₦airaland Forum

CFCfan:
The NFF have promised to pay each the team $50,000; $100,000; and $250,000 if they reach the quarter finals, semifinals and final respectively.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/182928-world-cup-nigeria-promises-falcons-250000-if-they-play-finals.html

This is massive! Believe me, this can do wonders.

This picture makes me remember that clown called Ayedee. making up imaginary things in the run up to elections. He managed to make money off gullible GEJ and PDP sha.

Forget mathematical Segun Odegbami. We now have Physics Awoniyi.

“I have six A's, two B's and a C at O-levels. My best result was in physics. I hope at some point in my life I will major in mechanical engineering.”

Unusual words to read on a football site, but Nigeria's Taiwo Awoniyi is a special young player. Stereotypically, footballers are not considered to be particularly academically inclined, focusing on the pursuit of a sporting dream rather than scholarly achievements. Awoniyi is trying to juggle both, and it seems probable that his studies will have to be placed on the back burner as his footballing career is likely to take off.

Although still a few months short of his 18th birthday, Awoniyi is already a world champion - having played in all seven games as Nigeria won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 - and this year he helped the Nigerians to a continental title at the CAF U-20 Championship. Later this month, he will be in New Zealand as a member of the Flying Eagles squad that is hoping to win a first-ever global title at this age group for the west African country.

Good performances at every step of the way have put him on the radar of a number of big clubs, both in Europe and north Africa, but it is not something that he is focused on at the moment. “I am focusing on the task ahead," he said. "I’m still a free player, but I hope my future will be decided before the World Cup.”

High expectations
Awoniyi started playing at school before joining the United Academy in Kwara State. He later moved to Imperial Soccer Academy and thereafter joined the Nigeria U-15, then U-17 and now the U-20 team, with whom he will be playing at the World Cup. “With the preparations we have put in, we want to be world champions in New Zealand. Every game will be a cup final for us,” he says.

The Flying Eagles have been drawn into a tough group with five-time champions Brazil, Hungary and Korea DPR. Awoniyi said the players did not know much about the teams they would be facing. “We are yet to watch any videos of our opponents, but our coaches have concentrated fully on preparing us for whatever challenges we will come across. We are ready.”

Surprisingly, the striker, who is considered a predator with an eye for goal, says that their greatest strength is not what they are capable of on the field. “Our biggest strength is outside the pitch of play. It is the unity among the players. We are a big, happy family. On a personal level, scoring goals comes naturally to me. I also hold the ball up-front and try and bring my team-mates into the attack. I play for the team as well.”

Nigeria has won the FIFA U-17 World Cup more often than any other country (four times), but has fallen short at the U-20 level, twice losing the final and once finishing third. “I think that is because we need continuity in the various national teams," said Awoniyi. "I believe if there is continuity, as is the case with us now, from U-17s to U-20s, we can change all that. We are very hopeful that we will be able to change it this year.”

Winning the U-17 World Cup has been the highlight of Awoniyi's career thus far. “It changed the lives of most of us, many got clubs abroad and changed the lives of our families. I was able to build a house for myself, like most of the other players in the team.”

Awoniyi is, of course, hoping for another life-changing experience in New Zealand, but failing there is not something which worries him greatly. “Football is unpredictable. We are African champions and we want to prove ourselves again at the World Cup. I don’t want to think of failure in New Zealand because I believe in this team.”
Source: http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2015/m=5/news=friday-nigerian-group-go-for-daring-double-2602976.html

BascoVanVeli:
Yo why is this tourney starting the same time as the under 20 it takes the spotlight off of the women they should have at least made it July august

FIFA is run by a man closer to his grave than to the future.

Who are the star players expected to show their talents at this U20? The stand out names? apart from Nigerian players offcourse.
The brazil list is here. Mostly homebased, as expected.

See the difference in handshake between the two people.

If you want to know a leader, check their handshakes. GMB's handshakes have always been either on top or at par. This was a serious visible exposure of GEJ as a whimp, who had no weight in the international community. He will shake hands like a houseboy, slouch when standing, hands behind his back when listening,etc.
Im just happy Buhari is putting respect back to the name Nigeria.

This NFF is shaming itself. Plenty teams will jump at playing Nigeria. This doesnt really bother me though. Playing U23 men is enough physical test for the ladies. Ghana and Cameroon however offer no technical add up.

It has gotten to that stage where I am comfy with any player dropped. Manu Garba has proved over and over again to pick his team based on merit. For the fact that we're not with them in camp, we do not know the most in form players. What I just want is to have a TEAM that is going to beat the world.
The success of this team has always being in taking their chances and attacking space, not individual qualities per se.

dodobytes:
Esther Sunday may likely be included in d final squad.But her place on d bench is reserved.No chance in hell she will be starting ahead of d likes of Ordega n Umotong.

I personally feel in d interest of the team,Esther Sunday shld b dropped,we have better quality options.Much has been said already on this issue.

With concerns about our central defence,it is good to know dat we have Faith Ikidi to give Onome n Ohale a run for their money.

