₦airaland Forum

Oh yes not forgetting Musa Muhammed. We expected a lot from him

Icon4s:
The last time I heard about Edwin Okon he was about to get married.

Zaharadeen Bello is with Kano Pillars.

The defenders from that FIFA U17 WC crop have not progressed well.

you should get a thousand likes. I'm surprised. Truth is really bitter.

komekn:
No your words are prejudiced, bigoted, jaundiced and lack substance filled with unsubstantiated negative assumption.

You changed the goal post without apology or shame, when you assumed we were begging them.

I would also inform you not all the players you call foreign birthed players were born in the UK. Quite a few were born in Nigeria and came to the UK at a very young age. So change your assumptions.

Let me tell you what happens prior to the selection of age grade players And I have first hand participatory information from painful experience.

Unfortunately, our officials are known to ask for bribes and other inducements and that goes to the highest levels. The second problem is that our organisation approach and structure in engaging with these players is mostly organised chaos.

One should not be penalised for an expectation of professionalism and integrity. Because you want to play for Nigeria does not mean you accept poor management and unprofessionalism. I should therefore accept rubbish.

We find it hard to accept the truth that is mostly bitter. These boys are not at fault but the false news that is spread when they don't play the game the Nigerian way.

Because you have accepted corruption, nepotism, deceit and unprofessionalism as being normal. It doesn't mean that everybody else should.

Thee boys are not desperately hungry and will not sign off thier match bonuses to corrupt officials or give the obligatory loyalty payments to show appreciation and supposed respect for elders.

We need to wake up and get our act in order and we will not have to make a case to convince players to come to represent their father land.

Our track record is abysmal. Consider how Sone Aluko was treated it's simply shambolic. Younger players watch and think if that's the way you treat players then what's the point

I could tell you stories off the Nigerian team being at camp abroad in the past and unable to pay thier hotel bills. Of course the players contributed and paid it all, with the promise of reimbursement that never materialized, but that is not right, it's actually quite shameful. Or I could talk about flight tickets costs never reimbursed back to players but budgeted for.

You perverse ideology is that to be Nigerian they need to accept this types of underhanded behaviour and practices as normal. I SAY NO. This is the very reason why the nation is where it is, this type of mindset that you propagate.

If you accept rubbish you become rubbish, so what comes out is rubbish. A people are often a reflection of thier leaders. I am verging on politics so I'll stop here.

But are we suppose to take all those remarks as insults? Instead of roping all of them, let's call it for what it really is from case to case.

If I have dual nationality, and I prefer to play for one country over the other, my decision has to be respected. How I say it does matter. I can't choose two countries at the same time. Let me repeat, patriotism for either country can truly be demonstrated when both countries come calling -- when there is a thug of war.

Balogun, if memory serves me right was in Bundesliga II when he showed interest playing for Nigeria. Was he considered one of Germany's bright prospect. capital No. Same applies to Troost Ekong and many of them. Iwobi had a very close tie with iconic Okocha. Someone posted here a few pages back how Okocha and his family had helped him a lot in his professional decisions even to planning his finances. So Iwobi's case is a very special case. Okocha is a big big figure in Nigerian football. Now that's a big influence. For the Baloguns, I'm not questioning their commitment, as they have put more than 100% while donning the white and green. I'm just saying if these players were highly considered by the other countries at the time, I feel most will not choose Nigeria. So it's really not a matter of patriotism as we make it seem. At least patriotism is not a big factor. There are other factors. I think it's more of a personal professional decision to me.

Today Umtiti is in the French national team, despite representing Cameroon at the U17 level I think, heaven did not fall down. We've had Ghanians play for Germany. We've had so many other cases showing even European teams are taking advantage of the option.

Let players make their choice, and let's move on. I think it will only be painful when we ourselves don't have good options at the home front. But that's our own doing. Let's stop nursing grudges.

junnyjake:
I don't really know for others, but for me I hate it when we go asking for these players to represent us and what we get in return is insults and unnecessary info we are well aware of.

