₦airaland Forum

whizola:
The "Yak", Yakubu rocked up to Hive this evening to encourage the boys in training this evening.

The Yak! I like that guy then sha.

I almost lost my head while defending him on Kickoffnigeria. But that was before that 2010 WC miss o.

forgiveness:
Na arrangeee na.

No be nepotism again?

komekn:
I have talked enough about MRI scans in past posts what MRI does is tell you the age range you cannot be not what age you are.

Using wide aggregate parameters to make an absolute deduction on what age range you cannot be.

That's why a Nigerian boy born in the USA where you know there is automatic data capture of births failed in Nigeria an MRI scan for U17 Eaglets.

Chukwudi I can talk about because he was my friends senior in secondary school who finished in 1999, do the mathematical probability and you see he was way above it.

But how can we ask that question we are Nigerians we sharp we always find ways.

So where is the Chukwudi today?
His supposed mates are in Europe and in the Super Eagles making waves. He chose to play with players much younger than him.

No be Kayode, Omeruo, and Onazi dey Super Eagles so? The then midfield maestro Ramon Azeez has also played for the Super Eagles.

He simply peaked at that U17 tourney and that's it.

He thought he was cheating FIFA. Now who has been cheated?

komekn:

I shock !!! infact I am shocked with high voltage.

Are you telling me that in the whole of Englands league system we do not have one Nigerian origin goalkeeper

I know Africans don't like to be keepers but this is crazy we pick somebody from almost Sunday pub football. Please this cannot be happening to go and play against Senegal.

I haven't looked in depth I admit.

But I think a reserve goalkeeper from the premiership should be better than somebody playing pub part-time football.

In case they don't know there is, Tony Aghayere he is the U23 goalkeeper for Burnley FC.



I really expected the NFF to do more in terms of finding better options. Or is this a case of arrangements taking place because I am completely perplexed. And that is just from memory I am certain there are others but this is the first one that comes to mind.

Bros not to worry. Daniel Akpeyi will arrive London early tomorrow morning.

Did anybody just see Lucas Podolski's goal against England?

tbaba1234:
Yes.. but it was easier to slip through..

just like likes of Okoro and Chukwudi slipped through abi?

do4luv14:
TBABA oooo one gbosas for you,


pls is ETEBO in camp yet, update on new arrivals today plz

Just as i suggested for forgiveness, we also need to award tbaba1234 with a title here.

tbaba1234:
In 2009, it was not mandatory for everyone.. It was like random drug tests.
Mandatory tests started in 2011.

But it started from them abi na?

tbaba1234:
He is just 24... Most likely using his real age or not far from it.

Some here write him off bc he plays in Cyprus. That boy will always make the eagles squad. He is a great asset. He is a back up for at least 3 first team players.

TheGoodJoe:
Allow the coaches work. I also want Aluko on the squad as much as you do. Cool your temperature with Panadol and quick the negative attacks.

I just tire.

TheGoodJoe:
Wow. Shehu looks so young in this picture.

The MRI test started from them. We are beginning to reap the fruits of MRI test.

Still beats me how Stanley Okoro and Fortune Chukwudi scaled through that test.

robosky02:
Better known as Ramota in popular, but now defunct TV series, New Masquerade, Mrs. Veronica Njoku was a secretary at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA Channel 6) in Aba many years ago. Having watched her mother display acting skills before congregations as a child, she said she would like to be an actress if she could live her life all over again

How did you become involved with acting?

I started acting during my primary school days at Methodist Primary School at Surulere, Lagos. I finished my primary school in 1972 and back then, we were acting plays based on stories from the Bible.

Did you explore the talent even more when you got to Secondary School?

I did not go secondary school. I sat for my General Certificate Examination (GCE) at home and cleared all my subjects and went on to get a job with a construction firm as a typist. The company later relocated to Aba. It was when the company folded up that I applied to work in NTA Channel 6 Aba.

What year did you join the NTA station based in Aba?

I joined Nigerian Television Authority (NTA Aba as a secretary to the Manager, Programmes in 1974.

When did you join the cast of The Masquerade?

I started featuring in The Masquerade in 1976 while working with NTA Channel 6 Aba.

Noting that you acted exactly like Apena, how did you get the role of Ramota in The Masquerade?

When Apena (Mrs. Christy Essien Igbokwe) of blessed memory left acting in The Masquerade, they were looking for who can play her role. When they approached me, I told them that I grew up and schooled in Lagos and could play the role well. I was asked if I could speak Yoruba fluently, which I answered in the affirmative and I was auditioned for the role of Ramota. My performance pleased the producer, Mr. James Iroha and that was it.

