Kog45:
Sir this coming WC is not about prospect but performance,so better to have player that would give us optimum performance than only prospect,i remember the same Ajayi was put to bench by Sadiq Umar at Rio.

Truly he is having good performance at Egyptian league and making CAF team but what would you say having Ideye,Nwakaeme even Kayode in Egypt league, pls consider this factor.

I don't think this coming WC is meant for the likes of Sadiq Umar, Junior Ajayi,Taiwo Awoniyi,and Victor Osimhen,as you said i see them as good prospects for 2022 WC.

I don't see him as one for the WC either, but I think he still deserves a place in the squad in one of our friendlies or the 35 man list.

Talking about Sadiq Umar benching Ajayi. That was quite some time ago. How has Sadiq's game progressed since then?

After all Manu Garba dropped Etebor and Ajayi from his 2015 U20 squad. Today where are the likes of Bulbwa, Mathew, Awoniyi and Sokari who made the team. Compare Sokari with Etebor who are like a like for like to each other

Several factors influence players selection. So because Sadiq benched Ajayi at Rio and Sadiq is not being considered yet doesn't make Ajayi not good enough for a consideration.

SerVik:
The question of FB for flying Eagles is a tricky one.

Spending scarce resources in terms of flight tickets and logistics for players all over Europe to turn up for an U20 or U17 camping is something many might not see as a wise pursuit.

It doesn't only affect Foreign borns. Sometimes even homegrown talents that moved abroad are excluded from qualifiers for this same reason.

Coaches then make do with the available homebased players. By the time these set of players qualify for the world cup, they'd have gained some level of chemistry and camaraderie, so much so that it becomes difficult to drop these players for the foreign based and dual nationals.

Injection of new players into these set is therefore not wholesome, as very few new additions are made. That is why a player like iheanacho, even with his exploits at the U17 and man city, was still made to sit on the bench for a homebased player at the world cup.

this is spot on, lovely input

Nice read so far...

Waiting to see the 35 man list from the coach.

New FIFA ranking is out. Nigeria drops one place to 52 rank in the world..


http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index,page=2.htmx

Fortuna Sittard Denies Oliseh's Illegal Activities Claim


Dutch second tier club Fortuna Sittard has denied that former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh was suspended due to his "refusal to to participate in illegal activities".

Oliseh was suspended on Wednesday for what the club "unacceptable actions".

In response Oliseh claimed the club wanted him to "violate the law".

On Thursday a statement from Sittard sais they would be taking legal advice and look to sacking Oliseh.

"Fortuna does not recognize itself at all in these accusations, which were not highlighted by Sunday Oliseh to the club," the club wrote on its website.

"The case will be presented by Fortuna Sittard to the arbitration committee of the KNVB (the Dutch Football Association), an independent body, which will now make an assessment of whether there is sufficient grounds to terminate the employment contract of Sunday Oliseh.

The club also insisted that it did not rush into its decision to suspend Oliseh.

"Fortuna Sittard expressly did not take the decision to suspend Sunday Oliseh overnight," the statement continued.

"The innumerable culpable acts as well as the disrupted employment relationship on the part of Sunday Oliseh have unfortunately led Fortuna to make him non-active.

"Fortuna Sittard has been legally advised by the Federation of Paid Football Organizations (FBO) during the entire process."

They outlined why they took the decision to put Oliseh on "non-active" duties.

"The suspension of the trainer is emphatically not motivated by the four successive losses, although it is fair to say that the disrupted employment relationship between Sunday Oliseh, the group of players and other employees of Fortuna Sittard has had a negative influence."

Oliseh was appointed as Sittard coach in late December 2016.

Sittard finished 17th in the 20-team league at the end of last season but are currently third in the table and are five points behind leader NEC.

With eight wins and just one loss earlier this season the club actually won what is called the "second period" of the league, which is made up of four periods.

The club play in the Eerste Divisie, which is the professional league below the Eredivisie, Holland's topflight, and it consists of 20 clubs.

