FBS,

I can see that you are online. How come I'm no longer able to post threads on the Forum? This has been happening since the issue of the Falconets' supposed age fraud. And to think I wasn't the one abusing people left and right.

I hope you can resolve this problem, since you are the moderator of this forum. Thank you.

FBS,

I'm sure it's not you, but someone is deleting my posts. You are the moderator, would you kindly look into it? Thanks.

Prologue

A man of dour countenance, whose kneeling posture
in cultured "London, UK," where we
lay our scene, a study in dignity is.
From infamous notoriety risen to new scurrilous
heights a feud, and uncivil tongue makes civil minds unclean.
Forth from the fecund mind of this bloke issue drama,
arguments, and rejoinders to put an end to all contrary
contentions. The continuance of which by the entrance of one
CARLISTO77, whose erudition makes him nonpareil
on nairaland, is rendered senseless.
But for their duel, hostilities on Nairaland which naught else
could remove, would continue worlds without end.
And now, if you with patient ears attend, their duel, nay,
its genesis we shall view.


SCENE 1: Somewhere in "London, UK"

Sagamite (kneeling before a portrait, his likeness, afixed onto which a sticker that reads: Super, Supra, Intelligent ME!!!! His face is uplifted, and though his contenance is dour, the eyes, how shall we describe them? Not since Einstein or such apologists as C.S. Lewis, or such philosophers as Emmanuel Kant, or theologians such as Thomas Aquinas was such intelligence evident in a person's eyes. But we may not compare him with Kant but rather with Hume since he is no idealist, nor with Aquinas but to Hitchens since he pays no heed to religious mumbo-jumbo. We meet him, though, engaged in a strange ritual.)

O Atha, god who does not exist, who did not make anything, who does not hear nor respond, thank you for recharging my super, supra, intelligent mind while I slept. I wake me now, o god of all eists to attend the duty I enjoy most. Thanks for giving me all the time in the world to attend to this beloved vocation. Now here is my request: Grant me the strength, the bile, the vocabulary, to abuse and to render senseless everyone on Nairaland today. Let my arguments destroy any joy, hope, or optimism that comes to the Forum today. Let my intelligence and power of argument and logic be evident to all today and,

Daemon (a being sentient but invisible)

What are you doing? I thought you didn't believe,

Sagamite (not deigning to look around for the speaker)

Shut up, retard, who told you I be---

Daemon

While you are wasting your time a new thread is in full swing on Nairaland, and---

Sagamite

slowpoke! My Blackberry, laptop, and desktop all signal me, "ping," of any development on Nairaland, so,

Daemon

They must not have "pinged" this time because they're all rejoicing on Nairaland.

Sagamite

Asinine goat! assertion that defies logic and intelli---

Daemon (pointing to Sagamite's gadgets)

See for yourself.

Sagamite (stands up and goes to the desk, his Blackberry is lighted. He taps a key from both his laptop and desktop. His face clouds and he bangs a fist on the desk, the Blackberry flies off, but with the dexterity of Peter Rufai, he snatches it in mid air. He studies the message on the Blackberry)

Nigeria Vs USA: 4 - 2! @ Women's U-20 World Cup.


What?! That's impossible!

Daemon

Not impossible, it's a fact!

Sagamite (still not bothering to look for his interlocutor)

But that's good, isn't it? It means they will be abusing the president and the NFF

Daemon

Wrong! They've forgotten about the president and the NFF for now, they are all rejoicing. In fact, this appears to have united them.

Sagamite

What?! They are not supposed to be happy! They are suppose to be angry and bitter and abusive at every turn!

Daemon

So I thought! I also thought you'd be busy doing something about it instead you are pra---

Sagamite

RETARD! I wasn't! My religion is Objectivity and I follow it religiously. I am a Prophet in the Temple of Objectivity. I don't do Islam, I don't do Xtianity, I don't do Jesus, I don't do Mohammed.

