₦airaland Forum

terzurum5:
[b]
Sir you see I respect your views a lot. Besides we happen to be on the same side of arguments, but as far as this one is concerned, I wish to differ not because you are actually wrong.

But come to think of it. Its not like if Nacho goes on loan then it will have to be a mediocre Club, no no way. Even in EPL or the English Championship and other good Clubs whoes Coaches have proven knowledge and antecedents of raising youngsters.

They are some players who did not come or were not from the so called big Clubs but got acquired by the big Clubs today and are doing pretty well. You and I know so well that Nacho is better than them.

Take a look at some notable Nigerian football legends. They were not raised by these so called great Clubs but ended up becoming the best in their positions. They competed at the highest level and proved themselves equal if not more than those who were nurtured and raised by the many notable Coaches.

Some of the Coaches whose Clubs are not doing too well can also raise such stars hence, so many factors come to play in making stars.

Now how many of the players that are doing well in the EPL were sorely raised by these EPL Clubs? Some were from Belgium, Africa and so on. These players rose from not too known or respected leagues, but today they have and are still carving a nitch for themselves.
I am not too comfortable with this idea of keeping a great talent on the bench under the guise that he is learning from the best Coaches and already established Stars. Just allow him some time much longer than coming in in the 82nd, 89th, 90th, 91st minutes,....
What is so wrong if he enjoys an average of 25 to 30 minutes, so long as he proves his worth.

Look at Martial, he enjoys some playing time. In the case of Dominic Solanke, Chelsea could not guarantee him such opportunity, so they simply loaned him out and he is doing well.

The truth is that, there are also good Coaches in other leagues who are good in raising youngsters just as we have in the EPL.

And on the issue of Mancity operating 3 strikers in a league were you have the EPL, Capital One Cup, FA Cup. I quite agree with you, but that were the same reasons that made me almost a kind of "celebrate" some injuries and poor form of some of their top Stars, thinking it was a fertile avenue to usher in the rain of Nacho. That never happened.

Am still watching. I just pray they do the needful.

[/b]

You are right on point. Chelsea fc decided to loan out Dominic Solanke this season because he was unable to play in the Premier League last season except for one UEFA Champions League match. And the boy is doing very well in the Dutch Eredivisie.

However, we know many top Brazilian players like Ronaldo, Romario, Ronaldinho, Neymar and Rivaldopreferred playing regularly in order to develop themselves rather than playing for a top European club with limited playing time hence they opted for PSV, PSG, Santos and Desportivo la Coruna before moving to bigger clubs. And the rest they say is history.

Nacho needs playing time rather than been reduced to training... for big boys. You know what I mean.

Moreover, he should know that limited play time is equivalent to no call up to the Olympics games and the National team. Period .

Bartholomew Ogbeche, Obafemi Martins make Nigeria’s top 7 strikers’ list for 2015
December 31, 2015


Bartholomew-Ogbeche-300x195
Even though it takes a team of 11 players playing concertedly to win matches and trophies, the No.9 [if he scores regularly] is usually the most feted player in the team. So we bring to you the Nigerian players who have struck the most goals in 2015.
Odion Ighalo | Watford, England
Orion Ighalo started the year, 2015, with a bang as he scored four times against Blackpool on January 24 and seven goals in total for January. And in the 12 months since then he has proven to have the requisite skills to continue to score goals in the heady climes of the Barclays Premier League.
In total, he has 30 goals for club and country, which makes him Nigeria’s prime striker for 2015. And the mind-blowing fact about Ighalo’s 30 goals is the fact that only one came from the penalty spot – his goal against Chad for the Super Eagles in June.
Show entriesSearch:
Date Tournament Match Goals
20/12/15 PRL Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool x2
28/12/15 PRL Watford 1 - 2 Tottenham x1Showing

Obafemi Martins | Seattle Sounders, USA
Voted Seattle Sounders’ player of the season, 31-year-old Obafemi Martins scored so regularly – 16 goals in the MLS, that he forced himself back into reckoning for the Super Eagles under new coach, Sunday Oliseh.

