₦airaland Forum

Kog45:
yea good talk we have many goalkeepers but do we trust them btw d stick.D issue of Enyeama coming back should not arise now coz he has retired from d team with d reason best know to him,though Mikel suffered d same humiliation from Olishe but did not announced his retirement.

It's left for Enyeama to say am available again for selection,we can't force him though i wish is around in a situation like this and salvage us.We don't have option than to stick to Akpeyi,Ezenwa and Alampasu for this crucial match,with good psychologist there w be no issue.

It's a pity Ikeme w not be available and Enyeama has retired coz d two are class,Ikeme is d most technically sound goalkeeper Nigeria ever had coz he understand d rudiments of goalkeeping,he read d game very well.Enyeama remained d most talented to have come out of Nigeria league and face euro giant England at world cup as a rookie.

As i said we can't force him out of retirement but it w be good to have him and Ikeme vie for No 1 position,d rivalry w be great.It w remind us of old days of Rufai,Agbonavbare and Aloy Agu.

The goalkeeper trainer should just brace up and psyche the trio(Akpeyi,Ezenwa and Alampasu just like how coach Adisa psyche Enyeama up against England and he delivered.

If I say I trust Ezenwa and Akpeyi, na lie I dey lie.

We all know Alampasu is just coming to make the numbers. He is not going to be used.

If our opponent discovers that the goalkeeper na basket then our own don finish.

If Enyeama wishes to come back, why not?

Na em sure pass.

I hope say the coach no cause problem with.

We get many goalkeepers but I don't know why we don't want to invite dem.

Bamidele Aiyenugba has been ignored so too long despite his performance last two seasons ago.

What about Jonathan Ligali of Montpelier?

I prefer Emmanuel Daniel to Ike and Ikpeyi.

goldfish80:
I posted in error about Regina releasing him. It was indeed Kalloni who released him after a season. He signed 2years deal but was released after a season.
It's on his Wikki page.

I see but he was released after one and half season.

Below is the record.

terzurum5:
AF Nigeria Premier League 2016/2017Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Liverpool ace Sheyi Ojo announces his comeback close


https://africanfootball.com/bp_images/2016/11/25294505_1.jpg
Sheyi Ojo

Nigeria-born Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo has announced he willsoon be back in action after he was sidelined for several months by back injury.


The 19-year-old Ojo has been sidelined since he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back in pre-season. He complained of discomfort following the tour of America and was initially expected to be out for a month.


The young winger has stepped up his rehabilitation by running and engaging himself in light exercises.


Sheyi Ojo took to Instagram to update his followers on his rehabilitation.
He said: "The return is near. I have started running and doing light exercises.


”Last season, he made 11 first-team appearances for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp after coming back on loan from Wolves.

http://africanfootball.com/news/660729/Liverpool-ace-Sheyi-Ojo-announces-his-comeback-close

I dey observe.

goldfish80:
From his wiki page, it was stated that he was released by the Greek club Kalloni.

You said he was released by Regina but I no sir, you are wrong. This one you are bringing is another topic.

He was released by Kalloni because his contract expired that season. He signed two years contract with them and he regularly for one and half season before he left.

goldfish80:
After his spell with Regina, he was released and went on trials at a Scottish club.
If he has improved to merit a call up, his career trajectory wouldn't reflect being released by a seria B club and going for trials in Scotland

He was not released. It was because Regina was relegated a year after they lost promotion play off to the Serie-a. That was what prompted him to play in Greece.


In short, he was too loyal to Regina else he would had gone to a serie a team that wanted him after they lost the play off but he stayed behind and the team went on relegation the next season.

He left for Greece league.

goldfish80:
Why do you guys rate this Daniel Adejo guy so high? At the WYC in Egypt 09, he was shockingly very very bad. He couldn't even trap a football properly in that tourney. Nurruden Oralesi at left back was the best defender we had at that tourney.
Seriously, why do you guys rate Daniel Adejo? Is there something am missing?

This is 2016, bros.

