₦airaland Forum

BascoVanVeli:
Ibadan is natural and the others can get redone as natural it shouldn't be that hard to do and it will also help our football in the long run.

Ok, I see Obafemi Awolowo is natural grass.

But look at the standard do you think it is of AFCON Standard?

BascoVanVeli:
Size of stadia does not always indicate standards being increased. A packed stadium does a lot for viewers watching at home, it makes the event more exciting.

Please if I may ask why do the others not meet CAF standards?

CAF does not approve artificial pitches for AFCON.

charlesemeka85:
you are right bro.i am presently in accra ghana and what am seeing here in terms of development and infrastructure is no where near the hype

One thing I admire about the Ghanaians: Their patriotism. They so much paint their country in good light and you will think Accra is like Paris.

See even when Oil production began in Ghana. Ripples created by the noise they made resonated through the global Oil Industry. But last-last what is their daily production? So many fields in Nigeria even produce more than their total National Daily production. But they still brag about it.

After I toured round Accra on site seeing, I was like: is that all?

BascoVanVeli:
I honestly thought that was grass but 20k should be enough for first round matches na. I should rather have a full small stadium than an half empty giant stadium. Anyhow sha, if na by size let me suggest Lagos, Abuja, Kastina, Ibadan, Uyo and Port Harcourt. All over 30K

Go look at the capacities of the venues used in the last 3 or 4 AFCONs. None is 20k. Standards should always be improved upon and not the other way round.

From the list up there only the Abuja, Uyo and Adokiye stadium in PH meet CAF Standards.

BascoVanVeli:
This Nigeria bashing has become a norm these days smh. I stayed in the states almost half my life. I am not some village hack who has been brainwashed or something because I like the NPFL. So I know what a great country is like but if you cant back your self nobody will do it for you. You tend to overblow anything involving Nigeria which is unfair, Nigeria has issues but where doesn't?
You missed the point with Togo and Benin. Without us where will they sell those goods?

There are people that just do not see anything good about Nigeria. To them any other country in Africa is better.

I shake my head for instance when I see people comparing a country like Ghana to Nigeria. Accra in my opinion is not more developed than Port Harcourt. What I heard before I visited there was way different from what I met. The only things they have that we don't have are steady power supply and security.

I watched a documentary of top ten most developed Cities in Africa, Lagos and Abuja were in top 6. Both in one country. Some of our state capitals are likened to the Capital of some countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

If you have never left this country and hear what people say about other countries you will think we are the worst in the world.

With the highest GDP in Africa, Nigeria is an economic giant of Africa.

BascoVanVeli:
What about Makurdi(picture)? The most lush looking field I've seen in the country 20k capacity. Also Plateau's stadium can be completed in that time even Lagos can be renovated.

This is astro-turf and not acceptable by CAF for the AFCON. Besides the capacity is too small.I am sure you have followed the most recent AFCONs and you saw the stadium capacities.

gamaliel9:
[/b]

The bolded was a secret campaign promise to some regional federatins to vote in Ahmad Ahmad as president..to make it easier for them qualify through expansion of teams...

And maybe also the zoning of the CAF U17 qualifiers.

African countries are not ready for a 24 nations AFCON. I don't think up to 5or 6 nations have the might to host that.

CAF can as well encourage zonal hosting. IE 2 or 3 nations in a particular zone could co-host.

soetanoreoluwa:
Enyimba Stadium too can be included 90 per cent natural grass...

Remain two

Hmm.. Eyimba stadium. You have a point though. But I have not really seen good pictures of the current state of the facility to conclude.

The only other 2 stadiums with natural grass are the UJ Esuene stadium, Calabar and the Ahmadu Bello stadium in Kaduna. But mehn...those stadiums are for the 20th century. Serious renovation need to be done to bring them to today's standards in less then 10months.

Plus the current administration is currently too focused on winning the next year's election to take hosting of the AFCON serious.