Show entriesSearch:
Date Tournament Match Goals
09/03/15 MLS Sounders 3 – 0 New England x1
15/03/15 MLS Sounders 2 – 3 Earthquakes x1
05/04/15 MLS Sounders 1 – 0 Houston Dynamo
x1
19/04/15 MLS Colorado Rapids
1 – 3 Seattle Sounders x1
04/05/15 MLS New York City 1 – 3 Seattle Sounders x2
14/06/15 MLS Sounders 3 – 0 Dallas x1
17/06/15 UOC Sounders 1 – 3 Portland Timbers x1
16/08/15 MLS Sounders 4 – 0 Orlando City x2
30/08/15 MLS Sounders 2 – 0 Portland Timbers

To be continued........

Certainly, one of them is going to Olympics.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/195999-bartholomew-ogbeche-obafemi-martins-make-nigerias-top-7-strikers-list-for-2015.html#

joseph1013:
You can't say he is a good player based on past glory, else we should take Kanu and Jayjay to the Olympics. Heck, even Aiyegbeni would be good enough.

Taiwo is a backup defender at his Finnish club. Rather than take him, I'd rather take a promising player from our domestic league.

You are right, players should not be called based on past glory but we know those players you mentioned have resigned long ago.

However, when Taye taiwo was in top form of his life or in his glory days, he was not selected. Why?
Remember, his glory days is just 1 and the Half season ago with the former Turkish Champions Bursapor before he joined Finnish league for the this season.

Bros, who told you Taye taiwo is a back up defender at HJK Helsinki? From the day he joined them till the day the League ended he played all the remaining 11 matches for 90 minutes till the end of the season Sir.

Sir, there's is nothing wrong in bringing in an inform players. If Taye taiwo gets a better club and plays regularly prior to the Olympics games, he should be considered. Now, is future and not tomorrow.

BascoVanVeli:
Anyone who follows my comments should know that i love Isaac Success. You are the one comparing them. All I am saying is that Ighalo is the man.

Bros, you're right on point. Ighalo is the man now and has even achieved more than Isaac Success.

Haba! Is it not the same Granada fc Ighalo single handedly helped to gain promotion from the Spanish third tie league to the La liga with his goals?

At the age 20, he scored 17 goals in his first season which was enough for Granada to gain promotion to Segunda-division. Due to his performance, he was briefly loaned to A.C Cesena in the Italian seria A for the next season before he was brought back again the same season to Granada to help them gain promotion to the La liga with 5 goals. I can say he opened the door for Nigeria players to be sought by Granada.

However, he started playing in Europe at the age 18 years for Lynn before he moved the next season to Udinese in the Seria A at the age of 19. While he was in Lynn he scored 3 goals in 6 matches and 6 goals in 13 matches in the first and second season respectively. He only played 6 matches and scored 1 goal when he was in Udinese.

So, if you compare them, Ighalo pass Isaac Success now.

joseph1013:
Taye Taiwo! A joke taken too far!

For a player to be considered for the Olympics as an Overage, he MUST be a regular in the Super Eagles.

why is it a joke? Is Taye taiwo not a good player?

There's no such obligation attached for selection to the U23 team. It's rather you MUST be a regular in your club before you can be considered for the Olympics because we know that not all regular players in their clubs are in the Super Eagles. I dey lie?

Although, Taye Taiwo didn't play in one of the top leagues in Europe this season but he had played consistently in top leagues and top clubs previously.
Hopefully, he gets a better club this January and he's good to be considered.

Taye Taiwo: I’m Not Desperate For Super Eagles Recall

Former Super Eagles left-back Taye Taiwo is still disappointed by the decision of Stephen Keshi not to invite him to the national team and ultimately overlooking him when for the 2014 World Cup squad.
Taiwo in this exclusive interview with Completesportsnigeria.com's IZUCHUKWU OKOSI also reveals why he chose to sign for HJK Helsinki of Finland.


