TheGoodJoe:


Barkley would never have played for us. It was obvious he was destined to become an English regular. All the years he played for England age grade levels, he never identified himself as a Nigerian until he was about to break into the English squad.

I repeat, he changed his surname. A man who changes his Nigerian surname would not be passionate to play for Nigeria.

forgiveness:


Don't worry I search for the source of interview he revealed that he was eligible to play for Nigeria or England. He himself said it.

BlackAlbino6:
The power of self believe/motivation and determination at work. This was what Azubuike Okechukwu said during an intervie earlier on in September.

Sir Mikron, na you get self believe for this section pass. @ your signature lol.
[b][size=14pt]
Africa Games: We can break Nigeria’s soccer jinx, says U-23 captain
September 14, 2015 at 12:23 am
[/size]
By Ben Efe, Brazzaville Congo
Nigeria’s Under-23 captain, Azubuike Okechukwu said they were amazed to find out that Nigeria has never won the All Africa Games soccer gold since 1970 when Nigeria hosted.

Okechukwu was speaking after their nerve wrenching last group B match against Senegal. He said that the team will strive to end the long wait for the soccer gold of the AAG, which has eluded the nation regarded as power house in African football for 40 years.
[img]http://www.vanguardngr.com/?attachment_id=560300[/img]
Azubuike Okechukwu

“We were a bit amazed when the coach told us about not winning since 1970. But here we are keen to make history for our country and we are working hard to achieve that,” Okechukwu said.

He admitted that the two games they played against Ghana and Senegal in their group were rather tasking.
“This is because everyone wants to beat us.

“We discovered the other teams come hard on us. But we are glad that we topped our group and by God’s grace we will be in the final.”
www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/africa-games-we-can-break-nigerias-soccer-jinx-says-u-23-captain/
[/b]

lexyman:



You can avoid it , don't comment on different thread at short intervals. It's just as simple as that ....

joseph1013:
[b][size=14pt]I WANT TO PLAY AT RIO OLYMPICS SAYS MIKEL[/size]



Chelsea star Mikel Obi has said he wishes to feature at next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as one of three over-aged players, it has been exclusively gathered.


The 28-year-old Mikel has won almost every major trophy at stake including the UEFA Champions League and English Premier League, but he has so far missed out on playing at the Olympics.

Incidentally, it was coach Samson Siasia who left him out from the 2008 Beijing Olympics after he had stayed away from the qualifiers for the competition.

“He has made it clear he wishes to play at the Rio Olympics,’ a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) specially revealed.

“But it is left for the coach to pick who will be the overage players he will take along to Brazil next year.”

For the 2008 Olympics, Siasia took along Ozase Odemwingie and Victor Anichebe as overage players.

Nigeria, back under Siasia, will lead Algeria and South Africa to the 2016 Olympics in August after they clinched the U23 AFCON in Senegal at the weekend.

http://africanfootball.com/news/594081/I-want-to-play-at-Rio-Olympics-says-Mikel[/b]

joseph1013:
[b][size=14pt]I WANT TO PLAY AT RIO OLYMPICS SAYS MIKEL[/size]



Chelsea star Mikel Obi has said he wishes to feature at next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as one of three over-aged players, it has been exclusively gathered.


The 28-year-old Mikel has won almost every major trophy at stake including the UEFA Champions League and English Premier League, but he has so far missed out on playing at the Olympics.

Incidentally, it was coach Samson Siasia who left him out from the 2008 Beijing Olympics after he had stayed away from the qualifiers for the competition.

“He has made it clear he wishes to play at the Rio Olympics,’ a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) specially revealed.

“But it is left for the coach to pick who will be the overage players he will take along to Brazil next year.”

For the 2008 Olympics, Siasia took along Ozase Odemwingie and Victor Anichebe as overage players.

