Icon4s:
4 Generations of the Green Eagles/Super Eagles from the 1980s to present.

This write up is aimed at selecting the best 11 from each of the generations of Eagles.

I have grouped the 4 generations into 4 different decades: 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s(present)

Taking our minds down Memory Lane a bit, some may have to cast our minds farther than others. But which ever generation you belong your team will be captured.

With the emergence of Enugu Rangers and IICC as formidable forces in the mid to late 70s both in Nigeria and Africa, Nigeria was able to produce a formidable team that finished 3rd at the 1978 AFCON and ended up with a crescendo by winning the 1980 AFCON (then called the African Cup of Unity). That was the birth of Nigeria's dominance of football in Africa.

From 1980 to 1989 this is my first 11:

Peter Rufai
Bright Omokaro
Christian Chukwu
Stephen Keshi
Yisa Shofoluwe
Muda Lawal
Henry Nwosu
Samuel Okwaraji
Segun Odegbami
Adokiye Amiesimaka
Rashidi Yekini

With the Green Eagles of Algiers 90 nations cup came a new era of Nigerian football. Some of the players in the team of the 80s had become the senior players of the team. This era saw us dominate football in Africa and at a time ranked 5th in the world, highest for any African team ever. Also winning the AFCON in 1994.

My first 11 from the 1990 to 1999:

Peter Rufai
Ben Iroha
Uche Okechukwu
Stephen Keshi
Augustine Eguavoen
Sunday Oliseh
Austin Okocha
Emmanuel Amuneke
Finidi George
Daniel Amokachi
Rashidi Yekini

With Nigeria producing so many quality youth players in the 1990s both at the U17 and U20. Including winning the Olympics in 1996 and a q/final showing in 2000. A new generation of Eagles emerged. Some others joined from the 2003 U17 and 2005 U20. Some of the players from the 90s had become senior players in the team.

My first 11 for 2000 to 2009:

Vincent Enyeama
Taye Taiwo
Joseph Yobo
Taribo West
Chidi Odiah
Garba Lawal
Austin Okocha
Osaze Odemwingie
Tijani Babangida
Nwankwo Kanu
Yakubu Ayegbeni

The 2010 WC saw the end of a good number of the players of the 2000s. Some retired even before then.
The super eagles would had to depend mostly on the players who featured at the 2003 U17, 2005 U20, 2007 U20, 2008 U23 and 2009 U17 to carry the team further. This culminated in the team wining the AFCON in 2013. Nigeria continued to turn out quality youth players from the 2011 U20, 2013 U20, 2013 U17, 2015 U20 and 2015 U17.

My first 11 from 2010 to date:

Vincent Enyeama
Elderson Echiejile
Kenneth Omeruo
Godfrey Obaobona
Efe Ambrose
Ogenyi Onazi
John Obi Mikel
Victor Moses
Ahmed Musa
Ikechukwu Uche
Emmanuel Emenike

These are strictly my opinion. You are free to criticize or agree on any generation. Who is on my side on this one?

cc: enomakos, Kog45, komekn, forgiveness, TheGoodjoe, Michael2, Goldfish80, tbaba1234, Joseph1013, petrobros, Bascovanveli, safarigirl, TheSuperNerd, Joebie, chrisoblog, loogan, do4luv14, icon79 etc.

chrisooblog:
nice one boss taking us down memory lane now down to business.

your generation of 80s and 90s super eagles best XI is spot on.

for the 2000s i would go for martins, utaka, aghahowa, danny shittu to replace yakubu, osaze, taribo west and tijani babangida

for 2010 till present i would replace musa with sunday mba. sadly i would retain your backline. so we can't find anyone better than elderson?shout out to ambrose was really good as a makeshift right back. think balogun and ndidi will soon overtake oboabona and onazi respectively.

my composite greatest super eagles from all the generations mentioned would be as follows

vincent enyeama
ben iroha
chidi odiah
uche okechukwu
stephen keshi
sunday oliseh
john obi mikel
jay jay okocha
finidi george
segun odegbami
rashidi yekini


bench: rufai, taribo west, yobo, chidi nwanu, celestine babayaro, muda lawal, mutiu adepoju, sam okwaraji, amokachi, kanu, martins, amunike, victor moses

formation: 4-3-3

coach: westerhof

TheSuperNerd:
In your first XI 4-3-3.... you have to choose between Finidi and Odegbami....

Both are predominantly right wingers/RWFs.

You have no left winger/LWF in that team lineup.