………………….
You told Completesportsnigeria.com that you could leave HJK Helsinki for a new club at the end of the season in Finland. What is the situation of things now?
The club have decided that I continue with them but I've not decided on whether to stay or go. That decision will be taken in January.
Your objective has always been to return to the Super Eagles but with the strong competition for places in the Eagles now, especially with the emergence of players from the Nigeria Professional Football League, do you feel it will be difficult for experienced players like you to get back in the team?
I would love to be back in the national team just like Obafemi Martins has recently been recalled. But I won't force it. If I get to play again for Nigeria, fine, if not, no problem. I've been doing that for many years. And besides there are new players in the team. They need to also get their chance.
Stephen Keshi cannot tell me that most of the players he took to the 2014 World Cup are better than those of us he shunned. It's not because he didn't invite me. At least Martins who has been invited by Sunday Oliseh was also not invited by Keshi. Keshi stopped Nigeria from progressing further at the World Cup in 2014 because of his biased selection. That was a big disappointment to me. Most of the players he picked were playing in division three clubs and in obscure leagues. They couldn't even make good passes. Keshi has made our football drop after we all thought we were back to the good old days with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
The Finnish league is clearly not amongst the most competitive in Europe. Did you not have offers from bigger clubs?
Definitely I had offers from other bigger clubs than HJK Helsinki. Real Betis from Spain offered me a contract. An offer also came from Greece, and some other places but I chose HJK Helsinki because I wanted playing time. As a footballer, you want to play regularly and you have to look at the options carefully; which one is of the best interest to you, that's what important. I have no regrets going to Finland though I don't know what might happen in future.
The 2015 Glo/CAF awards will be held soon in Abuja and Nigerian stars will once again be missing out from the big prize, the African Footballer of the Year award. You were a nominee in 2006, how does that make you feel?
Well, it's unfortunate but hopefully we shall have one or two among the nominees in 2016.
What are your expectations of Nigerian football in 2016?
Next year, the Olympics will hold and the qualifiers to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2018 World Cup, so Insha Allah our teams will qualify for the tournaments and then do well, not just go there and participate.Former Super Eagles left-back Taye Taiwo is still disappointed by the decision of Stephen Keshi not to invite him to the national team and ultimately overlooking him when for the 2014 World Cup squad.
Taiwo in this exclusive interview with Completesportsnigeria.com's IZUCHUKWU OKOSI also reveals why he chose to sign for HJK Helsinki of Finland.

http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/home-mobile/………………….

Is this guy not good enough for the Olympic games?

enomakos:
really?they have lost alots of talents cos of this useless policy

I'm telling you. Yaya Toure wasn't offered anything even after he went on trials. Wenger told him, he didn't see him as a midfielder and that he should convert to a striker. Yaya Toure said he can play like Patrick but wenger replied 'no, you can't play like Patrick'. The rest they say is history.

enomakos:
still i did't like the idea
that how wenger lost essien,drogba, ronaldo and zlatan when they were younger

Include Yaya Toure. Samuel Eto, Petre Cech, Angel di Maria and Vicent Kompany.

Icon4s:
Thanks bro. Merry Xmas to u too.
Meanwhile, i killed two of my biggest fish for Xmas. Barbequed and ready for consumption.

Barbeque is served!
TheGoodJoe, Joseph1013, Terzurum5, Mikron, safarigirl, confun,AIG07, forgiveness, Bascovanveli, Blackalbino, enomakos, Tomtoxic. Let's stay from our arguments today and come and jollificate with this fish.

MERRY XMAS ALL!

Chai! Enjoy yourself.

Wish you the best, all the best.

CFCman:
Which Nigerian cities could potentially host World Cup matches?

Sir, when we put into consideration things that makes a city to be potentially enough to host World Cup matches then we must first of all consider the security of the city. Afterwards, we must consider the capacity of the stadiums and the quality of the stadiums.

FIFA required that 17 cities(out of which FIFA will select 12) must each have a stadium with the the minimum capacity of 40,000 for the round of 16 matches, 60,000 capacity for the semifinals and at least 80,000 capacity for the opening ceremony and the Finals. After that, we must consider hospitality and transportation.


Based on this requirement, Only few cities can host the round of 16 matches and the semifinals but unfortunately none can host the opening ceremony and the finals.

