Now, highlight and pove the rising profile of all the players you listed with technical facts. Afterall, Na claim say technical facts na em bi the koko.
Simple fact. 70% of players Ajagun has played with either at U17 or U20 have progressed into playing for the Super Eagles. Ajagun still dey bare ex-junior international.
forgiveness: Bros, i sure, you no sabi am pass me. Now, let us analyse their efficiency in the age groups stages.
@ U17 Level
Ajagun was a constant starter and engine of the U17 team until they got to the finals. Na lie?
Iheanacho was the star of the U17 winning team. No question.
@U20 Level
Ajagun was no doubt the engine of that 2011 set until they were eliminated in the quarter finals. Abi i lie?
He came again as the number 10 and captained the 2013 set to the round of 16 which they narrowly lost due to John Obuh's inability to make quick changes when his team was playing 9 against 11. Remember, he dominated the team despite having Ndidi, Madu, Simon, Shehu etc in the team. Confirm. I dey lie?
Iheanacho only started in a match they were thrashed against Brazil and came in as a substitute in 82 minutes in the third match against the already defeated Hungary. In fact, the Brazilian dominated the midfield even in the match Iheanacho played.
Talent is important but what good does it do to the team if you are not able to showcase or impact it in the team.
Besides, Ajagun doesn't play in the same position with Simon, Success, Solanke and Iheanacho. So, no need of comparing them.
Etebo better pass Ajagun for only Nairaland na but Technical facts proved otherwise.
On my list i have Ndidi as a natural defender even Stanley Amuzie na natural defender. So, you are wrong. I have four natural CB on my list already.
Solanke will be invited soon. I trust Siasia for that one.
You mean Dominic Forgiveness Solanke. The twin brother of Ajagun.
forgiveness: False. Ramon Azeez is languishing in the third tier of Spanish football.
Omeruo is also playing for one obscure league in Turkey. From Eredivisie to Championship, from Championship to Turkey. Decipher
Onazi has been relegated to the bench this season.
Uche Nwofor. Nowhere to be found.
Kingsley Madu ; plays in an obscure league in Europe.
Shehu Abdullahi; so so
Wilfred Ndidi; lost for years before he found his footing this season after Ajagun don win trophy for Europe.
Ahmed Musa don rise even before he left the shores of Nigeria.
Moses Simon
Etebor Ogehnekaro : clubless
See your rising stars falling.
Ajagun has never even risen at all and as long the youngers ones like Etebo, Iheanacho and Iwobi are already ahead of him his chances of ever rising are very slim .
And very soon the likes of K. Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze would be dusting him
These are high potential fliers no be slow progress player like Ajagun.
forgiveness: Bros, i sure, you no sabi am pass me. Now, let us analyse their efficiency in the age groups stages.
@ U17 Level
Ajagun was a constant starter and engine of the U17 team until they got to the finals. Na lie?
Iheanacho was the star of the U17 winning team. No question.
@U20 Level
Ajagun was no doubt the engine of that 2011 set until they were eliminated in the quarter finals. Abi i lie?
He came again as the number 10 and captained the 2013 set to the round of 16 which they narrowly lost due to John Obuh's inability to make quick changes when his team was playing 9 against 11. Remember, he dominated the team despite having Ndidi, Madu, Simon, Shehu etc in the team. Confirm. I dey lie?
Iheanacho only started in a match they were thrashed against Brazil and came in as a substitute in 82 minutes in the third match against the already defeated Hungary. In fact, the Brazilian dominated the midfield even in the match Iheanacho played.
Talent is important but what good does it do to the team if you are not able to showcase or impact it in the team.
Besides, Ajagun doesn't play in the same position with Simon, Success, Solanke and Iheanacho. So, no need of comparing them.
Etebo better pass Ajagun for only Nairaland na but Technical facts proved otherwise.
On my list i have Ndidi as a natural defender even Stanley Amuzie na natural defender. So, you are wrong. I have four natural CB on my list already.
Solanke will be invited soon. I trust Siasia for that one.
You shot your self on the foot by mentioning the guys he played U20 with.
He played with Omeruo, Ramon Azeez and Onazi at U17.
He played with Ahmed Musa, Ramon Azeez, Uche Nwofor, at U20 in 2011
He played with Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Shehu Abdullahi and Kingsley Madu at 2013 U20.
