₦airaland Forum

raumdeuter:
I disagree.

These Naija boys were probably born in the UK, they probably have never lived in Nigeria beyond the random 2weeks to 2months holidays every 5yrs(if that much), They probably cannot speak any Nigerian local dialect fluently. So what makes it home for them vs
A country they went to daycare, went to primary to secondary, played academy football, have friends, and everything. Basically, they become who they are today because of the investment UK made into their lives

It's understandable for someone like you to choose Nigeria because you have connections to Nigeria but your son who was born and bred abroad will pick Nigeria a country his own father left in his youth?

So by the same token, you will be expecting Rio Ferdinand to play for StLucia, Sancho, and Rashford to play for Jamaica or some Caribbean country?

Rio and Sancho's ancestors might have moved to UK long time ago, so must have been diluted. I heard Saka's father was born in Nigeria. Like i said i will persuade my soon to play for Nigeria. I will teach him my local Dialect and engrain him into our culture.

Samuel Etoo came to Spain as a 16 year old, his son was born and bread in spain. He son is representing cameroon. Why didn't his son chose spain.

Abedi Pele gave birth to all his sons in France. All of them are playing for Ghana, theirs was never out of neccesity they bled Ghana.

Wasnt Halaand born in the UK? Why is he not plYing for England?
Our star boy Mejbri was clearly born and bred in Europe he chose Tunisia immediately before his career even started.

It all depends on the orientation by the parents and the mentality.

GloryIsaac:
No one is talking down on Nigeria, the results are there to see.

God-willing, Nigeria does well next year in the World Cup, it can set a precedence for the nation.

But if it remains the usual R16 knockout, cycle continues.

Enlighten me the last time Mexico, Chile and Paraguay made it past the R-16 in the world cup

handelex:
CHO knew the chances of him making it with the senior team is slim and time dey go. Didn't he fly the England colors across the youth level? Why didn't he choose to represent Ghana then

Yet he went to his Country of origin nevertheless.

GloryIsaac:
The players mentioned are all African-born, and spent considerable time in their native nations before moving. 16+.

South Americans have strong teams capable of contending on the international stage, so it makes sense to represent them. Same can’t be said for African teams.

If Nigeria becomes a force to contend with on the international stage, the World Cup, then same can happen.

Yeah Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador usually go far in World cups. Which of these countries have performed considerably better than Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal in world cup recently. What are theeir chances of winning it

GloryIsaac:
In most cases, those who choose to play for their motherland do so for these reasons;

1. Not good enough for their adopted team.
2. Good enough but tough competition in adopted team. Means might not get a lot of international caps.

These reasons are at the root of it, the ‘patriotism’ talk is just a deflection.

If a player is assured of his place in the national team of his adopted country, and they have a better chance of going far in the tournament, he will represent them.

Also put into consideration that these adopted countries were the ones who groomed the player. Most start at U13s or U16s I believe.

Ofcourse, there are exceptions to this, but they are rare.

P.S. Falcao would have had to compete with Fernando Torres and David Villa for a starting berth with Spain. Doubt the success rate if he tried in 2007.

Its not always true bro, there are many folks who decided for to trace their origin despite that.

KingTom:
Messi sef turn down spain to play for Argentina so I hear

Imagine. England beg Giggs tire he no gree. Spain needed Kanoute he decline and played for Mali.

benji93:
Playing for the national team doesn't secure anybody anyway. Na CLub dem really dey get their money from.

But they are making as if playing for England is a life ticket to Eldorado

handelex:
These guys you mentioned are home grown niggas now, you sef reason am.... Saka don even visit naija before?

You dont need to visit naija before identifying with your people. CHO has gone back to Ghana despite been born in UK

handelex:
If naija really dey as you're portraying and making it to be, you for no leave her shores in search of a better life

We are talking about representing your country in a sports event not looking for better life. Maybe Drogba was playing for ASEC Mimosas of Cotedevoire, when he was playing for his country. Cavani that plays for Man United, didnt he represent Uruguay in the last Copa America?
Why didnt Dwight Yorke switch to England instead of Trinidad and Tobago, when he was a superster at Man United?

benji93:
As one other person suggested, If those folks can do it, why not ours. Please don't come with the it's just not worth it argument. You must think some of these South American countries don't have their national team problems. Most of them still go home regardless. You are making millions for crying out loud. It would be nice if some of us in the diaspora do something tangible to help and not just rant on social media, as most do. Most importantly encourage your kids. Instil patriotism(with some those care ) in them. For a significant number of diasporans, na village people dey live for Nigeria. In the abroad after living for a few years the spirit of condescension descends on them. The thing dey pain and vex me at the same time.