Wherefore, we have to build new stadiums and expand some.

Notwithstanding, Abuja stadium with the capacity of 60,000, Lagos National stadium with the capacity of 45,000, Jos International stadium with the capacity of 44,000, Port Harcourt's Adokiya Amiesimaka stadium with the capacity of 38,000, Kastina's Karkandar stadium 35,000, Abeokuta's Mko Abiola stadium with the capacity of 35,000 and Akwa Ibom's stadium with the capacity of 30,000(it can be doubled to 60,000 according to plan) are the only stadiums able to host World Cup matches after renovations and expansions.

Therefore, Abuja, Lagos, Jos, Port Harcourt, Kastina, Abeokuta and Uyo are the only cities that have the potentials to host the World Cup matches for now.

However, these cities with 25,000 - 30,000 capacity stadiums could also host World Cup matches provided they expand their stadiums. Benin(Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, 30,000 capacity), Jalingo(Jalingo stadium, 30,000 capacity), Ibadan(Obafemi Awolowo, 25,000 stadium) and Kano(Sani Abacha, 25,000).

Lawal To Siasia: Overhaul U-23 Team For Olympics

Ex-international, Garba Lawal, has advised national U-23 team coach, Samson Siasia, to consider overhauling his squad ahead of Rio 2016 Olympics. The former Super Eagles midfielder said although the team won the CAF U-23 Nations Cup and qualified for the games, the squad was not strong enough to compete in a tournament like the Olympics.
He congratulated Siasia for making it to the Olympics with the squad but urged the coach to effect a big change to his playing personnel if Nigeria is to go far in Brazil next year. “I am happy for the team for qualifying for the Olympics, it was not an easy thing to do and we have to salute the players and the coaching crew for getting the job done in Senegal.
I also want to agree with the coach that the team did not deserve to win the tournament; they had some luck,” Lawal, who captained Nigeria to the Athens 2000 Olympics, said. “The coach admitted his team was not strong enough and I am certain he is going to do something about it before Rio 2016.
Olympics is a different ball game, it is a different level of competition compared to the qualifying tournament, it is where some of the best players in the world showcase their talent. So, I expect the coach to overhaul his team, something big needs to be done about that squad. “We have good players across the world within that age bracket that could be useful to Siasia; he just has to work harder now.
I am not saying he should put together a team with only foreign-based players, we have quality players in the local league who can still prove themselves, but what I think he needs are players with quality to compete with the best.” Some Super Eagles players including Captain Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo have been touted as the overage players expected to make the team, but Lawal said the coach should carefully consider what he needs before taking decision on who fill the three slots. “Siasia is in charge, he should be the one to decide who makes the team, not me, not even the media. He knows what he needs, it is a technical issue and I believe he is going to do the right thing,” Lawal added.

http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/2/808605365?-21310:8643

AIG07:
*Arrives for christmas*
*knocks d door* sees someone
*oh... Sir Bascovanveli* shakes hand then ushered in. *wow things has really change over here*.
Meeting new faces(sir. Forgiveness et al)
nice seeing the elders Sir. Icon4s, Tbaba, thegoodjoe, enomakos et al seeping their wine after argueing out Alaba's issue with sir forgiveness...
*Enters d kitchen just to find Madam Confu n Miss Safari busy dealing with xmas turkey*
hmmm this xmas go sweet die...
I can't wait for the d arrival or Sir. Mikron, TheSuperNerd etc as I chill with Sir. Tomtoxic joseph1013.
Wishing everybody merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.
You guys in all our national sport threads on nairaland are just too much. You've made d off d pitch experience a terrific one. KUDOS TO YOU ALL. Love u!
*Smiles*

Hmm! Nice. Best wishes to you too. All the best.

TheGoodJoe:
[b]The first thing Icon4s said is, Alaba has all those medals because he is in Bayern. Remember how much trophy Luis Gustavo won as a Barca player. Since he left, he has been trophyless.

Celestine was at Chelsea, he had a great competition in the team, Graeme Le Saux. Graeme Le Saux was an English left back and played all games for England in France '98.

