm particular about this match.
Mexico 83 Brazil 3-0 Nigeria (Group)
USSR 85 Brazil 2-0 Nigeria (Semis)
Chile 87 Brazil 4-0 Nigeria (Group)
Nigeria 99. Paraguay 2-1 Nigeria (Group)
Holland 2005 Brazil 0-0 Nigeria (Group)
Holland 2005 Argentina 2-1 Nigeria (Finals)
Canada 2007 Chile 4-0 Nigeria (Quarters)
Egypt 2009 Venezuela 1-0 Nigeria (Group)
Turkey 2013 Uruguay 2-1 Nigeria (2nd Rnd)

We've never beaten them in a competitive match at U-20 or at d Senior level. We've lost all 5 matches against them in d world cup. Why do u think we struggle against South American opposition?

d other sets of eagles might have lost those matches due to inferiority complex-believing that the South Americans are born ballers, this determined d way de approach those games... But one thing I know is that this crop of players will re-write history. They know d magnitude of d task ahead of them. These boys ain't just physically ready but de're also mentally ready for whoever comes there way. *sorry for the typos-using phone*

mikron:
football is always the unifying factor for we Nigerians. whats ur take on awoniyi? that guy is becoming a deadly phenomenal goal poaching beast that theworld will see in the nearest future, i just love the lad, power playing, pacy, bulldozes defenders and a deadly finisher. naija is blessed

the last time i watched him play in a competitive match was against Senegal@d AYC FINAL. He was played as lone striker. As I watched him play that night. I had that strong feeling that if he can keep his head cool it won't take much time before he reach stardom. He is good in holding d ball, a good positional player. His height is a plus. But I've not see him using his head.

terzurum5:
What is this that am hearing?
Hope someone is not trying to raise my HBP?
Joseph1013 what do you have to say about this?

i just hope this news isn't true. Success is a wonderful guy. His goal against sweden just keep coming to my mind-it will take a world class striker to do such. But y will this european clubs take us for granted. Granada started this mess. De just hold him back for no reason. He is not even playing. How will a FIFA organised tournament won't be on FIFA calender-pls I need someone to enlighten me on this. Because this was granada's reason for not releasing him at first. Wishing him all d best.

ajf:
Kelechi scores again for City. Now leading ManU U-21 2-1...

good for him. Make im do am small small.

ELIJAHARMONICA:
Hello my brothers and sisters. I'm new on this thread and I hope I am accepted here.
I pray that everything in my mind about this tournament comes true.
God bless!!!

you'll always be accepted as long as you wish the team n d nation well. Enjoy your time here!

mikron:
My broda the loss of KON was a massive blow to me too. I missed great contributors in that platform like aphilly, keshitillidie, redskin, keshilite etc, I was a Bona-fide member too. Tnx for the mention. Any kind of football news is like cold water to a thirsty soul for me. Are u by chance a man United fan cos ur username AIG07 speaks volume. I'm a United fan. Hoping to see more of u here

it's a nickname i got back den in sec skul. I'm not a united fan. I belong to D royal family(THE BLUES). Nevertheless, d Flying eagles has UNITED us here. Nigeria our FATHER, National Teams our team-and football is our 'binding tie' No matter d religion,culture, race or education background. I hope our football administrators understand this. God bless All! #FLYflyingEAGLES

@TheSuperNerd.
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I'M BANKING ON THE LIKES OF AWONIYI THE INTELLECTUAL, IHEANACHO THE GENIUS, YAHAYA THE INIESTA, SUCCESS THE BEAST, IDOWU THE 4-LUNGED HORSE, MUSA MOHAMMED THE ROBOCOP, EZEH THE BABY-FACED ASSASIN AMONG OTHERS LED BY MANU GARBA THE WISE TASK MASTER AND NDUKA UGBADE THE SCIENCE OF FOOTBALL PROFESSOR TO DELIVER GOLD AGAINST ALL ODDS. I really like d way you qualified this guys. a single word can't just describe them. U're welcome here sir. KON was a gr8 place to be. It was fun then wit ppl like keshitilIdie... Passionate n funny fans. So came that day when KON informed us that de won't be able to run d site again. It took me much time to find nairalandsports platform. Cos i kept longing for a place to meet other Nigerians who love this sport. Meeting ppl like Joe, safari, mikron n other wonderful folks here tookaway d memory of KON. I just Hope d KONites storm this thread. Too. #FLYflyingEAGLES.