An option could be if Nigeria can co-host with Cameroun. It is even easier since we are neighbors. Each side will produce 3 stadiums each

CAF should have considered the poor state of facilities across Africa before expanding the AFCON to 24 nations.

Felix180:
A for apple..

B-For Booker of space.

I personally do not expect much from Ahmed Musa. That last time too he scored two goals in Brazil and did virtually nothing else afterwards.

Save for the two goals he scored against Iceland, his over all play in the last 4 years has left nothing to be admired. I just hope he proves me wrong

komekn:
Me too, I don't necessarily rate him but he was NEVER given a fair chance.

If someone is called he should be given opportunity not just making up the numbers in training and discarded.

That's not fair.

Yeah, he showed some flashes of Brilliance against DRC on his debut. But not really given much chance ever since.

I don't really rate him that high but he looks like someone who can wreck havoc on his good day.
I am also worried about the younger strikers coming up. They are all average.

Bolowolowo:
I understand. But we are the giants of Africa abeg. I just feel that we gotta step up our game and produce something of quality for continental football competition. We cannot continue to tolerate mediocrity.

On another note, would Jos be safe enough for AFCON? Do you think our counterparts would object to such a venue.

That Jos stadium has an artificial pitch. It cannot host the AFCON. So goes for the Kakanda in Katsina and a couple of others.

We goofed big time by chosing to make those stadiums have artificial turfs.

ChrisKels:
You are not wrong bro but we should be doing more because we dont really have quality CBs.

About that striking position, the world cup is over, I have got my eyes primarily of Isaac Success, Sadiq Umar and then, Taiwo Awoniyi. I no follow una for Simeon Nwankwo. Kayode to me is just a faster Ighalo, dude can miss targets for Africa just like Odion.

I still feel we should give Simeon Nwankwo a couple of games.

ChrisKels:
Who else is concerned with our lack of Centre backs in quality leagues/teams in Europe?

Bar Awaziem and Balogun, we dont really have Centre backs in top teams and leagues in Europe compared to other major African teams.

Ivory coast for instance, has Jean Gbamin, joris Gnagnon, Eric Baily etc

See, for me, our major problem is not the CB it is our attack. Nigeria would have made second round if we had a better attacking force.

We do not have a recognized striker at present that should be our major concern.

ChrisKels:
Nigerian aint fit to host any major tourney. They should take it to Morocco, they did well with the CHAN, otherwise, take it to Eastern Africa for either of Ethioppia or Kenya. But if it must go South, give it to Rwanda or Angola

East Africa ke? Kenya that has repeatedly been stripped of hosting rights.

Rwanda and Angola, I don't think they have the capacity to present 6 standard venues to host the AFCON.

DeZoro:
Thw map is incomplete.. Gombe is PDP!

You don't know the map of Gombe?

krattoss:
we can do it perfectly with the right people and plan.
Akwa ibom stadium is already ready.


Abuja national stadium is also okay(just small regressing)


Adokiye is ready with little last touch.


Ahmadu Bello stadium has 30+ capacity. Just needs little touch and roofing(optional in the game of football).

We also have the national stadium Lagos which can be renovated at a light speed with the right people (by the way Tottenham new stadium was built in less than a year.)

We also have the new Stephen keshi stadium which can also be expanded..

Why I think it might not work for us is because 2019 is also an election year which might hinder many circumstances on it..
Baring that, we re the giant of Africa and I believe we can host it fluently.

Oga, 1999 or 2009 standard is not 2019 standard.

That Ahmadu Bello stadium is not fit to host an AFCON game in this present age and time, no matter how you try to renovate it. Worst still the AFCON is just 10 months away

And did you say the national stadium Lagos? Better that the federal government builds a completely new stadium than attempting to renovate that coliseum of a stadium.

That New Stephen Keshi stadium is not AFCON standard in anyway. Rather than to present that as an AFCON venue and embarrassing ourselves in the face of Africa and the world at large we should not even border presenting it.

You can see that only 3 stadium can be ready with little touches before June next year.

Lets allow Morocco host so we can enjoy AFCON in nice venues abeg.

