₦airaland Forum

bazooka1:
I think people should stop using that Manu U17 team beating NPFL sides as a justification to rubbish npfl. For goodness sake that was a pre season friendly. Even top European sides get smashed in pre seaon friendlies. In the Manu U17 abi U20 case, Manu have had his team in concentration camp for months while the NPFL sides were just getting started and using the friendlies to try out new players they wish to sign for the new season.

You should ask yourself why haven't those academies won the Nigerian FA cup which is an open tournament for every football club and academy registered in the country? When was the last time an amateur side or academy played up to the semi finals of the FA cup? I think the last it happened was in the 90s with a team called Arugo.
How many NPFL titles have Manu won?
Please give me break.

Some pages back I read some people saying scoring in the league is very easy with bad defenders. I asked myself, is it the same Nigerian league I know?
The same league it took almost forever for someone to break Ishaya Jatus record of 20 goals. As a matter of fact, the 20 goal mark have been crossed not more than 2wice if I recall correctly. But just to make an arguement we are being made to believe scoring in the NPFL is very easy.

Do you know why only Musa have managed to break even out of the lot you listed? I will tell you.
Back in 2012 when Musa broke out of the scene. Musa was the busiest Nigerian footballer. He played in almost all the national teams bar U17. He played for the U20s, U23's and super eagles simultaneously. These various exposures with the national teams exposed him to the transfer market before Venlo signed him up. This same expose you vehemently refuse to see the reasons why the Mfm striker shouldn't be invited for a friendly in London.

How come the Dutch league and Belgian leagues are renowned for producing talents but these same talents don't do well in champions league and Europa leagueEuropa league for their home nation teams?

Ahmed Musa had already jetted out to VV Venlo before even being invited to the Flying Eagles in 2011. He left Pillars in 2010 after breaking the Nigerian league record. He had to prove himself in a higher league first and at an age grade competition before he was integrated into the Super Eagles. He also played for the U23 while playing for the U20.

komekn:
In analysing your progression, success and development one can not do it in Isolation but in comparison.

Our opponents for this friendly Senegal, how good are they. In all honesty they seem to have a lot more established players who are playing at top teams than us.

Let's look at midfield we have been giving plaudits to Ndidi and rightly so however some have described him as being as good as or even better than Ngolo Kante. I understand the concept of supporting your own players.

Looking at the engine room midfield, our opponents Senegal have two defensive midfielders Gueye and Kouyate who have a lot of experience. I will ask is Ndidi better than these two guys?

There are a whole range of permutations to look at comparatively with Senegal. On paper they Senegal team stronger but that's not the whole story. Belgium on paper should really be at the top level of European football. So I understand games are not always won on paper.

Man to man comparatively to Senegal who is on paper stronger

We are the under dogs in this game.
Man for man i dnt think they are much better but for the fact that their team has been more together, even coming fresh from the AFCON. Nigeria has nt played since Nov last year. Infact I predict a tough first 20mins for us.

A draw will nt be a bad result but a win will catapult us both in confidence and in FIFA ranking.

komekn:
Icon4s,

Why then are our players making waves in the NPFL but the seemingly good quality is not able to be transferred to the next level.

Some come to Europe and with more focused training, possibly better players facilities and coaches for some of them thier is progression, but the numbers are too few. In reality more are flopping it in real terms than making it.

However, for the majority there is no progression. When I compare past Eagles teams I might be talking a decade plus ago our top players were established players in the top European clubs. That is not the case anymore.

Now, let me suggest possible reasons to ur question.

1. A high percentage of payers from this part of the world are one season players. I also call them a flash in the pan. Some few fortunate ones flash the pan when they are very young and scouts see them as potential mega stars. They move to Europre and we dnt hear about them again.
Some like Egbuchulam make their mark at 25, No one knew Sunday Mba until he was 24, Obaobona, Uzoenyi and Egwuekwe made their marks in their mid 20s. And that was it. Though i still feel Obaobona could still be an asset to us.
These players have 1 or 2 good yrs or seasons and that's all.
I listed Egbuchulam. He has jst moved to Sweden, i pray he proves me wrong.

Look at Aneke, Chikeluba, Chikatara, Sikiru Adigun, fiaamm!!! just like that.

2. The second reason could be connected to the first. They have one good season and they are off! They do not consolidate their game from the home front before dashing to Europe. Many of them find it difficult settling Down and haven been league top scorer in the NPFL the club will put so much on their shoulders and if they are not prepared, they fail.