Daemon

Ok, ok! Do something then!

Sagamite (sits and open a web page on his desktop computer, the page displays a "Google UK" search engine. He types as he mutters.)

Pic---ture---of---the fal---co--nets---

Bingo!

Now let me copy and paste on Nairaland, but I will first post this and see how they react.

(types the following with two index fingers with surprising speed:

As usual, we pack a bunch of obviously over-aged people to go and thrash kids and we call it achievement.

Colombia, abeg, thrash them to shreds please. I beg you in the name of Obantala!)

What? Someone has responded already? Now the picture---! (he face changes from dourness to delight)

All his gadgets begin to emit "pinging" sound. He jump up in delight and turns to give a fist bump to his interlocutor but sees no one!)

Have I been talking to myself? That can't be, it was an intelligent---but why would it matter? With my highly developed mind, this is simply a manifestation of a Freudian tic! Even Nietzsche talked to horses!

(turns back to the computer screen)

What?! Someone is asking "who is this Sagamite?" Here is who Sagamite is (types furiously as before).

Sagamite?

Sagamite is one of the most intelligent contributors on NL.

Sagamite is probably the most intelligent person you will ever be opportune to interact with in your lifetime. NO DOUBT!

So I suggest you go to church (if you are Xtian) on Sunday and thank God you have been priviledged today to engage with Sagamite.

Make sure you up your tithe to 60% to signify and match the magnitude of this gratitude.

(Laughs sheepishly and hysterically)

Daemon

Now that's more like it!

Sagamite (turning around but seeing no one. Concludes that he must surely be in a Nietzschean mode)
What do you expect!

Daemon

You do deserve praise, see how incensed you've made them! hee, hee, hee, hey, hey, ha-ha-ha-ha! I like this!

Sagamite

Atha, you de o! you don ansa mai prayer nau, nau!

Daemon

I thought you didn't be---

Sagamite

Shut up! RE----TARD-----!! Am I abusing myself! It can't be, I'm too intelligent!

Daemon

Before I shut up, I must warn you.

Sagamite

Wetin! Warn me about wetin!

Daemon

One is coming, the thong of whose sandal you might not be able to buckle or unbuckle.

Sagamite

slowpoke! Asinine goat! Retard!

Daemon

Yes, yes, but I must warn you all the same. One is coming---

Sagamite

Olosi! Get to the point. Don't make me laff, eh, mate!

Daemon

I like that slang! One is coming----

Sagamite (jumping up and beating his shaved head dexterously like beating the conga)

AAAGH!

(A knock on the door and a voice)

Voice

Are you alright in there?

(Sagamite does not answer)

Daemon

Sorry, eh, mate! His name is CARLISTO77

Sagamite

slowpoke! Retard! Asinine goat! That was a woman olori buruku!

Daemon

I mean the man who is coming!

Sagamite

slowpoke!

Daemon

His grammar is unmatched! His lexicon, impeccable! His syntax---let's say idiosyncratic and highly original. Mate, he's going to stump you. This is one man you cannot win against. He will be your nemesis on Nairaland. In fact, you need to dust up your swear words, slowpoke, retard, and asinine goat will no longer cut it.

Sagamite (looking troubled)

What do you suggest?

Daemon

Try nincompoop

Sagamite

Nycom what?

Daemon

Nincompoop, le' me spell it for your (spells the word), and while at it, look up the meaning of "Putain de merde"

Sagamite

Putin---

Daemon

Putain de merde. CARLISTO77 is going to use it against you. It's best you know the meaning of the phrase. (Sagamite looks alarmed) I told you the guy is hot! Go get the dictionary and dust up.

Sagamite

I need to post more pictures, a game, but thank you, eh, mate!

Daemon

No problem.

Sagamite

But what is the meaning of Putain de merde? (There's no answer. Sagamite looks around.)
Am I talking to myself again? Atha, thank you for making me more like Freud! You gave me this prurient magnetism!

