goldfish80:

Exactly, the world cup in Russia should be somewhat of a dress rehearsal for the assault in Qatar.
Just like the Germans did, using the 2006/2010 world cup to build a team that went all the way in Brazil.

I so much believe we can go all the way in Qatar. The climatic conditions and the neutrality of the venue (not being in Europe or South America), its a perfect stage for us to grab the thing.
Looking forward, I don't know if Gernot Rohr will be the man to lead us to Qatar not because of competence but age(he will be well over 70 in 2022).

I see Rohr as the Moses who will lay a solid foundation for the next man to lead us to the promised land.

Icon4s:


A very talented squad. Abdul Ajagun, Michael Olaitan, Uche Agbo, Usman Mohammed, Johnbosco Amaefule and Emem Uduak were also in that squad.
Not to also forget Edafe Egbedi. Ajagun was a very influential captain.

That team under achieved.

BascoVanVeli:


We have to take this as a now or never chance. We can't expect to even make a world cup again, we have to treat this like our last and see how it goes. We can't afford to be complacent.

goldfish80:

Oh yeah, I forgot Uche Agbo then of Enyimba. A certain Moses Orkunna used to be a handy defender in that team, such a shame he ended up playing his football in Iraq.
John Obuh really assembled a great team of talent. Even if the team under achieved, they are certainly proved to be a valuable coveyour belt for the main National team in Little over 2 years.

Even France who won the tournament, their players transition to the Le blue have been stunted unlike Nigeria who left in the Quaters.
No player in that French team gave really made the step up. Pogba was already a super star heading to that tournament.
Thauvin and Kondogbia have lost their way.. The rest players from that team are still struggling.

We have achieved more than France when it comes to transition to the main team.

terzurum5:

i wish he plays for us too.
One thing I sense is that his heart is not with us. The parents just want to play safe.
This could be one of the reasons why TheGoodJoe had always insisted on calling players who have already declared their readiness to wear the green whit green.

This is also a wake-up call for all of us to insist that the system changes her orientation.

We keep on looking else where because our system has failed us comparatively. We can raise all the stars here without looking else where.

It is not about money, it is about the will power to do so.

Icon4s:


Yeah true.

Not to also forget the 2020 Olympics. Come to think of it. All our players that are currently 19 and below would be elligible. Naming some of them: Musa Yahaya, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ifeanyi Mathew, Chidera Ezeh, Chidozie Awaziem, K.Nwakali, Azubuike Okechukwu, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Sincere Seth, Sadiq Umar, Nura Abdullahi, John Lazarus, Orji Okonkwo. Some other young players may also emerge before then

This was the crop i would have loved to take part in that U19 tourney in Korea. I for see how Ejaria, Solanke, Onomah and co for fit beat Naija.

Our eyes and attention should really be focused on this crop as they are getting prepared to break into senior team football for both clubs and country. Though some already have a year experience.

They would also be vital for our 2022 WC campaign.

This in my opinion should have been our team to next year's U20 WC.

goldfish80:

Since 2012 I've been praying for the Nff to develop a 10 year plan to win the World Cup in 2022.
I don't know why but the same gut feeling that told me we would win Algeria 3:1 more than a month ago have been telling me we would capture the world cup in Doha since 2012.
That trophy in Qatar have Nigeria written all over it.

tbaba1234:
Ajagun scores....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?=20&v=C1VjeZ0cNxo

Icon4s:


Yeah. the John Obuh boys.

Recall Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Uche Nwofor, Ramon Azeez also played under him.

His boys are not doing badly.

Not only the French boys that have fallen short. What of the Uruguayean team dat beat us in that 2nd round game and later lost in the final to France via penalties.

That our squad was really talented. Mayb Obuh was nt tactical enough to fully optimise the potentials in that team.

goldfish80:

Missing the U20 next year is a huge draw back. Very difficult pill to swallow.
If the FA had a road map to 2022,that tournament next year would have certainly been captured in their programme /Road map.
It's such a pity we missed out on that.

Another aspect that should be considered which should be the final piece is the identity of the manager who will take us there. Like I said earlier, Gernot Rohr is like a guy who will lay a solid foundation for the next man to build on and conquer the world.
I hope when his contract expires after Russia, the Nff should be looking towards a younger and tactically astute German within the ages 47-55 to move us further.
Someone with the same pressing philosophy of Roger Schmidt of Bayern leverkusen, Thomas Tuchel or Luciano Favre.
Germany have an A+ in producing top level managers these days. We should be looking to explore that to our advantage after Russia.

No one should please talk about Salisu Yusuf when Rohr goes.

goldfish80:

The Uruguay boys, I really expected some of them to blow. There was this guy who scored against us Nico Lopez,had a sweet left foot, he was at Roma then. I expected him to really make an impact. He has since dissappeared into oblivion.