The guys he played with have progressed faster than him. True or False?
That is my point. He has not progressed well.
Coaches look at players with high potentials. I prefer players that are on the quick rise not players with stunted progress.
As long as we would have super rising talents like Etebo, Iwobi and Iheanacho who all can play that AM role in that team, Sorry Abdul Forgiveness Ajagun would be a surplus requirement.
forgiveness: Ok, if that be the case i will replace William Troost-Ekong with either Ndidi or Awaziem.
@bolded sounds funny. He is not talented but he played regularly for John Obuh's U17 and U20. You know he was the engine of those teams.
He is not talented but he played regularly for 3 good seasons for Panathinaikos-fc with 67 league appearance and 10 league goals. Besides he is an attacking midfielder, centre Midfielder and a LW. He offers more options in the offensive than Ndidi.
If at all i have to replace Ajagun, it will not be with a DMF. I will look for an attacking midfielder to deputise for Alex Iwobi.
Is Iwobi more Nigerian than Solanke? someone here recently gave a hint that Solanke his ready to play for Nigeria if called. So, what do we have to say about that?
But if he's not willing then Victor Moses should take his place.
Thanks, that is how it is suppose to be. Hmm! Siasia!
However, your list is not bad but the midfield is full of defensive players apart from Iwobi.
My 18 man list:
Goalies: Emmanuel Daniel Dele Alampasu
Defenders: Kingsley Madu (LB) Stanley Amuzie (LB/CB) Kenneth Omeruo (CB/RB) Leon Balogu (CB/RB) Wilfred Ndidi (CB/DMF) Chidozie Awaziem(CB/DMF) Moses Odubanjo(RB/LB/RW)
Midfielders: Abdul Ajagun (AM/CMF/LM) Ogenyi Onazi (DMF/CMF) Oghenekaro Etebo (CMF) Azubuike Okechukwu (CMF/DMF) Alexander Iwobi (AM/LWF)
Forwards: Dominic Solanke (CF/LWF/RWF/AM) Moses Simon (WF/SS) Kelechi Iheanacho (SS/RWF/CF) Imoh Ezekiel (CF/SS/RWF) Isaac Success( CF/LWF)
Modified
Bros u no sabi Abdul Ajagun pass me. I have followed his progress since 2009 FIFA U17 hosted in Nigeria. He even played U20 twice in 2011 and 2013. When it comes to talent he is nt in the class of Iwobi, Iheanacho, Solanke, Simon and Success. Why I may nt include him him in my 18 man list is we have 3 players that can also play the AM in addition to their other roles. These players are: Iwobi, Iheanacho and Etebo. These 3 players to me are ahead of Ajagun in the AM role.
Saying that my defensive midfield line up is too defensive is nt true. What I have in my midfield are midfielders with defensive capabilities. Onazi and Okechukwu can function as central midfielders in addition to their DMF role while Ndidi is a DMF that provides a CB back-up. Having only 2 natural CB for such a competition may be too risky especially knowing that Omeruo and Balogun are too injury prone.
As for Solanke, UNTIL HIS NATIONALITY ISSUE IS SORTED-OUT, he will nt make my list. I dnt count my eggs before they are hatched.
Nigeria has been drawn bye in the first round qualifying matches for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2017 in a statement released by the Confederation of Africa Football on Thursday.The Flying Eagles won a record 7th continental crown last year in Senegal. Bernard Bulbwa sealed a 1-0 win against host, Senegal with a 17th minute, spectacular long-range volley inside the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar.
The journey for places to the 20th edition of U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Zambia 2017 commences this weekend with the first leg matches of the First Round according to CAF.
Twenty (20) teams will be involved in the opening round, with eyes on the places at the Second Round and eventually the final lap, where seven teams will emerge for the final tournament in Zambia next year.
The tournament will also serve as the qualifier for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be hosted by South Korea.
Fixtures
Friday, 1 April 2016
Tunisia vs Niger
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Sierra Leone vs Gambia Rwanda vs Uganda Mozambique vs Mauritius Swaziland vs Namibia
forgiveness: After painstackinly selecting the Defenders and midfielders. I will now proceed to selecting the attackers
1) Isaac Success; This is the second season of the Granada star in the Spanish laliga and he has not disappointed with 5 goals and 1 assist this season. Success will be joining Watford FC for the start of the 2016/17 season. He can play anywhere across the front line. He is 20 years old.