Nigeria, back under Siasia, will lead Algeria and South Africa to the 2016 Olympics in August after they clinched the U23 AFCON in Senegal at the weekend.

http://africanfootball.com/news/594081/I-want-to-play-at-Rio-Olympics-says-Mikel[/b]

Icon4s:


From that ur list Tijani Babangida, Austin Okocha and Victor Ikpeba were products of our youth system prio to 1996 Olympics and Yes all those u listed are all home grown. That 1996 Team was made up of players that came through our youths system or were already playing for the Super Eagles. Not that we went and started chasing one John Fashanu, John Salako, Chris Amstrong or Ugo Ehiogu hu were the English groomed Nigerians then.

I am not saying we should shut-out players hu are nt home grown. What I am saying is those Euro-Nigerian players should not be given any preference. All those Chuba Akpom, Dominic Solanke, Jodon Ibe, Tiago Ilori, Chuks Aneke are to me nt even better than the crop we presented in Senegal. Simple. Dnt let that over-rated English league deceive you. If they are to be part of the Dream Team VI, they should show-up for open camping. And let the coaches pick the best, but I know that if the selection is devoid of sentiments most of those Euro-Nigerian players will nt make that Dream Team VI final list.

TheGoodJoe:


I read the report. I was one of those saying Coach Keshi should try and see if he would feel interested to join us.

Saying he was eligible is not the same as declaring allegiance to the Nigerian flag.

Look at Leon Balogun. As soon as the hype came, he declared he was interested in playing for the Super Eagles. He said his father made him fall in love with the Super Eagles and called a Super Eagles call up a dream come true.

A player with this kind of declaration will get an invitation from the head coach.

I will take a Sone Aluko who wants to play for us to trying to convincing a Barkley who had his eyes in the English National team.

Same with Tiago Ilori. He is waiting for his Portuguese call up. He captained the Age grade sides of Portugal.

forgiveness:


OK, Since, said he was eligible to play for both teams means he didn't shut the door on both Nigeria or England.

The truth is Nigeria was not interested in him.

Tiago Ilori profile reads ' he remains eligible to play for Portugal, England and Nigeria.

The question is have we asked them to play for Nigeria?

Siasia was the one that convinced Sone Aluko to play for Nigeria.

joseph1013:
[b][size=14pt]I WANT TO PLAY AT RIO OLYMPICS SAYS MIKEL[/size]



Chelsea star Mikel Obi has said he wishes to feature at next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as one of three over-aged players, it has been exclusively gathered.


The 28-year-old Mikel has won almost every major trophy at stake including the UEFA Champions League and English Premier League, but he has so far missed out on playing at the Olympics.

Incidentally, it was coach Samson Siasia who left him out from the 2008 Beijing Olympics after he had stayed away from the qualifiers for the competition.

“He has made it clear he wishes to play at the Rio Olympics,’ a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) specially revealed.

“But it is left for the coach to pick who will be the overage players he will take along to Brazil next year.”

For the 2008 Olympics, Siasia took along Ozase Odemwingie and Victor Anichebe as overage players.

Nigeria, back under Siasia, will lead Algeria and South Africa to the 2016 Olympics in August after they clinched the U23 AFCON in Senegal at the weekend.

http://africanfootball.com/news/594081/I-want-to-play-at-Rio-Olympics-says-Mikel[/b]

krattoss:
u mean after suffering from bench soar at Chelsea... u still have the guts to want to play for big country with super talents like naija?..

I would prefer Joel Obie in that midfield than a mediocre Mikel.

safarigirl:
#MikelForOlympics

#MikelForOlympics

#MikelForOlympics

TheGoodJoe:


We can contact them. They are still Nigerians. Like the special talents like Ilori. However, these guys minds are not set on Nigeria. We have young talented Nigerians who want to play for us passionately. The players who have passion for us are the ones that will give more on the pitches.

Like I say, it is good to reach out to them but it is not compulsory. Look at Alaba for instance, the handlers of Yemi Stella's U17 said they would not accept a foreign based U17 and he left with anger to play for Austria.

That is not enough for a player to turn his back on Nigeria. His passion for us was not high. Look at the Ibe Scenario like if he was the holy grail to Nigerian football. Let him play for England while we nurture those who wants to play for us.

