₦airaland Forum

Mickael2:
Should we not be looking to create a thread for these boys? Monitor the progress of players likely to play for them.

oloriooko:
Chukwueze relegated to the bench again by the new coach, seem he's not doing too well in practice

Icon4s:
The team is not that bad.

I am not trying to say the team doesn't need improvement but from my experience of the followership of the AYC and WYC the group stage of the AYC is typically tougher than the group stage of the WYC. Take that from me.

By and large I expect the coach to infuse more quality options in the Midfield and attack. That defense looks cool for me. The only player that is a suspect there is the RB, Samuel Zaruma.

I expect a great WYC outing.

Icon4s:
Osimhen is already above the age limit. But Chukwueze and Orji Okonkwo are still eligible. Osimhen and Odey are within the U23.

We can cap tie Josh Maja and send him to the WYC just like we we did for Anichebe and Aluko at the 2008 Olympics and 2009 WYC respectively.

We need more attacking options in that team. Nazifi doesn't seem like a goal scoring machine to me. He is not in class of Success, Iheanacho and Awoniyi at this same level.

BascoVanVeli:
That referee should be arrested for fraud. Just look at the fouls. The man stood there and watched Nazifi take an elbow to the mouth but shockingly blew against the lad.

COOL10:
.

The man acted like he hadn't blown a whistle in a very long time

BascoVanVeli:
The man is a cheat you can see the look on his face after our goal. That boy could have cost serious damage to Nazifi with that elbow he threw.

SlayerForever:
These age grade teams some here have been putting so much faith in to unmask future eagles.


We'll see if any will make it.

COOL10:
Well,maybe not at this level. But don't be surprised,he might end up being more successful than the three guys you mentioned up there. Life happens bro

Icon4s:
Oga look at our current SE over 70% of them played at least one of U17, U20 or U23 between 2011 and 2017. If I want to extend it further I am sure u know that Older players like Ighalo, Ezenwa, Akpeyi and Mikel were also products of our age grade teams

Each succesive U20 team keeps churning out players to be promoted to the SE.

So we have heavy hopes on these players for the future. Even Rohr himself is in Niamey to watch them.

tbaba1234:
Look at Nigeria 99. It gave us Aghahowa, Ikedia and Yobo. Only Yobo had a long career with the super eagles. The others declined because age started to show.

Look at the 2005 under 20 team, Only Mikel passed the test of time.

So yes, Under 20 teams give us players but the vast majority are no where to be found in 10 years time.

The main goal should be longevity.

Icon4s:
This Paul Aigbogun's team plays direct kind of Football. Nigerians are used to their teams stringing passes together which is reason behind complains of lack of team passes. The team obviously has a lot to improve upon. The bumpy pitch is also a set back

Well, any which way is a Way.

Congratulations Nigeria!

At least we have another tournament to look forward to.

So Chief Joebie do we have the permission to discuss players to include in this team now?

Icon4s:
Firstly, the issue of longevity: Yes, most of the youth players fizzle out earlier than expected but that is a universal process although it varies across different continents. In some cases we are responsible for this as we are always so quick to throw out an older player from the national team once we see a new one.

Secondly, not all youth players progress well. It is not just an issue of age cheating. Do u know how many of Manu and Amuneke's boys that passed the MRI that have fizzled already and we have not heard anything about them again?

The Holland 2005 u talk about go round all national teams that took part in that tournament and point to me how many are still playing or are playing on the high stage. For instance, where is Ryan Babel and the rest of the Dutch players that took us to penalties in that tournament? You may want to cite the Argentine team but I can ask you " where are the Argentine players that played their U20 in 2009 and 2011? That 2005 Argentine U20 was a golden generation just like our 1993 U17 team and the Spanish team 1999 U20 team. Such crop of players come once in a while.

We have proud products of our youth system that are very much still balling. Players like Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Shehu Abdulahi, Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Semi Ajayi and Jamilu Collins are some of the U20 players of 2011 & 2013 that we harvested and we are reaping from their performances today. And this crop do not look like they won't make it to the next WC.

Somebody coming here to tell us that we should expect nothing from our age grade teams is totally baseless and mischievous.

The Flying Eagles on Friday confirmed their qualification to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland with a 1-0 win over hosts Niger which ensured they topped Group A of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with seven points.


Izuchukwu Okosi presents four takeaways from the crucial game.


1. Niger Exploited Nigeria's Right Side of Defense
Right back Samuel Zamura had a shocking game and was the target of the Niger forwards as they made inroads from his position.
The Plateau United right back got the first booking of the match and even the match commentator called his performance a "nightmare."

2. Niger Players Masters of the Dark Arts?
With the score of the South Africa versus Burundi game reaching the Nigeriens, they became desperate and went to the ground too easily all in a bid to be awarded either penalties or free-kicks.

Their players thankfully were unable to conjure the result they needed but that's also down to a good officiating - the referee did not crack under pressure from players or the host fans in the stands.