Disclaimer: I am not saying it's a wrong decision. For me it's neither right nor wrong. I am not putting money in their pockets.

Leave them na. Go to Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile etc and see how those countries are even Mexico. They have more national deffieciencies than us yet they still go back home and whenever they are representing their country they exude patriotism. If George Weah with all his Ballon dor should chose Liberia thats into war with very despicable leaders then why not these Nigerians abroadians? Etoo, Drogba, Okocha and Kanu are african legends and are recognised as such. So why didnt these people chose foreign countries so they can be secured.
Like i mentioned Gascoigne declared bankruptcy, maybe his playing for England made him eternally rich

elrony:
Lol omo if the option to not return here surfaces, I'm in. Nigeria don taya me biko

"Home is where the heart is", no be so them talk am?

All these abroad people sef

So chukwueze and Osihmen dem wey come back during holiday to come play street football with area guys nko? Guy dont despise your roots no matter what, thatsy humble advise for you

elrony:
Maybe AFCON of old, no be this one wey be like assembly of low budget criminals

Better to play in the Euros than AFCON bro

And the grand stage analogy is right, England has a higher chance to win the world cup than Nigeria.

How is Euros better than AFCON? How? Nawao. Una sef

patrickmuf:
Na why I surprise when he talk about grand stage...

The Euros is grand stage but AFCON isn't...Saka stands a better chance of winning with Nigeria than those overrated players...

Gbam. Euros is to England what Afcon is to Nigeria, just like Copa America is to Argentina or Uruguay. Asian championships is to Korea. No one is more prestigious depending on where your heritage is

patrickmuf:
No place like home...Even if I leave, I'll still come back home after the hustle...

Me too, i will soon relacote to Naija permanently aftwr some years. Home is sweet

handelex:
This table you're shaking you sef dey on top oo

Please enlighten me

elrony:
I think it all boils down to choice and some personal factors too, which we get to live with.

If I happen to leave Nigeria permanently, I don't think I would allow my offsprings have anything to do with this place. They should be patriotic to their country of birth and development, I dunno sha maybe I m just angry

.

I think you are angry. Why will you leave Nigeria Permanently? You get relatives for here? Guy East west north south. Home is home.

GloryIsaac:
Considering how it is for athletes in the nation, it’s not just worth it.

Atheltes like Okocha, Kanu, Mikel, Osaze, Yobo, Enyeama, Garba Lawal etc abi

Funfact Paul Gascoigne former England hero have filed for bankruptcy since and is living in penury. I wonder where his welfare packege is.

patrickmuf:
I just no want argue...England were defending in front of their fans...Not even Seychelles will do such.

We always want to talk down on Nigeria. Inferiority complex. I wonder when England started to be serial winners when they have nkt won a pin since 1966 on home soil in a controversial manner

GloryIsaac:
Ofcourse. The chances are considerably higher when playing for England.

We’re referring to a team that was a penalty shootout away from winning the European Championship yesterday.

A team that made it to the semifinals of the most recent World Cup tournament.

For all the slack the English team gets, when compared to the Super Eagles, their chances are considerably higher.

Nigeria has won 3 AFCONs come to think of it. Victor Moses has more international trophy than Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes combined

benji93:
Nigerians are largely not patriotic, especially those in the diaspora. His parents probably told him, play for Nigeria ke. We must all live with the consequences of our decisions.

Thank you. If superstars like Etoo, Drogba and Mane will play for their poor country why Wont saka play for Nigeria. International football is more of patriotism than welfare package. Most of the South American players plays passionately for their countries no minding that we have to most human right abuses and corruption in those places

GloryIsaac:
Modified the initial post.

Nigeria needs to do better to attract such talent. The handling of athletes isn’t encouraging enough for foreign-born talent.

Most who decide to represent the nation simply do out of a sense of patriotism, no benefits whatsoever.

Patriotism is the reason for international football, thats why Falcoa plays for Colombia that has corruption and human right issues instead of spain. George Weah represented Liberia thats a war torn country during the reign of Charles Taylor. Please lets stop making excuses for people qho have no regards for their fatherland. My son who is born here will play for Nigeria, i will peesuade him.

fredoooooo:
This is what you get when you give all your penarity to penalty boy Bruno, this season I'm sure dem go dey share penalties

You have to blame bruno for England losing. May be Bruno is also the cause of Sancho and Saka missing too. Blame Rashford for being his usual self leave Bruno out of this

GloryIsaac:
I doubt they make their choices based on patriotism or any of that passionate stuff.