linked:
2015 U20 W/Cup: Ngeria Players’ Profiles



Name: Joshua ENAHOLO
Date of Birth: 24.07.1996
Position: Goal Keeper
Current Club: MFM FC (NGA)
Height: 181





Name: Dele ALAMPASU

Date Of Birth: 24.12.1996

Position: Goal Keeper

Current Club: Football College Academy (NGA)

Height: 180







Name: Olorunleke OJO
Date Of Birth: 17.08.1995
Position: Goal Keeper
Current Club: Giwa FC (NGA)
Height: 189




Name: Musa MUHAMMED
Date Of Birth: 31.10.1996
Position: Defender
Current Club: FC Heart Academy (NGA)
Height: 174





Name: Abdullahi MUSTAPHA
Date Of Birth: 18.01.1996
Position: Defender
Current Club: Spotlights FC (NGA)
Height: 167





Name: Zaharaddeen BELLO
Date Of Birth: 21.12.1997
Position: Defender
Current Club: Dabo Babes Academy (NGA)
Height: 177





Name: Onyinye NDIDI
Date Of Birth: 16.12.1996
Position: Defender
Current Club: KRC Genk (BEL)
Height: 186






Name: Prince OMEGO
Date Of Birth: 5.08.1996
Position: Defender
Current Club: Apapa Golden Stars FC (NGA)
Height: 174





Name: Akinjide IDOWU
Date Of Birth: 09.09.1996
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Nigeria Young Academy (NGA)
Height: 171





Name: Bernard BULBWA
Date Of Birth: 11.10.1996
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Shuttle Sports Academy (NGA)
Height: 166







Name: Kingsley SOKARI
Date Of Birth: 30.05.1995
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Enyimba FC (NGA)
Height: 172






Name: Musa YAHAYA
Date Of Birth: 16.12.1997
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
Height: 170






Name: Ifeanyi MATHEW
Date Of Birth: 20.01.1997
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: El-Kanemi Warriors FC (NGA)
Height: 173







Name: Ifeanyi IFEANYI
Date Of Birth: 15.08.1995
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Water FC (NGA)
Height: 173




Name: Chidiebere NWAKALI
Date of Birth: 26.12.1996
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Manchester City FC (ENG)
Height: 173







Name: Success ISAAC
Date Of Birth: 07.01.1996
Position: Forward
Current Club: Granada CF (ESP)
Height: 178






Name: Kelechi IHEANACHO
Date Of Birth: 03.10.1996
Position: Forward
Current Club: Manchester City FC (ENG)
Height: 177




Name: Saviour GODWIN
Date Of Birth: 22.08.1996
Position: Forward
Current Club: FC Sports (NGA)
Height: 170






Name: Chidera EZEH
Date Of Birth: 02.10.1997
Position: Forward
Current Club: FC Porto (POR)
Height: 180



Name: Taiwo AWONIYI
Date Of Birth: 12.08.1997
Position: Forward
Current Club: Imperial Academy (NGA)
Height: 181






Name: Moses SIMON
Date Of Birth: 12.07.1995
Position: Forward
Current Club: KAA Gent (BEL)
Height: 168





Coach: Manu GARBA (NGA)






pictures soon!!

menh we get tall Goalies o. No be Agbim type. D future is bright if continuity will be considered.

