forgiveness:



Your assertion may be based on Iwobi's performance lately and i agree to some extent. However, Ajagun is more versatile than Iwobi and formation will determine who get the nod from the coach to be the starter in every matches.


Etebo Oghenekaro, I Mathew, Usman Mohammed, Obinna Nwobodo, Azubuike Okechukwu etc are all novice when it comes to club and international football but i included Etebor and Okechukwu on my list because they single handedly helped us to qualify for the Olympics. That's all.

forgiveness:
After painstackinly selecting the Defenders and midfielders. I will now proceed to selecting the attackers

1) Isaac Success; This is the second season of the Granada star in the Spanish laliga and he has not disappointed with 5 goals and 1 assist this season.
Success will be joining Watford FC for the start of the 2016/17 season. He can play anywhere across the front line. He is 20 years old.


2) Kelechi Iheanacho; This is his first season in professional club football. However, he proved his worth when giving the chance to play. He has 9 goals and some assist to his credit. Plays as a RW, Second striker and Striker. He is 19 years old.



3) Moses Simon; He was a revelation last season with Genk who he helped to win the league for the first time in their history. These season he has garnered more experience by playing and scoring in the Champions League. No doubt, he deserves to make the list. Primarily plays as a left winger, and can as well play as a Striker or second striker. He will be 21 years of age this year.


4) Ezekiel Imoh; Ezekiel Imoh wealth of experience can't be dismissed. Having scored 47 goals in the last 4 seasons in one of the Top 10 European leagues in the world and even went to score in the Europa League this season. He can play as a Striker, Rw and second striker. He is 22 years of age



5) Dominic Solanke; He came to limelight last season with the Chelsea youth team when he helped them to win the FA Youth Cup and UEFA youth league. He even became the top scorer of the UEFA youth league tournament with 12 goals, and because of these, Chelsea rewarded him by promoting him to the first team at the age of 17 and later featured him in last year UEFA Champions League last season making him the youngest debutant for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. In his first season in the Eredivisie, he scored 7 goals even though he was out due to injury for 3 month.
Although Solanke prefers playing as a striker, he can also play as a winger on either side and as an attacking midfielder. He is only, 18 years old.


Final list

Goalkeepers
Emmanuel Daniel
Dele Alampasu

Defenders
Leon Balogun
Kenneth Omerue
Moses Odubanjo
William Troost-Ekong (Ndidi or Awaziem)
Kingsley Madu
Stanley Amuzie (Ekpolo Elohor or Musa Mohammed)

Midfielders
Ogenyi-onazi
Abdul Ajagun
Alex Iwobi
Azubuike Okechukwu
Etebor Ogehnekaro

Attackers
Isaac Success
Kelechi Iheanach
Moses Simon
Ezekiel Imoh
Dominic Solanke

BlackAlbino6:
.

Nigeria VS Egypt (2017 AFCON Qualifiers).

TheSuperNerd:
I love your attack list. I knew Solanke will make it but hey, this is solid. Solanke, Success, Simon (the triple S) plus Iheanacho and Imoh Ezekiel........ I'll say "EXPLOSION" is the word...

Not bad Sir Forgiveness....... Good to know we got some fine strong mix of options in our attack no matter who makes it in the end (among the really good ones).



On the final list of 18 as summarised by you, all I gotta say is the whole squad of 18 is generally strong but I have a few reservations here and there..... but on the whole, it's a pretty solid squad.


Good morning..... catch y'all later #smiles

TheSuperNerd:
One final thought.......You're right to term them novices. But remember Sunday MBA and Godfrey Oboabona @ Afcon 2013.
Never use the concept of the general inexperience at top level football and the lack of european top class football of many to judge all young players you come across. There are always and will always be exceptions to the general stereotype. #smiles


Jamie Vardy will tell people more.

joseph1013:
Better than most List.

Defence: I'm gonnna remove Ekong and add Awaziem. Remove Amuzie and add Ekpolo based on potential.

Midfield: I will throw Ajagun out and add Ndidi. Remove Onazi and add Mikel.

Attack: I will remove Solanke and add Victor Moses. Who says we need Ighalo?

Siasia will disappoint alot of people here. He already has his list.

forgiveness:
After painstackinly selecting the Defenders and midfielders. I will now proceed to selecting the attackers

1) Isaac Success; This is the second season of the Granada star in the Spanish laliga and he has not disappointed with 5 goals and 1 assist this season.
Success will be joining Watford FC for the start of the 2016/17 season. He can play anywhere across the front line. He is 20 years old.


2) Kelechi Iheanacho; This is his first season in professional club football. However, he proved his worth when giving the chance to play. He has 9 goals and some assist to his credit. Plays as a RW, Second striker and Striker. He is 19 years old.