The Eerste Divisie champions gain automatic promotion to the Eredivisie, while eight clubs made up of the period champions and the other best-ranked teams, will compete in play-offs for two further promotion places.


Source :http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/43072901?__twitter_impression=true

I pray it should henceforth be declared a taboo to discuss any FIFA ranking on this forum. Wetin sef! If we even win the worldcup sef we still drop for FIFA ranking.

I'm seeing the highlights of the game between leverkusen and hertha Berlin. The Berlin keeper pulled an akpeyi. He stopped the ball with his hand, then moved it with his legs, on sighting an oncoming striker, he picked it up again.

An indirect free kick was awarded inside the 18-yard box. Leverkusen missed.

Kog45:
Good point but i disagreed on U 20 level that it should be opened between home grown and FBs.

Sir better to do it 80% HG and 20% FB cos opening it up would have a very negatives effect on our domestic grassroots development meaning the young ones in NPFL would be cut off in the name of FB.

About ages,honestly i hate talking about footballer's age but it seems is one of your strong points to back up FB inclusion,well you are right but that doesn't stop a serious football body to get the right players from home fronts.

We need to preserve our grassroots development programs and league and only way is to get these young ones into U 17 and U 20 cos this is the only avenue to get them attracted to good clubs in Europe.

Manu Garba abandoned his best under 20 players on the bench and went for those who were largely still homebased to help them find clubs. The result was a poor performance which did not help anyone find good European clubs.

If you choose your best players regardless of where they are based. The chance for a good tournament is high. This improves the chances for the home-based to find good clubs.

Spoken like a true professional

tbaba1234:


Manu Garba abandoned his best under 20 players on the bench and went for those who were largely still homebased to help them find clubs. The result was a poor performance which did not help anyone find good European clubs.

If you choose your best players regardless of where they are based. The chance for a good tournament is high. This improves the chances for the home-based to find good clubs.

SerVik:
The question of FB for flying Eagles is a tricky one.

Spending scarce resources in terms of flight tickets and logistics for players all over Europe to turn up for an U20 or U17 camping is something many might not see as a wise pursuit.

It doesn't only affect Foreign borns. Sometimes even homegrown talents that moved abroad are excluded from qualifiers for this same reason.

Coaches then make do with the available homebased players. By the time these set of players qualify for the world cup, they'd have gained some level of chemistry and camaraderie, so much so that it becomes difficult to drop these players for the foreign based and dual nationals.

Injection of new players into these set is therefore not wholesome, as very few new additions are made. That is why a player like iheanacho, even with his exploits at the U17 and man city, was still made to sit on the bench for a homebased player at the world cup.

Valid point but this is where NFF must utilize FIFA windows.

John Obuh tried out a lot of foreign based/born players when he went for the toulon tournament. He eventually still went with his own boys but it was a good trial.

Manu Garba on foreign based for his under 17:

” We are ready to receive players born abroad who are eligible to play for Nigeria and want to play. You can’t deny them their fundamental right. As a coach I have had some of them in the past. Like Ovie Ejaria at Liverpool but I will like to state here that they won’t be giving any preferential treatment ‎, and they have to be better than the players we have in the team. Merit will be out watchword not where you’re coming from”.

OGN

Good one especially when we consider Lateef Omidiji Jnr is based abroad.....

tbaba1234:
Manu Garba on foreign based for his under 17:

” We are ready to receive players born abroad who are eligible to play for Nigeria and want to play. You can’t deny them their fundamental right. As a coach I have had some of them in the past. Like Ovie Ejaria at Liverpool but I will like to state here that they won’t be giving any preferential treatment ‎, and they have to be better than the players we have in the team. Merit will be out watchword not where you’re coming from”.

OGN

Time for the lad to come show his skills. been watching and reading their tweets (Sophia and co)

TheSuperNerd:
Good one especially when we consider Lateed Omidiji Jnr is based abroad.....

forgiveness:




Edward Onaiwu is not yet mature for the Super Eagles. He is still in an academy.


And if Ejide gets a call-up?

All I can say, If the desirable is not available the available becomes desirable.