Hope you get me Sir....

chrisooblog:
nice one boss taking us down memory lane now down to business.

your generation of 80s and 90s super eagles best XI is spot on.

for the 2000s i would go for martins, utaka, aghahowa, danny shittu to replace yakubu, osaze, taribo west and tijani babangida

for 2010 till present i would replace musa with sunday mba. sadly i would retain your backline. so we can't find anyone better than elderson?shout out to ambrose was really good as a makeshift right back. think balogun and ndidi will soon overtake oboabona and onazi respectively.

my composite greatest super eagles from all the generations mentioned would be as follows

vincent enyeama
ben iroha
chidi odiah
uche okechukwu
stephen keshi
sunday oliseh
john obi mikel
jay jay okocha
finidi george
segun odegbami
rashidi yekini


bench: rufai, taribo west, yobo, chidi nwanu, celestine babayaro, muda lawal, mutiu adepoju, sam okwaraji, amokachi, kanu, martins, amunike, victor moses

formation: 4-3-3

coach: westerhof

chrisooblog:
nice one boss taking us down memory lane now down to business.

your generation of 80s and 90s super eagles best XI is spot on.

for the 2000s i would go for martins, utaka, aghahowa, danny shittu to replace yakubu, osaze, taribo west and tijani babangida

for 2010 till present i would replace musa with sunday mba. sadly i would retain your backline. so we can't find anyone better than elderson?shout out to ambrose was really good as a makeshift right back. think balogun and ndidi will soon overtake oboabona and onazi respectively.

my composite greatest super eagles from all the generations mentioned would be as follows

vincent enyeama
ben iroha
chidi odiah
uche okechukwu
stephen keshi
sunday oliseh
john obi mikel
jay jay okocha
finidi george
segun odegbami
rashidi yekini


bench: rufai, taribo west, yobo, chidi nwanu, celestine babayaro, muda lawal, mutiu adepoju, sam okwaraji, amokachi, kanu, martins, amunike, victor moses

formation: 4-3-3

coach: westerhof

Icon79:
Obviously, like most of us, you started following Super Eagles in late '90s judging by your post. I have warned you guys before not to make these comparison across different eras post without watch the tapes of the eras you wanna compare.

First of all, you can't include both Segun Odegbami and Finidi George on the same team because they played the same position (7).
Secondly, it's absurd not to include the legendary Chairman Christian Chukwu on your all time list. Absolutely absurd!
Thirdly, to select Chidi Odiah ahead of Dean of Defence, Yisa Shofoluwe is a crime!
Fourthly, any Nigerian all time selection that omits names like (either as starters or on the bench): Henry Nwosu, Adokiye Amasiemeka, Okey Isima, and Emmanuel Okala is boshit!


O pari

chrisooblog:
nice one boss taking us down memory lane now down to business.

your generation of 80s and 90s super eagles best XI is spot on.

for the 2000s i would go for martins, utaka, aghahowa, danny shittu to replace yakubu, osaze, taribo west and tijani babangida

for 2010 till present i would replace musa with sunday mba. sadly i would retain your backline. so we can't find anyone better than elderson?shout out to ambrose was really good as a makeshift right back. think balogun and ndidi will soon overtake oboabona and onazi respectively.

my composite greatest super eagles from all the generations mentioned would be as follows

vincent enyeama
ben iroha
chidi odiah
uche okechukwu
stephen keshi
sunday oliseh
john obi mikel
jay jay okocha
finidi george
segun odegbami
rashidi yekini


bench: rufai, taribo west, yobo, chidi nwanu, celestine babayaro, muda lawal, mutiu adepoju, sam okwaraji, amokachi, kanu, martins, amunike, victor moses

formation: 4-3-3

coach: westerhof

Icon79:
Obviously, like most of us, you started following Super Eagles in late '90s judging by your post. I have warned you guys before not to make these comparison across different eras post without watch the tapes of the eras you wanna compare.

First of all, you can't include both Segun Odegbami and Finidi George on the same team because they played the same position (7).
Secondly, it's absurd not to include the legendary Chairman Christian Chukwu on your all time list. Absolutely absurd!
Thirdly, to select Chidi Odiah ahead of Dean of Defence, Yisa Shofoluwe is a crime!
Fourthly, any Nigerian all time selection that omits names like (either as starters or on the bench): Henry Nwosu, Adokiye Amasiemeka, Okey Isima, and Emmanuel Okala is boshit!


O pari

do4luv14:


y nobody remember sweeper, IFEANYI UDEZE, the guy belongs to the 2000s set

Icon4s:


firstly for the Aghahowa, Martins, Yakubu debate we have gone through it all night till today. You may just do a simple read up of my points on that.

And Replacement of Taribo West with Danny Shittu, did you guys watch Taribo West play at all?

TheSuperNerd:
Highly-Rated Nigerian Wing-Back Set To Be Promoted By Arsenal




Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that the highly-rated Nigerian defender Tolaji Bola is set to be promoted by Premier League club Arsenal in the forthcoming season.

Born January 4, 1999 in London, Bola will no longer be eligible to represent the Gunners U18s squad during the 2017-2018 campaign, and will only be utilized for the U23s and first team.

Last season, the left wing-back and central defender recorded 22 appearances for Arsenal U18s squad, scoring one goal.

The Hale End Academy product penned his first professional contract at Arsenal shortly after he celebrated his 17th birthday in January 2016.

Tolaji Bola has caps for England at U16, U17 and U18 level.


**Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : arsenal.com

Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23652

TheSuperNerd:
Gent Turn Down Bursaspor Bid For Super Eagles Defender William Troost-Ekong




Belgium Europa League campaigners Gent have turned down a bid from Turkish side Bursaspor for their Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong.