Many water don pass under bridge. He must have improved na or don't you think a former serie-a and currently a serie b player is not good enough?

TheGoodJoe:

We would have invited Alaba. That is an undeniable fact. It was easier for Austria because he was a quality player in their league.

When they had they never.

He was never in their minds.

It is inconsequential.

TheGoodJoe:

I do not think it is right forcing a player to play for the team. It is a personal decision. Ebuehi needs time and does not want to jeopardize his career at this moment.

It is best the NFF lets him know the door is open to him. When he wants to play for us, he should let us know.

Time to look within the country to hunt for a young promising left-back. The NFF needs to support Musa Mohammed to settle in the right club.

Wait a minute, can't Chidebere Nwakali play right-back?

Onazi is also very good at the right-back position. Rohr can play him there and play Ndidi in defensive midfield.

We have many RB players abroad...

Brain Idowu, Ehizuhe, Aina, Odubanjo and Daniel Adejo.

TheGoodJoe:

Would people clamour for Otigba's invitation if he did not declare his interest? Otigba's heart is green white green and people will do their best to draw the attention of the NFF and the coaching crew to him.

Would tbaba1234 post that wonderful piece of Otigba did not declare his interest?

'would' for how long, kwa?

TheGoodJoe:

Unconcerned? That is your opinion. Not Alaba's. The Austrians already knew Alaba because he played in their local League. It was easier for them to assess and invite him.

When he broke into the Bayern side, Nigeria would have called him.

I really wish Alaba an amazing career because he is a wonderful Nigerian. A man with a good heart.

Alaba already broke into the Bayern side before Austria called him.

I remembered people advocated for his invitation on kickoffnigeria but we know how it rolls den na.

tbaba1234:
While some are using us to play Ludo. This was an interview with Otigba last year.

My heart beats for Nigeria - Otigba
by Calvin Emeka Onwuka 24 March 2015, 09:47


Kenneth Otigba declared his wish to play for Nigeria despite playing for Hungary at youth level and he exclusively tells supersport.com why his heart beats for Nigeria as Calvin Emeka Onwuka caught up with him in Heerenveen, Holland.

Last year, as the Nigerian Super Eagles prepared for the world cup in Brazil l or actually just after the qualification was ensured I was at a press conference where a few names were reeled out to coach Stephen Keshi and asked if these players could break into his squad for Brazil. Amongst those names were Leon Balogun then of Fortuna Dusseldorf in Germany and Kenneth Otigba at Heerenveen in Holland. Balogun did eventually get a call up but injury denied him a place in the final squad for South America.

Otigba on the other hand remained elusive and had even played for Hungary at various youth levels many attempts by this reporter to get an interview never yielded results. So most surprising, last week I got text from Otigba asking that I ring him when I could. I did and we set up a meeting at his club in Heerenveen 2 hours outside Amsterdam by train.

We met just after training exchanged greetings but he had to have lunch with the rest of the team while I got myself comfortable. He looked a proper centre-back in his very imposing physique but a boyish smile that was quite welcoming. <\p>

Otigba was born in Kaduna, northern Nigeria to Clara and Patrick

"my mum had lived in Nigeria for 17 years before I was born but when I was about 4 and half years she took me to Hungary as she was leaving Nigeria" He informed on his return as we sat down for the interview. So when did he know he will be a professional footballer I asked Otigba. "From when I was around 7 years old I was only after football; I was always playing football and when not playing I will be watching. One day I said to my mother that I have to be a professional footballer, that my dream is to have that career"<\p>

To be able to make this career would require a lot of sacrifice so at the age of 14 Otigba left Hungary for Holland to join Heerenveen snubbing Liverpool in the process. Liverpool?

"Yes, I was at the club for two weeks during Rafa Benitez reign as manager, then also another two weeks at Heerenveen at the end I had a choice to make between both clubs. My agent and I spoke and we decided that I will progress more as a footballer playing in Holland. It was not even a hard decision and one I have never regretted". He says this with that comfortable smile and twinkle in his eyes to confirm that he means it.