2) Kelechi Iheanacho; This is his first season in professional club football. However, he proved his worth when giving the chance to play. He has 9 goals and some assist to his credit. Plays as a RW, Second striker and Striker. He is 19 years old.
3) Moses Simon; He was a revelation last season with Genk who he helped to win the league for the first time in their history. These season he has garnered more experience by playing and scoring in the Champions League. No doubt, he deserves to make the list. Primarily plays as a left winger, and can as well play as a Striker or second striker. He will be 21 years of age this year.
4) Ezekiel Imoh; Ezekiel Imoh wealth of experience can't be dismissed. Having scored 47 goals in the last 4 seasons in one of the Top 10 European leagues in the world and even went to score in the Europa League this season. He can play as a Striker, Rw and second striker. He is 22 years of age
5) Dominic Solanke; He came to limelight last season with the Chelsea youth team when he helped them to win the FA Youth Cup and UEFA youth league. He even became the top scorer of the UEFA youth league tournament with 12 goals, and because of these, Chelsea rewarded him by promoting him to the first team at the age of 17 and later featured him in last year UEFA Champions League last season making him the youngest debutant for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. In his first season in the Eredivisie, he scored 7 goals even though he was out due to injury for 3 month. Although Solanke prefers playing as a striker, he can also play as a winger on either side and as an attacking midfielder. He is only, 18 years old.
Final list
Goalkeepers Emmanuel Daniel Dele Alampasu
Defenders Leon Balogun Kenneth Omerue Omeruo Moses Odubanjo William Troost-Ekong (Ndidi or Awaziem) Kingsley Madu Stanley Amuzie (Ekpolo Elohor or Musa Mohammed)
Midfielders Ogenyi-onazi Abdul Ajagun Alex Iwobi Azubuike Okechukwu Etebor Ogehnekaro
Attackers Isaac Success Kelechi Iheanacho Moses Simon Ezekiel Imoh Dominic Solanke
A well thought out selection. I would nt include the bolded names in that list.
William Troost-Ekong: I have closely followed that guy. He is not much of a talented defender. Forgiveness, I know u like Half casts a lot. But this one will not make my team. Kenneth Omeruo and Leon Balogun will make my CB pair. If Balogun does nt make it I would take Chidozie Awaziem.
Abdul Ajagun: I know you can break my head for this. He wouldn't make my 18 man list. I would replace him with Wilfred Ndidi would also be a standby CB. I am an ambassador of experience but I know when to draw the line between Experience and talent. Ajagun may be experienced bt he is nt much talented. Lets look at the Egy vs Nig game in Alexandria. Aminu Umar is a more experienced player than Alex Iwobi. However Iwobi made far more impact after being introduced because of one thing: "Talent". I liken Ajagun to Umar and they were even U20 Team mates.
Dominc Solanke: This guy would have made my team if he a Nigerian. He has not yet switched nationality. So he cannot make my list yet. Except if something is done from now to then. I would replace him with Victor Moses.
I like your attacking line. Full of quality and inform players.
My 18 man list:
Goalies: Emmanuel Daniel Dele Alampasu
Defenders: Kingsley Madu (LB) Stanley Amuzie (LB) Kenneth Omeruo (CB) Leon Balogun/Chidozie Awaziem (CB) Abdullahi Shehu (RB) Moses Odubanjo(RB)
tbaba1234: We are not even sure if Ndidi will be given a chance. He was also not invited for under 23 or super eagles. Success might still get a call since he was called for the U23 tournament (even though he could not make it).
I am waiting for the next friendly list.
We need our best legs in Rio.
We as analysts/Journalists/close observers need to play our own parts.
tbaba1234: I feel he should have a chance to prove himself at under 23. Defense is the weakest part of that team.
Omeruo is probably the best CB in that age group. But who else? Ekpolo? Oduduwa? They are playing at a lower level than Awaziem.
Balogun is overaged but we do not know if he is even in siasia's plans.
Wilfred Ndidi also plays CB. I am nt ruling Awuziem out I am only saying his chances are slim. I know a coach like Siasia would rather have Segun Oduduwa in that team than Awaziem.