As reported by this portal Ekong has agreed personal terms with the Turkish side, but a transfer fee is yet to be agreed with Gent where he spent the last six months of last season after his return from an 18 months loan to Norwegian side FK Haugesund.

Gent are reportedly unwilling to listen to listen to the offer from the Turkish side as the player is still very much a part of the manager’s team for next season despite the summer arrival of two more central defenders.

Troost-Ekong has one year to run on his current deal and if Gent fail to reach an agreement for his transfer the 23 year old will in six months time be free to discuss with other teams in view of a move next summer.

Although he wasn’t much a regular last season, Gent are said to be willing to hang on to him as he is a Nigerian international and a superb showing at the World Cup next year, if Nigeria manages to qualify will no doubt enhance his marketability.


**Daniel Martins


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/07/05/gent-turn-down-bursaspor-bid-for-super-eagles-defender-william-troost-ekong/

Icon4s:


Firstly, I hope you know 2010 WC and AFCON qualifiers ended in 2009? So that doesn't count for the next decade.

2. Ikpeba did not feature as a winger for the Super Eagles he was a striker while Tijani was a winger. So this is simple as comparing apple with orange.

forgiveness:




Without 2009 WC and AFCON qualifiers no 2010 WC and AFCON. Even FIFA recognized his contribution hence the continuous preview of his goals during the world cup.

2, he did.

forgiveness:




Without 2009 WC and AFCON qualifiers no 2010 WC and AFCON. Even FIFA recognized his contribution hence the continuous preview of his goals during the world cup.

2, he did.

forgiveness:




Without 2009 WC and AFCON qualifiers no 2010 WC and AFCON. Even FIFA recognized his contribution hence the continuous preview of his goals during the world cup.

2, he did.

Icon4s:


For Okala those multiple league wins were mostly in the late 70s.

Yakubu was not only a club man. He was the highest goals scorer for Nigeria for his era. Second overall behind Yekini. Yakubu reigned from the 2000 Olympics down to the 2010 WC. Aghahowa was only there as top striker from 2000- 2002 even though he and Yakubu are age mates. If you talk of reliability it was Yakubu. Aghahowa faded too early.

enomakos:
I agreed with you about yakubu

komekn:


Danny Shittu in my opinion outside of Yobo was our best defender of that era. Even Yobo will concede he was his best defensive partner ask him if you like.

He was treated abysmally my the inept clueless Owen Coyle and even the other Bolton manager. I really felt it for him absolutely a top dude, got time for everybody down to earth and hard working focused professional.

He opted out if the national team he simply couldn't afford it. Having all kinds of trouble securing a contract. He went on to win the best Center Half in the championship for Millwall.

Big but almost incomprehensibly fast for such a big guy.

Icon4s:
[s quote author=chrisooblog post=58159812] yes I saw your points raised during the striker debate of the 2000s and are duly noted. Yes taribo was a good defender at his peak better than shittu but by the early 2000s he was experiencing diminishing returns. I feel shittu's optimal performance slightly surpassed West's for that era

Taribo west was Nigeria's best defender at the 2002 WC. He was also outstanding at the 2000 and 2002 AFCON. That was when he earned the nick name 'dependable defender'. Shittu's impact from the late 2000s cannot be compared with that of Taribo West of the early 2000s. Recall Shittu's nightmarish 2010 WC.

komekn:


You are misusing statistics to misrepresent the players true ability and capability.

KC has played 64 games and scored 21 goals in the EPL. This season 2016/17 he scored 7 goals from 29 games. That is the material statistic not the ratio of minutes played to goals scored.

It is misleading the thread giving an attribute that is far from true. Furthermore, you are using two units of measurement one for KC and another for everyone else based on goals scored.

That is a double standard intended to mislead.

KC is an excellent striker no doubt but he is not the best in the EPL as you put it. He is considerably far from that, this is over hype keep things objective.

Let's inform and not decieve ourselves.

Icon4s:


I just tire.

Just because of that singular 2010WC miss they have chosen to discard all other contributions the Yak! made to the national team.

What of the Yekini's miss that would have made it 4-2 against Spain at the 1998 WC? Pardoned probably because we still went ahead to win that game. Will I now because of that diminish all Yekini's previous contributions to the national team?

TheGoodJoe:
komekn,

Please, goals scored per minute shows how many goals the player has scored with respect to the amount of time he has played. Will you call a player playing 1 minute before the referee blow the whistle as a valid appearance to determine the quality of a player.

If a player plays 90 minutes in a game, it is recorded as an appearance.
If another plays 2 minutes, it is also recorded as an appearance.

How can you say appearance is the material statistics. That statement even defies common sense.

TheSuperNerd:
Sir GoodJoe.... sorry to say this.... but Sir Komekn speaks like one who has very poor knowledge of statistics... orrrrr.... he is deliberately dodging the actual truth about what Nacho's Super stats say.


In either... he is obviously deluded. Everyone wanna keep things polite.... but sorry... not me. Not when He and his gang keeps coming up with preposterous comments that lacks intelligence.

TheGoodJoe:


I do not believe komekn's nationality anymore. It is clear he is on a negative agenda here. I am being frank.