How did you cope leaving the comfort of your mum's protection and cooking at such a young age "it was very difficult. I was home sick a lot and I missed my mum and my friends and also I had to start learning a new language. It helped that I still spoke english and quite a lot of people spoke the language too but I still called home a lot. Living alone that first year was difficult but after I learnt the language things got better and better"

It takes determination and a fierce will to succeed to get young boys to get through those first few years away from and make a success of their careers.

"As soon as I arrived at Heerenveen I was prepared to succeed. My agent - who is like a big brother to me - assured me that as long I am able to get through those hard few months I will be fine. It also panned out that way".

What was very clear as I interacted with Otigba was that he was clearly unaware of the clamour for him to play for Nigeria. Would he like to play for Nigeria I asked him. He laughed very loud and had the look of "what a stupid question" on his face.

"In my career I always have goals that I set myself: I planned to play in the Heerenveen first team, I hope to play in the English Premier League one day and I will do anything to wear even for one match the green jersey of the Super Eagles". He says these with such determination, such sincerity that I asked but you played for the age group teams of Hungary? "Yes but at that time it was just about playing a different level of football"

Otigba had to make this decision now and make it quickly.

"I got a letter of invitation for a full cap for Hungary but I knew within my heart that I was not going to be happy playing for Hungary. I spoke to my mum, my other family members and my agent about this. All of them told me to follow my heart. My heart is for the Super Eagles of Nigeria".

Last year, Otigba's team mate then Uche Nwofor played for Nigeria and was even at the World Cup so why did he not drag you along "he used to tell me a lot about the fun of playing for Nigeria and how great it will be if I came along but as a young player in the Super Eagles he could not influence anything".

Otigba recaps the feelings of seeing his team mate against Argentina at the World Cup "I was so excited watching John playing against Argentina. It was like wow there is my team mate out there. It was great. When he got back after the tournament he gave me Super Eagles kit which I wore and still wear now"

Some Hungarians will not like this I put it to him. "Frankly those who don't like it I understand. I also know they are not important to me. Those people important to me have advised me to follow my heart and am fine with that"

Otigba names Man City of England skipper Vincent Kompany as his hero "I love watching Kompany. He is a determined defender and seems to enjoy defending so I watch him a lot. He wins his personal duels, gets the ball and then releases it to the midfielders to make the play. Those are the things I like to do".

When he was younger though his hero used to be Arsenal skipper and legend Patrick Vieira. "In the youth teams I was a defensive midfielder and modelled my game along the lines of Vieira. Later my coaches here at Heerenveen decided I was better as a centre-back and I just refocused my game to the position.

Otigba remembers his debut for Heerenveen as a 20 year old against Utrecht and remembers coming on as a sub, made a mistake that led to the concession of a goal.

"I learnt a lot that day. My coach taught me that in the first team, physicality was not as important as using your brain and thinking ahead of the striker. They helped me dwell on that mistake and I have learnt from it". He has come a long way from that day and is one of the rocks in the team's defence. They rate him so highly that while we were getting ready for the interview at the club someone asked him if he was signing for Barcelona. "My relationship with the club is very good and we agreed that should I get a better offer to move they will not stop me at all. I love it here at Heerenveen, playing football and love the city".

He is a very confident young man is Kenneth Otigba. He has been tutored in that way the Dutch seem very good at with young players. He is also a player with a vision of what he wants for his career. It will not surprise to see him playing for Nigeria and playing in the English Premier League.

http://www.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/150324/My_heart_beats_for_NigeriaOtigba

Na wa ooooooo! And somebody go tell me say make these lads declare before we invite dem when e no sure 4 dem.

TheGoodJoe:

How many are more consistent than Aluko? He is playing well and just made the EFL team of the week for the second time this season.

No wahala den. Make we drop Ideye, Ighalo or Iwobi for am, ba?

Na play I dey ooooooo!

TheGoodJoe:

Sorry. Not waiting for Nigeria.

Why wait for an unconcerned country?