Sagamite's gadgets

Ping, ping, ping


SCENE 2: Somewhere in Abuja

Taiwo Ogunjobi

Sani, come and see this.

Sani Lulu (approaching a computer screen)

Menene?

Ogunjobi

Is dis two guys, ehn, higly intelligibly! Sagamite and CARLISTO77. come see the grammar an' sense.

Lulu

I tol you bifor. Nigerian ehn, de a bery bery intelligint. I kyant berif dis! wa is he duin in Landan! a vaste of talin an' natura lisosis.

Ogunjobi

I tink we shud contak him

Lulu

a you kirazy? dis man may bi intelligint bu' see how he is abuzin as!

Ogunjobi

you a missin de poin Sani. Dis gai sabi logic an' ajumen. If we haya him as our loya, we wi win dis case agens di federa gofmen

Lulu

O ho! Haba! Gaskiya! you sfik de surut! Taiwo, you a bery bery intelligin yua sef.

Ogunjobi

I aks Amanze to fon di oda gai, Carli, em, Amanze, wat is de nem of di oda pasun (Amanze is busy on the phone)

Amanze (throws up his hands in frustration)

Gini Kwanu, Nna, dis man I canno' undastan him! im grama na too much!

Ogunjobi

What happened?

Amanze

im se somtin laik putin de madmen an den aks me who is inqui--qui--sitive--tiv--tiv--ness my a-a-appellation.

Lulu

Gi mi de pon (dials a number)

Ogunjobi

Pu rit an spika please.

Phone (a voice)

Desist from objurgating your dissoluteness and insolent mortification!

(The three men look at each other in awe.)

Ogunjobi

Di gai is gut! (The other two nod in agreement)

Lulu

Haba! Gaskiya! wat lemain nau is tu ge' de two fiful ta wark tugeza. Ip we kyan du zat! we wi win ebery keis agais as!

Amanze

Nna, mek we focus on di oda gai in London, Uk, fest! (Lulu and Ogunjobi agree). A beg oga kolam.

Lulu (dials a number)

SCENE 3, Somewhere in London, UK

Sagamite (answers a call on his Blackberry)

This is Sagamite, London, UK.

Lulu

zis is Alhaji Sani Lulu prom Nigeria. Hawa u?

Sagamite

slowpoke! Retard! Asinine Goat! Nincompoop! Putain de merde!

SCENE 4: Somewhere in Abuja

Lulu, Ogunjobi, and Amanze exchange glances.

Ogunjobi

Di man is gut!

(The other two nod their agreement.)

Having waded into this conversation yesterday and having watched it degenerate into absurdity, I should give it one more stab to rest my case. If I may boldly state, this is a response to Sagamite, and brother, I hope you see the point of this response.

1. On the issue of the picture which you posted to advance an allegation of age fraud against the Falconet and the Nigerian NFF, here's why the picture is a spurious evidence.

Insofar as size is concerned, it simply requires another person to produce a concomitant picture of another team  in which the players appear bigger than your picture and your case falls. And indeed, FBS did just that.

Now  realize that neither you nor the person who produces the counter picture has a case as you cannot necessarily prove the age of player (especially with a threshold of age limit as it is in this case) through a picture. But again, so long, as another person can find a picture with people that appear bigger than yours, your case may not stand. Note that here and in the previous paragraph I have stressed the word 'appear.' I am sure you understand the point of this.

Yet again on picture, to even argue from this premise, one would have to have pictures of the same size and optimization for all the teams. I'm sure a tenacious person would find  a different picture of the Falconets that makes them appear younger than the one that Sagamite has posted.

2. On argument according to size which is central to your allegation, you cannot prove your case with a picture nor by just referencing size.