There is still dis special thing about this team. They have a winning mentality and a 'never say die' spirit. Kudos to The team psychologists, they 're really doing a gr8 job. At d AYC championship d match against d ivorians n d black meteors of Ghana shewed us that this guys will settle down for no defeat unlike their big brothers(SE). I only hope that invites (moses, success n ndidi n nacho) blends quickly wit others. The more de play together d better de become. This team will write history. #FLYflyingEAGLES

the atmosphere in d camp is gr8 so also here. Teamspirit is high. Abeg settle your dispute amicably@those concerned.

safarigirl:
if I catch Awoniyi anywhere near Tunisia, tori olorun, I will locate telephone wire and flog him with it..

Anyway, on his twitter handle, he indictaed his love for Chelsea. Better choice, last last if e dey go trials, he fit sleep for Mikel house .....my love get sense

Mikel's place or what? Make e no stay there o. na russian girl e go arrange for him:-D. Laughing-just saying. I think de should all focus well on d worldcup. A step at a time He could be another Amuneke wey go play for BARCA. Better offers will come, i'm not saying chelsea is a bad club. But big clubs wey go give them playing times.

mikron:
u re welcome to nairaland

thanks Bro. Hope we have a wonderful time here together.

The match between Nigeria n Brazil will probably be d match of the tournament. As d players are looking forward to this encounter so also the fans- it got to be a gr8 match. I remembered in 2013 this set of U-20 then u-17 were anticipating to play d brazillians who were also free scoring side at d final. But unfortunately d bra didn't get to d final. Hmmm-I SMELL A A TOUGH MATCH. #FLYFlyEAGLES

I inherited debts, empty treasury from Maigari -Amaju
Our Reporter-From ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
I inherited debts, empty treasury from Maigari -Amaju
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Pinnick Amaju, has revealed that his board is passing through difficult situation due to the volume of debt inherited from the Aminu Maigari-led board, urging Nigerians to understand the enormity of the financial challenges it is passing through to bankroll the national teams.
Speaking in a parley with journalists in Abuja, Amaju disclosed that, while it took the federation $8, 000 (about N1.72 million) to pick the flight ticket for each pro invited for a match, the federation spends between N90 million to N120 million to prosecute a match involving the Super Eagles.
According to him: "We are going through difficult times. People hear all kinds of stories of money or the other, yet nobody has asked where the federation is funding the participation of almost all the 13 national teams in international competitions.
"As for Super Eagles games, we know how much we spend on ticket alone if we invite 20 players for example. One player is about $8, 000 and it takes between N90 million to N120 million to prosecute a team. We should know that the harsh economic situation is affecting the corporate world and they are not redeeming their sponsorship.
"All the trainings we are conducting overseas were made possible through my connections with the corporate Nigerians. They really want us to succeed. It was not just going through the papers of the federation because I know how much debt we inherited coming into this federation. It was a lot of money, not because the former federation was reckless, but because they wanted to give the teams quality preparations," he said.
On the continued delay in his board relocating to the Sunday Dankaro House, new secretariat at the Package B of the Abuja National Stadium, Amaju blamed the delay on the civil service bureaucracy, explaining that the federation was still waiting for the Bureau of Public Procurement to endorse the company his board had selected.
His words: "We also know that whether we like it or not, we must respect the government and establish a healthy relationship and do things in line with all due process, especially as concerns moving to the football house. Yes, we got money and it is there but packing goes beyond the money.
"We should know that people tendered and made open presentation that we must have to look into. We have to go through the presentation in making sure that it conforms to the international best practices. We have chosen a company, but they must have to go through the due process."
On the Glass House, Pinnick said: "We are not going to abandon this Glass House, when we have other leagues that are independent. We are going to turn the Goal Project they are occupying now into a model hostel, where the junior teams can camp," he noted.

Hmmmm. This NFF officials and their financial crisis. I just hope it won't affect d NTs that will be representing us this yr in FIFA tournaments. Last yr it was Super Chicks wit their money saga wey make dem no sleep when de get a crucial match against d Le Blues of France @the World cup Round-16- a match we could have won conveniently. The administration should start thinkin of means to complement the government aids. Enough of this same old story. I know that Manu n his boys aint playing for money that's the diff. between the Flying eagles and other national teams. Lets learn to plan!

