₦airaland Forum

Joebie:
We think the problem is with NFF officials? No, it's in Nigerians.
Let's really think deeply about how we behave towards ourselves. That's where it all starts

Hmmmmmm. Word.

The "Baba" wey dey do that 'thing' for Akpeyi strong wella.
Lol!

And if he is a devoted Christian then his God is alive.

All coast is clear for him now.

Sirpaul:
chai............. i smell lies

Bright is my child hood friend.

What he said is truth.

We attended same church in Kirikiri town

His family lived in a BQ of a face-me-I-face you house directly facing the church - St. Joseph's Chosen Church of God.

Them poor so tey poor people dey call them poor.

goldfish80:
This is how we roll in Nigeria. Man must know man before anybody looks your way, be it to sign for a club or to be considered for the national team.
If Mikel had nobody to speak for him, he would probably be playing for Platue Utd or Delta force in the NNL.

Probably or probably not. He may still have found relevance later in his career. A golden fish has no hiding place

Etebo was dropped by Manu Garba at U20 level but he found his way into Siasia's U23. And today he has featured for the Super Eagles before all those Manu U20 players except Simon and Iheanacho.

You saw how Osimhen and Success walked into the Eaglets camp without anyone fronting them. And they both emerged top CF for their respective eaglets team.

When you are destined for greatness no one can stop it.

Humility017:
I don't mind if he hails from any west Africa country...
so many nations have been stealing our players all because they grew up in their academics so it won't be bad should we get to cap our west Africa neighbors lads...it will even be exciting

my fear is...the NFF should not go and employ a selfish under 17 coach...who is after money to be made from players signing etc.
because should a misfit will jeopardize the essence of this whole Tourney

I sincerely share your thoughts.

But one thing is I cannot rate even the best 11 from this tournament as totally good enough for the eaglets. Recall I described that Million Kome guy as a potential candidate for the eaglets team.

Why?

This U15 tournament carries players who were horridly assembled for the sake of the tourney.
No traditional academy team is participating. I believe those academy boys may be more grounded in the knowledge of the game than these ones.

My take is after selecting 23 players from this tourney the selection should also be extended to cover players from the traditional football academies. And let the best be taken.

So when you don't see some of the best from this tournament not making the next eaglets team let's not cry fowl. And I sincerely wish the selection be done without sentiments and "mago-mago".

goldfish80:
This would be a massive deal if they can see it over the line. Hopefully Monaco will be signing 2 Nigerians in Azubuike Okechukwu and Simon. Would be nice having the new Kings of Europe parade 2 Nigerians. Mickeal2 remember our dare

While many other youngsters are overhyped here Azubuike is about the most underrated.

That boy sure has a great future ahead.

Earnestly looking forward to this deal.

tbaba1234:
Million Koma, a product of Channels national kids cup is leading the goals chart.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-SfIOJXYAA30zS.jpg

Definitely a youngster to follow from now on.
His number goals almost double that of his closest rival. A candidate for the next class of Golden Eaglets.

But his look and name look like those of our West African neighbors.

Thank you to NPFL for this nobel tourney.

justiz5:
This very impressive Sir.

‘I can solve Super Eagles goalkeeping problem’

By Jude Opara

As Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr continues to mull over the goalkeeping problem facing the team, an American based goalkeeper, Joel Isyag says he has what it takes to fill that gap.


Isyag who stands at over 6.2ft just signed for the Super Eagles. Football Club of Maryland has already become his team’s first choice shot-stopper with over six clean sheets in his last games with other individual awards.


Recall that first choice goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme has been ruled out for the rest of the season, even as the team is preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against African champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon as well as the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in June.


Speaking from his base in the USA, the Kaduna State-born Isyag who will turn 21 this May said he is optimistic that his inclusion in the national team will make that position more competitive.


“I know that composure, positioning, sharp reflexes, agility, techniques, anticipation, ball handling, coupled with great saves are just some of the attributes of a good goalkeeper and I truly have them all.


The Super Eagles have been having goalkeeping challenges since the Lille of France safe hands; Vincent Enyeama quit the national team. The discovery of Ikeme helped to stabilize the defence for sometime but Rohr seems not to have confidence on his assistants, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi.

Talk is cheap. In fact free.

BascoVanVeli:
What we can do is show understanding. We can't elect to look the other way just because miracles happened and some were able to make it. Are u telling me that if the next dream team are forced to miss their flight and show up late for a match u would blame them for losing? It just does not add up.