Anambra dey try for shoe but Aba na number one for naija but the .... no bi like Anambra Governor.

chrisooblog:
no worries egbon. you see why i tell you *in chris brown voice* these foreign born players ain't loyal. that's why i always insist these foreign born guys must declare their availability for the national team. it would make their call ups some much easier for everybody. avoiding unnecessary confusion and embarrassment at the end of the day.

Hmmm! I don't think all of them. I will prefer NFF official to meeting with them one on one before inviting them to the National team.

olapluto:
Opposition watch: Invited Foreign based Algerians.
Keeper: M'Bolhi (Antalyaspor -Turkey)

Defenders: Mandi (Real Betis -Spain-) Belkaroui (Esperance Tunis - Tunisia-) Medjani (CD Leganes -Spain-), Ghulam (Napoli -Italy-) Cadamuro (Servette Geneva -Switzerland)

Circles: Bentaleb (Schalke 04 -Germany), Guedioura (Watford FC -England) Taider (Bologna FC -Italy-), Abeid (Dijon - France-) Brahimi (FC Porto -Portugal-) Boudebouz (Montpellier Herrault -France-), Feghouli (West Ham - England-) Ghezzal (Lyon - France)

Forwards: Unas (Bordeaux - France-) Mahrez (Leicester City -England) Slimani (Leicester City -England-) Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb -Croatia-)

Intimidating but nothing do we!

TheGoodJoe:

Alaba did not take it that way. He understood it was logistics issues.

As I said before, that was not enough reason to turn down playing for Nigeria. I doubt his heart was fully devoted to us. If he wanted to play for us, an U17 exclusion is not enough to turn a player away.

When and how did Alaba turn down playing for Nigeria?

TheGoodJoe:
[size=14pt]Alaba Might Have Rejected Nigeria Due To His Problem With His Dad[/size]

"I stayed away from everybody. When the political success came I could not stand the crowd. One day, I opted out.

"My father asked to do something and I refused and he said he should not find me at home when he came back if I did not do what he asked me to do.

"I don’t remember what he asked me to do but I left swearing never to burden his doorway with my shadow ever again.”

http://t.guardian.ng/opinion/alabas-rejection-of-his-father/

The boy wanted to play but Nigeria corrupt officials rejected him and went for egunju.

We had the chance to invite him to the National team when he was warming the bench for Robben at Bayern Munich but NFF overlooked him and allowed him to play for Austria because they never expected anything good will come out of him.

The lad showed patriotism towards his fatherland when he displayed the green white green after winning the Champions League.


Wetin we dey talk again?

terzurum5:
You ehn.

Why did it take you so long to reply.

You probably must have waited for so long to look for something to cover up right?

Hehehehe! as d news wan fall my hand.

I no con get strength to type kwa. Sorry

TheGoodJoe:

Rushed what I typed. I wanted to say dropping a player because he plays for a lower league, while selecting an option from the same league.

I am not saying that he should not be given the chance but he must earn it.

He needs to be consistent with his games to attract invitation to a friendly match.

Certitude:
Baba, easy ooo

No worries!

TheGoodJoe:

Camp and screen. Do not use Aluko is not good and then select players from same or lower leagues. Simple, screen the promising players and select the best. Anything apart from that is Partia.

Who said Aluko is not good?

TheGoodJoe:
So it is time we drop Ikeme because he is playing in the Championship. Simple. What of Alampasu? I doubt his league is Championship quality.

That is why I like invite to camp and screen.

Do you have another replacement for Ikeme?

Icon4s:
That "at present" is what we are talking about.

With players like Iwobi, Iheanacho and Etebor in the team Aluko doesn't stand a chance.

Rabiu Ibrahim and Joel Obi with all their skills cant also make the team.

Who told you Joel Obi can't make the team?

I don't think Etebor is in the same level with Aluko.

In short, Aluko is not likely going to make the team because he is playing in the Championship. Simple.

TheGoodJoe:
Does not change the fact that Aluko is in good form. He might not play for a top team with a fanciful badge but there is no way such quality does not deserve a call up.