Would we then infer from such an argument that the South Korean who look smaller (at least to me) than other teams are the youngest team as far as it regards age? Or are we to suppose that since they look small, there are no twenty year olds among them? If there are, and since by your argument they'd be the youngest team, does it not mean through logic (your word) that all other teams that have bigger players have fielded over age players? This is, of course, argument to absurdity as I'm sure you'd know, but it is necessary to show that your argument does not hold.

If we argue along this line, to be able to fit all other teams within the age limit of twenty, we would have to fix the average age of the South Korean around ten or eleven (or lower)  and then build from there. We may likely have this order:

South Korea
North Korea (this is already absurd since we may assume that South Koreans live better than North Koreans, shouldn't we?)
Japan
Colombia, and so on and perhaps end this way:

USA
Nigeria (if, in fact, we agree with you that the Falconets are bigger than the Americans)
Switzerland
New Zealand
Germany
Sweden

This, of course is absurd. But even arguing along this line, Nigeria would still not be the biggest team.

3. Still on size. What do we mean? Do we mean height as the above seem to imply? If so, then if Nigeria is overage then the USA and the teams below Nigeria in the foregoing list have also fielded overage players since those teams are taller on the average than the Nigerian team.

Again on size, if we may cite an example from Africa. Cameroonians tend to look bigger than Nigerians while Ghanaians tend to look smaller. Are we to therefore imply that Cameroon cheat all the time in age grade competitions or that Ghanaians are on the average younger than Nigerians?

4. From the foregoing, it appears then that if by big or size we mean height we cannot argue from that premise. Here is why (from the Atlantic Review).

The Dutch - now the planet's tallest nation - tower over their US counterparts by around 4.7cm (1.8in) for men and 5.7cm (2.2in) for women, research published in the Annals of Human Biology journal shows.  In the First World War, the average American soldier was still two inches taller than the average German. But sometime around 1955 the situation began to reverse. The Germans and other Europeans went on to grow an extra two centimetres a decade, and some Asian populations  several times more, yet Americans haven’t grown taller in fifty years. By now, even the Japanese—once the shortest industrialized people on earth—have nearly caught up with us, and Northern Europeans are three inches taller and rising.
The average American man is only five feet nine and a half—less than an inch taller than the average soldier during the Revolutionary War.  Women, meanwhile, seem to be getting smaller. (, )

Compared with people in thirty-six other industrialized countries, it showed, Americans rank twenty-eighth in average longevity—just above the Irish and the Cypriots (the Japanese top the rankings),  “What is the difference between Western Europe and the U.S. that would work in this direction? It’s not income, since Americans, at least on paper, have been wealthier for more than a century.
-------------
Now, although people may posit reasons for why Europeans are now taller than Americans and why even Japanese have been growing taller and Americans not, for the purpose of our argument, it means that if we postulate height as our argument then it logically (your word) follows that we are inevitably led into the fallacy of concluding that Europeans of the same age bracket as Americans are in fact older than Americans.

5. From all  we've said above, it may be deduced that size is simply not a matter of nutrition (although this may be a factor) as Sagamite has construed it, but there may be other factors. For, since Cameroonians are on the average bigger than Nigerians, are we to argue that they live better than Nigerians and that Nigerians live better than Ghanaian since Nigerians are on the average bigger than Ghanaians. Or are we to conclude that Nigerians live better than Koreans, Japanese, and Chinese, since Nigerians are undoubtedly bigger than people from these countries?

But then, insofar as nutrition goes, history has recorded that people get bigger with improved conditions hence my original point. However, as the above shows, this is not a sufficient ground (nutrition that is) upon which one may build an argument for age fraud. Americans are wealthier than European and yet they are not growing taller.

Further, Fulanis from Northern Nigeria, who are mostly nomadic bush people (this is not meant to derogate) are on the average taller than most Nigerians. Should we from this conclude that they live better than most Nigerians?