I don't know about you, but as for me I'd like to our see players - those that feel Nigerian. Those that are aware of the flaws in our system and would still out of love for the country crave to put on the green Jersey.

I could remember a German born player (can't remember his name) saying he doesn't want to represent us because of the political instability in the country. Well screw him for saying that. Balogun and Ekong opted to play for us despite that.


Of course, I won't fault any player who opts to play for the country of their birth, if they feel they stand a chance there.

For example, if Tammy Abraham chooses England over us, that might be a nice decision. Rooney is 33, Defoe is 36, Vardy 30, harry Kane 25. It won't be too long before he and Kane create a formidable force upfront.

What I'm saying in essence is, if a player of dual nationality takes sides after careful considerations/calculations all we can do is wish them the best. And on their parts they can politely decline our offer without saying trash about us.

My point is our quest to field foreign based players is in itself not a problem but an attempt to find a temporary fix to the void created by our poor football development and organization.

Of course we want a situation were the foreign born players we need are not average players but world class players. Even in that situation we will need to tidy the way we make our approach on them and we will need demonstrate that playing for Nigeria is indeed a thing of pride not just by mouth but by track record of good organization and achievement.

Humility017:
stop playing to the gallery...
I have never for once on these forum hide my love for foreign groomed players....
common sense should teach that...if the 10 millions Nigerians in Europe could provide such a mass of talents that we are all jostling for to come play for us...
how much more...the 180 milion Nigerians at home....If only the structures and organisation are well in place

The Championship yesterday:

Hull 2-3 Wolves
Ola Aina was on from start to finish for the home side.
Enobakhare had an assist for Wolves' second goal, and later made way in the 60th minute.

Thank you.

It's just like me saying let the South South develop football so that most of the players from the SE will be from the South South. My people, foreign-born players are Nigerians like everyone else. Let's stop all those labeling, division and sentiments.

Modified
It's just like Trump and white nationalists feeling like they are the real Americans, at the expense of blacks, Jews etc. It's actually prejudice my brother. We show these signs even in our many cases of tribalism. It's a pity.

komekn:
Can you explain your negative prejudice and assumptions as seen in bold.

What do you mean by begging them

Foreign players is not a problem. It's an option for Nigeria just as it is for other countries. Let's keep sentiments out of the issue. I can tell you that the likes of Germany, Argwntina and even Brazil have failed to qualify for underaged WC one time or the other but that did not create a void in their system.

Manu Garba had an all inclusive policy while building for the U20 World Cup in 2015 several players who initially failed the MRI made the cut. The likes of Etebo were given a chance

Humility017:
exactly.....
it is so painful...
I believe we can operate a system...where we won't go begging these foreign born to come play for us....
though we might go after some still....but not on route of going to beg them .
why can't the nff start a regional tournament of under 15 league....under 17 league and under 19....
the problem we have been recreating is heading on a journey to nowhere...
why go embark on an under 15 promise tournament if there are no plans to progress the kids to the next level...
promoting the outstanding under 15 players to the NPFL clubs main team...is not a brainer idea and such can stunt these lads development
managing these age grade leagues can be less expensive...and should be entirely left wit corporate organisations to manage...

Yes I meant to say Finland as regards playing with Salami an Egwuekwe. Bello has been in Kano pillars. has he been playing this season? Likewise Okon. Nooo

tbaba1234:
Bello is a DM in Kano Pillars.

Aliyu Abubakar could not make the cut in Finland.

Dennis Okon nko. That left back was solid. Akwa United signed him in 2015. He was a regular in the previous season, but not heard much about him this season. Also Aliyu Abubakar, was arguably our best center back. Until now he played together with the likes of Egwuekwe and Salami in Sweden before he was loaned to an obscure league. Let's not forget Saharadeen Bello who progressed to the U23 team but did not make the cut to Rio.

