Ex-international, Henry Nwosu, has advised the Nigeria Football Federation not to beg the likes of Jordon Ibe of Liverpool to play for Nigeria, saying there are equally good players who are willing to play for the Super Eagles.

Nwosu told our correspondent that Ibe, who was born in England to a Nigerian father, is not a better player than Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, a home-grown talent.

The NFF has indicated interest in wooing the likes of Ibe, Alex Iwobi of Arsenal and other players of Nigerian descent to play for the country.

Nwosu, an ex-Golden Eaglets coach, said it was proper to give the players the chance to represent Nigeria, but noted that they were not better than some of the home-grown talents in the U-20 and U-23 national teams.

He said, “If Jordon Ibe and the others don’t feel like playing for Nigeria, good luck to them. They won’t be the first to deny Nigeria. But at the end of the day, they will regret it. If we give it a push, try to get them to play for the Super Eagles, and they are still proving stubborn, we should let them go.

“We have abundant good players in this country. To play for your country is most important. Who said Ibe is better than Kelechi Iheanacho? I don’t think so. You can’t say, until both of them are put on opposing sides and their performances are measured.”

Nineteen-year-old Ibe, who has made an impact on Liverpool’s senior team, has played for England at U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels, but can still represent Nigeria at senior level.

Link:.http://www.punchng.com/sports/ibe-not-better-than-iheanacho-nwosu/

They should not beg anybody to come and play .I remember Reuben Agboola traced his root back to Nigeria and was tested and certified good to play for the country.That is spirit of Patriotism.These are not established stars yet and why are we worrying ourselves because of them?

Inasmuch as nothing is wrong in using forigen born players i will advice that we should not neglect our home grown players for that will be ten step backward one step forward.

Nwosu you have spoken well. Ibe is good, but definitely not as good as Kelechi. Anyway they don't play the same position, Kelechi is a phenomenal in midfield, while Ibe overlapping runs from defence to attacking give him more credit.

I dont want to believe that we are overhyping this boy(ihenacho). The praise is becoming too much, i hope he perform when he get to the super eagle

There is nothing wrong in we getting all of them both England, German and Nigerian born. We need to invite every inevitable player. The Super Eagles are on an SOS mode.

And Mr Henry Nwosu (MON) the NFF is not begging anybody, they are only lobbying for their switch in nationality.

1, Am yet to think when last Iheanacho kicked a ball in anger, Whereas Ibe plays
2, They do not play the same position
3, Ibe's age can be verified compared to the other Nigerian
4, You dont beg, you send an invite

omar22:
1, Am yet to think when last Iheanacho kicked a ball in anger, Whereas Ibe plays
2, They do not play the same position
3, Ibe's age can be verified compared to the other Nigerian
4, You dont beg, you send an invite

Iheanacho has been injured since January,which has slowed his developent. He prolly would've been loaned out like nwakali if not for the injury.

I assume Nwosu was talking about their abilities. Which has nothing to do with wether iheanacho has been playing or not.
Nwosu probably have seen both players play to conclude that Ibe is not better.
IMO(from what i've seen of both players), Ibe is just like your normal pacy English winger that relies mainly on pace. Iheanacho applies more of brain,his play is more mature and is ahead of ibe technically and in terms offootball intelligence.
Ibe is similar to d likes of sterling,lennon,walcott e.t.c
Iheanacho's play is similar to d likes of Silva, Ozil, J.Rodriguez.

naijanoni:

Iheanacho has been injured since January,which has slowed his developent. He prolly would've been loaned out like nwakali if not for the injury.

I assume Nwosu was talking about their abilities. Which has nothing to do with wether iheanacho has been playing or not.
Nwosu probably have seen both players play to conclude that Ibe is not better.
IMO(from what i've seen of both players), Ibe is just like your normal pacy English winger that relies mainly on pace. Iheanacho applies more of brain,his play is more mature and is ahead of ibe technically and in terms offootball intelligence.
Ibe is similar to d likes of sterling,lennon,walcott e.t.c
Iheanacho's play is similar to d likes of Silva, Ozil, J.Rodriguez.

Ibe is a winger or wing back which relies heavily on pace and which is far different from Iheanacho who is a support striker. Now since pre-season Iheanacho hasnt played, and having the choice between Ibe or Ambrose, I wont pick the Celtic player.

omar22:


Ibe is a winger or wing back which relies heavily on pace and which is far different from Iheanacho who is a support striker. Now since pre-season Iheanacho hasnt played, and having the choice between Ibe or Ambrose, I wont pick the Celtic player.

True on Ibe.But
In the U-17s Iheanacho Played as a Right Winger always cutting into his left foot,just like silva at city before they changed formation or Ozil at arsenal sometimes. And thats the position he has played in all nigeria's matches.
That said, Ibe is a player with great potentials.And i think it would be great to have both ibe and Iheanacho in our National team. But that seems very unlikely. Ibe is 90 percent English.He'll choose england over nigeria.
But There is bo harm in trying. The NFF or keshi should show interest first.