6. When I mentioned my experience (something I generally eschew) it was to show that I have first hand experience dealing with people within this age group. I assume (and I believe not unreasonably) that many people that attend  university in Nigeria are pooled from the same swath of people as those who play for Nigeria. I met a lot of university students who did not come from wealthy families and they may as well have played for Nigeria if they had the requisite skill and opportunity. I do not believe it is a succesful argument to assume that Nigerian players come from poorer background than those who attend universities. Such an argument is suspiciously specious.

7. An underlining point to all this is not whether or not it's true that the Falconet are overage. Neither of us can prove the point for or against by mere assertions. Sagamite might be right, but again, he might not be. To make a case requires concrete evidence to back it up. To borrow an example from Sagamite, it is not enough to allege that Babangida is corrupt. In fact, we may all know it. What is required is enough evidence to convince a jury beyond reasonable doubt that IBB is corrupt. In other words, we may all know that IBB is corrupt, but until we can produce evidence to back up our supposition, our knowledge amounts to naught and it is far from undeniable or admissable "fact." And if we venture to go to a court of law on mere "fact", that is, our assertion and allegation, the best we can expect is our case thrown out and the worse expect to be jailed for defamation.

8. Finally, it became clear to me that sagamite might really be in jest since it appears he is an intelligent person as he himself asserts. Thus, I didn't need to write the preceding seven points, which as far as he may be concerned border on prolixity. But then I had my doubts because of the caustic nature of the debate. I assume that arguments based on "logic" should not stray from that premise. Of course, they may be in earnest, and if they are, the one making a point should be secure enough to eschew vitriols. For, don't we all know that we can make our point respectfully?

I have observed elsewhere that this seems to be the culture on Nairaland, which is unfortunate. However, I'm heartened by those who observe the "rule of law and decorum" to borrow a phrase from our late president. Some might tell me to shut up. That a public forum is a free for all where anything goes. Fair enough. But in normal life people who shout in the market place are seldom taken seriously. In fact, people either walk away or keep quiet. For if you also raise your voice to shout in return, it might be difficult to determine who among the two of you is in want of reason.

The atmosphere of hostility and abuse only spoils the place for those  who come to Nairaland to interact and fellowship with fellow country men and women. What does it say of a family that quarrels all the time?

I know, of course, that the next thing to follow my presumption is the word "silly" or perhaps "goat." Let me take cover then.

Adieu.

I am happy that there is someone who also knows that Naija footballers are not always age cheats.

Right.

Obviously a lot of things are wrong in/with Nigeria but that does not equal everything is wrong.

If we turn cynics and pessimists it stands to reason that we will never see anything good with the country even if it were right under our noses. Decades of corruption and its culture thereof cannot be corrected overnight. We should support the current president until he proves unworthy of our support and trust.

On football, even if we knew Nigerian players are cheats we would still need to provide concrete evidence. Saying something[i] is[/i] does not simply make it so.

No 1, I have no idea why you feel your sample from university, and corresponding privilege, apply as an argument since these girls are likely not to be of that mold.

These girls are youths in the age group of freshmen hence my argument, which was a response to an optimized picture of girls you claim to be overage without any evidence beside the picture and your argument that they look bigger than other girls in the competition. By the way you cannot present that as an evidence of your allegation in a legal court, and mind you, yours is a legal accusation.

Someone has since responded by posting pictures of Germans, who look even bigger than Nigerians. Are the Germans cheating too? One may also ask you about the Swedes, who are also bigger than the Nigerian girls.

You are entitled to your opinion as I am entitled to my experience, Nigerian and American. But I'd believe you when you show me an actual evidence of your accusation. Anything less is calumny.

Sagamite,

I used the word privilege in the context of the university to point out to you that my experience with freshmen university students in both Nigeria and the USA has not shown me any difference between Nigerians and Americans.

I never said Nigerians are bigger or that Americans are. They have looked the same to me. I have thus used the word privilege in reference to those who attend university in both countries, which does not imply high-upper class kids as you've construed it. To so construe the word would mean that those who attend  university in Nigeria come from upper-middle class solely, which, of course, is not true.