Even with that kind of competition, Celestine amassed over 200 games for Chelsea. So when you use the medals as a priority, you are using a stat that goes with a lot of variables.

Look at Ronaldo De Lima, a player who is one of the best to grace the football field. He never won the Champions League. So in club football, are you saying Muller is better than Ronaldo?

To even say Alaba is better than Okocha makes me wonder. Especially for someone who said he watched these guys play in 1996, is baffling.

I even thought maybe you are one of the youngsters who did not watch Okocha play.

Ronaldo De Lima was attacked by fans for his poor display that caused Inter to lose the Serie A title in 2002. I think they were on top the table before the last leg and R9's performance made them lose. Ronaldo cried when the coach subbed him.

Does that mean he was a bad player?[/b]

Did Luiz Gustavo win individual laurels while playing for Bayern Munich? But Alaba did.

Did Celestine Babayaro win Individual laurels while playing for Chelsea? But Alaba did.

Did Ronaldo de Lima win individual laurels more than Muller while playing for his clubs? Yes, of course.

Okocha.

Let's move away from this topic. So, that we don't further make ourselves become tedious to people reading this thread.

BlackAlbino6:
[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
AF Nigeria 2015 U23 Africa Cup of Nations Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg promise Osimhen first-team football
[/size]
https://africanfootball.com/bp_images/2015/12/Mali_v_Nigeria_U17_WC.jpg
Osimhen (right) in U17 World Cup final

by Samm Audu
German Bundesliga Wolfsburg have promised U17 World Cup star Victor Osimhen first-team football when he clocks 18.
The record-breaking Osimhen has visited Wolfsburg and a verbal agreement has been agreed between the German club and his representatives and he is expected to sign a professional contract next year December, when he will be 18.

"One thing that was crucial in our discussions with Wolfsburg is that he will be part of the first-team squad as soon as he turns 18. This is very key to his development,” said one of his representatives, Ariyo Igbayilola.

Wolfsburg and English Premier League outfit Arsenal are in a straight fight for the signature of the U17 World Cup sensation with one of the youngster’s handlers disclosing it is now “90% certain” the lad will be headed for Germany.

Osimhen and his team are due back in Nigeria from Germany on Tuesday.

The young striker is vying for the CAF Youth Player of the Year along with Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali, who was voted the MVP of the 2015 U17 World Cup.
The awards ceremony will be staged on January 7 in Abuja.
africanfootball.com/news/595839/Wolfsburg-promise-Osimhen-first-team-football
[/b][/color]

Osimhen we wia(in edo) be careful with this Bundesliga teams. Remember, Macauley Chrisantus was there but nothing good came out from them. Awoniyi is presently there but how many games has he played?

Bro, it's better you go to Arsenal.

TheGoodJoe:
Why are you like this? Did I say U18 is not academy? I said U19 is not academy. So why are you talking like this? 2007/2008 Alaba played for Austria Wein U19 and the reserve team of Austria Wein. That is not academy football.

So what does showing me U18 is academy football have to do with what I wrote.

That is why your are wrong. FK Austria Wien doesn't have U19. As you can see from their website.

TheGoodJoe:
[b]Stop writing this thing. It is ridiculous. I am being honest. Do you know who Kanu was in the game. It is like saying because Carrick raked more medals than Kanu, Carrick is a better player than Kanu.

There was a match we played in Liberation stadium Port Harcourt. Kanu was not fit and did not start the game. He came in as a sub, ten minutes to go and won the man of the match, scoring two goals.

After the match, fans flooded the pitch trying to get a closer view and touch their hero.

Men, go and watch games. Watch games like Nigeria vs Mexico in Atalanta '96. Celestine Babayaro was so good, the coach doubled two players on the wings to take out Babayaro but they couldn't. Babayaro played with skill and class.

Men club medals does not show everything. Look at Evans medals, compared to Yobo. Does that mean John Evans having more medals than Yobo makes him a better player?

I will take Lizarazu of France over Alaba.

Go and watch wing backs of the past and see class. Someone like Cafu and Zambrotta.