3) Moses Simon; He was a revelation last season with Genk who he helped to win the league for the first time in their history. These season he has garnered more experience by playing and scoring in the Champions League. No doubt, he deserves to make the list. Primarily plays as a left winger, and can as well play as a Striker or second striker. He will be 21 years of age this year.


4) Ezekiel Imoh; Ezekiel Imoh wealth of experience can't be dismissed. Having scored 47 goals in the last 4 seasons in one of the Top 10 European leagues in the world and even went to score in the Europa League this season. He can play as a Striker, Rw and second striker. He is 22 years of age



5) Dominic Solanke; He came to limelight last season with the Chelsea youth team when he helped them to win the FA Youth Cup and UEFA youth league. He even became the top scorer of the UEFA youth league tournament with 12 goals, and because of these, Chelsea rewarded him by promoting him to the first team at the age of 17 and later featured him in last year UEFA Champions League last season making him the youngest debutant for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. In his first season in the Eredivisie, he scored 7 goals even though he was out due to injury for 3 month.
Although Solanke prefers playing as a striker, he can also play as a winger on either side and as an attacking midfielder. He is only, 18 years old.


Final list

Goalkeepers
Emmanuel Daniel
Dele Alampasu

Defenders
Leon Balogun
Kenneth Omerue Omeruo
Moses Odubanjo
William Troost-Ekong (Ndidi or Awaziem)
Kingsley Madu
Stanley Amuzie (Ekpolo Elohor or Musa Mohammed)

Midfielders
Ogenyi-onazi
Abdul Ajagun
Alex Iwobi
Azubuike Okechukwu
Etebor Ogehnekaro

Attackers
Isaac Success
Kelechi Iheanacho
Moses Simon
Ezekiel Imoh
Dominic Solanke

Icon4s:


My 18 man list:

Goalies:
Emmanuel Daniel
Dele Alampasu

Defenders:
Kingsley Madu (LB)
Stanley Amuzie (LB)
Kenneth Omeruo (CB)
Leon Balogun/Chidozie Awaziem (CB)
Abdullahi Shehu (RB)
Moses Odubanjo(RB)

Midfielders:
Wilfred Ndidi (DMF)
Ogenyi Onazi (DMF)
Oghenekaro Etebo (CMF)
Azubuike Okechukwu (CMF/DMF)
Alexander Iwobi (AM/LWF)

Forwards:
Victor Moses (WF)
Moses Simon (WF)
Kelechi Iheanacho (SS/RWF/CF)
Imoh Ezekiel (CF/SS/RWF)
Isaac Success( CF)/Chisom Chikatara (CF)

tbaba1234:


Another great list but the midfield looks very defensive.

Icon4s:


How do you mean?

tbaba1234:


Ndidi
Onazi
Azubuike

are defensively minded.

Etebo is more of a box to box midfielder.

So only Iwobi is your out and out Attacker midfielder.

Icon4s:

Kelechi Iheanacho is also an AM.
I had to include Ndidi because of his alternate role of CB.

joseph1013:
Better than most List.

Defence: I'm gonnna remove Ekong and add Awaziem. Remove Amuzie and add Ekpolo based on potential.

Midfield: I will throw Ajagun out and add Ndidi. Remove Onazi and add Mikel.

Attack: I will remove Solanke and add Victor Moses. Who says we need Ighalo?

[b]Siasia will disappoint alot of people here. He already has his list. [/b]

BascoVanVeli:


No Iheanacho is a striker, lets not keep making that mistake.

Icon4s:


A well thought out selection. I would nt include the bolded names in that list.

William Troost-Ekong: I have closely followed that guy. He is not much of a talented defender. Forgiveness, I know u like Half casts a lot. But this one will not make my team. Kenneth Omeruo and Leon Balogun will make my CB pair. If Balogun does nt make it I would take Chidozie Awaziem.

Abdul Ajagun: I know you can break my head for this. He wouldn't make my 18 man list. I would replace him with Wilfred Ndidi would also be a standby CB. I am an ambassador of experience but I know when to draw the line between Experience and talent. Ajagun may be experienced bt he is nt much talented. Lets look at the Egy vs Nig game in Alexandria. Aminu Umar is a more experienced player than Alex Iwobi. However Iwobi made far more impact after being introduced because of one thing: "Talent". I liken Ajagun to Umar and they were even U20 Team mates.

Dominc Solanke: This guy would have made my team if he a Nigerian. He has not yet switched nationality. So he cannot make my list yet. Except if something is done from now to then. I would replace him with Victor Moses.

I like your attacking line. Full of quality and inform players.