Danielnino00:



I used to like the guy sha.. He was good..

Yes the rate of exodus of our players is also a factor.

Danielnino00:
I think the problem lies more with our league. You see most of those u-17 boys, once they hit it at international tournaments, they get carried away. Some greedy agents won't hesitate to get them deals in countries like Greece,Turkey,Malta,Finland etc and they would accept not because those countries are better than Nigeria in football but because their league are better.
The rate at which our best players are running abroad(even countries like Tunisia,Egypt and SA is abroad to them) is rather alarming. It shouldn't be like that. We need to build our homegrown talents at home..


But like you said,corruption has affected virtually every sector of this country.


Its a pity

I like this kid. Great attitude. Wonderful guidance.

BascoVanVeli:
I’m still the same person, says Arsenal's Alex Iwobi

The 21-year-old winger has risen through the ranks at the Gunners and has not let the fame that accompanied it get into his head

Alex Iwobi has declared he is still the same person despite rising through the ranks at Arsenal and becoming an established member of the first team.

The Nigeria international broke onto the scene last season with eye-catching performances whilst making 38 appearances and scoring four goals in all competitions for the Emirates Stadium outfit.

And those performances have also seen him become an integral part of the Super Eagles core but he is adamant those successes haven’t changed who he was.

"I still hang with the same friends when they’re back from uni, every time after training I still go home and sleep," Iwobi told club website.

"Nothing’s really changed, just playing in the first team I guess. I do get recognised more, people are like ‘ahhh’.

"Two years ago you could just come in, I’d normally go back to my old area and play in my cage and no one would bother me, but if I go and play in my cage now - ‘ahhh Alex Iwobi’s here’. I’m still getting used to that because I still feel like I’m the same as my friends and the same person as two years ago, but when people are like ‘do you know what you’ve done?’

"Obviously I was lucky to have an uncle that played football, so he still gives me advice from time to time, but my mum and dad keep me grounded.

"The more I’m progressing, the more money, the more the fame comes with it, but they’re helping me invest because football is a really short career, so they’re also making me think about life outside of football as well a bit more, but I’m not one to go spending and living a flashy lifestyle, I try to keep as humble as I can and I’m still the same.

"That’s what I’m going to keep on saying, I’m still the same person as I was two years ago."

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/alex-iwobi-im-still-the-same-person/1u4v6z4fx43ry13r6xqcybvbhd

Exclusive – Nigeria Rio 2016 Ace Sadiq Umar Passes Torino Medical, Picks Jersey Number
August 15, 201704

Sadiq Umar has completed his loan move from fellow Italian Serie A side Roma to Torino after passing a routine medical, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The 20 year old had his medical in Turin one hour ago, and Torino will confirmed his capture any moment from now on a deal which gives them the option to buy him for €6m.

However Roma inserted a buy back clause in his loan deal, which gives them the option to re-sign him for €8m if Torino decide to make his loan deal permanent after his initial loan at the club.

Already the lanky forward who finished as top scorer for Nigeria at the last Olympic games in Rio has selected a shirt number, settling for his beloved shirt number 19, which was last worn by Manuel De Luca.

Osas Mahawi

--OwnGoalNigeria

Exclusive : Lille Outcast Enyeama Will Return To Super Eagles – Rohr Reveals
August 15, 201708

Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria ‎Gernot Rohr has sensationally confirmed the return of former Super Eagles captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to the team as soon as he regains full fitness.

Rohr confirmed he has a near perfect relationship with the goalkeeper who is currently not in the good books of new coach of French Ligue 1 side Lille Marcelo Bielsa, who axed him from the first team.

The Franco-German coach of the Super Eagles in an exclusive chat with Owngoalnigeria.com revealed, once Enyeama returns to full fitness and also sort out the issues of finding a new club, he is confident he will return to the team.