ChrisKels:
Seems Cameroun has been striped off the AFCON 2019 hosting rights

Nigeria or Morocco to replace them as host.

I raised eye-brows when the number of participating teams was raised to 24. Does Cameroon have the facilities to host a 24 team competition, with 6 venues?

Can Nigeria even pull that off considering the short time we have left? Cos I can only count the Uyo and Abuja stadiums and maybe the Adokiye stadium in PH. Which other 3 can be ready in the next couple of months when CAF will come inspecting. Mind you the AFCON is not played on artificial turf.

Morocco are in Poles positions if you ask me.

BascoVanVeli:
Messi is the undisputed leader of Argentina as a country sef.
Musa carried Nigeria at the world cup so I find your comment hard to comprehend. Ndidi is the engine room of club and country, he is young and big so all the more reason why he must carry Musa and Iheanacho lol. Honestly though they were just being boys.

Hahaha. We see things differently bro. This is no issue anyways.

charlesemeka85:
Toronto whizkid Ayo Akinola could switch his allegiance to Nigeria after he was approached by Nigeria Football Federation officials.

The 18-year-old was born in in Detroit to Nigerian parents and can represent the senior national teams of Nigeria, United States and Canada but the United Soccer Soccer Federation are in pole position for his services.

Akinola was part of the United States squad at last year's Fifa U17 World Cup, playing all their five matches during the competition hosted by India.

''I’m still discussing (it) with my family. Because I feel like it’s a really big (decision) ... It’s a one-time switch so you can’t switch back,'' Akinola was quoted as saying by The Star.

''I’m still young. No time to rush. But at some point, I’m going to have to make a decision which one is the best fit for me.''

Akinola added that he will make a decision on the country he will represent before the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers.

He has also played for United States U14 and U15 national teams.

I remember this kid.

Buts lets be sure we are courting him because we have seen a great potential and not just because he has played for the US U17 Team.

BascoVanVeli:
Really, you see that much? I just see 3 guys who love each other having some fun. Btw e be like say you wan kill Musa by suggesting he should be carrying those big boys on his back. Smaller guys get to be kids longer, just like Messi always jumping on his teammates.

Have you heard of intuitive thinking?

People's way of life have a way of affecting them professionally. It is a psychological thing.
Look at Messi, is he really the leader of that Argentine team even though he wears the captain band?

You may see that picture as three boys having fun on the training ground but give a psychologist that picture and he will interpret so many things out of it.

That picture tells it all about the performance of those three players both in the Super Eagles and at Leicester City.

It is not difficult identifying a natural leader from amongst a pack of children playing on the sand

Ndidi, will be a strong Team leader.

This may not make sense to some of us here but those that appreciate where I am driving from would understand better.

Seunvense:
This picture got me thinking... Destiny!!!
The white man in the picture actually plays for a black country while the black man played for a white country contrary to what someone who doesn't know them will think.

Hahaha, you beat me to this.

BascoVanVeli:
Leon Balogun with Patrick Vieira. Funny caption he put
When the legend @OfficialVieira makes you feel like a little boy again and puts that first day of school smile on your face ���
#LBxPV #WhereIsMyCandyConeTho

Skin color does not matter.

Now who is the European and who is the African?

uglodoh:
It means he started playing for Iwanyanwu at the age of 16 the same year he played the under 17 world cup. When did he start playing football? At the age of 6?

Hbd to him

You don't know children start playing football at the age of 6.

And you are right Kanu was playing at Iwuanyawu at 17 when he featured at the U17.

BascoVanVeli:
Just Wilfred Ndidi carrying Iheanacho and Musa on his back!!!

This Ahmed Musa sef no dey know his age.

Na so one person lap am for that their ashoebi picture inside plane on their way to Russia the other time.

Is he not supposed to be the one backing Ndidi and Iheanacho both playfully and on the field of play? Mtchew.

godspeed:
The qualification format for u 17 Africa championship (andultimately the world cup ) is so unfair to west Africa the traditional powerhouse at this level. It has been regionalized meaning countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Mali and Burkina Faso now have to fight for just one ticket.