If we use logic to which you refer, one would think an athlete would on the average (your emphasized word) be likely to be bigger than a non-athlete. Therefore, a stark illiterate footballer is likely to grow bigger than a person who does not play any sport, much like a laborer develops a stronger and a bigger physique than a person who does not do such physical labor.

I believe my point is clear: no amount of assertions such as "guarantee" will support your case until you can provide concrete proof to back up your accusation and insinuation. If you don't have a proof then your assertions qualify as nothing more than innuendos and libel.

It seems you are not aware that nutrition plays SIGNIFICANT part in growth of youths.

Go back to my posts and find your answer.

What I said, in case it was not clear, is that: There is no explanation, based on logic, that kids with privilege in Nigeria would be on average bigger than Western kids.

That has been your argument not mine.

Most so-called priviledge kids in Nigeria, are upper-middle class on par in the West.

[/quote]

It depends on your definition of privilege.

[quote]
Furthermore, Soccer is a sub-urban, upper-middle-class sports in the USA. So you would expect the kids that play it to hardly lack nutritionally to a point the are at a disadvantage to a "priviledged" Nigerian.

Really?!

To sum up, your "priviledge" arguments do not explain the anomaly we are discussing here

You see an anomaly not me, and the burden of proof that these girls are over age is still yours.

And while you are at it, you may want to touch on athlete development vis-a-vis bigness within the context of your allegation, of course.

Continue decieving yourselfs and open your mouths yakata when your country is collapsing due to such filth.

Look Sagamite, perhaps you are right, who can say? But in real life (beyond Nairaland forum!) you don't just label accusations, you provide proof, hence the use of such terms as"beyond reasonable doubt."

In other places (I mean developed countries, as I'm sure you are aware) to label accusations like this without proof is nothing less than defamation or libel and you may be liable to being sued for that (nobody is going to sue here of course).

But one thing that  I have noticed from this forum and elsewhere is that Nigerians seems to find it difficult to see any good in whatever Nigeria does. Perhaps, we need a little show of faith, don't you think?

No 1, there is no nutrition privilege kids in Nigeria can have that would make them bigger on average than Western kids

Do you imply that most Nigerian kids that attend University are poor?

Do you deny my point that most who attend the university come from privilege backgrounds than most? If not, does not privilege infer improved condition of living?

Can you tell me how you arrived at your conclusion that Nigerians, despite improved conditions of living, would always (that's what I read from you) be smaller than Western kids?

No 2, these women, I can GUARANTEE you, are not from a privilege breed (that will be in universities, think Teachers Training College, Nursing and Apprenticeship). And I will suppose they are the likeliest victims of delayed/stunted growth.

On what evidence?

And say they come from poor families is that a sufficient reason to suppose that they would automatically be smaller than Americans?

Are trainee teachers and Nursing apprentices synonyms for poverty and stunted growth?

Bigger than Americans and English?

What are they eating that is causing such marvelous growth that makes them more adult-like than westerners and beating all nutritional logic?

Fertilizer?

I haven't contended that Nigerian kids are bigger than Americans or English or Vice Versa. With improved condition of living (and those--at least the majority-- who attend universities in Nigeria, on the average  come from a more privilege background than most) people get bigger. I suppose it's a fact you are aware of. No?

The point of my case is that I haven't noticed a size difference between Nigerian kids and Americans, having had the opportunity to teach both in tertiary institutions.

Be decieving yourself there!

Hardly so!

For your information I taught Nigerian kids (referencing my original post regarding the present issue) and I now teach American kids in an American University (So I speak from experience). In both instances, I have had the opportunity to see and work with kids within the age bracket in question. While from time to time you find diminutive kids in this age range, most kids these days are bigger looking than their seventeen or eighteen years of age would indicate.

I do not think a picture is  a sufficient evidence for the charge you are labeling.

