₦airaland Forum

Icon4s:
Now let me join in this discussion.

I watched all the above mentioned generations of Eaglets. The 1993 and 2013 stand out.
In terms of players with great potentials and quality the 1993 has it. As per team work the 2013 team has it.

I watched the 1985 boys but I was still young then and didn't understand football much. However I rewatched the final against Germany some years after on NTA. Players like Nduka Ugbade, Sani Adamu, Victor Igbinoba, Jonathan Okpoborie and Fatai Atere stood out. Though they won matches bt they were not as dominating as the 1987, 89 and 93 sets. Infact they had to beat Guinea in semis through penalties-in a game that Guinea dominated. In the final too, Germany was doing the playing while Nigeria was doing the scoring.

Worthy of note is also the 1987 Eaglets. Though they lost through penalty shoot-outs to the stars studded USSR Team that also featured Oleg Salenko. Players like Phillip Osundo, Dimeji Lawal, Chris Nwosu, Baba Jubril Babalola and co were stand out players. A highly talented set that went to Saudi in 1989 and lost to a Rui Costa, Luis Figo and Joao Pinto let Portuguese team. Remember also the Damam Miracle? They formed the Nucleus of that team.

Another great group was the 1989 set. Infact they were supposed to be the winners of that 1989 WC if not for the heroics of that tall Saudi Keeper in the Q/Final. Nigeria could only convert one penalty after the game ended 0-0 at FT. That Saudi team went on to win the cup.
Notable players from that talented group were: Victor Ikpeba, Benedict Akuegbu, John Zaki, Olusegun Fetuga, Kayode Keshinro, Precious Monye.

From the 1993 set so many of the squad went ahead to play for the Super Eagles and then big clubs in Europe. Notable among such players: Nwankwo Kanu, Wilson Oruma, Festus Odini, Manga Mohammed, Celestine Babayaro, Mubi Oparaku, Karibe Ojigwe. This set is still seen as the greatest so far. Who can forget that 8-0 bashing of Canada and 4-0 trashing of Argentina at the group stage. Not forgetting also that great West African derby of a final against a star studded Ghana team led by Daniel Ado. Most of the graduates of this set became successful footballers.

The 1995 set was a flop though they were able to get to the Q/Final where they lost to Oman. That team till date was the worst set to have been presented by Nigeria at the U17 World Cup. Notable players were: James Obiorah, Kinsgley Amuneke, Edward Anyankhim, Emmanuel
Nwakire, Sani Abacha, Haruna Babangida, Igineware George.

The 2001 set showed promise. They had a couple of players that had the potential to be great but something went wrong along the line. They lost 3-0 to France in the final. Notable players: Femi Opabunmi, Segun Abiodun, Ayuba, Temile Omonigho, Sunday Mba, Kenedy Chinwo, Akpan Bassey.

In 2003, we had a talented team but was bedeviled with changes in the coaching crew and bad luck. I remember Eguavoen was brought in late to handle the team. They crashed out through a toss of coin at the group stage after Drawing Costa Rica, beating Australia and losing to Argentina side that had Messi, Aguero, Mascherano and some others. Notable players from that crop: John Obi Mikel, Chinedu Ogbuike(Obasi), Emmanuel Sarki, Solomom Okoronkwo, Isaac Promise, Ezekiel Bala, Ambrose Vanzenkin.

In 2007 we thought we had another golden generation since after the 1993 set. A team that bulldozed it's way to win the title that year. Notable Players: Haruna Lukman, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ganiu Oseni, Macauley Chrisantus, Kabiru Akinsola, King Osanga, Matthew Edile, Segun Ajiboye. The players however failed to live up to their post U17 rating and they all fizzled out of the spot light.

The 2009 group took everyone by surprise . After they failed to qualify for the CAN U17 Pundits ruled them out. Infact they featured in the U17 WC because Nigeria hosted. They got to the final and lost to Switzerland. Who can forget that great comeback in the opening game against Germany in Abuja. Coming back from 3-0 down in the first half to finish 3-3. Notable graduates from that talented squad: Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo, Stanley Okoro, Sani Emmanuel, Ramon Azeez, Michael Olaitan, Edafe Egbedi, Omo Ojabu, Olanrewaju Kayode, Abdul Ajagun, Fortune Chukwudi.

The all conquering 2013 group looked too good to be true. Pushing and crushing away oppositions and winning 3-0 both in the semis and final. This has been judged as the next great team after the 1993 set. All the players in this team are worthy of note. However stand out performers were: Kelechi Iheanacho, Musa Mohammed, Taiwo Awoniyi, Musa Yahaya, Chidiebere Nwakali, Chdera Eze, Dele Alampasu and nt forgetting the injured striker Isaac Success. One foreign analyst once said it is as if they play 10-man defense, 10-man midfield, and 10-man attack. All that is left is for us to see how they perform at the U20s.

The 2015 group are the next to enter the history books. They finished 4th at the CAN U17 and book makers are already writing them off. But they should remember that the 2009 set didn't qualify for CAN but later got to the WC final. The team has till September to prepare and make us proud again.