Guardiola is playing a good system and the team is excelling. It does not make Alaba a better player than Zabaletta. Na wa.[/b]

Bros, I know kanu very well and I have seen him play several times live at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos. There was a time he was pummeled with pure water after losing to Togo National team prior to the Olympics. I was there. So, I know what I am talking.

How come Celestine Babayaro was never nominated for UEFA team of the year?

How come as good as he was, he was never nominated for FIFA Ballon d'or?

How come he was unable to make ESM team of the year?

Who can play regularly for Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, if not the best?

Bros, Alaba has won medals before Pep came to Bayern Munich.

Icon4s:
I dnt think so.I know his type. Although I respect his enthusiasm to always carry on with his arguments irrespective of how many pple are on his side, bt I think he needs to reorientate his thinking.

OK oo,

Icon4s:
Oga we know this guy already. We talked abt him on the FIFA U20, Korea 2017 thread. We mentioned it their that he could b part of d next U20.

Remember the argument is on fielding mostly grass root players at U17. At U20 the NFF and coaches pick players from all round d world. That has been d tradition.

Is the boy not qualified for under 23?

joseph1013:
Awww...forgiveness has been banned. Welcome to the club.

Yes oo, but forgiveness has been forgiven.

Dear Sir (Moderators), I am thankful that my request was granted. My God add more grease to your elbow.
Thanks

[quote author=TheGoodJoe post=41
269170]Sub bench of the first team in 2008. Before then, he played in the U19 team and then the reserve team before april 2008 he joined the main team. Please, U19 and reserve team football is not academy football.[/quote]As you rightly said, he was on the sub bench of the first team in 2008 just once. Whereas, the 2007 U17 wasn't in 2008.

So, Alaba was still in the FK Austria Wien Academy in 2007. Thanks

Below proves that FK Austria wien U18 is Academy. Besides he played only 5 times for the reserve in 2008

INFO

INFO
CAMP
U7-U14
U15-U18
TERMINE
PROBETRAINING
TEAM
MAIL
Willkommen auf der Informationsseite der Akademie des FK Austria Wien!

Das Nachwuchsprogramm des FK Austria Wien setzt sich aus der Austria Junior Football Academy für U7 bis U14-Mannschaften und der Premium Football Academy für U15 bis U18-Mannschaften zusammen.

Trainings finden auf den Trainingsplätzen der Generali-Arena (Horrplatz 1, 1100 Wien) und in der Akademie des FK Austria Wien (Laaerbergstraße 143, 1100 Wien) statt

http://www.fk-austria.at/de/teams/akademie/info/

Icon4s:
All those because he is in Bayern.What has he won for/with his adopted Austria?

BTW u are chopping at 10:49 pm. Not good for ur health bro.

Bros, I know. The thing just happened only yesterday.

And who can play for Bayern if not the best in the world?

What has Ronaldo won for Portugal? What has George Weah won for his country? What has Michael Owens won for England? What has Steven Gerrard won for his country? What has Hristo Stockholm won for his country? What has Alan Shearer won for his country?

BascoVanVeli:
Winning U-17 should not be our definition of success. How about how the boys fare after. Where are they now all the grassroots u have pulled, how much are they making? Do they even have careers? Not one of those players are even close to Alaba right now. Let us just admit we missed a once in a lifetime opportunity, there is no justification for telling a boy that he can't play for his country, i mean who are we to do such a thing to a child.

You are right on point. While many countries are plotting on how to win the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy, they are still celebrating U17 junior world Cup trophies.

enomakos:
the next nwankwo kanu? There is only one kanu bros,no one can be like him

No be me right am now and besides God is the one that gives talent to whom he wants without schism.

TheGoodJoe:
Between 2007-2008, he played for FSA Austria Wein, the U19 team of Austria Wein and he later moved to the reserve team of Austria Wein. That is not academy football.

First of all, I do not see us abandoning our grassroot football in search of foreign talents. The open camps and academy scouting has produced massive results from the time of Coach Yemi Tella, to Coach John Obuh, to Coach Manu Garba to Coach Amunike.

I do not see them abandoning a winning system.