On the first day, how did you react to the camera?

I featured with Mr. James Iroha (Giringori) and Clarus (Mr. Davis Ofor) but I was not given a permanent role.

While growing up, did you ever think of becoming an actress?

Yes, I have always thought of becoming an actress. In fact, my mother was my mentor because she used to act in our church, St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church in Surulere. Then I used to watch her act before the congregation and I knew I wanted to be like my mother upon growing up.

So did she discourage you when she got to know you wanted to take to acting?

No, she did not. Rather, she encouraged me once I made it known I would like to follow her path.

Getting the role is different from acting it. What challenges did you face in getting into that role?

I would say the role seemed so natural for me; I did not have any problem with acting the role.

Did you watch the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe while playing the role of Apena?

Yes, I watched her a lot, but apart from watching her, Christy was also my friend, so that made it very easy for me.

Besides acting what other things did you do?

Working as a staff of NTA was the only other thing I was doing apart from acting.

How much were you paid per episode?

I cannot remember now; it’s now a long time ago.

Playing Ramota can make one assume you are from Lagos or another part of the South West but where are you from exactly?

I am from Umudike in Ikwuano, Abia State while my husband is from Emekuku Owerri in Imo State.

What year did you retire from NTA?

I retired from NTA Aba in 1992 as Secretary to the Manager, Programmes.

Have you acted at any other time since you retired?

Yes, whenever Chief Zebrudaya gets a contract to perform live before the audience, we come together as members of The Masquerade cast to act.

How can you separate Ramota from Veronica or are they similar?

(Laughter) They are not the same. I am a very violent or troublesome woman in the role Ramota but for Vero, she is a gentle and loving mother with a caring husband. She relates very well with her children.

How did you meet your husband?

I met my husband at NTA Aba; I had started acting when I met my husband; and he also encouraged me to continue.

What have you observed about artistes of this generation that is not like your own era?

They are too ambitious; they are always looking for ways to make quick money. This was not the case during our own time.

Do your fans embarrass you sometimes when you are with your husband in public?

That has happened a lot. My husband has been embarrassed because they would tell him he snatched the wife of Jegede (Mr. Claude Eke) of blessed memory.

What was your husband’s reaction?

Sometimes he laughs at them and there are times he reacts in an angry manner.

Did that ever cause any misunderstanding between the two of you?

No.

Does he stay to watch you record on set?

Sometimes he stays behind to watch us record and if we are recording live he will be in the studio with me while the recording is going on.

What attracted him to you?

I don’t know but he loved me and we lived happily until he died in June last year.

What was his job at NTA Aba?

He was a producer of Igbo programme at NTA Aba.

If there is anything like reincarnation would you like to come back as an actress?

Surely, I would like to come back as an actress. I love acting.

Have you missed anything about New masquerade now that it has been rested?

Yes I missed a lot about the New Masquerade; I wish it could come back on air immediately.

Was there any misconception on the side of your husband’s relatives about being the wife of another man on set?

When we just got married, they approached my mother in-law and she started quarrelling with me but I told my mother in-law that I am not like what was portrayed of me. I made her understand that I am a different person entirely and not what they have painted me to be. My husband also talked to my mother who later calmed down and she never disturbed me and my husband again.

Did men make any advances towards you because of your popularity?

No, the men and even women were afraid to get close to me as a result of the character and how well I played it.

Would like any of your children to take after you?

Yes, even my last boy studying Mass Communication in IMT Enugu wants to be an actor. When he is at home, he does funny things that generate laughter.

It was speculated at some point that you have some health challenges. How true is that?

Yes, I have arthritis on my leg but it doesn’t mean I cannot move around. I move around on my own. -Culled from New Telegraph.

Quite refreshing.
She is even from my maternal side.

Shedding tears.

Reminds me of my childhood days and watching the New Masquerade with my late Dad.

He laughed so much while watching this program then.

Thank you to the New Masquerade crew, both dead and living, for bringing laughter to our living rooms in the 70s and 80s.

Marotzke:
Zebrudaya calls her Ramotu!

Exactly! U beat me to it.

forgiveness:
Well, good luck to him but em fit no smell post.

Him no go smell post by God's grace.
He should just enjoy the moment and take enough selfies.

forgiveness:
D thing dey pain and you dey talk about title.
Nwokolor and Alampasu dey dere but em want Ikechuckwu.

