₦airaland Forum

For now, I second that.

BascoVanVeli:
Right now I would have to go with Ambrose and Awaziem.

Joel had a long injury lay off in the later part of last season. He just started the season strongly before injury hit again. It's not like he's had a stretch of good performance but was ignored.

somehow:
Not really an argument, just wanted to know why you don't see it as a snub even with his weekly performances so far...all the same, the coach knows the tools he needs.

Mickael2 , I must say what I found kind of supports your argument over mine, as it has to do with Ronaldo9 earning his place in the team. Here is an article from way back in 1994. Enjoy!

WORLD CUP USA '94 : THINGS TO COME : Brazil's Ronaldo Might Not Be Pele, but He and Others Provide a Look at the Future
June 19, 1994|LISA DILLMAN | TIMES STAFF WRITER


SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Pele wrote soccer history with his feet and it all started when he made his glittery World Cup debut in 1958 at age 17 in Sweden, guiding Brazil to the championship.

Thirty-six years later, another 17-year-old unknown forward has found himself on a team of Brazilian all-stars. He too is known by one name--Ronaldo. The temptation to even mention Pele and Ronaldo in the same sentence has proved irresistible.

A soccer sin, apparently.

"There is one Jesus Christ. There is one Martin Luther King. And there is only one Pele," says Alfredo Souza Gama, a radio broadcaster from Recife, who has followed Brazilian soccer for more than 20 years.

Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is nearly as emphatic, saying: "There will be not another Pele. The only thing similar they share is that they were 17 years old in the World Cup. He has his own style."

For the Record
Los Angeles Times Monday June 20, 1994 Home Edition Sports Part C Page 9 Column 4 Sports Desk 1 inches; 23 words Type of Material: Correction
World Cup--Because of incorrect material provided to The Times, the photograph of Brazilian forward Ronaldo was incorrect on Page W1 in Sunday's Special Report.



Which is true. Ronaldo, who has few problems shaking a defender, has yet to shed his braces. He smiles often and his braces shine in the sun, but Ronaldo turns a bright shade of red when he is asked when they will be removed.

"By the end of the year," he says, still blushing.

Do they hurt?

Ronaldo recovers his poise and laughs, saying: "Only when I get hit in the mouth with a ball."

The sight of Ronaldo conducting interviews and sharing the practice field with the legendary likes of Romario and Bebeto would have been unthinkable a year ago. Then, Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima was playing for an obscure second-division team, Sao Cristovao. His personal Colonel Parker was Jairzinho, a star player on the last Brazilian team to win the World Cup in 1970.

Jairzinho spotted future greatness in the youngster from an impoverished background, plucked him out of the minor leagues and got him a deal with Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte. Ronaldo proved to be a deadly goal-scoring machine, scoring 55 goals in his first 57 games. He is an ambidextrous threat, equally accurate with either foot.

Already, Ronaldo is being utilized by the Brazilian government as an example to his peers. He was recently selected to serve as a spokesman to help get out the vote for this fall's presidential elections. Voting is optional for 16 and 17 year olds. Ronaldo will turn 18 on September 22.

Here, in the days before Brazil's World Cup opener against Russia, Ronaldo's teammates are supportive and try not to offer intrusive advice.

"This is very unusual and different--you have to take into account his age," midfielder Rai said.

Said Bebeto: "He is here because he has gained the right to be here."

As you might guess, Ronaldo is not expected to play much during the World Cup. At least not as long as Bebeto and Romario remain uninjured. It would seem he will be somewhat of an understudy, waiting and watching and learning from his elders.

Naturally, Parreira revealed nothing about his plans for Ronaldo.

"You never know. We have five strikers and he is one of them. Any one of them could play," Parreira said.

Said Ronaldo: "I worked to be here. I am looking for an opportunity to show myself, what I can do."

For Ronaldo, the constant comparisons to Pele don't unnerve him in the least. He seems to understand why fans as well as journalists continue to search for the next Pele, even though the quest may be futile and unrealistic.

"I feel very proud about it, calm and tranquil about what people are saying about me. It doesn't bother me," Ronaldo said.