3. Age cheating could be another factor. They emerge league leading scorer when their official age is 20 but their real age is 25-27. 2 yrs down d lane and they are approaching 30. What do u expect from a 30yrs old man?

komekn:
Icon4s,

Why then are our players making waves in the NPFL but the seemingly good quality is not able to be transferred to the next level.

Some come to Europe and with more focused training, possibly better players facilities and coaches for some of them thier is progression, but the numbers are too few. In reality more are flopping it in real terms than making it.

However, for the majority there is no progression. When I compare past Eagles teams I might be talking a decade plus ago our top players were established players in the top European clubs. That is not the case anymore.

A brilliant observation and a more brilliant question.

Before I suggest answers to ur question let me table some worrisome trends.

Firstly, How many of the current Super Eagles players really played in the NPL or NPFL?

Secondly, how many of the NPFL players that were introduced at one time or the other either starting from Keshi's time to Oliseh to Siasia Egypt clash, are still either playing well in their clubs or are still in the Super Eagles.
I can only point to Shehu Abdulahi.

Thirdly, have you also observed that all the record breaking strikers for almost 25yrs now have always been players 21yrs or younger. Infact Ahmed Musa was 17 when he broke Olumide Haris record with 17 goals. Haris was U20 when he broke that record with 15 goals.
Chikeluba, Aneke, Adigun, Chikatara, are some of the NPFL goals kings we have had in the last 5yrs and they were all 21 or less.

Dem no invite Adi, onyekuru and Aluko na Odey dem go invite.

tbaba1234:
The point is that, scoring in a league like Nigeria does not automatically mean the player is top class. We have seen many top scorers in the Nigerian League who could not cut it elsewhere. Let us see Odey in CHAN scoring goals or on the continent scoring goals.

Fred Friday scored a lot of goals in Serbia but he has struggled to score as much in Holland. Tougher league, different results.

Odey could be top class but we need to see him at a higher level.

Spot on man.

Some people talk as if they are new to Nigerian football. As if they just started watching football in 2017.

Things like this have repeated itself over and over and over and over again. But some of us here still want us to keep making such mistakes.

Good enough Salisu and his crew have been in the scene for quit a long time and they understand issues like this a lot.

In the 1994/95 NPL season. A certain Olumide Haris broke the Nigerian league record.

People clamoured for his 'chance' in the then stars studded Super Eagles attack that had Yekini, Ikpeba, Akpoborie and Ekoku.
Westerhof turned it down and then Fani Amun gave Haris the chance with Flying Eagles team to the 1995 AYC. Olumide Haris flopped big time. Emmanuel Ebiede another player that was doing well with Sharks FC. Was also in that Flying Eagles, but never lived up to expectation.

For a long time after that the national team completely lost faith in our home based strikers. No Nigerian league striker ever made the super eagles starting 11.

Ahmed Musa that broke Haris' record had to go to the Dutch league and then had to play for the Flying Eagles team at the 2011 WYC of which he was excellent before being invited to the Super Eagles team.

Jude Aneke broke Ahmed Musa's record in 2011. He was not invited to the Super Eagles bt to the U23 team where he flopped big time. He subsequently went to Sudan and that was the last we heard of him. Sikiru Adigun was 2nd highest scorer after Jude Aneke but where is he today?

After Aneke and Adigun was Chikeluba Ofoedu. That boy was too hot for the NPFL defenders. He did not complete the season before moving to Eastern Europe. What is his game level today?

Chisom Chikatara followed Chikeluba's trade mark of goals scoring bt suffered an injury midway into the season. Chikatara came back next season but was behing Tunde Adeniji in the goals scoring pecking order.

Chikatara and Adeniji were our two strikers to 2016 CHAN. In that first game against Niger, Tunde started but could not find d back of the net. Chikatara came in and scored a hart-trick and that was the end of Adeniji.

See, I have seen young promising strikers in the NPL come and go. This Odey no even reach them.

U needed to have seen Chikeluba in his days in the NPL and Chikatara in his first few weeks of his maiden NPFL season.

Stephen Odey should continue scoring goals. His 'chance' to be tested will come one day.

I personally recomend him to the next U23 team handlers. Lets start from there.

BascoVanVeli:
Rangers have scored a goal and they need 2 more. 1-0 ht.

Hmmm. i hope they can make it.

But NTA no dey fit show all this kain matches again? We used to watch live club continental games like this in the 80s, 90s even up till mid 2000s. Na wa o.

Humility017:
I believe some of these young Nigeria English guys will become serious with super eagles after the under 20 world cup.... because after then they will be nothing to do...3 lions call up will not be forthcoming......the wise ones might then start eyeing the super eagles....
as for rohr he should call up those he deemed best for eagles and willing to wear SE Jersey

Rohr should really focus on qualifying for the WC, only then will the Super Eagles be very attractive to those boys. Then we go for those that will add value.