My criticism of that Amuneke's U20 is more about players selection. And not the other issues you are bringing up.

BascoVanVeli:
That example does not do justice to wat im saying. It is like a girl telling her mother a lecturer is trying to sleep with her and the mother saying "well my own tried to sleep with me also so no excuses". My point is that wat was done was despicable and should never be accepted.

Yes what was done was despicable and should never be accepted. But it will still repeat itself. It has been happening. You heard of Buhari rewarding the 1985 Eaglets the houses and scholarship promised them after 30yrs?

It is not right but it is not new. People have thrived under such conditions. For now, there is nothing icon4s can do to stop it. I can only complain at best.

TheSuperNerd, did you just see that Ndidi's foot work and understand why I rate him highly as a good dribbler even despite he being a DM.

BascoVanVeli:
That is an excuse people make for doing nothing. Maybe if instead of accepting the situation u joined in asking question things would change by now. Right now before someone can voice a complaint they get told didn't so and so go through worse? That kind of attitude will even take the wind out of the guy asking the question and that will not gain us anything.

On the contrary that would even spur the lad to do well.

You don't give him excuse to fail.

For eg I attended a University that if you have lectures at 7:00am you have to be in class by 6am else you'll have to take ur lectures peeping through the windows.

If someone comes to me to complain about he facing similar conditions, as I am not in a position to build him a lecture theater I'll simply tell him 'that was what I also went through during my time so no excuses for failure'.

Please don't get me wrong. I am not in support of what the NFF did.

But u must know there is never an ideal situation especially when dealing with the government.

TheSuperNerd:
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATIONS VOWS TO REACH 2019 AFCON AND 2018 WORLD CUP



https://africanfootball.com/bp_images/2017/04/onazi_action.jpg


The Nigerian Football Federation has promised that everything is in place to see the national team qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

According to the NFF's spokesman Ademola Olajire, he said the federation is working hard to see coach Gernot Rohr and his team reach the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup.


The Super Eagles will face South Africa in a 2019 AFCON qualifier in June, with the former African champions seeking a return to the tournament after missing the last two editions.

In August, Nigeria will play African champions Cameroon in their crucial qualifier en route to Russia.


“We are on course, everything has been put in place for the two games against South Africa and Cameroon,” said Olajire to the Daily Post.

“The Federation is doing everything possible to make sure we qualify for the Nations Cup and the World Cup.

“As you are already aware, we took a tour of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium and it has been approved for the game.

“We have also written to the Akwa Ibom State Government as regards what needs to be done to get the stadium ready.

“The Technical and Development Committee is also working hand in hand with Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr to get the team ready.

“The committee is constantly in touch with Rohr and they are expecting him to give a list of players he wants to use to prosecute the matches. He has a free hand to pick whoever he wants.

“Once this is done, the committee, alongside the coach will sit down and fine tune the squad so that everything is in place. We are leaving nothing at ensuring the best legs prosecute these games.”


Source: http://africanfootball.com//news/704418/Nigerian-Football-Federations-vows-to-reach-2019-AFCON-and-2018-World-Cup

A good development

If they had been making this kind of vow and been keeping to it we would have been among the world's best 10.

BascoVanVeli:
This is why we are still at square one. We should be trying to fix the mistakes not hoping to manage and live with them. Why should we be happy that our children are going through wat we went through? This attitude will not let us grow.

Who are the 'we'?

Me and you?

Have you forgotten the proverb that he who plays the pipe dictates the tune?

Until we elect people who know how to play the pipe well we will continue to dance to the tunes of those who do not have any business in playing pipes in the first.

This is Nigeria for real for you.

Boys of these days and the way they stand. See how this one do leg.

Anyways I just dey pass

TheSuperNerd:
Please, Odey whatever you do.... don't move to another team in Africa..... it has to be Europe.... Belgium preferably.... haba naa..... who is this boy's agent sef??
......................................................................................................



Exclusive : NPFL Top Scorer Stephen Odey Turn Down Genk Trial Offer


https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/image-52.jpg


Top scorer in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Stephen Odey has turned down an offer of trial from Belgium side Genk in the summer.


Odey was invited by the team for trails in the summer, but the 19 year old who is currently the top scorer in the NPFL with 14 goals for MFM FC rejected their offer.