Daninya11:
Manu Garba and his team of Coaches have set a national and perhaps African record of consecutive run without a defeat; but nobody acknowledges it.

The former U17 Head Coach started a campaign through the qualifiers of the 2013 u17 Championships but failed on two occassions to get past Ivory Coast, including the 1-0 defeat in the finals in Morocco.

That was the last time the Coach lost a game in charge of any of the teams he’s managed thus far.

The Eaglets went on to conquer the World in the United Arab Emirates recording 6 wins and 1 draw. Garba was promoted to the U20 Flying Eagles, was commissioned to play several test games before the qualifiers to feature in Senegal in 2015.



Nigeria’s coach Manu Garba after the Africa U20 Championships 1/2 final against Ghana.
After a 6-1 aggregate win (0-2, 4-1) against Tanzania and technical win (Walked over) Lesotho, Garba lead the team to Senegal where it raced past every opposition, save Ivory Coast. The last group A game ended 2-2; with a 68th minute Musa Muhammed penalty to earn the Nigeria a draw.

Another silverware was in the cabinet courtesy Nigeria’s most successful teenagers in recent times.
That same team conquered Africa to hand Nigeria its 7th AYC crown and have been preparing for the FIFA U20 World Cup which kicks off 30th May.



Manu Garba, head Coach of Nigeria’s U17 Eaglets during the FIFA U17 World Cup in the UAE.
Similarly, the Flying Eagles have proven formidable challenge for teams in Country’s top flight club, flooring the best four and that includes the League champions Kano Pillars.

In essence it means through October 2013 till date Manu Garba has not lost a game in 14 official matches ; excluding friendlies and test games.

With the date against against Brazil; June 1st, at the World Cup drawing close, Manu Garba’s camp in Germany is also raking up wins and will ; hopefully, wrap it up today against SC Freiburg.

According to the assistant Coach Nduka Ugbade, they leave for New Zealand within a week before the 20th edition of the tournament.

thanks Mr. Dan. This man Garba deserves our accolades. He has really done and contributed gr8ly to football development in this nation but still someone wey de sit for im palour go come write rubbish se we should get oyinbo coaches for our youth teams. I don't really think any oyinbo man could achieve such feat. Apart from d coaching aspect if i'm right sometimes ago probably last yr we learn't that he was owed some months salary by d NFF yet still he delivered-this is true patriotism. Manu is setting Himself up as role model for our young and growing coaches. Let us learn to appreciate what we have.

This crop of Nigeria U-20 team- the flying eagles is still one of the best team in the world. De've only lost two matches(both against d ivorians @U-17 african youth championship). Free scoring side-playing all attack and mass defence. Pls we need more from our media men concerning this team. Hmmm de're better than d overhype oyinbo teams, if na brazil de play like this we no go hear word again. I know Awo is better than that Madrid young guy Odegaard or wetin be im name. Abeg do us proud by bringing d cup home-make Keshi n his boys know se de don get rival for The National Team.

dwag:
oya maka baptise u ** bend ya head** pour hot water for him head.............just comment and go miss safari no get anybody time........... Buh u sef u funny o! Na bcoz of woman u run enter trend........u get luck say u20 win 2day match and we all dey in good mood...... Anyway peace. No fight intended.

thanks bro for welcoming me. But i de see se you be original cele(celestial ch.) man. Make we go NZ to do d goal baptism for our opponents. #FLYFLYINGEAGLES

I'm A first timer on Nairaland. Have been going tru various comments made by wonderful Nigerians on various threads. Folks here are too much. Though some of these comments can make person fall from a sofa, some life impacting, touching etc. Someone caught my attention here-MISS SAFARI- have never seen such a lady who really has d knowledge about this sport-i like your views, analysis. I doff my hat for u.Hbd miss.