If they want to play for Nigeria, let them do it like Leon Balogun. Declare they want to play for us. We did new t contact him, he asked us to give him a chance.

forgiveness:



Of course, there mind is where they know that they have better chances of playing regular football. Remember, Victor Moses heart wasn't set to play for Nigeria but when he was convinced, he helped us to win the Nations cup.

Let us be fair to this kids now, you approached your beloved Nation but you were told your service wasn't needed because you are foreign grown player. And you expected him to be happy. Do you think he doesn't like to play under age competitions? Should he had turned down Austria invitation after his own rejected him?
Let's think am now.

That was enough to scare him away. However, Alaba still loves Nigeria. He showed it when he displayed the Nigerian flag after he won the UEFA Champions League.

robosky02:



he has pass his prime

dont think we need him

TheGoodJoe:


How can Mikel be past his prime when in one of his recent games for the Super Eagles, Coach Oliseh said he was the best player on the pitch.

forgiveness:


Thank God you were able to pinpoint only three out the players I listed that were never part of the Youth system. The rest were completely infused into the team from European clubs.Whether home grown or not, what I know is they were the best Nigerians available at that particular time.

However, all those players you mentioned already played for England national team and were not eligible to play again for Nigeria. Besides John Salako is a home grown player now but still went ahead to play for the 3 lions. So, they should not be used as your point of reference.

Of course, I was not expecting them to get automatic place but all I am saying is let's give them a trial.

you say what... I dey come

robosky02:


we have waited for Mikel for close to 8 years plus we have not seen him enact the u-20 which see him been compared to lionel messi infact they were almost at par. but today its seem an insult to mention mik.... when they are talking of messi.

we've been waiting, in fact in 2008 beinjin he rejected the call to join the u23 with excus.
today he is the first to beg for it. while there are lots of exciting young chaps coming through the ranks

the likes of Kelechi, Simon Moses, etc please lets be futurestic.

the truth mikel should be counting his days in super eagles...


in bob marley voice i don wont to wait in vain

TheGoodJoe:



It is up to Coach Siasia to right a wrong that happened and play Mikel in a creative role in his squad, if Siasia wants the team to excel.

robosky02:


He has all the time to show why just seat down

real players move and show the world what they are made of.

Madrid once overlooked Samuel Eto'o he moved on and finally found himself in Barca... you know the colabo Ronaldinho and Eto-dinho

that wrech the football world why wait sooooooooooooooooooooooo long.

and to think Siasia will do it for him, i doubt he once snobed him at 2008 olympics and even when siasia lead the super eagle he was one of the guys that plot his fall.

and now..... well lets see

robosky02:


He has all the time to show why just seat down

real players move and show the world what they are made of.

Madrid once overlooked Samuel Eto'o he moved on and finally found himself in Barca... you know the colabo Ronaldinho and Eto-dinho

that wrech the football world why wait sooooooooooooooooooooooo long.

and to think Siasia will do it for him, i doubt he once snobed him at 2008 olympics and even when siasia lead the super eagle he was one of the guys that plot his fall.

and now..... well lets see

Icon4s:


For where? In that team too were Celestine Babayaro, Wilson Oruma, Abiodun Obafemi, Teslim Fatusi, Nwankwo Kanu, Mubi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro all of which were from our youths system. The other players apart from Kingsley Obieku, Garba Lawal, Taribo West and Dosu Joseph were already Super Eagles players ie Uche Okechukwu, Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh.No Anglo-Nigerian or any other unknown Europe based player was infused into dat team.

mikron:
is that the cause? True I commented on robosky02's thread in respect of our final match against Algeria on d front page before coming here only to see I was already banned without even typing a comment here, wanted to comment only to notice d ban. So they the mods or antispambot are telling us we can't comment on 2 different sections? Not encouraging

TheGoodJoe:


[b]I understand that these men have options, so it affects their dedication and passion. Look at Shola Ameobi who had his eyes on England as a youngster. We tried convincing him but he refused. When he did not see any hope with England, he gladly accepted to play for us.