In other news ahead of d world cup I read dat a psychologist has been employed for d team.Good move by NFF,now let's get top friendly games for d girls.

You underestimate Esther Sunday a lot. Umotong is new, and believe me, Sunday is much better than her. Ordega was being benched for Sunday at the start of the AWC.
As for Ikidi, I believe she will make the team, though Ohale will most likely not be in the starting 11.

CFCfan:
I've always thought that Okon's decision to field Whyte over the past few months was only to give her some competitive experience, albeit against weaker African teams.
There were lots of occasions when she fumbled set-pieces which would have been punished by superior technical opposition.
I won't be surprised if Dede starts at the WC. Her relative calmness in goal and experience will be handy at the tourney.

Dede is miles ahead of Whyte in terms of calmness and even agility. Whyte cannot read the game properly.
Also agree that Okon is tactically poor. He has only one plan, and sticks to that for 90 minutes. Against Sweden, our girls will play with heart and zero tactical input from the bench.

Awoniyi is a brilliant striker. I watched him against Congo and he was superb. his greatest asset is that defenders do underate him. Now na to begin beg NEPA for light for Naija vs Brazil. Generator is banned in my area after midnight.

TheGoodJoe:
It seems German clubs have U23 sides. Probably the B teams of the Club.

Good then. I can imagine an U23 team being the B team then. Maybe players returning from injury from the first team, and their U21 graduates.

Just a side-note. There are no U23 teams in Hoffeinheim. I dont think any European club will have U23 teams too. They usually stop at U21.
Is Manu's team playing team B of Hoff? If so, that is a bigger test than their youth team (U19).

tbaba1234:
Some people will cry on friday..

Pyabara, Sokari surely. Wasiu maybe.

Simon Moses confirmed to be in the 21-man squad, without spending a day in camp. Shows how good he is really. Bu--ff--aa-llo they call him. I watch his youtube highlights anytime I feel like hyping myself for our U20.

Another lame university. What is this nonsense?

Esther Sunday will surely make the team, and she will be in the starting line up most times. I dont know what the fuss is about Ihezuo. Apart from her energy, she's pretty average as a striker.
The front 3 will almost always be Esther or Ordega, Oparanozie and oshoala.
Goalkeeper? Dede anyday over Whyte. Faith Ikidi should also be in the starting line up. She's the best defender in Swedish league. Same as Sarah Micheal, though she hasnt played for Nigeria in a long time
watch the final of the AWC and I believe the starting 11 is close to this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX2GpmZ7Rt0

For a lady, your cooking is average. I score you 5 out of 10. Your amala making skill is non existent. the economy can be blamed for your watery soup. That volume of soup for 5 slices of fish, economy ba wa.

he fits in so much. Just like a Nigerian.

" O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allaah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” [Quran 5:90]

Plain and simple.

LMAyedun:
No matter what, stealing shouldn't be encouraged.. No justification.

Not in this case. They will probably end up in jail because they cannot afford the money to bail themselves. 2 more prisoners, able bodied Nigerians taken out of the productive system.

Who the blawdy hell arrested these people. They are hungry and need the yams to feed themselves and families.
I dont mind buying those tubers of yam and giving it to them. Nigerians will rather beat these men and praise the thieves who hold political posts.

This is Sapade area, closer to Ibadan. Confirmed story.

To mind our own business no dey hungry us.

hamilton62:
So what do you mean, we should go back to pre medieval era where publication is almost null?
Remember, A single wrong can tarnish a thousand good but the truth is that this has become the Islam way now and what do you want others who are not to believe?
If you believe Islam to be peace, fight to redeem it from the defilers because those are the people you guys ought to label INFIDEL and not those far better than....
Well, you know what I mean

Islam doesnt need no redemption, the media does. Anyway the media is just giving you folks news you want to hear. The smart ones know this and see through the media gimmick.

UK is beautifying ISIS for these people. THe amount of coverage is encouraging youths to join ISIS. Why do they not talk about positive actions doen by Muslims on daily basis?

Live stream:
http://original.livestream.com/znsbahamas

Nigeria is participating in the events today. Todays schedule: (all time Nigerian time)
00:12 mens 4x400m relay. Nigeria no chance, in same heat as USA, Jamaica and Botswana
00:40. Mens 4 x 100m relay. Nigeria have a chance to come second behind Jamaica.
01:31. Womens 4x 400m relay. Nigeria favorite to win the heat.
02:40. Womens 4 x 200m relay final. Nigeria has a chance for Bronze too.
lets keep the vigil.
After the relays, we watch maypaq!

Its on pay per view. In Europe, the fight is going for nothing less than 10k naira per view. I am hanging on to some websites for live streaming.

CFCfan:
I'm predicting the reverse: wins against Australia and Sweden, and a draw with the US.
The lowest point tally would be 5: a win against Australia, and draws with Sweden and the US. I see the Super Falcons being the runners up in the group.

Are we being too patriotic or being realistic?
ps. Is there a thread for tonight's world relays?

Exactly 35 days to the start of the world cup. So how many points can we make from our group games? I predict an audacious 7 points. Wins against USA and Australia, draw with Sweden in the first match.