The question is are these older goalkeepers who are essentially going nowhere but down. Better than the very young and maybe untested but full of potential like Uzoho or even others.

I remember a Nigerian I met at Burnley FC in 2016 he was the U23 goalkeeper, font know where he is now though or how good he really is.

tbaba1234:


I do not know the local league well enough but from those abroad that are likely to play for Nigeria, we have

From Germany

Deji Beyreuther : 18 years left back, made the bench already for Eintrancht Frankfurt, looks on the verge of first team football. Great at set pieces.

Maduka Okoye: 18 year old Goalie, broke to the limelight by rohr's interest in him.. plays for Fortuna Dusseldorf under 19 side.

Brooklyn Ezeh: 16 year old left back, Hamburg

kimberly Ezekwem: 16 year old left back, Bayern Munich (see picture of him with David Alaba below)

Ogechika Heil: 17 year old central midfielder, Hamburg

Cottrell Ezekwem: 18 year on CB, 1860 Munich

With a good scouting team, the Nff can really raise a strong flying eagles side.

let me give you one name from the local league
NURA plays for El kanemi of maduguri and was a member of the chan team

tbaba1234:


Manu Garba abandoned his best under 20 players on the bench and went for those who were largely still homebased to help them find clubs. The result was a poor performance which did not help anyone find good European clubs.

If you choose your best players regardless of where they are based. The chance for a good tournament is high. This improves the chances for the home-based to find good clubs.

you're blessed for this....
reason why many of them rejoice whenever they laud the cadet team job reason because it gives them the opportunity to market players abroad...and get a share from their signings.

SerVik:
The question of FB for flying Eagles is a tricky one.

Spending scarce resources in terms of flight tickets and logistics for players all over Europe to turn up for an U20 or U17 camping is something many might not see as a wise pursuit.

It doesn't only affect Foreign borns. Sometimes even homegrown talents that moved abroad are excluded from qualifiers for this same reason.

Coaches then make do with the available homebased players. By the time these set of players qualify for the world cup, they'd have gained some level of chemistry and camaraderie, so much so that it becomes difficult to drop these players for the foreign based and dual nationals.

Injection of new players into these set is therefore not wholesome, as very few new additions are made. That is why a player like iheanacho, even with his exploits at the U17 and man city, was still made to sit on the bench for a homebased player at the world cup.

I am mostly in agreement with you.

With regard to the U20 we should be looking at players at players who are showing top potential irrespective of location.

All situations have a problem Nigerian factor, in my experience Of recruitment of Nigerian origin players in the UK by the NFF. I find nepotism comes in and settlement. Agents start to run the show in collusion with NFF officials.

tbaba1234:


Manu Garba abandoned his best under 20 players on the bench and went for those who were largely still homebased to help them find clubs. The result was a poor performance which did not help anyone find good European clubs.

If you choose your best players regardless of where they are based. The chance for a good tournament is high. This improves the chances for the home-based to find good clubs.

Pls why is it anytime we had poor outing at any tournament with local coach in charge is either they collect bribe or want to sell their players but for their foreign counterparts we find excuse for them.

I know the foreign one always did nothing wrong,they are the best to you guys,against South Africa i remember how some shifted the poor result on home based assistants as if they are dictating to Rohr,forgetting Rohr is the coach.

Pls can you prove it that Manu Garba collect bribe or want to sell some players outside and decided to keep the best on the bench.

Mind you i rate foreign coach far ahead of local ones based on tactical approach to game but trying to rubbish them on unsubstantiated claims is uncalled for.

SerVik:
The question of FB for flying Eagles is a tricky one.

Spending scarce resources in terms of flight tickets and logistics for players all over Europe to turn up for an U20 or U17 camping is something many might not see as a wise pursuit.

It doesn't only affect Foreign borns. Sometimes even homegrown talents that moved abroad are excluded from qualifiers for this same reason.

Coaches then make do with the available homebased players. By the time these set of players qualify for the world cup, they'd have gained some level of chemistry and camaraderie, so much so that it becomes difficult to drop these players for the foreign based and dual nationals.