*

Almost a half-generation ahead of Ronaldo is 25-year-old striker Dennis Bergkamp of the Netherlands. Similar to the Jairzhino-Ronaldo connection, Bergkamp was "discovered" at age 12 and coached in the exclusive youth club Ajax by former Dutch great Johan Cruyff.

Born and raised in Amsterdam, Bergkamp was named by his father after Manchester United and Scotland striker Denis Law. Bergkamp will be forced to shoulder more of the scoring load since the Dutch team will be without Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit, who walked out of training camp.

Bergkamp, who came into international prominence with his performance at the 1992 European Championship, left his native country and played for Inter Milan in Italy this season. By all accounts, it was anything but easy as Bergkamp received an undue amount of criticism.

Still, Bergkamp received partial redemption when he picked up his scoring late in the season when the stakes were higher. Bergkamp had decided to leave for Italy only when his Ajax teammate Wim Jonk decided to play in Milan. Bergkamp, a cool finisher, has been among the elite the last couple of seasons, finishing behind only Roberto Baggio of Italy last year and Van Basten in 1992 in World Soccer's voting for player of the year.

In Spain, 5-10 midfielder Julen Guerrero of first-division Athletic Bilbao is part of what was considered a risky youth movement on the part of outspoken coach Javier Clemente. Guerrero, 20, is the second-youngest player to represent Spain, behind the legendary Zubieta, who made his national team debut as a 17-year-old in 1936.

haha.. that na work oh.. That kind research. Ronaldo had just come off of Brazil's U17 team prior to then. First thing I want to confirm is if Cruizero was even a Serie A side in 1993/94. Then I will see if he topped the top scorers charts. And if he didn't I will check to see if those above him made that squad to USA.

Mickael2:
Ok just show me Ronaldo's stats before that world cup and other world class strikers that were dropped because of him then I can decide if it was fair

I'm making an argument that sometimes a special player gets the nod as joker. Not necessarily making a case for Nwakali. Brazil's squad to USA 94 was a star studded side na. I bet you there were other strikers ahead of Ronaldo9 that didn't go. Did Ronaldo9 even kick a ball at the mundial? Now answer your own question. Is it fair?

Let me go check his stats prior to that world cup.

Mickael2:
Nwakali is no Ronaldo. And at that age, Ronaldo was already deciding games in the brazilian league. That one was fair, plus they didn't have better strikers on the bench

lol.. I'm not a fan of Onazi but he is a world cup material in my estimation.

Mickael2:
welcome to the 'Onazi haters fanclub' according to my good friends Kog45 and Sir forgiveness

Was taking Ronaldo9 to USA94 fair?

Mickael2:
but is it fair?

I feel the same way..

someone to come and ask, "who will he displace?" hahaha

Mickael2:
I like the guy....as a squad piece though not a starter. For sure he deserves a spot on the team but....on the bench for me

Junior Pius sent off.. two yellow cards

NETHERLANDS: Eerste Divisie - Round 7:

Nijmegen 4-1 Maastricht (FT)
Taiwo Awoniyi's former teammate, Arnaut Danjuma, scores Nijmegen's 4th just before the end of regulation time. He clocked 90 minutes.

Sunday Oliseh's tutored side, Sitaard are running riots away to Telster. 6-nil is the scoreline. Game almost over

ENGLAND: Championship - Round 11:

QPR 0-1 Fulham (HT)
Sheyi Ojo start for Fulham as they now lead Bright Osayi Samuel's QPR
Osayi-Samuel in bench.

Agbo can play as CB though.

Kog45:
If Agbo is not CB then is a waste of space coz we already have Ndidi, Onazi, Agu as DM or CM.

Yea Omeruo i watched d Zambia match again and i can tell u if not for that stupid mistake he had a better performance than Ekong but that costly mistake ruined his over all performance.

SWEDEN: Allsvenskan - Round 26

Goteborg 4-0 Sirius (FT)

But for injuries, two Nigerians would have locked horns when Goteborg welcome Sirius.
Canadian-Nigerian defender, Sam Adekugbe (Goteborg) is out due to a hamstring injury
Moses Ogbu (Sirius) is also out due to injury.