None of these 3 even made it.
Tope Okeowo for now is our back up goalie.

When ur turn reach u go jump queues and protocols.

tbaba1234:
Well, he should just do his best to impress the coaches.. I do not think he will be invited again though..

At least, he will have it on his resume

Abi o. Na so this our God be o.

tbaba1234:
Lol

Okeowo on Instagram:
okeowo1: Baba Baba baba God ooo thank you for everything in my life God God God ooo

http://www.instagram.com/p/BR8lD4KDmrp/

See? I told you.

He is now a Super Eagles international.

He needs to take selfies with all the players in camp and then create an album. He needs to show it to his 3rd and 4th generations to come

krattoss:
ALUKO is gone for good.

I dnt think so.

forgiveness:
I am suspecting somebody doesn't want Aluko in the National team.

It is becoming a mafia thing.

No Victor Moses yet the coaching crew feel very adamant to extend invitation to Aluko but very quick to extend invitation to an unknown player whom dey know is inconsequential and will not raise eyebrows if not used.

Somebody is playing on somebody's intelligence.

We suppose give you one title for this thread.

tbaba1234:
Tope Okeowo and Isaac Success

Hahaha Tope don hammer.

He don turn Super Eagles player.

When God says it is ur turn you will jump queues.

Humility017:
better....inviting onaiwu would have even be better at least like an encouragement for pledging his allegiance to Nigeria... long ago when he was 14.
well...I go with your words...thanks fr the update bro. you're a gem

Akpeyi is expected to arrive early hours of tomorrow. So the Tope would be third choice.

Orkpekyandega:
Etebo Travels By Road To Pick Up Visa In Madrid, Arrives Gatwick Airport 1620 Hours

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/23087Etebo.jpg

CD Feirense attacking midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo is on his way to London to link up with the national team ahead of Thursday evening’s international friendly with Senegal.


Etebo’s determination to pick up his visa confirmed that he values the Nigeria call-up, with the Portuguese-based player going to Madrid by car on Tuesday night to pick up the traveling document.


He could not travel by air yesterday because his Nigerian passport was with the Consulado General Britanico in Madrid.


The 21-year-old’s flight to London will depart the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport at 1500 hours and is expected to arrive Gatwick Airport at 1620 hours local time.


Oghenekaro Etebo made his senior debut in the Super Eagles 1-1 draw with Egypt in an African Cup of Nations qualifier back in March 2016.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=22456

Meaning he will touch down in 5mins. Welcome to London boy!

pyrex23:
my preferred formation 2mao so anxious cant wait..

Nice set up.

But i think that midfield is too lean especially for the kind of opposition we are facing.

What u have here is a 4-4-2.

I suggest u pull out that Success/Kayode slot and introduce a Central Midfielder.

I would like Onazi in that CM position while Ndidi plays DMF.

komekn:
No idea.

With regards to Eto who is supposedly younger than Yak both have been able to be consistent goal scorers in top leagues for a decade until 3,4,5 years ago.

Martins I felt peaked at Inter and Newcastle but he then goes to Sounder and scores 40+ yes it might be the MLS and not a top league.

It's like saying when did Drogba and Or Ian Wright Peak. I am using your age parameters and it doesn't add up. It's much much more reflective of Caucasian players.

Something else apart from Drogba we will not be able to really have a good idea about thier real ages.

I digress but Defoe went to MLS came back then plays for Sunderland and now he is called to England at 34. Why not Obagoal

modified: I commented on the post but it somehow vanished.

Would be back to comment on it.

komekn:
Trying to use these parameters from given projections is totally flawed in the case of Africans because our baseline data is simply far from validated.

Do you think it's only Nigerians that have age issues. Let's look at Obagoal irrespective of what his real age is, in the Chinese league he has scored 9 goals, more than Tevez, Hulk, Oscar, etc and what's his true age. Or we could consider Yakubu who is 34, or even Eto 36 when did these guys peak It may seem scientific but what are the aggregate projected parameters used to quantify the baseline data.

African have a different set of variables in comparison to Caucasians. Essentially, when you describe them as having peaked they were already 30 in some cases.

Go back to my comment again. I never gave a specific age but a range. A very few may fall outside that range.

Good you mentioned Yakubu, Martins and Eto'o. Let me give you a little assignment. At what age do u think each of those players peaked?

gbosaa:
The ticket is very cheap. Adult...£10, children...£5.