“The true position is that I have a good relationship with Enyeama and he has a problem with the Federation (NFF) before I came on board as coach, and when I called him and he said there’s a problem with the Federation, I cannot come at the moment” Rohr told Owngoalnigeria.com


“I tried to call him again and now I call him again,‎ he asked to take some leave for his injury. I think the situation is a little bit different, some players who don’t want to play for their national team can change their mind.

“But unfortunately the injury of Vincent means he cannot come for this game against Cameroon, not only that he also has to find another club because his club bought two other goalkeepers.

“So he cannot play at the moment at his club, he must be fit first and also find another club then hopefully he will be motivated to come back to the national team”, Rohr said.

Osas Mahawi

-OwnGoalNigeria

Osimhen scored a brace in Wolfsburg's last pre-season game.

The fact is U-17 boys hardly graduate to U20. U13 to U17 -- great.

Nigeria is still jinxed at the U20 level. I think realistically we have done excellently at the U17 level in 2013 and 2015 considering that those were the youngest side we ever fielded.

Modified.
The problem is we don't know why we still chase foreign based players today. Where are Nigeria's best doctors, Engineers etc. The fact is MOST are abroad. By technocracy we are not talking about your book knowledge but your applied knowledge -- an elite of technical experts. Same applies to Football and so many other spheres of Nigerian life. Which is why if we keep having bad leadership it's going to affect many things that we do. I posted a graph yesterday of our population increase compared to other African countries, and nobody commented. If Nigeria's population is about 70% of the entire Africa and our growth rate is also alarming, that means we should dominate almost everything in Africa. In fact we should dominate football in Africa especially, because we have always put all our focus on football. But that's far from the case.

It's unfortunate. The problem is when people think our problems demands an an easy fix -- graduating U13 boys all the way to U20. We always want short cut solutions. It doesn't happen like that in reality. Short cut solutions only bring short-term success.

Until our league and in fact the structure of our football development from Primary school level to University level is improved greatly, we won't be able to churn out stars in a regular basis. This is what separates us from the like of Germany. These countries don't put too much effort in winning under aged tournaments like we do.

Danielnino00:
Abi oo. The NFF should just keep it up.. Develop the boys right from u-13 to u-20 and there would be no need to chase foreign born Nigerian players..

I agree with you, not trying to take anything from him. But for now, he can benefit immensely from a striker who can complement him.

goldfish80:
This is what I'm saying. As a striker, I expect him to bring more than goals to the table. Several aspect of his game really needs to be fine tuned. His first touch is still underdeveloped, playing with his back to goal is a big minus, arielly he doesn't win anything and his right foot is quite bad to put it mildly.
The positives to his game are shooting and positioning which are excellent, his passing is decent enough and he's very good from set pieces (corner kicks, Pks). If he can work on his weaknesses he could become a hit, he is young so he can still hit that celine.

Sorry just seeing this. Glad you have retraced your steps as regards the Girona loan move.
Austria Wien is the same as Austria Vienna. The former is the German version. Just like Bayern Munich versus Bayern München.

Mickael2:
I thought Kayode is in Austria Vienna? And no, it isn't an upgrade by any means, which one is a newly promoted team again? If it's mid-table teams then I may consider that but Girona?

At this stage, we know kelechi's strengths and weaknesses. There are games he would not excel. Personally, I think Kelechi is not a gra gra player.
He needs some space to operate. He has not done badly in the EPL because he is a talented kid. But I think his true potential would be seen somewhere like the Spanish or German league.

goldfish80:
Inzaghi and Costa fight for their teams even when things are bad. You see the fire they bring to their teams,you see them dominate CBs, set up team mates, win aerial duels,battle/dominate when they go toe to toe with opposition players and keep the opposing goalkeepers busy. Can you point out a game Costa had about 12 touches last season?

After the Leicester City game, you came online to scream how you were robbed a penalty and bragged about Kelechi having a good game, obviously you wanted so badly to justify how the Pep drills are working wonders.

