BascoVanVeli:


He was even better than i thought. He was stronger, he had vision to make a pass and he played for the team.

Your Opinion.

Icon4s:


Vital point but know that that wills slow down their integration into the national team. Most of them may never be call-up.

see my oga, now u an advocate for youth? Mr he isn't there yet lol. No i don't think it will affect much becos they are already at good clubs, progress at club level is most important, we have to let them grow. If they become regulars and play the right way i am sure they will eventually get a call. I can agree with a homebased u21, that can give more incentive to stay home.

Africa get 9 slots for expanded 2026 World Cup

The expanded 48-team World Cup approved by world football governing body FIFA today will see Africa now getting nine slots, four more than they currently enjoy.

An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when the change is made for the 2026 tournament.

The sport's world governing body voted unanimously in favour of the change at a meeting in Zurich today.

In the expanded tournament, Europe will now have 16 teams, three more than what they have now, while South America will now get six automatic slots, upwards from the four automatic and one playoff places.

Asia have four extra spots with eight automatic and a playoff, while Concacaf get six automatic and a playoff slots.

Oceania and host country will have a slot each.

World Cup places by continents

Europe...16 (13 at present)

Africa...9 (5 )

Asia...8.5 (4.5)

South America ...6 (4.5)

Concacaf...6.5 (3.5)

Oceania...1 (0.5)

Host country...1


http://africanfootball.com/news/677521/Africa-get-9-slots-for-expanded-2026-World-Cup

Icon4s:

Your Opinion.

Who was better him at Rio, or Sterling in France? He is younger btw.

Icon4s:
Africa get 9 slots for expanded 2026 World Cup

The expanded 48-team World Cup approved by world football governing body FIFA today will see Africa now getting nine slots, four more than they currently enjoy.

An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when the change is made for the 2026 tournament.

The sport's world governing body voted unanimously in favour of the change at a meeting in Zurich today.

In the expanded tournament, Europe will now have 16 teams, three more than what they have now, while South America will now get six automatic slots, upwards from the four automatic and one playoff places.

Asia have four extra spots with eight automatic and a playoff, while Concacaf get six automatic and a playoff slots.

Oceania and host country will have a slot each.

World Cup places by continents

Europe...16 (13 at present)

Africa...9 (5 )

Asia...8.5 (4.5)

South America ...6 (4.5)

Concacaf...6.5 (3.5)

Oceania...1 (0.5)

Host country...1


http://africanfootball.com/news/677521/Africa-get-9-slots-for-expanded-2026-World-Cup

This Asia they are giving 8.5. Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Australia, Iran, Iraq, Saudi-Arabia, maybe China. These are the only recognized footballing houses in Asia. Which means they will always be in the WC. They want to give that play-off slot to the likes of Vietnam, Jordan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillipnes, India, Pakistan and the likes?

Africa deserve 10.5 IMO. They should remove 1.5 from Asia and add to Africa.

BascoVanVeli:


see my oga, now u an advocate for youth? Mr he isn't there yet lol. No i don't think it will affect much becos they are already at good clubs, progress at club level is most important, we have to let them grow. If they become regulars and play the right way i am sure they will eventually get a call. I can agree with a homebased u21, that can give more incentive to stay home.

I have always been advocate of youths but they must prove they have come of age to play for the Super Eagles. No automatic shirt because you were an U17 MVP or highest goals scorer. You must prove it at club level first and I am proposing the U21 to fully assess their readiness for senior team action.

The Super Eagles should not be an all comers affair for young players so we need a platform to assess them and promote the best of them. That is my point.

BascoVanVeli:


Who was better him at Rio, or Sterling in France? He is younger btw.

Come again please.

Icon4s:


Come again please.

Sterling or Sadiq, who had a better tournament? I thought young players were allowed to have a bad game here and there?

BascoVanVeli:


Sterling or Sadiq, who had a better tournament? I thought young players were allowed to have a bad game here and there?

You believe it is because he is a young player now. But I thought peeps here once said age does not matter.

All those "If you are good enough you are old enough" stuff.