3. Flying Eagles Must Have Better Communication
At some stages of the match, the Nigerian defence were in sixes and sevens especially in the second half as Niger threatened to score.
The duo of Valentine Ozornwafor and Igoh Ogbu have the ingredients to be fantastic central defenders but they were unable to withstand the hosts at times. Captain and left back Ikouwem Utim sometimes covered up for his teammates who left spaces behind.


4. The Eagles Missed Michael Effiom Before His Introduction
Coach Paul Aigbogun introduced forward Michael Effiom in the second half as the Flying Eagles searched for goals.

The nimble footed number 19 created all sorts of problems for Burundi and South Africa and it was a bit of surprise that he had to come off the bench though he had little time to cause havoc.

Izuchukwu Okosi

Icon4s:
Firstly, the issue of longevity: Yes, most of the youth players fizzle out earlier than expected but that is a universal process although it varies across different continents. In some cases we are responsible for this as we are always so quick to throw out an older player from the national team once we see a new one.

Secondly, not all youth players progress well. It is not just an issue of age cheating. Do u know how many of Manu and Amuneke's boys that passed the MRI that have fizzled already and we have not heard anything about them again?

The Holland 2005 u talk about go round all national teams that took part in that tournament and point to me how many are still playing or are playing on the high stage. For instance, where is Ryan Babel and the rest of the Dutch players that took us to penalties in that tournament? You may want to cite the Argentine team but I can ask you " where are the Argentine players that played their U20 in 2009 and 2011? That 2005 Argentine U20 was a golden generation just like our 1993 U17 team and the Spanish team 1999 U20 team. Such crop of players come once in a while.

We have proud products of our youth system that are very much still balling. Players like Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Shehu Abdulahi, Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Semi Ajayi and Jamilu Collins are some of the U20 players of 2011 & 2013 that we harvested and we are reaping from their performances today. And this crop do not look like they won't make it to the next WC.

Somebody coming here to tell us that we should expect nothing from our age grade teams is totally baseless and mischievous.

andrew444:
The Netherlands squad during the 2005 there was a certain albino guy that did well in that tournament but the guy is no where to be found 4 years after that tournament he career is on the cross road side ,only Ryan babel ,urby emmanuelson had a better career from that squad

There are so many players from the Argentina 2009 and 2011 squad still playing at the top ,there are quite few of them from the 2005 that lasted like zabaleta most of them are 33 now .

Stop talking about Moses Simon shebi he is still 23 ? Omeruo might last maybe ndidi also ,make those players reach 30 years then I can talk

I don't believe in MRI scan to be sincere

Wait oo ,did you say Ryan babel didn't have a successful career ,are you kidding me sir ?

Is it the same 32 year old Ryan babel that is still playing for the Dutch team and got 54 caps ?

Same Ryan babel is playing for Fulham right now ?

Same Ryan babel that played almost 100 games for Liverpool in 4 seasons ?

If there is any set of naija 2005 team that played top football and was more successful than Ryan babel its only obi mikel and no one else .

tbaba1234:
First of all, not all youth stars make it. That is clear. However, those that do in Europe serve their countries for a long time. The same does not apply here for the most part. I expect this trend to improve with MRI tests for under 17 which helps us reduce the age but for under 20, it is unlikely to change.

Also, you can not compare Nigeria with European countries. They has teams for every age group and established leagues. It is much harder for an under 20 player in Europe to make the national team than an under 20 in Nigeria. The under 20 in Europe has to compete with under 21 players and other players coming through the ranks. In Nigeria, our under 20 players have an advantage because they get national exposure and potentially european moves, this makes them more likely to play for the national team. We do not have a strong league or youth system that compliments this.

Nigeria 99, Spain produced Iker Casillas and Xavi, both of whom went on to have over 100 caps. That is the longevity, we are taking about.

tbaba1234:
Look at Nigeria 99. It gave us Aghahowa, Ikedia and Yobo. Only Yobo had a long career with the super eagles. The others declined because age started to show.

Look at the 2005 under 20 team, Only Mikel passed the test of time.

So yes, Under 20 teams give us players but the vast majority are no where to be found in 10 years time.

The main goal should be longevity.

Mickael2:
The same Manu that was disgraced out of the U20 World Cup with far better players? I do hope you know that the first eleven of this team will not even be close to what it was today when the proper tourney starts? Let me get your problem exactly, did we not win this match? I thought the general idea on this thread is that the result is all that matters just like Rohr? Why is he now getting the stick? So even Manu who failed woefully at the U20 is now better than him despite the fact that he is doing exactly what you people want, getting results. I tire for all you sha

BascoVanVeli:
Unlike you I actually watch the NPFL not just to come here and let people know I can talk.

Akwa was the best team to watch a couple seasons ago but when they went to the old stadium the match was very poor to watch.


Which team do you know to play good football on a bad pitch? Common sense tells you that you must play for the result.