You speak like a man who have wagered his life savings on Kelechi winning the balon d'Or.

There is no guarantee that Iheanacho's goal to minutes ratio at Man City last year would guarantee he would be the most deadly striker in world cup qualification. Mind you, he has scored 1 goal after 3 games in World Cup qualification. At the end of the day you can give all the excuses why he din't score more, but the fact is that you meet different opponents and varying circumstances from one competition to another. His stats is good no doubt.

Modified.
World Cup Qualification: Iheanacho has scored 1 goal in 2 games
Moses has scored 2 goals in 2 games.

So should we play Moses at 9 now?

See, that's my point. Moses managed to score a few for Chelsea. But he has the most goals so far for us in the World Cup campaign.

TheGoodJoe:
Nice but in the case of Barcelona, both are very clinical. Like in 2015-2016 that Suarez raked 40 league goals. That is why he can lead the line. In our case, do we have a striker close to Iheanacho when it concerns being clinical in front of goal? That I why Nacho gets my pick to lead the line. (With respect to the debate, which is Etebo - Nacho). The margin is wide.

You are stil not getting my point. For me this is not an Etebo versus Iheanacho discussion. I'm just trying to explain to you the most lethal doesn't necessarily have to be the CF. Messi was the highest scorer last year. And he has ended as the highest in 3 other occasions. But Barcelona can get the most of him for the team if he operates from the wing for example, where Suarez may struggle to excel. So you see there are other factors that need to be considered. Someone was arguing that Etebo does not play as a 10 for his club last year, that means Ajagun was better,
because the latter could never be displaced from the 10 position in Roda. Today, Ajagun plays right midfield. The qualities and weaknesses of your teammate can lead the coach to deploying you on a particular role, it does not necessarily have to do with your strengths alone. Other factors are taken into consideration like how the team wants to play and who can do better on a specific role.

For example I may choose to use Iheanacho in a role where he can shoot at goal more often or cross more often. Playing him as a CF will not help that strategy.

TheGoodJoe:
Messi lately has not been convincing to me, although he has been far away from goal. But Suarez, from Liverpool to Barca has been just amazing when it comes to converting chances.

Either way, they are both exceptional in goal. Etebo does not have that kind of goal scoring history and I doubt he can Outshine Nacho in camp when it comes to goal conversion.

The current competition to me is Onyekuru and not Etebo.

haha.. It's not true that the most clinical player always play CF. Don't u watch as these strikers roam. It's not static o. You will see Ronaldo also score form angles.
the next moment he scores from the middle. Messi as well you will see him in Attacking midfield. Sometimes he is at the wings. Suarez is not the most clinical in Barca. Messi is.

TheGoodJoe:
Even if you have three striking combination, one must spearhead the attack. In Barcelona today, it is Suarez and he is today more clinical than Messi to the best of my knowledge. I will prefer Suarez leading the attack than Messi. I wonder who you feel is better leading.

The most clinical forward does not always play as a Center Forward. Have you noticed that Messi hardly plays 9, Even Ronaldo also. We need a three-prong, or two-prong fire power. I don't care where Iheanacho plays. Etebo didn't play 9 when he scored four times in our Olympics opener. Let's have 2 to 3 strikers that can fire from any angle, complementing each other as well. Football don't have to be rigid.

TheGoodJoe:
As I said before Etebo is not a good choice to spearhead our attack when we have Iheanacho in the side. When it comes to selection, it is best to have the most clinical finisher ahead to make the most of the chances.

My take on this Iheanacho issue. Iheanacho has great potential. But let's not put too much pressure on him prematurely. If we put the SE attack weight solely on him, we will pay dearly for it. Scoring of goals should be a shared responsibility. We do not lack strikers that can deliver. Just because he delivered when others didn't at some point in the past, does not mean he will do that consistently. Building our midfield and attack around him may prove suicidal in future. So let's quit that talk of him being our sole striker.