”He won’t be attending trials anywhere in Europe. Not only in Belgium, we also got offers from Denmark but we won’t take any of them. Genk were most serious but Odey won’t be going for trial”, a source close to the player told Owngoalnigeria.com.

”The one thing I can tell you is that he will most likely leave in the summer. Talks with some teams are already at an advanced stage, unless an offer comes in from Europe, he will most likely move to a top team in Africa.

”His manager has made it clear, he wants to cash in on his form to help him move abroad but at the same time, It’s not just about going abroad, it’s about getting the right deal for the player who still needs to develop further “.


**Daniel Martins


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/04/26/exclusive-npfl-top-scorer-stephen-odey-turn-down-genk-trial-offer/

Hen. My people say make hay when it is sunny.
You are declining a trial at Genk.

I may sound mean but I am sorry to say that this may even be the peak of his career. There are so many uncertainties in football. Some players peak early (most NPFL strikers) some peak late. Now that you are hot make that move. You are looking for a team that will not invite you for trials.
Abi una dey fear trials ni?

Make his case no go end with "had I known o".

BascoVanVeli:
This is the problem with Nigeria. People always want to say well so and so went through it why can't u? Why should we have to go through the same issue that we went through in 2005?

Nobody is encouraging such. But the reality is this is a country where you are expected to deliver against all odds even with limited resources.

We experience these kind of challenges especially when you work in the public sector. It is not alien to us Nigerians.

Words like "people have managed to succeed under such conditions in the past so why is your case different?"

I work in the public sector I know what I am talking about.

AIG07:
Baba, let's say we qualified. do you really think Amuneke would have extended call ups to these guys? Do you think if they get called up they'll be featured? I personally doubts it. Our coaches have thesame mentality of picking 'their boys' ahead of the best.

Manu did it, Siasia did it, Oliseh also did it. So, I am very sure Amuneke will continue with the trend. It is in their blood. They all lack fairness in team selection

And that is killing our football especially at U20 level.

We do not take the pains to recruit our U20s just the way we do for U17. At U20 the coach will want to sell 'his boy's for what so ever reason including the pride of being recognized as the coach who discovered so-so-so players and of course transfer benefits.

We have never featured our best at U20. And that is why we are yet to win it.

peptones:
After a close review of your application, the selection committee are very interested in interviewing you among other well qualified shortlisted applicant for the advertised position of a customer service representative. This letter confirms that your interview will hold at the office ACR GROUP located at No 95 Fadeyi express Road Fadeyi Bus stop,Fadeyi Lagos by 9.00am on Wednesday 26th April 2017

Did you send any application to them?

TheSuperNerd:
I said "Somewhat trusted" (or was it "somehow trusted"

I honestly don't rate Akpeyi.... I was just saying the truth when I said we are stuck with him as our goalie if Ikeme doesn't return on time....


Me saying Akpeyi will start and there is nothing we can do about it doesn't mean I trust him coz I don't really do.... but I hope he delivers as he has done in the past two matches now....


So biko.... hapum aka

Haha haha, not just that comment alone. Also a couple of comments in the recent past.

I like you for one thing: you are open minded to opposing views.

But some will argue for Africa even if there is no more valid points to back it up.

TheGoodJoe:
Were the AYC boys of 2005 the same team that went to the U17 tournament despite poor treatment and won it. Got no reward and continued receiving poor treatment in the U20 camp.

No. So why bring it up?

Also, reports said Alameiseigha and Odili were supporting Siasia's team. Amunike got no support. Simple, Amunike got treated badly. We should condemn such poor treatment of our heroes. Both coach and player than try to bring them down because of the poor treatment they got.

All Nigerian teams have been treated poorly in one way or the other. The team did not just have what it takes to shake it off. Period.

We know the NFF and their ways. They will never change.

TheSuperNerd recall my argument with you about chemical reactions and reagents?

The boys did more harm to themselves than Nigerians. OK look at Kelechi Nwakali beginning to fall out of favour at his parent club, Arsenal. A n excellent WYC showing in June/July would have been what he needed to prove to Wenger that he is still that very talented kid he bought.

TheGoodJoe:
You are missing the point. After the disappointment, Amunike still had to convince those boys to continue playing. Not disappointed and sent home. Even before the U17 finals, Amunike convinced them to play despite the challenges. This continued over a year after.