My 18 man list:

Goalies:
Emmanuel Daniel
Dele Alampasu

Defenders:
Kingsley Madu (LB)
Stanley Amuzie (LB)
Kenneth Omeruo (CB)
Leon Balogun/Chidozie Awaziem (CB)
Abdullahi Shehu (RB)
Moses Odubanjo(RB)

Midfielders:
Wilfred Ndidi (DMF)
Ogenyi Onazi (DMF)
Oghenekaro Etebo (CMF)
Azubuike Okechukwu (CMF/DMF)
Alexander Iwobi (AM/LWF)

Forwards:
Victor Moses (WF)
Moses Simon (WF)
Kelechi Iheanacho (SS/RWF/CF)
Imoh Ezekiel (CF/SS/RWF)
Isaac Success( CF)/Chisom Chikatara (CF)

forgiveness:




Ok, if that be the case i will replace William Troost-Ekong with either Ndidi or Awaziem.

@bolded sounds funny. He is not talented but he played regularly for John Obuh's U17 and U20. You know he was the engine of those teams.

He is not talented but he played regularly for 3 good seasons for Panathinaikos-fc with 67 league appearance and 10 league goals. Besides he is an attacking midfielder, centre Midfielder and a LW. He offers more options in the offensive than Ndidi.

If at all i have to replace Ajagun, it will not be with a DMF. I will look for an attacking midfielder to deputise for Alex Iwobi.

Is Iwobi more Nigerian than Solanke? someone here recently gave a hint that Solanke his ready to play for Nigeria if called. So, what do we have to say about that?

But if he's not willing then Victor Moses should take his place.

Thanks, that is how it is suppose to be. Hmm! Siasia!

However, your list is not bad but the midfield is full of defensive players apart from Iwobi.




My 18 man list:

Goalies:
Emmanuel Daniel
Dele Alampasu

Defenders:
Kingsley Madu (LB)
Stanley Amuzie (LB/CB)
Kenneth Omeruo (CB/RB)
Leon Balogu (CB/RB)
Wilfred Ndidi (CB/DMF) Chidozie Awaziem(CB/DMF)
Moses Odubanjo(RB/LB/RW)

Midfielders:
Abdul Ajagun (AM/CMF/LM)
Ogenyi Onazi (DMF/CMF)
Oghenekaro Etebo (CMF)
Azubuike Okechukwu (CMF/DMF)
Alexander Iwobi (AM/LWF)

Forwards:
Dominic Solanke (CF/LWF/RWF/AM)
Moses Simon (WF/SS)
Kelechi Iheanacho (SS/RWF/CF)
Imoh Ezekiel (CF/SS/RWF)
Isaac Success( CF/LWF)

Modified

Icon4s:


Bros u no sabi Abdul Ajagun pass me. I have followed his progress since 2009 FIFA U17 hosted in Nigeria. He even played U20 twice in 2011 and 2013. When it comes to talent he is nt in the class of Iwobi, Iheanacho, Solanke, Simon and Success. Why I may nt include him him in my 18 man list is we have 3 players that can also play the AM in addition to their other roles. These players are: Iwobi, Iheanacho and Etebo. These 3 players to me are ahead of Ajagun in the AM role.

Saying that my defensive line up is too defensive is nt true. What I have in my midfield are midfielders with defensive capabilities. Onazi and Okechukwu can function as central midfielders in addition to their DMF role while Ndidi is a DMF that provides a CB back-up. Having only 2 natural CB for such a competition may be too risky especially knowing that Omeruo and Balogun are too injury prone.


As for Solanke, UNTIL HIS NATIONALITY ISSUE IS SORTED-OUT, he will nt make my list. I dnt count my eggs before they are hatched.

forgiveness:


Bros, i sure, you no sabi am pass me. Now, let us analyse their efficiency in the age groups stages.

@ U17 Level

Ajagun was a constant starter and engine of the U17 team until they got to the finals. Na lie?

Iheanacho was the star of the U17 winning team. No question.

@U20 Level

Ajagun was no doubt the engine of that 2011 set until they were eliminated in the quarter finals. Abi i lie?

He came again as the number 10 and captained the 2013 set to the round of 16 which they narrowly lost due to John Obuh's inability to make quick changes when his team was playing 9 against 11. Remember, he dominated the team despite having Ndidi, Madu, Simon, Shehu etc in the team. Confirm. I dey lie?


Iheanacho only started in a match they were thrashed against Brazil and came in as a substitute in 82 minutes in the third match against the already defeated Hungary. In fact, the Brazilian dominated the midfield even in the match Iheanacho played.


Talent is important but what good does it do to the team if you are not able to showcase or impact it in the team.


Besides, Ajagun doesn't play in the same position with Simon, Success, Solanke and Iheanacho. So, no need of comparing them.


Etebo better pass Ajagun for only Nairaland na but Technical facts proved otherwise.

On my list i have Ndidi as a natural defender even Stanley Amuzie na natural defender. So, you are wrong. I have four natural CB on my list already.