Good!

tbaba1234:
Sadiq Umar has been signed by Torino on loan with an option to buy for 6 Million Euros.

We are use to bad officiating, and bad turf

BascoVanVeli:
CHAN Qualifier: Why Super Eagles suffered Cotonou defeat – Pinnick

Published 2 mins ago on August 14, 2017

By Chijioke Jannah

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has blamed the home-based Super Eagles’ defeat to Benin Republic in the first leg of their 2018 CHAN qualifier in Cotonou to poor officiating.

Pinnick, who was present at the match venue, told journalists after the game that he has taken up the issue with the appropriate body following the manner Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal handled the game.

He also said that the Nigerian side did not deserve to win in Cotonou.

The NFF boss said: “The officiating was very poor and I have notified the authorities concerning it.

“I wasn’t really impressed with our players. I don’t know what happened. They are all very highly rated players, some of the best in our league but to me they didn’t live up to expectations.

“Some of those factors like the officiating must have affected them. But like I said, we will do everything possible in the second leg to make sure we qualify for CHAN.
“I believe we will do our best on the second leg in Kano.

“But I can say emphatically that the officiating was very poor and the turf too affected our game but we will be able to overcome those two challenges in the next game and qualify. By God’s grace we are going to work hard to make sure we qualify.”

It could be recalled that Benin Republic team was awarded an 89th minute penalty converted by their skipper Seibou Mama following a foul on a Beninoise player inside the box by Azeez Aremu.

http://dailypost.ng/2017/08/14/chan-qualifier-super-eagles-suffered-cotonou-defeat-pinnick/

For those who can read graph, what does this portend?
Look below

Oh yes that too. What's even the population of Benin Rep.?

BascoVanVeli:
Or maybe Benin republic are not just a bunch of bums.

See as fans dey ask, "Who?"
Someone tweeted, "Another Nigerian". lol

Lordabas:
As e dey hottt


BREAKING: @ManCity agree deal to sign Olarenwaju Kayode from Austria Vienna with striker to join Girona on season-long loan #SSN https:///kCziSFDjZE

Mikel is back for Tianjin Teda. They are currently trailing at home to Hebei CFFC 0-2
Mikel with a WhoScored rating of 7.3 (Teda's second best).

Nice debut from Tammy. He started and lasted 81 minutes!!!
WhoScored rating 6.41. Not bad for a start.

#NumbersDontLie #NoSentiments

Modified. Pre-Season tweets
Tammy abraham‏Verified account @tammyabraham Aug 5
Nice end to pre season with a win �nice to get on the score sheet again �� seasons soon back !
81 replies 269 retweets 2,537 likes

Tammy abraham‏Verified account @tammyabraham Jul 29
Nice to get more minutes today against Birmingham and nice to get another goal ⚽️ thanks to travelling fans today! #Jackarmy
47 replies 308 retweets 2,794 likes

Tammy abraham‏Verified account @tammyabraham Jul 20
Nice to get my first minutes for @SwansOfficial and to top it off with a goal ⚽️#Jackarmy

safarigirl:
excuse me, did I say not to discuss your golden boy? I am asking what the discussion is based on and you can't provide a parameter

Anyway, knock yourselves out with Kelechi


Please, did anyone else watch Swansea's game? At least Team English boys should assist on Tammy's performance

Maybe our best defenders are in the NNL lol

BascoVanVeli:
I just dey look u.
So were u expecting to walk over Benin, keeping in mind

Etebo was a 9 in his Warri Wolves days.
He didn't play as a 9 when he scored several goals in the Olympics.

goldfish80:
You should know the usual Kelechi defenders. They took it out on me for saying I'd rather have Etebo as the false 9 against Cameroon than Kelechi. Obviously oblivious that Etebo plays as a striker for his team, they attacked me for suggesting a supposed DM should play up top, this earned me a place in the blacklist of Kelechi haters association, nairaland branch

I hope they read Etebo started in the attack like he did for most part of last season.