Pls lets get this kickoff time clear.

8pm @ match venue which translates to 9pm in Nigeria right?

otezu5:
Eagles Players – We Are Missing Mikel In Camp

March 21, 2017 Nigeria

https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/image-10.jpg

Some players of the Super Eagles of Nigeria have confessed to Owngoalnigeria.com correspondent in London that they are missing the presence of their influential captain John Obi Mikel.


Coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr excused Mikel to enable him settle down properly at his new Chinese side Tianjin Teda, particularly as the league is just starting in China.


The decision made the coach elevate vice captain of the team Ahmed Musa to the role of captain, but despite Musa’s senior status in the team, some players are still missing their main skipper.


” It’s not the same without Odogwu (Mikel). He is more than a captain to us, there is more fun and unity when he is around. He talks to us individually and usually light up training”, one of the players told Owngoalnigeria.com.


Another player who is staging a comeback to the team after a brief absence also lamented the absence of the 29 year old captain.


” So unusual for him not to be here with us, we are very used to his presence. His calming influence both on and off the pitch and also financial advices on how best we can spend our money. How can it be normal without a guy like that”.

*Michael James (In London).

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/03/21/eagles-players-we-are-missing-mikel-in-camp/

They better start warming up for life after Mikel. I dnt see Mikel in the picture post 2018 WC.

But for these friendlies, i pray our midfield doesn't collapse cos we know what the presence of Mikel adds to that midfield.

otezu5:
Orji Okonkwo Reveals Secret Behind Goal Scoring Run For Serie A Side Bologna

March 20, 2017 Nigeria

https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/image-25.jpg

Free scoring Nigeria youth international Orji Okonkwo has revealed the secret of his goal scoring exploit for Serie A side Bologna in an exclusive chat with Owngoalnigeria.com.


Okonkwo has been scoring goals for fun since joining Bologna, a feat that saw him promoted to the first team of the team in less than three months into his stay with the team.


The 19 year old forward suffered an injury setback which saw him missed the last one months, and upon his return dropped back to the Primavera side where he has been finding the back of the net on a regular.


”I now play as a top striker, that has helped me a lot because it is my preferred and original role. In Nigeria I played mostly as a winger due to the presence of other top strikers”, Orji told Owngoalnigeria.com.


” For instance I scored a free kick against Pisa in the Viarreggio, but I can’t remember the last time I took one in Nigeria because another player takes the responsibility. I have also improved a lot”.

* Daniel Martins

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/03/20/orji-okonkwo-reveals-secret-behind-goal-scoring-run-for-serie-a-side-bologna/

This is a product of the rich Nigerian Youths system. They will not call for the 'capping' of this one o.

tbaba1234:
Let's us not go into the real ages of some players.

official age is what we know and care about. That is why i specified it for West Africa.

tbaba1234:
It depends on the position, strikers generally peak around 24-27. Defenders and goalkeepers are usually better with experience. A Goalkeeper could be hitting his peak around 31-35. Defenders 28-31.

You may be right about the goalies and for defenders in other parts of the world. But for West Africa most of our defenders peak just shortly after their mid 20s.

Eg how old was Taye Taiwo when he was discarded?
How old Is Ambrose that we have discarded him already. What of Obaobona? What if Oshaniwa?
U and I know Echiejile has passed his peak. Omeruo at 23/24 seems to be on a declining curve.

Joseph Yobo peak when he was at Everton. He was in his mid 20s then. U and I know how we managed him in the national team for the last 3 or so years of his career.

I just gave examples of our recent defenders who are still seeing and can relate with.

If I go way back to Chidi Odiah and Babayaro.
U know Celestine peaked when he was at Chelsea. How old was he then. He was there between when he was 19 and 27yrs.Recall the greater part of his last 2 seasons there were spent on the bench. Taiwo took over from him when he(celestine) was 27. Odiah peaked while he was at CSKA and also the 2006 AFCON he was 25/26 then.

I can still go on way back. But let me stop here for now.

Talking about strikers. Most West African strikers peak between 21 and 25.

BascoVanVeli:
IMO u don't reach ur peak until around 27.

Meaning also that u dnt expect this team to peak until 2022 WC

BascoVanVeli:
IMO u don't reach ur peak until around 27.

I don't believe u can share this thought.
I thought u had always preferred teenagers.

Trying to recall if u were one of those that once said age does not matter.

For west African players, IMO most peak from 23 to 26. Any where in between. 27 is too far self.