A visit to Nigerian University campuses will show that Nigerian kids are now bigger than they used to be in the past. (I worked with many kids on campus for two years before turning my face to other things.) Freshmen in Universities these days look older than they actually are. As such one cannot just conclude from a picture that the[i] Falconets[/i] are over-aged. To label such a charge requires a more concrete evidence than that, otherwise it qualifies as unscrupulous calumny.

Enjoy the shoot-outs again!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWxizacFR6o

Some quotes from the match courtesy of FIFA.Com

Ndem Egan, Nigeria coach
I would agree that this is the biggest achievement for women's football in Nigeria. We knew we had never exceeded the quarter-finals before so our target was to get to the semi-finals and from there to think about the final. All Nigeria will be so happy with this result. We had a few lapses in the first half because the players forgot what we told them but in the end they fulfilled their promise to get to the semi-final.

Jill Ellis, USA coach
I am very proud of my players because we met a very talented, challenging opponent. We scored a good goal and there was nothing we could have done about their equaliser. The changeround in the second half came about because of fatuigue and that's why we used all three substitutes. At the end of the day we should have put our chances away in the first half and my heart goes out to the players.

Helen Ukaonu, Nigeria goalscorer
It's really great to play for our supporters, they help us a lot. How did we make the difference in the second half? We just prayed. We pray to God a lot and we didn't want to lose to USA. But we knew we would win today.

Esther Sunday, Nigeria substitute
I had to stay focused as I took the penalty three times. I just concentrated on scoring and it worked. We believe in God and our families and that helped us a lot.

http://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/matches/round=253549/match=300125165/quotes.html#usa+nigeria+quotes

GEJ may have acted wrongly, that doesnt warrant you calling him a foolish man on a public forum.

By the way, I agree with you. I just want to point out that I believe the president acted deliberately in his supposed ban of Nigeria from International competitions. See this opinion piece:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/414568-president-goodluck-jonathans-decision-smart-or-fatal-move

abeg poster why that niajababe wan fight ref after the penalty shoot out

Actually, they didn't show the incident very well. I only saw snippet of it, and even then I wasn't aware she was after the referee. If she was, it must probably have been a reaction to the calls the referee made during the match.

But even if so, I do not think that reaction was warranted especially after winning the match.

I watched most of the match and you captured it all. Good picture with economy of words. Nigerian girls need to work a bit more on their discipline , though. the number of cards dished out to them is an indication that they have a lot to learn in competitions of this standard. More technical dept also required.

Thanks for your response.

You're right about the cards.

My own assessment is that the players are individually gifted but lack technical depth. I think that was one of the differences between our team and the USA team. USA teams tend to be technically (by this I mean basic technique, like how to shoot, shield the ball, etc) strong but low on natural giftedness.

The lack of finesse in the Falconets showed itself in the first 30 minutes of the game, where the Falconets could not hold on to the ball and consistently executed errant passes and poor shots on goals. In fact, I thought we would lose on penalties but I'm happy I was wrong.

If the Falconets can compose themselves and use pressure marking the way they did in the second-half, the probability of beating Colombia will be very high. They are strong in the midfield but poor in the defense (especially, in defending corners. Recall, that the very first goal Nigeria conceded, the one against England, was through a poor defense of a corner kick). They also need to work on their finishing. That's a factor that can make a difference between victory and defeat in tight matches.

On the whole, the Falconets deserve to be congratulated. They defeated one of the strongest teams in the competition.

Again, thanks for responding.

explain to me how it is abusive

Explain to you?!!!

When did "foolish" become foul and abusive language?

Here are a few definitions of "foolish."

1. unwise; silly
2. resulting from folly or stupidity
3. ridiculous or absurd; not worthy of consideration
4. weak-minded; simple

I am beginning to accept that Nigeria's problems are its people

Yes, you are quite right but on the contrary you are chief among those people, and since it appears you are incapable of seeing the point of my contention,  it is best to leave you in the realm of your deluded self-importance.