Solanke will be invited soon. I trust Siasia for that one.

Icon4s:


You shot your self on the foot by mentioning the guys he played U20 with.

He played with Omeruo, Ramon Azeez and Onazi at U17.

He played with Ahmed Musa, Ramon Azeez, Uche Nwofor, at U20 in 2011

He played with Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Shehu Abdullahi and Kingsley Madu at 2013 U20.

The guys he played with have progressed faster than him. True or False?

That is my point. He has not progressed well.

Coaches look at players with high potentials. I prefer players that are on the quick rise not players with stunted progress.

As long as we would have super rising talents like Etebo, Iwobi and Iheanacho in that team. Sorry Abdul Forgiveness Ajagun would be a surplus requirement.

Icon4s:


You shot your self on the foot by mentioning the guys he played U20 with.

He played with Omeruo, Ramon Azeez and Onazi at U17.

He played with Ahmed Musa, Ramon Azeez, Uche Nwofor, at U20 in 2011

He played with Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Shehu Abdullahi and Kingsley Madu at 2013 U20.

The guys he played with have progressed faster than him. True or False?

That is my point. He has not progressed well.

Coaches look at players with high potentials. I prefer players that are on the quick rise not players with stunted progress.

As long as we would have super rising talents like Etebo, Iwobi and Iheanacho who all can play that AM role in that team, Sorry Abdul Forgiveness Ajagun would be a surplus requirement.

forgiveness:



False. Ramon Azeez is languishing in the third tier of Spanish football.


Omeruo is also playing for one obscure league in Turkey. From Eredivisie to Championship, from Championship to Turkey. Decipher

Onazi has been relegated to the bench this season.

Uche Nwofor. Nowhere to be found.

Kingsley Madu ; plays in an obscure league in Europe.

Shehu Abdullahi; so so

Wilfred Ndidi; lost for years before he found his footing this season after Ajagun don win trophy for Europe.

Ahmed Musa don rise even before he left the shores of Nigeria.

Moses Simon


Etebor Ogehnekaro : clubless


See your rising stars falling.

forgiveness:



False. Ramon Azeez is languishing in the third tier of Spanish football.


Omeruo is also playing for one obscure league in Turkey. From Eredivisie to Championship, from Championship to Turkey. Decipher

Onazi has been relegated to the bench this season.

Uche Nwofor. Nowhere to be found.

Kingsley Madu ; plays in an obscure league in Europe.

Shehu Abdullahi; so so

Wilfred Ndidi; lost for years before he found his footing this season after Ajagun don win trophy for Europe.

Ahmed Musa don rise even before he left the shores of Nigeria.

Moses Simon


Etebor Ogehnekaro : clubless


See your rising stars falling.

Petrobros:


When you stop analyzing football with sentiments the better it would be for you.

forgiveness:


Bros, i sure, you no sabi am pass me. Now, let us analyse their efficiency in the age groups stages.

@ U17 Level

Ajagun was a constant starter and engine of the U17 team until they got to the finals. Na lie?

Iheanacho was the star of the U17 winning team. No question.

@U20 Level

Ajagun was no doubt the engine of that 2011 set until they were eliminated in the quarter finals. Abi i lie?

He came again as the number 10 and captained the 2013 set to the round of 16 which they narrowly lost due to John Obuh's inability to make quick changes when his team was playing 9 against 11. Remember, he dominated the team despite having Ndidi, Madu, Simon, Shehu etc in the team. Confirm. I dey lie?


Iheanacho only started in a match they were thrashed against Brazil and came in as a substitute in 82 minutes in the third match against the already defeated Hungary. In fact, the Brazilian dominated the midfield even in the match Iheanacho played.


Talent is important but what good does it do to the team if you are not able to showcase or impact it in the team.


Besides, Ajagun doesn't play in the same position with Simon, Success, Solanke and Iheanacho. So, no need of comparing them.


Etebo better pass Ajagun for only Nairaland na but Technical facts proved otherwise.

On my list i have Ndidi as a natural defender even Stanley Amuzie na natural defender. So, you are wrong. I have four natural CB on my list already.

Solanke will be invited soon. I trust Siasia for that one.

Icon4s:


Ajagun has never even risen at all and as long the youngers ones like Etebo, Iheanacho and Iwobi are already ahead of him his chances of ever rising are very slim .

And very soon the likes of K. Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze would be dusting him

These are high potential fliers no be slow progress player like Ajagun.

forgiveness:


Prove if what is written is based on sentiments or facts?

forgiveness:


No change mouth.

Is it true or false?

Icon4s:


Ajagun has never even risen at all and as long the youngers ones like Etebo, Iheanacho and Iwobi are already ahead of him his chances of ever rising are very slim .

And very soon the likes of K. Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze would be dusting him

These are high potential fliers no be slow progress player like Ajagun.