The Kingsley Madu that some of us have mentioned is our best LB has never even beem part of Siasia's plans. He was nt in d Egypt games neither was he also in d Brazil friendly. Siasia might jst take Amuzie to Rio and drop Madu.
I dnt know Siasia's plans abt Omeruo bc he has never said amything abt him.
Isaac Success is to me one of the most ignored talents we have today. U saw how Manu benched him for a less fancied Awoniyi at the WYC. Since then no U23 invite, no Super Eagles invite.
Moses Simon has nt yet featured in any of Siasia's games. I wont b suprised if he choses Stanley Dimgba and Godwin Savior as his preferred wingers.
I am jst waiting for that controversial final 18 man list.
Good highlights. I observed some of those games were youth tourneys especially d first one he scored a goal.
A good prospect for Nigeria going forward.
He may nt likely make it to Rio.
However, Amuneke should endeavour to include him in his U20 plans. He would b Great value added to that team. He should b groomed along with the likes of Zaharadeen Bello, Sincere Seth, John Lazarus, K.Nwakali, Samuel Chukwueze, Musa Yahaya, Ifeanyi Mathew, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Osimhen, Chidera Ezeh, Sadiq Umar & his other Roma colleague (forgotten his name) among others. Azubuike Okechukwu is also very much elligible. This crop always reminds me of the Saudi '89 boys that were a mixture of the 85 & best of 87 eaglets plus other new additions.
There are things that a full game will help me judge. For instance Madu goes high up the pitch a lot. I will like to see his recovery speed when he losses the ball. Something Oshaniwa does with ease.
I will like to see his body strength against strong Wingers. Something we saw a lot with Amuzie.
With Madu, Amuzie and Oshaniwa, I wonder how Echiejile found his way back to the team. I think Coach Siasia brought Amuzie to camp to check his recovery from injury and he impressed in camp.
Madu is a typical modern defender.However, i must say Nigeria was d dominant side in his games that i have watched. What some1 of dat nature needs are 2 experienced CB that can effective provide cover.
Against Chad Madu took more shots on target than most of d attacking players. Remimiscense of Roberto Carlos - the originator of modern day LB.
Just watched his highlights, just to get a feel of what he is about. I must say the boy is good. He is skillful, a very good crosser and a good long ball Passer.
One thing I noticed is that the clip did not show much of his defence. So it is difficult to judge him on that aspect.
The few clips of his defending shows he more efficient intercepts and Knicks the ball off the opposing winger's foot.
That guy would have been a better match for Sallah.
Just watched his highlights, just to get a feel of what he is about. I must say the boy is good. He is skillful, a very good crosser and a good long ball Passer.
One thing I noticed is that the clip did not show much of his defence. So it is difficult to judge him on that aspect.
The few clips of his defending shows he more efficient intercepts and Knicks the ball off the opposing winger's foot.
TheGoodJoe: I want to check him out. I remember, we expected Benjamin Francis who played against Italy to play that role but Benjamin Francis injured. I remember thinking it was a disaster for us but Manu's solid performance filled that void.
U got it. U now find more reasons to criticise Siasia's Nig vs Egy list of invited players. Amuzie i believe took Kingsley Madu's place.
Kingsley Madu is far better than Elderson Echiejile already.
TheGoodJoe: At the end, it all boils down to the coach's choice. Always. The Coach goes into training with the player and selects who he prefers.
Remember Evra and Heinze at Manchester United. They were both quality but Evra had Ferguson's trust and got the nod until Heinze left to Real Madrid.
Jst like d choice of Ighalo ahead of Iheanacho.
Bro, letme tell u. I dnt trust Siasia's would b selections for Rio. U notice he already has some of his boys in the team. That will nt give room for fairness.I fear we may nt take d best to Rio.
TheGoodJoe: Unfortunately, I have not watched much of Madu to give my assessment. From reports I have read, he is good quality but others also rate Madu.
I hope I get to watch Madu soon. Then I can ascertain.
I feel Coach Siasia trust Amuzie's talent and I pray he recuperates fast.
Didn't u watch him play against Chad and an earlier game both under Keshi?
Sports › Re: All The News About The Olympic Eagles (U-23) HERE! by Icon4s(m): 3:00pm On Apr 04, 2016