BascoVanVeli:


I have no problem with that but let us focus all our attention on winning in Russia. Qatar is a long time away who knows wat will happen between now and then. U can't tell how players will progress or who gets injured. We all thought it would be so easy to come back and win after 98 but such is life. Now that we have it so good we have to do everything to succeed.

Icon4s:


A bitter pill to swallow but we can still do something.

We wasted that Korea U19 opportunity bt we can organise a mini tourney next year during d summer season break. The NFF and NPFL can work it out that the NPFL mid-season break coincides with the European end of season. A Super 4 competition with the top 3 NPFL teams wont be a bad one. 3 matches plus a final for the two teams with the highest number of points. With that we can really assess the team and commence a build up for the next U23 qualifiers.

My opinion.

goldfish80:

That's a good idea...
But really if the Nff want to really promote and develop football, they should be talking about having a well thought out league structure for Premier league feeder teams.
It's a shame our Premier league clubs don't have feeder teams, academicies or U19s...
Their should be provision for clubs to have academies before being registered in the league and the FA should organise a league structure for these teams.

Another aspect we have neglected for years is the amateur league. Its a pity all kinds of things are allowed to happen to go on in that league. Scandals like team beating each other 72 :0 shows how unserious we are.
Most of the guys who have represented us started in the amateur league. Mikel, Onazi, Iheanacho, Elderson , Success etc.. We should keep an eye on what happens in that league.

Icon4s:


As for NPFL teams having U18/19 they have not finished taking care of the wellfare of the professional/senior team players na to form academies.

The problem is 95% of these clubs are managed with govt funds. And u know how it has been with state resources recently.

tbaba1234:


Ebuehi has already agreed to play for Nigeria before his agent decided that he was not ready.

Ejaria declared his international future to Nigeria but he is playing for England under 20. There is no guarantee that he won't play for the english senior team. After the under 20 world cup, Nigeria has to seriously get on his case because the English FA will be seriously on his case too. IF we are waiting for him, we can easily lose him too.

Did you see how hard, the English FA worked to get Iwobi up to the last second.

Players like Troost, Anichebe and Moses were spoken to by the Nigerian coaches.

Otigba publicly declared and has not been a shot for years.....

Not every player can publicly declare, it is risky for them and their careers. Approaching players in a way that makes them fill loved and wanted is critical.

zuchyblink:
Oriji Okwonkwo for
Luca Rizzo (89') debuts for Bologna

terzurum5:

CC; Sir Forgiveness.
How Market na

To think these are the unpatriotic players you want us to drop or regular and commited players for is very heartbreaking.

And I just be like.........
After Tyronne Ebuehi and Kingsley Ehizibue rejected Rohr's invitations



**Modified**

TheSuperNerd:
Former Nigeria U20 Captain Scores Superb
Solo Goal For Dutch Side





Former captain of the Nigeria U20 team Abduljelil Ajagun scored a superb solo goal for Dutch side Roda JC Kerkrade who were forced to a 1-1 draw by AZ Alkmaar at their home ground, Parkstad Limburg Stadion.


Ajagun stole possession from the centre circle and embarked on a strong run straight into the
opposition half before rifling an unstoppable drive into the corner to give his team the lead.


However his team were pegged back in the 59th minute when Wout Weghorst scored the leveller for the visitors, and they hanged on for a share of the spoils.


On his part, Ajagun who moved to Roda Jc in the summer from Greek giants Panathinaikos has emerged as one of the shining light of the Dutch side this season.


So far he has made 12 appearances for the team with today’s goal his first of the season. 23 year old Ajagun captained Nigeria at the 2013 World Cup in Colombia and also represented Nigeria at the 2011 edition, shortly after playing a key role for Nigeria at the U17 World Cup in 2009.


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/11/20/former-nigeria-u20-captain-scores-superb-solo-goal-for-dutch-side/

forgiveness:
Since, Ighalo and ideye no wan wake up. Let us try Karim Onisiwo. He is Leon Balogun's team mate at Mainz.

Watch his moves. He can both legs very well though he is right footed. He can as striker and as a winger on both sides.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZWoV1JFIXA

chrisooblog:
Supernerd why na! Now forgiveness won't let us rest but jokes apart glad he's doing well hope he keeps it up so Rohr can call him up

forgiveness:


Hehehehe! The truth is, I know good players when I see them play.

Ajagun is a very good player. He demonstrated that from NFL with Dolphin, U17 and U20 teams.

tbaba1234:


How many goals has Onisiwo scored this season?

tbaba1234:


Ajagun first goal after how many games? 1 goal 0 assists after 11 games with 71% pass accuracy..

He is not yet maradona..

forgiveness:


1 out of 8 matches. That is very poor for a striker, u know but he is played as a RW/LW eventhough he was bought as a Striker.

But we can try him in our friendlies to know if he fits our system.

The guy was called for Austria WCQ and friendly. He is still eligible.