ANAMBRA11:
hve u ever wondered maybe messi is not human but a super computer generated footballer robot generated inside a top secret facilty in camp nou, maybe we hve been watching a robot all this while

barcanista:
PreSident Shehu Shagari

“The army after toppling our democratic regime have no option but to install Buhari as head of state so as to avoid credibility problem especially in the sight of international community because of his being an epitome of integrity.“

President Goodluck Jonathan

“Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was a true patriot, respected former head of state & elder statesman & a nationalist.“

President Olusegun Obasanjo

“There are only 2 honest & reliable Nigerians. Myself & Buhari. All what PDP is saying of Buhari being fundamentalist is mere hot lies. They just fear let‘s go to jail “

"Muhammadu Buhari as a member of the Supreme Military Council and as Head of NNPC was by nature taciturn and introvert. But he took any work that was given to him very seriously. He is reliable as he is hardworking and honest, his path of moral probity and rectitude” Incorruptible

President Musa Yaradua

“Buhari was a big brother & a father to some extent that mean nothing in life & to the nation always other than good. So, I fear no harm from him.“

General Abdusalam Abubakar

“Buhari was honest & sincere in all his conduct that perhaps, only very few Nigerians could match in integrity.“

General Sani Abacha

“I have realise our collective mistake in over- throwing you. I have seen the terrible damage which our inaction caused to the Nigerian psyche. I am most sorry. Please, come & do what is best known of you. Patriotic service to the nation.“(PTF Inaugural Speech)


General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida

“If Buhari quit PTF job as he promise & as we knew him to mean his words all along, I support the idea of scrapping PTF as no one else can do the job as him.“
"I respect Buhari. He was my Boss .He was an honourable man. And I can say this anywhere”. -General Ibrahim Babangida

ALH. ISIYAKU IBRAHIM-PDP BOT Member

“As a member PDP BOT, i decided personally to donate the #5,000,000 to Buhari‘s campaign organisation because of my firm believe in his ability to right all the nation wrongs .
“Buhari is as clean as the book I am holding”

Prof Tam David West

“The issue of Gen. Buhari‘s presidency was always being dreaded by the criminals who looted the nation to stuppor by embarking upon campaign of calumny so as to smear his name with a view to denying Nigerians having a leader who can improve their lots.“

Sen Ahmed Makarfi-Fmr Kaduna State Governor, PDP BOT Member

“If the truth must be said, Buhari remain the only real threat to PDP wither he run for the presidency or not due to his wider followership among the masses that now hit the elite circle.“

Alh Balarabe Musa, Fmr Kaduna State Governor

"Now my task is to challenge all of us to ensure this man becomes President this year. General Buhari deserves to be given a chance. When he became Head of State after the 1983 coup, thousands of Second Republic politicians, including me were picked and locked up by the Junta. But even in kirikiri, I discovered that the NPN elements among us were giving bribe to prison officials to ensure they got double ration of food. It dawned on me that people who can offer bribes even in kirikiri have no reason to be our leaders. Buhari was vindicated"

Chief Femi Falana, Fmr President, West African Bar Association

"Buhari was a soldier of HONOUR. There are soldiers and there are soldiers. There are soldiers who are men of honor. The man (Buhari) has decided to commit 26% of budgetary allocation to education"





On Goodluck Jonathan

President Jonathan
'If I’m voted into power within the next four years, the issue of power will become a thing of the past. Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement, and if I can’t fix power, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years.”-

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo 2013
"Jonathan has failed to deliver on his promises to the Nigerian people ... of living of Nigerians, Mr. Jonathan had betrayed God and the Nigerian people that brought him to power, and has been pursuing selfish personal and political interests based on advice he receives from “self-centred aides”.-

Gen IBB
"The best we could do is to always sit with him in an environment that is really conducive and then give him advice, and I think I am glad to say that we are doing the best we can to assist him, while we urge Nigerians to be patient with Mr. President."-

President Museveni
“I have never invited the United Nations to guard our security. Me, Yoweri Museveni to say that I have failed to protect my people and I call in the UN …I would rather hang myself. We prioritised national security by developing a strong army; otherwise our Uganda would be like DRC, South Sudan, Somalia or Nigeria where militias have disappeared with school children. It will be a vote of no confidence in our country and our citizens if we can’t guarantee our security. What kind of persons would we be?”- President Museveni of Uganda attacking Nigeria and Jonathan in its handling of BH

Speaker Aminu Tambawal
“The President’s body language seems to be encouraging corrupt practices in the country

Gamesmart:
Goodluck Jonathan:

“I don’t give a damn about declaration of assets. Declaration of assets is irrelevant to good governance".

"There is no corruption but mere stealing in Nigeria".

"You cannot put a goat, yam and plantain together and say that the goat should not eat yam. In parallel, you cannot put the President and his cronies in power in charge of our state resources and say that they should not steal or act dishonestly. Corruption by public office holders is inevitable as you would naturally expect your goat to eat yam if kept with the yam".

elelem:
If this is true , then its a pity that the people of Lagos state will remain slaves to Tinubu and his families for years to come .

VellyG:
We know how it was done. They have rigged their way in with the effort of lagosians who are quick to forget the agony they have been thru since the last four years. Well am not an inhabitant of Lagos . another four years of pains and hardship for una.