Just like a case of a young man who has arrived financially and is looking for a woman to settle down with.

Humility017:
Sir please Tammy Abraham deserve better
fr a player who have scored over 19 goals in the championship is no fluke not even 20 yet...I remember ighalo did same few seasons ago and same period he was called to the super eagles
I will love see Tammy in the super eagles if possible this year

how many of our current strikers this season has posed such stints in the league they play?

Tammy falls under this age category, nothing wrong in inviting him for the U23 trials.

Iwobi attended the U23 trials with Siasia in 2014.

The U23 selection process will commence next year. I am only suggesting players that fall under this age category. It doesn't stop d Super Eagles handlers from inviting him too.

kingphilip:
I think from one of Rohr's press conference he said he left the local coaches with the task to select the best from the league who can fit into the team's philosophy and tell him

It's either the local coaches haven't seen one or they're afraid to introduce them to Rohr..

For me I'll clamor for the team's selection to be left to Rohr.. If he fails with the foreign pro or with the local players everything will be on him without room for excuses as to why he failed due to him not been the sole selector of his team

We can only suggest to him and not compel him to take our choices

I also remember that press conference. Coach Salisu in particular was handed that responsibility and if Ikechukwu Ezenwa is the only local player they feel merits that list then so be it. The other home based players should work harder to impress.

goldfish80:
Stephen Odeh has been scoring all kinds of goals this season against almost every team he has played against.
Scoring with his Left foot, right foot, head tells me he has little weakness to his game. Bernard Ovoke at Rivers Utd can also make the squad. He proved his quality last season and so far this season he has been quality. He's left footed with low centre gravity who can get past people and create dangerous moments in the final 3rd. He was the 2nd best player last season behind Chisom Egbuchulam if I were to rate.
Take a look at Rohr's team to these friendlies, I noticed Iwobi was the only creative midfielder called up. In my opinion, I think Obinna Nwobodo can stake a claim in this team going by what he brings to the table.

These three names I mentioned are qualified to make this team if given the ground was level. I don't need the verdict of a scout from Gent to know these guys are good players.

Stephen Odey is a talented youngster no doubt.
I have even raised questions as to why he was not part of Amuneke's U20 team.

This is just his second season with MFM in the NPFL. He still has a lot to learn bro.

If u want to compare him with Osimhen then u must remember that Osimhen is being groomed in a world class facility. His game level may jst be over that of Odey for now. Though I still personally feel Osimhen should b allowed to settle down first as a professional before all these Super Eagles invitations.

As for Ben Ovoke, i saw him a lot last season. He was not even as good as Egbuchulam and Nwobodo. Egbuchulam and Nwobodo who are now foreign based are not being considered is it now Ovoke?

How has the Ovoke even faired this season?

Kog45:
My man let end it here,we all want d best for Eagles either with foreign or home based players.

Ok you said so.

That is as far as debating it with you is concerned bc that does not stop me from airing my view about it with someone else. Except you want us to stop all discussions, close this thread and go our ways.

tbaba1234:
Theo Solomon's goal..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D1JjEmvwWw&sns=tw

A good goal from the guy once nick-named 'the Nigerian Ronaldo'.

We may soon need to start selecting players for the 2019 AAG and 2020 Olympics qualifiers a good number of these young players are eligible.

AAG qualifiers starts next yr. All players who are presently 20yrs and below will make up the Dream team VII. At least this should be an opportunity for a player like Steven Odey

We jst need a good coach with unbiased selection process. I tip that team to do well.

Azubuike Okechukwu, Sadiq Umar, Nura Abdulahi, All Amuneke's U17 2015 boys, Ifeanyi Mathew, Musa Yahaya, Chidera Ezeh, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidozie Awaziem, Osarenren Obazee, among others.

We can also send invitations to the English duo of Lookman And Abraham.

tbaba1234:
Rohr should be allowed to make his selections. I really hope that he is not been pressured by all the talk of home-based players. Let him be allowed to select the best.

Thank God he is not one of our local coaches. The NFF would have even forced some players on him.

tbaba1234:
I am just throwing it in the air...

We are trying to raise a team that should be able to or close to being able to battle with the top 8 teams in the world. There is no way an MLS player would be our top striker.

He may just add to the squad depth.

tbaba1234:
Fanendo Adi scores again Perhaps, this guy can solve our striker issues.. Joseph1013


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJE4kHKyJWg

Solving our strikers issue?
An MLS player?
How?

tbaba1234:
I do not get why you are bringing us English B sides?? The point is that Barca B is playing in the third tier and Bassey is still playing at a low level. Training once in a while with the first team does not change that.