The foreign talents can meet up in the U20

Born in Vienna, Alaba began his career with SV Aspern, his local club in Aspern, in the 22nd district, Donaustadt, before joining the youth setup of FK Austria Wien at age 10. He rose through the ranks quickly, and in April 2008, he was named on the first-team substitutes' bench for a Bundesliga match.[7] He also played five times for Austria Wien's reserve team,[8] before leaving in summer 2008 to join German Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.[9]

Did the @bolded show that Alaba was in the FK Austria wien first team or FK Austria wien Academy in 2007 prior to the 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup held in South Korea from 13th August - 9th September 2007?

U-23 Eagles To Play Brazil, England Friendlies For Olympics

By Richard Jideaka, Abuja:
Ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, the Nigeria Football Federation have lined up international friendly matches for the Under-23 Eagles against their counterparts from Brazil and England.


According to NFF second vice President Shehu Dikko, the two games which have almost been tied up will come up during FIFA windows and are expected to serve as warm-up for the Samson Siasia-led Under-23 national team.
“We want to as usual give the team the adequate and the best preparation that will ensure that they go to Rio to compete very well and if possible win the gold. There are other friendly games we are discussing with some countries for the team that won AFCON U-23 in Senegal,” Dikko told Completesportsnigeria.com.
“The NFF will ensure that the Under-23 Eagles do not go to the Rio Olympics as mere participants but real contenders for the Olympic gold. We want to repeat the 1996 Atlanta Olympic feat of the Nwankwo Kanu-led squad.”
Dikko expressed joy at the performance of the team at winning the AFCON U-23 trophy in Senegal, adding that he expects massive improvement before the Rio Olympics.
He stated that winning the trophy with mostly home-based players shows that the Nigerian league is blessed with talents who can hold their own against the best anywhere.

http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/home-mobile/

joseph1013:
I love this analysis and I thought to share


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svh5lMUfotc

3 p(position, possession and play). The most important is the position. Barcelona na Baba.

joseph1013:
[b][size=14pt]Dalung bars NFF from selling Under 23 Eagles players[/size]

https://newngrguardiannewscom.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/U-231.jpg

Speaking on alleged regular ‘illegal transactions’ of players at the NFF, Dalung warned that International transfer certificates should not be issued against the interest of the player.

He said that it was unfortunate that the young players, who brought glory to the country by winning the African U-23 championship in Senegal and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, were being sold out to clubs without the players’ understanding of the contract they were being made to sign.

A statement signed by the minister’s special assistant, Nneka Anibeze, reads: “It has come to my knowledge that these young players, who are the source of our pride in world football, are currently being subjected to harassments and manipulation of signing for clubs without them even understanding the content of the contract.

“Therefore, I have directed the NFF which has the authority to grant licenses of these players to refrain from endorsing any of these slavery transactions without a clear framework that follows the due process required for such contracts.”

The Minister added that as custodians of sports in the country, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will not close its eyes to slavery contracts of players without their consent.

“It will amount to moral suicide if we sit and watch the future of these young players not only being traded but also negotiated in the interest and benefit of some selfish agents and football officials. Any of such purported transactions that violate not only laid down procedures but player’s rights to choose will not be recognized,” said Dalung.

Dalung urged agents and players, who intend to play elsewhere to get appropriate clearance of which the Sports Ministry will be part of the process.

The statement reveals that NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, has been communicated on the development.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/12/dalung-bars-nff-from-selling-under-23-eagles-players/[/b]

You see what I am talking about. Turning to chop I chop ideology.

Icon4s:
Ok. I may have misplaced the particular game bt d fact remains he only came in once as a sub.

And u are wrong with the number of minutes he played.
Coming into d game @ 82 mins amounts to playing atleast 10mins and nt 7mins as u put it. 10+ mins is enough to assess the quality of a player.

You are right. 10 minutes was enough to access the quality of a player and that is why even Flamengo could not see the potential in Ronaldo hence he was turned down by them. The rest is history.