It’s more about the benefits to be gained even after retirement. Welfare packages.

Which welfare package. Lol. English NT players dont get too much after retirement. Some just have natural disdain for their "poor" original countries. Saka will certainly be rich after retirement so the pay from National team is just a drop in the ocean for him.
Famous Afrcan players have played for their countries with pride.

Ibime:
Attackers are not necessarily the best penalty takers. Sterling does not have good physiology for penalties. K leg players like Sterling find it hard to lift the ball off the ground. That's why Sterling is also not good at crossing. These players tend to play penalties low which increases the keepers chances.

Grealish own is mental block or maybe a superstition just like his small shinpads superstition. He refuses to take them for Villa even last season when Watkins was failing at penalties, they went to El Ghazi.

I was surprised Henderson was taken off as he is Liverpool's third penalty taker if Salah and Milner are not around and he has a good penalty record, and is a senior player and a captain for his club.

Other players with good physiology to place penalties high would have been Luke Shaw and Kalvin Phillips. They have good accuracy with lifting the ball thanks to their bow leg and are also older.

I think Southgate practiced with the 5 players that took the penalty otherwise there is no reason to bring off Henderson. If you ask Saka well, he has probably put his hand up in training and been drilled in how Donnaruma dives. Sometimes na overconfidence dey worry these young boys, dem go out hand for lion mouth. Sancho and Saka have no business taking those penalties, it doesn't matter if they are attackers.

Honestly i was shocked when Southgate pulled out Henderson, I was dead sure he will take one. Him, Kane and Rashford are the ones i have are certain to take

iamoyindamola:
What manners of fuckery talk is this, is your brain paining you
Is there any excuse for a racist

May be your eye is paining you when you cant see where i said i sympathise with him. It good he is seeing that no matter how long a mangroove tree dwells in the river, it can never make him a crocodile

handelex:
Serves him right how nau
This your talk no follow at all bros.

I am not endorsing racism. This is a lesson to him.

We warn Saka to chose his national team wisely but he refused. I sympathise for his racist abuse, but it serves him right. This is a lesson to others

KingAlabi:

Sancho is not officially a Manchester United boy oh, if you say na lie, show me a pic of him signing the contract
So na one Manchester United, Dortmund and arsenal boy miss penalty.

You no see Maguire penalty?

Whether or not he is Man U player, how does it matter. Make una no de disturb una sef with all these small pikin trolls.

afrodoc2:
Imagine a manager as clueless as Southgate was one penalty shootout away from winning a major international title.

England are just repeating the mistakes of their so called golden generation. They have a bunch of decent players whose talents are being wasted by the wrong manager.

This game is clearly a repeat of the Man U Villareal final. Just like Ole Very scared to make the right subs.

Mount was really struggling in the hame, and there was mo creativity, he left him on the pitch, didn't removed Rice who was really doing well for Henderson who is rusty and old, and took him off qhen he should have taken one of the penalties.

Mancini keep making changes and tweeking his tactics. Southgate stayed there with Stars on bench but clueless on what to do with them

My problem is you kept players throughout in the bench, suddenly you bring them in for penalties

Beorn:
Don't munf the foolish Southgate. Made those lads suffer for the team's poor and terrible footie. What's the point of putting them to take penalties if he never saw them good enough in the first place? I'm so happy they all missed. Nothing concern me and England. When the season starts, I'll be back to supporting Sancho and Rashford for United.

I was telling someone i was watching the game with. If i am the person i will not take it. Bench me through out the tournament, suddenly bring me on to take penalties

Ibime:
Has Shaw been professional? This is his 7th year at Manure and first time he's performed. 5 of those seasons were without Mourinho. Nothing wrong with saying a 19 year old shouldn't earn more than Iva. Maybe na wetin make Shaw dey chop burger since having too much too early

In the past 3 seasons Shaw has been good, he was the player of the season 3 seasons ago. Out of those 7 seasons 2 1/2 were with mmourinho, remember he was out for 1 year through injury

afrodoc2:
Mount especially is struggling. This 3-4-3 bus no favour am. Saka would have been a better choice.

My thoughts exactly since Kane and Sterling have been dropping deeper and to the middle.