It should not happen that way. These young men should declare they want to play for Nigeria. We can not spend time convincing them when we have millions of Nigerians praying for a chance. We are not desperately in need of their services.

So they can not expect us to come asking for their services.

Alaba made the wrong choice if he wanted to play for us. He should know that the U17 is used as a tourney for grassroot development. He was already training with Bayern Munich main team.

Few years later, he would have gotten his call up to the Super Eagles. It was a guaranteed place for him. He was one of the most promising youngsters in the World. Coached by Van Gaal.

But, he knew he had other options and it shows he was not as passionate for the Super Eagles as we need our players to be.[/b]

forgiveness:


Yes, I agree that it should not be like that but not all of them are like that too. So, we should at least ask them first and if they don't agree then we should forget about them.

Alaba was still eligible to play for Nigeria after he played for the Austrian youth teams. He was still available when he established himself in Bayern Munich but Nigeria was not just interested. That is the fact.

forgiveness:


Bros Ye..., I didn't mention these players. Please check from the one's you emboldened.

However, please kindly tell me the Youth teams :
Abiodun Obafemi, Tesilim Fatusi and Emmanuel Amuneke played for?

Where were the likes of Taribo West, Kingsley Obieku and Garba Lawal based before they were been infused into the team?

As you rightly said no 'UNKNOWN' Europe based players were infused into that team and so shall it be in these present team.

Bros, please tell us, who are the unknown Europe based players in my list and who are the known Europe players in your list?

Let's compare and contrast.

Please, check my list before you write ooo.

forgiveness:


Bros Ye..., I didn't mention these players. Please check from the one's you emboldened.

However, please kindly tell me the Youth teams :
Abiodun Obafemi, Tesilim Fatusi and Emmanuel Amuneke played for?

Where were the likes of Taribo West, Kingsley Obieku and Garba Lawal based before they were been infused into the team?

As you rightly said no 'UNKNOWN' Europe based players were infused into that team and so shall it be in these present team.

Bros, please tell us, who are the unknown Europe based players in my list and who are the known Europe players in your list?

Let's compare and contrast.

Please, check my list before you write ooo.

TheGoodJoe:


[b]What makes Mikel mediocre? Is it because Mourinho chose to ridicule him the way he treated Mata? Before the Arrival of Mourinho, Mikel was a regular player for the most successful Chelsea team in the history of the club. He won the Champions League and was part of the Europa League winning Chelsea team.

Mikel was one of the best players, if not the best player of the AFCON the Super Eagles won Coached by Stephen Keshi.

Mikel did well at the Confederation Cup and put up an amazing performance against the best team in the World at that time, Spain. He dominated a midfield with some of the World best talents with Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas.

Coach Siasia plays a high possessive system that requires a midfielder who can dictate the play of the game with high number of completed passes. Do you see Joel Obi having the quality to achieve this?

There are few players who can do this. Mikel is the best player who can fit into Coach Siasia's system. He has the experience and was once among the best passers of the EPL. We can not look further than Mikel. [/b]

TheGoodJoe:


[b]What makes Mikel mediocre? Is it because Mourinho chose to ridicule him the way he treated Mata? Before the Arrival of Mourinho, Mikel was a regular player for the most successful Chelsea team in the history of the club. He won the Champions League and was part of the Europa League winning Chelsea team.

Mikel was one of the best players, if not the best player of the AFCON the Super Eagles won Coached by Stephen Keshi.

Mikel did well at the Confederation Cup and put up an amazing performance against the best team in the World at that time, Spain. He dominated a midfield with some of the World best talents with Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas.

Coach Siasia plays a high possessive system that requires a midfielder who can dictate the play of the game with high number of completed passes. Do you see Joel Obi having the quality to achieve this?

There are few players who can do this. Mikel is the best player who can fit into Coach Siasia's system. He has the experience and was once among the best passers of the EPL. We can not look further than Mikel. [/b]