Home based players should not automatically be given a quota whether friendly or not. They are playing at a low level. Until, the player can show they can cut it. That is why CHAN is a good place to test them against other African teams. There are several Nigerians playing at higher levels that are not getting opportunities. Aluko, Fanendo Adi, Esiti, Agu, etc..

Chisom went to Sweden and all they offered him was a loan deal till they were fully convinced. That is the best player in the league. I use hm as a reference to the overall quality of the league. Biko, i have nothing against the player. I wish him all the best. I do not drag arguments here. I still believe that being in Sweden at 25 is old but there is no need to drag arguments here. Obaje also failed a trial at Spartak Moscow.. Many of the players that excel straight out of Nigeria are youth players not those who have spend above 5 years in the league.

No sentiments. Let them show themselves at a higher stage (continental level or CHAN)... I will come here and advocate for their invitation too.

Gbam! Period!

TheGoodJoe:
I agree with you. No one us asking for an automatic shirt or preference for our home based players but for Rohr to also search in. I think most of the blame should fall on our indigenous coaches working with Rohr. Have they gone to the live games to scout players. They must not travel round the country but watch most games in their state capital. Then pencil down names who can give our foreign pros a run for their money. This, I doubt.

And what makes you feel Rohr and his crew have not been following NPFL games?
Or have not been searching for quality NPFL players?

Matches that are even shown live every week. With repeat broadcasts several times in the week.

Did you not see Rohr live at the stadium in the last FA Cup final?

What if for now they have simply not seen players who would give our foreign pros a running for their money as u put it.

The Super Eagles team can only get better. We only need players that can add value either to the starting 11 or add value to the bench.

That era when we give room to mediocrity is gone.

goldfish80:
Beautiful that you mentioned this yourself. All these clubs you listed have their players registered and train with the first team while playing in a league against professional teams in the lower leagues.
In England, their 2nd team play in the U23 league or reserve league. The scenario would have been totally different if for instance, Liverpool B were playing in the championship against solid teams like Sheffield or Newcastle Utd like you have in other countries.

I don't understand your point in reference to the Chisom Egbuchulam deal. Are you saying Chisom is not a good player because he could only secure a deal in Sweden? Did he go on trial and fail at Real Madrid? I really want to know why you referenced Chisom whenever you want to spite the Npfl players.
Not so long ago, you called a 25yr old Chisom Egbuchulam an "old player" not until people started correcting you that you stopped.

Your disdain towards the Npfl is the reason why this country and is in a mess economically. We always wait for the white man to come take our raw materials, process and refine only to resale the finished product back to us. The Aba and Nnewi boys who are trying to produce locally aren't being encouraged. No support system is in place to protect these guys like a simple loan or a freaking Aba fashion week to showcase their products to the world.
We would rather wait for our oyinbo masters to ship footwares, suits and corn flakes down to us while we do absolutely nothing. We have brought this same attitude to football. We need to validation of an oyinbo scout to believe a player is good.

Aren't we ashamed Europeans leave their countries, come down here and scout for players like in the case of Ndidi, Gent purchased him from Nath boys for 2 bottles of whisky and resold same player 2 years down the line to Leicester for £15M. Who is fooling who?

Since you love the Chan so much, why aren't you advocating that Rohr should have included some homebased players in the friendlies against African oppositions like Senegal and burkina to prepare them for Chan? Don't hide behind Chan to make a case against the homebased players. Am too smart for that. I can read your stream of thought very well.

I was enjoying your story until the last paragraph.

Pls can you justify the call for the inclusion of home based players into this team?

forgiveness:
Did you read where I complained about Iwobi's inclusion to play for Nigeria while he he was still playing with Arsenal U19 team?

No, My reference on Iwobi's inclusion was to buttress my case that an identified potential talented academy player eligible to play for other countries and Nigeria should be called to the national team. Period.

I have proven that.

Hey! Iwobi was already a senior Arsenal player before being invited to the Super Eagles.

He was only earlier invited to the U23 camp by Siasia which he outrightly attended.

Now, the question is will players like lookman or Tammy be willing to join our U20 team? Cos that is where i can only think of placing them for now?

BlackAlbino6:
Sir Icon4s pls give this Man 2 strokes of the cane for coming late

Hahaha. He don beg.

Kog45:
Stop it my man,nobody is saying creating a slot for any home based.If they merit it,they should be called ASAP.They are Nigerian and super eagle is not meant for only foreign based.

I believe PSG is worse than River United with this result,so what a fuss.