Injection of new players into these set is therefore not wholesome, as very few new additions are made. That is why a player like iheanacho, even with his exploits at the U17 and man city, was still made to sit on the bench for a homebased player at the world cup.

I get your point on foreign born players and I also agree with you on commencement of camping with the home based players.But where I don't agree is the execution of the qualifiers with 100% home-based. While foreign based(Nigerian born) players who have signed professional contracts may be difficult to pull out for the qualifiers those who are still academy players are usually available .

During the 2015 AYC qualifiers the only major foreign based member of that squad exempted was Isaac Success. Iheanacho and Yahaya who were with the ManCity and Spurs academies respectively took part in the qualifiers. Though City did not release Iheanacho for the AYC proper. So Iheanacho was not a late entrant to the team. Musa Yahaya featured prominently even at the AYC but was not a starter at the WYC and of course for tactical reasons.

For the Amuneke's U20 Osimhen, K. Nwakali, Kingsley Michael, and Agor were already in European academies and they showed up for the AYC qualifiers.

I don't trust a 100% home-based U20 team well enough to see us through the AYC qualifiers.Players still in the Foreign academies will be available.
And on the issue of cost, let the NFF tell us by themselves that they are broke. After all they have signed some good sponsorship deals of late.

Cosigning. To me, the only time FIFA ranking merits any discussion is from about two years before the next World Cup. Other than that short widow, the FIFA ranking is totally irrelevant.


O pari

Naijaphobia:
I pray it should henceforth be declared a taboo to discuss any FIFA ranking on this forum. Wetin sef! If we even win the worldcup sef we still drop for FIFA ranking.

You gotta be fecking kidding me! Please don't tell me that this man is planning to use foreign based pros to prosecute the U-17 qualifiers? Somebody really need to call these so called coaches to order: No foreign based pros for the cadet teams until you qualify for the real tournament!

At the U-17 levels (even up to the U-20s) most of our best players are still home-based; these coaches just need to discover them. Unfortunately, laziness wouldn't allow them to do their jobs, they would rather find the already made talents somewhere in the Euro soccer academies.

#Shameless


O pari

tbaba1234:
Manu Garba on foreign based for his under 17:

” We are ready to receive players born abroad who are eligible to play for Nigeria and want to play. You can’t deny them their fundamental right. As a coach I have had some of them in the past. Like Ovie Ejaria at Liverpool but I will like to state here that they won’t be giving any preferential treatment ‎, and they have to be better than the players we have in the team. Merit will be out watchword not where you’re coming from”.

OGN

Icon79:
You gotta be fecking kidding me! Please don't tell me that this man is planning to use foreign based pros to prosecute the U-17 qualifiers? Somebody really need to call these so called coaches to order: No foreign based pros for the cadet teams until you qualify for the real tournament!

At the U-17 levels (even up to the U-20s) most of our best players are still home-based; these coaches just need to discover them. Unfortunately, laziness wouldn't allow them to do their jobs, they would rather find the already made talents somewhere in the Euro soccer academies.

#Shameless


O pari

Oga, it is not law that the cadet(U17) players must be all home-based.

It has just been mostly an attempt for the NFF to avoid travelling hitched for the players (as being minors, they would have to come in the company of an adult). Secondly, the cost of flying those players and their guides. Thirdly, the NFF is giving locally groomed players an opportunity to make head way in their footballing careers.

And if the NFF say they are ready to take care of the logistics of bringing those foreign born players who are we to object?

Naijaphobia:
I pray it should henceforth be declared a taboo to discuss any FIFA ranking on this forum. Wetin sef! If we even win the worldcup sef we still drop for FIFA ranking.

What were you expecting from this month's ranking?

Tell us why you think Nigeria should have moved places up?

I agree with you, but I still don't think that it's a good idea. And I can understand if we select a few promising foreign based pros once we qualify for the U-17/20 World Cup, but I don't think that we have any excuse not to use our home based players in the qualifiers especially in this day and age when we've got dozens of soccer academies all over Nigeria!