Left-back, Adekugbe is not eligible to represent Nigeria as he has already been capped by Canada in an official game (world cup qualifier)

Haha.. oya just make me Rohr assistant/adviser na.. I for tell you..
You know as Rohr dey carry Osimhen follow body before. We never know who could be next.
Abi you never here that football term, "joker"?

Kog45:
OK tell me d special player

SPAIN LaLiga -Round 7:

Celta Vigo 2-2 Girona
only 18 minutes played, and 3 goals have been scored since the last time I updated this.
Olarenwaju Kayode still in bench of course

Is Agbo even listed as a CB whenever he is invited?
Awaziem is making a case for himself at the club level. As long as he is still in the team, he stands a good chance.
Omeruo.. hmmm

Kog45:
It seems Awaziem is having it cool in his club but i don't believe in Agbo and Omeruo need to shape up.

That was Westerhof. We don't know about Rohr. Some coaches do that for a special player. It may not be Nwakali. Let's see what Rohr has in store.

Kog45:
u are right but not Nwakili even Kanu couldn't make US94 despite his talent and very easy for him to replace Efan Ekoku and understudy Yekini.

SPAIN LaLiga -Round 7:

Celta Vigo 1-0 Girona
Olarenwaju Kayode returns back to bench as Girona already trail Celta Vigo away. 10 minutes played

Now let's talk defense. Who to back up Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun at center back?
Let's assume there are two slots.

Junior Pius in Tondela's starting lineup

For special players, it happens sometimes. Depends on the coach's vision though.

Mickael2:
if you look closely you will see that in our midfield, the ages of the players there overlap eachother. How old is Azubuike? How old is Joel Obi? These guys are between 26-23 years and they still have 10 years to give atleast, Kelechi's time is still far, far, far away and inviting him now is pure injustice. That's why we have U20 and U23, it's just like England inviting Solanke or Tammy for them to come and be 'groomed', e fit happen?

Onazi will be very difficult to displace in SE. He is still young and has world cup experience.

Mickael2:
Trabzonspor. Currently he is a bench warming DMF there(he did make a substitute appearance as a CMF not too long ago that was why I didn't take his bait)

Very true..
Ogu still won it ahead of Nwakame that season though.

Icon79:
TB, I was just about to make the same point. You gotta consider the competition before we decide how much stock we'd put on the award. As the saying goes, in the land of the blind, a one eyed man becomes king. If you don't have too many quality foreign players playing in the Israeli league then anybody can win it easily (even a mediocre player) but that doesn't make you a super star.


O pari

CHINA: FA Cup - Semi-finals:

Shanghai Shenxin 0-1 Shanghai Shenhua
Obafemi Martins score to take Shenhua to the Final -- 2-0 on aggregate.

Trabz na .. he still dey there.
He is a dmf/cmf I think

forgiveness:
Where does Onazi plays?

I don't consider it a snub. if you consider it a snub -- fine. I don't argue about EVERYTHING. It's not a necessary argument.

somehow:
If its not a snub, what do we call it?

oga na, abi wetin "rather" mean?.. lol

tbaba1234:
Best foreign player is not the same as best player in the league. Only Nwakeame has won that.

PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga - Round 8:

Chaves VS Tondela (8.30PM Nigerian Time)
Our eyes is on 20 year old center-back Junior Pius (Tondela)

FINLAND: Veikkausliiga - Round 29:

VPS 1-2 HIFK(FT)
Another Nigerian also won away.
However, Finnish-Nigerian Left-back Nnaemeka Anyamele remained in HIFK's dugout for the entire encounter.
The 23 year old has represented Finland at the junior levels.

FINLAND: Veikkausliiga - Round 29:

Inter Turku 1-2 KuPS(FT)

Reuben Gabriel scored a brace (38', 88') to help KuPS beat Turku away. He was on for the entire duration
Compatriot and teammate Gbolohon Salami hopped off the bench in the 68th.

Turku featured Philip Njoku from the start till the 79th minute.

I won't consider that a snub. And yes are right. He is the coach. He decides. We can only make suggestions.

somehow:
Well just like Obi is being snubbed for Agu.. Well he's in charge (the coach) so he takes the fall/praise.

The best is what we need and he owes us that.