Ronaldo scored 44 goals in 47 games with Cruzeiro, leading them to their first Copa do Brasil in 1993, and the Minas Gerais State Championship in 1994.[16] Before joining Cruzeiro, he was turned down by his boyhood favourite team Flamengo, but Brazilian World Cup legend Jairzinho saw Ronaldo's potential and helped get him the move to Cruzeiro

Meet Roma’s Umar Sadiq – Nigeria’s next Nwankwo Kanu


Sadiq Umar scoring his first Serie A goal for Roma against Genoa
Roma have won the Seria A three times in their history, the last one in the 2000-01 season and ended the 2014-2015 season behind champions Juventus.

This season, the Italian giants are counting on the quality of stars like Daniele De Rossi, Edin Dzeko, Mohamed Salah, Gervinho and the ageless Francesco Totti to push their hunt for a first league title in 15 years and progress to the final stages of the Champions League.
In their rank also is a young Nigerian already tipped for greatness.

Farmed out by Abuja Football College just over a year and a half ago, Umar began his European sojourn at Spezia Calcio, a club that plays in the Serie B.
The Kaduna-born Sadiq, whose father played for the famous DIC Bees of Kaduna, wasted little time in settling down in Italy and was soon the talk of town with his silky touches and finishing abilities.

The gangling 1.92m teenager, whose physique and style reminds one of Nwankwo Kanu, scored a record-breaking 26 goals in 27 games in the Italian youth league, generating interests from all of Italy’s biggest clubs.

But it was AS Roma who won the race for his signatures, snapping him up first on a year-long loan deal with the option to commit him to a permanent contract worth about 1.7 million Euros should the lad impressed.

And impressed he did. After only 13 games, the youngster had banged in 8 goals for the youth team and assisted a few more, including three goals in four UEFA Youth League games with two assists. Roma manager Rudi Garcia was so amazed by the 18 year-old’s quality that he quickly promoted him to the first team.

His Serie A debut followed soon after. The 18-year-old came on for striker Juan Iturbe in the 89th minute as AS Roma were held to a 2-2 away draw at Bologna in a highly entertaining game.

Roma’s struggles have been well documented this campaign after starting the league season ever so well but have gradually slipped out of the title race and the Champions League places.

And on Sunday at home to Genoa, when Rudi Garcia needed a saviour after watching his side play the last 15 minutes with ten men, he turned to his Nigerian goal-machine.

Umar Sadiq duly obliged and headed in his first ever Serie A goal within minutes of being introduced as an 82nd minute substitute. The strike rubber-stamped a 2-0 victory for Roma, ending a seven-match winless streak in all competitions and easing pressure on their embattled manager.

That goal, coming in just his third senior appearance all from the bench, may just be the beginning of another legend in the ilk of retired former CAF Footballer of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu.

A hugely talented Nigerian youngster is destined for greatness. He is not Kelechi Iheanacho or Victor Osimhen.

I give you Umar Sadiq.

http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/2/808335454?-21310:8643:t

Icon4s:
Atleast u mentioned it that Kanu was voted FIFA's 6th best player of the year. Has Alaba come close to that?

Alaba has never won UEFA player of the year while Amuneke, Kanu, Ikpeba took turns to win the CAF equivalent. Alaba has never lifted any FIFA organised competition for national teams at any level. He has never climbed any Olympic podium. He has never won Any European competition be it U17, U19, U21 or the senior team. He has never scored in any world cup while Babayaro, a co-left back; scored 2 goals at the 1996 Olympics and a world cup goal against the great Zubi Zereta of Spain at the 1998 world cup.

I no they lie to myself that is why I told you he was 6.

UEFA team of the year na wetin? 2015 FIFA Ballon d'or nomination na wetin? Fifa-club-world-cup na wetin?

I dey chop make I finish.

TheGoodJoe:
I have a feeling he is based overseas and he does not understand much about Nigerian football. That is why he does not rate Nigerian local footballers. He feels those in Europe are the obvious best and we should stick to them.

Bros, callesth thou ajepako oversea based. Na.

I am d son of the soil.

We have ended that discussion. Since, you have admitted and agreed that you don't know why they deviated and bend from the norm for Makanjuola(Chelsea) and Francis Uzoho (Aspire) to be included in the U17 2013.