Humility017:
the age cheating of the under 20 set of 2005 on the Nigeria team... had same resemblance with this aigbogun team... the truth is...had it been not age cheating we would have make more from that team....

agbwo, apam, Isaac promise, ogbueke, adeleye, keita to name but a few...

they enjoyed a steady progression but they failed to live up to expectations...the opportunity was there for them to grab...I remember shortly after that tourney...vast majority of them were infused into the super eagles...coached by Austin Eguavon and they could not sustain their place ..


had it been we've been fair and tackled this age cheating decisively...we would make more from our age teams....

Icon4s:
Oga look at our current SE over 70% of them played at least one of U17, U20 or U23 between 2011 and 2017. If I want to extend it further I am sure u know that Older players like Ighalo, Ezenwa, Akpeyi and Mikel were also products of our age grade teams

Each succesive U20 team keeps churning out players to be promoted to the SE.

So we have heavy hopes on these players for the future. Even Rohr himself is in Niamey to watch them.

Icon4s:
Firstly, the issue of longevity: Yes, most of the youth players fizzle out earlier than expected but that is a universal process although it varies across different continents. In some cases we are responsible for this as we are always so quick to throw out an older player from the national team once we see a new one.

Secondly, not all youth players progress well. It is not just an issue of age cheating. Do u know how many of Manu and Amuneke's boys that passed the MRI that have fizzled already and we have not heard anything about them again?

The Holland 2005 u talk about go round all national teams that took part in that tournament and point to me how many are still playing or are playing on the high stage. For instance, where is Ryan Babel and the rest of the Dutch players that took us to penalties in that tournament? You may want to cite the Argentine team but I can ask you " where are the Argentine players that played their U20 in 2009 and 2011? That 2005 Argentine U20 was a golden generation just like our 1993 U17 team and the Spanish team 1999 U20 team. Such crop of players come once in a while.

We have proud products of our youth system that are very much still balling. Players like Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Shehu Abdulahi, Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Semi Ajayi and Jamilu Collins are some of the U20 players of 2011 & 2013 that we harvested and we are reaping from their performances today. And this crop do not look like they won't make it to the next WC.

Somebody coming here to tell us that we should expect nothing from our age grade teams is totally baseless and mischievous.

Humility017:
you're very right Big Bro...
remember the siasia under 20 team of 2005 enjoyed a steady progression.
shortly after that tourney....majority of them were infused into the Austin Eguavon coached super eagles team....in the AFCON of the preceding year...and two years after the Olympic team...but they could not sustain their place....
most of the key players a allowed in Poland and other eastern Europe countries....

agbwo, Isaac promise, Adeleye,Apam, keita
it is so pathetic....the chrisantus and lukman 2007 under 17 set still the biggest fraud...ever

tbaba1234:
First of all, not all youth stars make it. That is clear. However, those that do in Europe serve their countries for a long time. The same does not apply here for the most part. I expect this trend to improve with MRI tests for under 17 which helps us reduce the age but for under 20, it is unlikely to change.

Also, you can not compare Nigeria with European countries. They have teams for every age group and established leagues. It is much harder for an under 20 player in Europe to make the national team than an under 20 in Nigeria. The under 20 in Europe has to compete with under 21 players and other players coming through the ranks. In Nigeria, our under 20 players have an advantage because they get national exposure and potentially european moves, this makes them more likely to play for the national team. We do not have a strong league or youth system that compliments this.

Nigeria 99, Spain produced Iker Casillas and Xavi, both of whom went on to have over 100 caps. That is the longevity, we are taking about.

Kog45:
Humility baba,pls always gives little credit to those who are in charge of Nigeria youth football teams.I think they deserve some credit cos if not for them the little achievement we have in football would not have been possible.

If you are telling me players like Dele Adeleye and Isaac Success whom I know very well are age cheats as at 2005 then i surrender.The Adeleye you are talking about still played top-flight football last season in Europe.

Mind you youth football does not guaranteed future successl cos I remember certain Gabri who was part of Spanish team to Nigeria 99,highly rated than Xavi but failed measure up

Humility017:
good morning Sir ..
remember I make mention of Isaac promise not success...
mind you during that tourney....Adeleye claimed to be 15 years....
15 Years...please we should lie Small na....
15 years old out of secondary school and play with so much energy, strength and with the face of an old man....

if he was and has been Performing few years back...when didn't him fetch a super eagles invitee....

we need stop defending evil...
as regard those who have been managin youth football... it is just a privilege to serve if they cannot tackle this age cheat let them give way to others
some persons cannot do things leave for others to try their hands...for crying out loud we have a population of 200m... you can't tell me they're no capable hands out there who will do it better....

Kog45:
Sir I think this longevity of youths players cut across not only Nigeria issue

Yes Casillas and Xavi have over 100 caps but can you say the same thing of Gabri who was highly rated at Nigeria 99.

Kog45:
... defending evil?Kai kilode.easy o na football talk we dey my man.