The task was monumental and Amunike deserves praise for his effort and not ridicule or criticism.

So how has Saudis been managing to get results despite poor treatment of his players. Recall he almost single handedly sourced funds to bankroll our 2005 AYC qualifiers. And recall the recent Rio incidents.

TheGoodJoe:
You do not know because they were not given a fair opportunity. Terribly treated.

If the team was more matured they would have had the mental strength to pull through.

This is one of the inadequacies I am talking about. And I learned they wept uncontrollably like babies, which they are, after that Sudan loss.

TheGoodJoe:
Amunike's team's case is like no other. Where the team did not get rewarded for winning the U17 World Cup and then get abandoned in camp with no allowances. The condition was terrible.

The 1985 Eaglets were just rewarded their landed property and scholarships by this same Buhari regime in 2015.

Go back and check the previous U17 winners and tell me how many the government fulfilled their rewards.

It has always been that way so their case is not different. They failed themselves and not Nigerians.

TheGoodJoe:
Amunike has his strategy and it helped him unearth brilliant talents like Orji Okonkwo, Osimhen and Chukwueze. He was also part of the Manu Garba's team selection process.

Give better preparation before criticising the work.

That team was grossly inadequate. Period.

TheGoodJoe:
You do not know. Before judging that way, those young men deserved better conditions.

Has there been any Nigerian team that has enjoyed the best of conditions? Was it not in your very eyes that the Rio team landed at the airport and few hrs later went to play Japan and still won?

TheSuperNerd:
What?? I must be seeing things!!!!!

Yara Yara plsss get me my special microscopic-view glasses.... I need to re-read what my eyes have fallen upon tonight....


Looollll.... what? me?? Elders gini??

Bia Chief Icon4s.... if na prank plsss stop am.... Abeg.... biko.... no play that kain play....


How can I a neonate enter into the halls of experience?? and be called an elder?? You think I don't have great respect for all the years and time you elders have invested to become Re-knowned Guardians of the Halls of Experience??

Abeg abeg abeg.... no prank me biko.... kolewerk!!!!!

I still get a looooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnngggggg way to go mehn! haba!!!! indomie generation neaonate like me....

Haha haha go back and read that post from which I quoted you. It shows a lot about how you now see the game.

A phrase like "tested and trusted" was not common in your vocabulary. It shows you are now getting older in the game to understand the importance of those two key words in football.
-Experience.

TheGoodJoe:
You have no idea. We could have won it too. We need to change our approach to preparation and organization. Instead of blaming the wrong person. We failed that team by abandoning them.

There was no way we could have even won the AYC with that bunch talk less of the WYC.

TheGoodJoe:
Amunike plays a beautiful brand of football that takes natural instincts and devotion of the players to make it come to life.

You do not expect our NPFL or NNL players to immediately fit the bill. That is one of the reason Amunike remains my favorite. I have said it before. It is not about result but dynamics.

For instance, when Amunike screened Osimhen, he was one of the very few strikers who chose to track back and defend. It was Natural. Coupled with Amunike's training, we had a potential top player.

While screening, he was looking for naturals. So it is not guaranteed our pros will have the natural instinct needed.

Young players find it easy to adapt to which ever style of play. A good coach will know how to tinker youngsters to adapt to his style of play. The long qualifying series is enough to groom them into his own philosophy.

I repeat, his team was grossly inadequate.

tbaba1234:
Siasia is too loyal to his chosen players.

Ndifreke, Azubuike and Sincere Seth will make the next under 20, if he is chosen.

No.

These 3 players you just listed would have made this 2017 U20. Likewise Nura Abdulahi, Sadiq Umar, Musa Yahaya, Henry Onyekuru, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidozie Awaziem, Chiderah Eze, Steven Odey had he and 'his boys' not blown it up.

TheGoodJoe:
I did not take the role call of the hundreds of players who showed up in camp.

Wait, with the exception of Osimhen, Nwakali, Okonkwo and Chukwueze who were foreign based name any other player in that squad that played for any NPFL or NNL team.

TheGoodJoe:

I doubt he did not know the strength. The external factors were too much. That is why I will keep calling for external support to keep the team focused. We also need better preparation of venues. Taking team to adverse weather conditions and poor pitches should stop.

I doubt he knew the strength of the opposition he was going to face. If we had qualified for that AYC we would have crashed out.

He thinks the u20 is just a step above u17.