This is really a coup on West Africa by CAF.

I raised this alarm on the U17 thread earlier this year.

I don't know if truly there is anything called WAFU. Because how would they agree to such a devilish arrangement?

andrew444:
So because e played for sunshine means he played in the npfl ? How do you watch your football ?

As Madrid won the champions league why didn't they share medal to the Madrid b seems they are all Madrid players.

So benzema go call Barcelona b player him team mate abi ?

Besides you are lying as omeruo didn't play for sunshine,he played for hard foundation before joining standard liege second team in 2010

No mind am. Make him tell me the year when Omeruo play for Sunshine stars.

The Mikel he mentioned only was in the Plateau United feeder team. He never played professional football in Nigeria.

BascoVanVeli:
Whatever that means I guess but everyone here knows Rohr doesn't fancy the league. He has made that little clear but even he believes that we have talent in the league if not he won't have personally placed calls to make sure Stephen Odey's transfer went through. What u guys are saying is once you play in the NPFL u have no hope and that is bogus .

You see how you have been mis-interpreting our stand?

BascoVanVeli:
If you are calling a spade a spade u would admit that our coach does not fancy the NPFL so asking for an outfield player is scandalous considering u already know the facts on ground.

Icon4s: Baba Rohr
Rohr: Yes, icon4s, I am listening
Icon4s: There is a post I need you to go check out on the Super Eagles thread
Rohr: Is it on a newly discovered foreign born player?
Icon4s: No Sir
Rohr: Is it on my corruption allegation?
Icon4s: No Sir.
Rohr: Did Ighalo just Score an hart-trick?
Icon4s: No baba just come see.
Rohr: Ok, will be there right away.

BascoVanVeli:
Nigeria is just a crazy place. We all claim to be God fearing football fans but instead of standing up for players who are clearly being given the short end of the stick we blame them by saying they are not good enough.

Standing up for who? Why not call a spade what it is? - A spade!

Look at the Super Eagles team how many came through from the NPFL? Does that not sum it up?

I have been an ardent follower of the Nigerian league and I have clubs that I support. We have never had it this bad. No single Outfield player from the NPFL made the world cup list! You do not acknowledge that as a problem?

BascoVanVeli:
Omeruo played in the NPFL sure. Even Mikel was with Plateau united before he left. But what difference does that make? Algeria and DR Congo have great leagues but their players come from Europe.

Nops Omeruo played for Hard Foundation FC, a non-league side while Mikel Obi only played for the Plateau United feeder team, he was not registered as a professional league player.

The end of every world cup usually marks the end of a particular era of players.

After the 1994 World Cup we saw the last of some players:
Steven Keshi
Thompson Oliha
Chidi Nwannu
Sampson Siasia

After the 1998 World Cup we saw the end of some players like:
Uche Okechukwu
Ben Iroha
Austine Eguavoen
Rashidi Yekini
Peter Rufai

After the 2002 World Cup we saw the last of:
Mutiu Adepoju
Benedict Akuegbu
Ike Shorunmu
Likes of Oliseh, Finidi and Tijani were kicked out of the team ahead of the world cup

After the 2010 World Cup we saw the last of:
Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Danny Shitu
Sani Kaita
Chidi Odiah
Kalu Uche
Nwankwo Kanu

After the 2014 World cup we saw the last of:
Joseph Yobo
Shola Ameobi
Osaze Odemwingie
Emmanuel Emenike
Ejike Uzoenyi
Austin Ejide
Michael Babatunde, Michael Uchebo, Uche Nwofor and co.

Now the 2018 World Cup has come and gone. Are there players that we may have seen the last of? My predictions:
Brown Ideye
Odion Ighalo
Elderson Echiejile
And the following may still be in the squad for the next AFCON but not likely to make the next World Cup:
Mikel Obi
Daniel Akpeyi
Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Leon Balogun

Strictly my opinion. You can share yours on the post 2018 World Cup.