These coaches should get off their a$$ and visit hundreds of high schools and football academies we have throughout Nigeria. I can assure you that they would unearth enough talent to even win the World Cup. I honestly don't see any need for foreign based players in the qualifying stages. We've got more than enough talents at home, somebody just need to discover them. And that's what we're paying these "coaches" to do.


O pari

Icon4s:


Oga, it is not law that the cadet(U17) players must be all home-based.

It has just been mostly an attempt for the NFF to avoid travelling hitched for the players (as being minors, they would have to come in the company of an adult). Secondly, the cost of flying those players and their guides. Thirdly, the NFF is giving locally groomed players an opportunity to make head way in their footballing careers.

And if the NFF say they are ready to take care of the logistics of bringing those foreign born players who are we to object?

komekn:


I am mostly in agreement with you.

With regard to the U20 we should be looking at players at players who are showing top potential irrespective of location.

All situations have a problem Nigerian factor, in my experience Of recruitment of Nigerian origin players in the UK by the NFF. I find nepotism comes in and settlement. Agents start to run the show in collusion with NFF officials.

Ideally, we should invite the best irrespective of location but in administration, we have to balance the books.

Take the u17 for instance, say we invite 10 foreign based out of 23, 5 from England and 5 from Germany.

According to my checks online, a flight from England to Nigeria costs between £396-£523, from Germany to Nigeria costs between $511-$836.

To fly 5players from England, the NFF will be prepared to part ways with upwards of £2000.
Similarly, to fly 5players from Germany, the NFF will pay $3000. That is averagely N4million in total to and fro expenses to bring those 10 players to Nigeria.

In a typical AYC qualifiers, we'll play 6matches, meaning we'll spend N24million. Consider this also, the lads are U17 and so are expected to come with a parent or guardian, this doubles the expenses to N48million.

The total prize money for the AYC is $150,000 which is roughly equal to N54million.

That is to say, flight costs for 10 foreign based players alone for the period of qualifiers will gulp a staggering 89% of the AYC prize money. Take a minute and think on those figures.
Cc: Icon4s tbaba1234

SerVik:

Ideally, we should invite the best irrespective of location but in administration, we have to balance the books.

Take the u17 for instance, say we invite 10 foreign based out of 23, 5 from England and 5 from Germany.

According to my checks online, a flight from England to Nigeria costs between £396-£523, from Germany to Nigeria costs between $511-$836.

To fly 5players from England, the NFF will be prepared to part ways with upwards of £2000.
Similarly, to fly 5players from Germany, the NFF will pay $3000. That is averagely N4million in total to and fro expenses to bring those 10 players to Nigeria.

In a typical AYC qualifiers, we'll play 6matches, meaning we'll spend N24million. Consider this also, the lads are U17 and so are expected to come with a parent or guardian, this doubles the expenses to N48million.

The total prize money for the AYC is $150,000 which is roughly equal to N54million.

That is to say, flight costs for 10 foreign based players alone for the period of qualifiers will gulp a staggering 89% of the AYC prize money. Take a minute and think on those figures.
Cc: Icon4s tbaba1234

Let's go continue the discussion here : https://www.nairaland.com/4349707/flying-eagles-nigeria-thread-2019#65090692

kennysville:


Have you seen Iheanacho's penalty kicks? No play O! That is like iheanachos one on one with any goalie.... Dude go finish any goalie wella! I am not hyping but to me, he is better than VicMo in PK

Actually his coach at man city then pellegrini confirmed it...he mentioned his spot kick prowess when there was a tussle for pk btw him and sterling, zabaleta had to take the ball from sterling and give it to nacho..

Pellegrini said there was a way he plays his pk that makes it difficult for goalies to guess right..

Joebie:
That's what the caption says -- "desperate".
But who is not working hard to go the the world cup?
Don't the man need to pay his bills as well? He would have still tried to secure a club anyway, world cup or not.

Like I've said if he gets a call up, then your position is reinforced.
If not, will you drop your claims?

bookmark this

Modified
The growth is in your position held as regards Agu conspiracy.. please take note

Austin Ejide is desperate to go to the world Cup. Finito.