My point is cleared,it is better for Rohr to look inward than inviting player from obscure league of Bosnia,Cyprus or division 3.

I already agreed with u that no local good for Eaagles coz u watched d league and i don't have d opportunity of recent.

Can PSG lose 6-0 to a team from Cyprus or Albania,?

The players u are referring to as playing in Bosnia, Cyprus or division are Musa Mohammed, Shehu Abdullahi and Dele Alampasu right?

Firstly these are seasoned former youth internationals that we already know their capabilities.

Musa was captain at U17 and U20. Winning d golden boot award at the AYC. Though i do not consider him as matured enough to be in the starting 11 but he is at least good enough to be in that 25man squad.

Shehu Abdullahi played U20 under John Obu. He was part of the Keshi's 2014 CHAN team, he played under Oliseh, and also the Siasia's Egypt double header.

He even performed very well at Rio Olympics. Shehu is a kind of player that will always make the team sheet bc he is a utility player. He plays DMF, CMF and RB all very comfortably well.

For Shehu to leave the NPFL to Cyprus speaks a lot abt our local league. Shehu IMO is better than the league he finds himself playing. He is even nominated as part of the team of the season in Cyprus.

As for Dele Alampasu. He is not on this list so where does division3 come in here now?
Or tell me which player(s) from that Rohr's list that players division3 football.

I dnt base my arguments on sentiments but objectivity and facts.

U mentioned today that u dnt watch the NPFL so you are in no way in a position to advice Rohr or anybody on that.

You said Rohr should look inwards,

who told u he and his crew have not been watching the league?

If they found no player worthy would you force it upon them to pick any player?

Besides is Ikechukwu Ezenwa not a Homebased player anymore?

Was there not a time when Enyeama was the only home based player in the Super Eagles?

Kog45:
Stop it my man,nobody is saying creating a slot for any home based.If they merit it,they should be called ASAP.They are Nigerian and super eagle is not meant for only foreign based.

I believe PSG is worse than River United with this result,so what a fuss.

My point is cleared,it is better for Rohr to look inward than inviting player from obscure league of Bosnia,Cyprus or division 3.

I already agreed with u that no local good for Eaagles coz u watched d league and i don't have d opportunity of recent.

The way people are going about clamouring for the inclusion of home based players depicts creation of slots for them. Words like "just to encourage the league players..." is the most common reason.

You must prove ur worth to merit the Super Eagles jersey. Period.

chrisooblog:
This aluko you are all arguing about you forget he also played in the EPL he didn't set the league on fire was released by hull city because he is doing well in the championship a lesser quality league competition he is now better than success and Simon Moses. Very funny success that posted man of the match performances in Grenada and against Middlesbrough is now a waste okay o as for Moses Simon he plays for gent the team that beat Tottenham in the Europa cup the same Tottenham that flogged aluko's Fulham senseless in the FA Cup yet sone is better ok o

Solanke went to vitesse didn't cut it is now on the bench while his mates like rashford, loftus cheek, origi, iwobi etc are playing first team football let him continue sitting on the bench getting young promising player Awards from alaroye newspaper while other serious people achieve something with their careers

Hahahaha. They think Rohr does not know Aluko?

tbaba1234:
Game over...

Mtchew.

I was in PH when Rivers united played 1-1 away with Real Bamako. See mouth. See boasting.

Comments relating to " a club established jst 1 yr ago, drawing away with a club established over 50+yrs ago"... bla-bla-bla.

I was nt in PH when Rivers won d return leg 4-0. I for hear bigger boasting as-in eh.

BascoVanVeli:
or sharks, im not too sure.

It was Dolphins. I remember d game faintly bt can't remember what year again. But abt 10-12yrs ago.

tbaba1234:
Injury time.
4:0

O pari.

BascoVanVeli:
Stephen Odey is not on that field.

I know na. Sebi he plays for MFM.

If the top teams in ur league are losing in that manner it tells alot abt the quality of the league.

My regret abt Steven Odey is he would have been a good Flying Eagles candidate if Amuneke and his boys had not blown the chance up.

I have nt tipped him for the Super Eagles yet.

U want to compare him with Osimhen? I never tipped him either.

BascoVanVeli:
This same club beat Rivers before the name change in a similar 3-0 situation.

U mean Dolphins?

tbaba1234:
Last 10 minutes...

Well, anything can still happen.

tbaba1234:
Yes but that is being too optimistic..
How can a sudanese club be beating a Nigerian club like this?

And they expect Rohr to create slots for them in the Super Eagles. Mtcheew.

tbaba1234:
Now 4:0,
Rivers United out based on this result

But if they can jst sneak one goal in then they have d advantage.