If we had a sure quality creative midfielder, Iheanacho would play up front. Aluko is there and he can play comfortably behind the striker. Why limit ourselves?

Nobody is disputing but who do you think he can replace?

safarigirl:
Lol...aww, oga forgiveness was hurt, no wonder you been no too talk since.

Tyronne abeg, don't disappoint forgiveness, he has been sticking his neck out for you all this time, repay his faith positively.

Hehehehe! As I see the news I gentle.

In fact, I lost strength to debate.

But now wey I don know d koko, Hehehe!, debate continues.

tbaba1234:
Agents do that all the time. It depends on the boy now. I think, they should talk to the boy and get his final word. He might be more inclined to his agent than the family.

A player like Otigba who Omeruo is not better than in the Turkish league contunues to get ignored. I will just call Otigba as a replacement.

I see! But I think from the look of the situation on ground, the family seems to be the deciding factor in this situation.

Otigba case is something I still don't understand.
Some people claims it's paper issue but I suspect foul play.

Do you have any information?

terzurum5:
Oga Forgiveness, see wetin your guy dey do us ba

No be d guy, na em agent wan spoil show.

tbaba1234:
U-TURN?- Family Denies Ebuehi’s Withdrawal, Insist He Will Play For Nigeria

The controversy surrounding Tyronne Ebuehi’s withdrawal from the Nigeria squad for the World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Algeria has taken a different twist.

20 year old Ebuehi, who is also eligible to play for the Netherlands was called up for the first time by Nigeria, but in a rather bizarre twist, the ADO Den Haag full back rejected the call in an interview on the website of his club.

“I see it as a great honor that I am noted in my homeland,” says Ebuehi.

“But at this moment ADO Den Haag requires my full attention. Especially now that I am settled in the team. Therefore, it doesn’t seems to me like the right time to travel to Nigeria for the match. I want to focus completely on the club . but I certainly do not rule out playing for Nigeria in the future, if the next time am called up ” He told the club official website.

After his statement, Owngoalnigeria.com contacted the president of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick, who revealed he has spoken with the father over his son’s withdrawal.

” It’s not true. His agent (Wessel Weezenberg) is behind that statement, it was done without the consent of the player. As a matter of fact his father confidently told me that he will play for Nigeria” He told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” For now, we don’t know why the agent is trying to block him from Nigeria. He earlier denied contact with Nigeria over his services. But we are speaking with his family. We have their word. He will play for Nigeria”.

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/11/01/u-turn-family-denies-ebuehis-withdrawal-insist-he-will-play-for-nigeria/

I watch this drama patiently to know the ko ko of the matter.

If I say d rejection no hit me hard, I dey lie.

The agent wan spoil the lad career ba. E think say naija go give am another chance.

I still dey observe.

Mickael2:
I a sorry but I disagree, just because someone does not like two players does not make him a troll, it's not as if he is trolling our players he has his own preferences just like you do not like Oshaniwa for example, so you people should please stop using that word, first you called forgiveness a troll now this guy? please cut down on the insults, if you don't like his comments then skip simple and short!

When one is shallow minded, myopic, intolerant and bereaved or deprived of freedom of thought, freedom of expression, it's expected that one would resort to name calling and all sorts of evil and dirty devices due to the rigidity thought/heart suffered in/during childhood at the detriment of their vulnerable(not in my case) victims.

Such people needs to be informed of what is called 'fundamental human rights' less they bring one back under subjection to mental slavery, suppression which our forefathers fought against to attain this freedoms.

It is best to ignore or rebuff such personalities ferociously else.....

Icon4s:
Just to prove ur point u say Aluko is more skillful on the ball than Iwobi and Iheanacho?

Ok. Kontinu. I will draw u back to this ur statement one day.

So Rohr u don hear na. Aluko is better than Iheanacho and Iwobi. Hope its not too late to invite him for the Algeria clash?

Aluko is more skillful than Iheanacho and Iwobi. Fact!

But it (his skills) is inconsequential now because at present, Iheanacho and Iwobi are way ahead of him.

It is a simple thing.