All you are saying up there na to save face.

My aim is to blow alarm for such not to happen. So, if it doesn't happen, it is a good tactics but if not, I go still blow alarm.

My friend, you need to grow. Finito

What is Agu's conspiracy? It seems you just want to talk but before you do that, think and get your facts right.

Icon4s:


I said it, but Bascovanveli, who prefers to project his " Pure Gold " said it is because he is my boy.

Junior Ajayi remains one of our most underrated strikers. It is not every player that I clamor for a national team invite.

He deserves at least a place in the 35 man list. I see him as a better prospect than Brown Ideye and Anthony Nwakaeme. His profile has continued to rise and I see him moving to Europe pretty soon. He obviously is one for the future even if he doesn't make Russia.

U are the only one projecting a player here. I simply gave my opinion on Sokari, I never asked that he be included in as much as a friendly. But u on the other hand have already booked a ticket to the training camp in Europe, which is totally ridiculous unless u are the man Rohr himself. The Brown Ideye that u are talking about has played back to back 90 minutes in La Liga and he has already been a part of Rohr's plans.

SerVik:
I'm seeing the highlights of the game between leverkusen and hertha Berlin. The Berlin keeper pulled an akpeyi. He stopped the ball with his hand, then moved it with his legs, on sighting an oncoming striker, he picked it up again.

An indirect free kick was awarded inside the 18-yard box. Leverkusen missed.

Hahaha he pulled an Akpeyi

TheSuperNerd:
The Curious Case Of Junior Ajayi Of Ahly – Recognised By CAF, Feared In Egypt But Ignored In Nigeria



One name that strike fear into the mind of opposition defenders when ever they are up against Al-Ahly is Nigerian striker Junior Ajayi.

The former Nigeria U23 international took his goal tally for the season to seven for the season with a brace in their 4-2 win over Arab Contractors yesterday night.

22 year old Ajayi has also proven himself to be a good provider of goals for his teammates with nine assist to his name, after his deployment to the left wing at the start of the season.
Recognised by the Confederation of African Football ( CAF) as a member of the Team of the Year at the recently concluded CAF Awards, back home the story is different for the former Shooting Stars prospect.

Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has options available to him in attack, with the likes of Brown Ideye, Odion Ighalo and Kelechi Iheanacho playing as top striker for Nigeria since his appointment.

While upfront might seem loaded for the forward, he will no doubt feel he deserve a chance to fight for a shirt in the team,due to his consistent performance for a team like Al-Ahly adjudged by many as the best team in Africa.
Also his ability to play different roles in attack aside playing as the main striker is also another reason why he should at least get a look in ahead of the Super Eagles friendly games in March.
One point to note is that, if he were to be an Egyptian, his form will no doubt but him in the frame of a national team call up where he would likely line up in attack alongside Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah.

Judging by current form and fitness, it’s hard to argue against him getting a call up. He can’t be feared in Egypt, honoured by CAF while his homeland act like he hasn’t done enough to at least get a look in.



**Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman writes in from Kaduna


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/02/13/the-curious-case-of-junior-ajayi-of-ahly-recognised-by-caf-feared-in-egypt-but-ignored-in-nigeria/

Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 119 days 7 hours to go

Well, I don't know what to say than to say sorry.

Your time will come but I hope Rohr gives him a chance to prove himself.

Kog45:
Sir this coming WC is not about prospect but performance,so better to have player that would give us optimum performance than only prospect,i remember the same Ajayi was put to bench by Sadiq Umar at Rio.

Truly he is having good performance at Egyptian league and making CAF team but what would you say having Ideye,Nwakaeme even Kayode in Egypt league, pls consider this factor.

I don't think this coming WC is meant for the likes of Sadiq Umar, Junior Ajayi,Taiwo Awoniyi,and Victor Osimhen,as you said i see them as good prospects for 2022 WC.

How can we compare a player that made CAF team of the year with Sadiq Umar, Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Osimhen?

I don't think they are in the same level. No, not at all.

His only problem is, he has many players ahead of him but it doesn't mean he should not be given the chance.