Icon4s:


Nwobodo no doubts is one of the most promising young talents in the NPFL presently. But when u look at the Current Super Eagles team where players like Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon and Wilfred Ndidi are not even starters u know it would be difficult for him to break in. And when you consider that the players that he may need to compete with for the AM position are almost his age mates (Iwobi, Etebor, probably Iheanacho) u cannot now say he is a talent for "future plans".

In the 90s we had similar cases where some highly skilled and talented players would be making waves in the local league but they never had that opportunity to play for the Super Eagles. Emmanuel Ebiede, Richard (Owo-blow) Owobokiri among others come to mind.

Nwobodo should just continue doing good and hope a European club comes for him soon.
That is why I am proposing that U21 team. It is for players like these.

Yes w have many of them,very talented but find it difficult to break into Eagles in d 90s,at d home front player like Ochucko otis,Dodo Avaa,Wasiu Taiwo,Duke Udi,Emmanuel Teberen,Monday Agboontaen,Edema Fuludu and foreign based like Richard Owubokiri,Mike obiku,Chris ohenhen,Jonathan Akpoborie,James Obiorah,wilson oruma(in and out).

It seems w are already in that era and a lot of talented player w not make Rohr team except exceptional ones.Now d major issue facing Eagles now is RB and urgent solution is needed,d position is open for anybody to grab.

Also there is need for back up for LB coz Echieje sometimes a suspect,also a good CB is needed for Ekong and Leon in case of injury or lose of form coz our last match against Algeria Ekong did not really get it right,thanks for Leon for rising to d occasion,so w need a back up and player like Otigba should be given a chance and let us see what he can offer.I want to see d era of 90s where w have four strong CB in d likes of Keshi,Okechuchwu,Nwanu,Uche Okafor

We should not forget goalkeeping aspect coz for now,only Ikeme gives us rest of mind and there is need to search for a very matured goalkeeper either home based or foreign,a well composed keeper who can call d short at any given time.

Though w have abundance of players in d midfield and attack but we are still having issue with No 9 position.This is d area that w determined how technically sound is Rohr coz he has d players to fill this position,player like Iheanacho,Ideye,Ighalo,Anichebe,Osimieh,Olarewaju,with this pool of players,we should not be having issues.

Rohr should used US94 squad as his blue print coz 94 positions w filled with tested players from d bench to d first eleven.Rufai,Agu,Agbonibvare(goalkeepers)Eguavoen,Ezeugo,Iroha,Emenalo(full backs)Keshi,Nwanu,Okechucwu,Okafor(CB)Olishe,Okocha,Adepoju,oliha(midfielders)Yekini,Siasia,Amokachie,Ekoku,Amuneke,Finidi,Ikpeba(attackers)

Kog45:
Yes w have many of them,very talented but find it difficult to break into Eagles in d 90s,at d home front player like Ochucko otis,Dodo Avaa,Wasiu Taiwo,Duke Udi,Emmanuel Teberen,Monday Agboontaen,Edema Fuludu and foreign based like Richard Owubokiri,Mike obiku,Chris ohenhen,Jonathan Akpoborie,James Obiorah,wilson oruma(in and out).

It seems w are already in that era and a lot of talented player w not make Rohr team except exceptional ones.Now d major issue facing Eagles now is RB and urgent solution is needed,d position is open for anybody to grab.

Also there is need for back up for LB coz Echieje sometimes a suspect,also a good CB is needed for Ekong and Leon in case of injury or lose of form coz our last match against Algeria Ekong did not really get it right,thanks for Leon for rising to d occasion,so w need a back up and player like Otigba should be given a chance and let us see what he can offer.I want to see d era of 90s where w have four strong CB in d likes of Keshi,Okechuchwu,Nwanu,Uche Okafor

We should not forget goalkeeping aspect coz for now,only Ikeme gives us rest of mind and there is need to search for a very matured goalkeeper either home based or foreign,a well composed keeper who can call d short at any given time.

Though w have abundance of players in d midfield and attack but we are still having issue with No 9 position.This is d area that w determined how technically sound is Rohr coz he has d players to fill this position,player like Iheanacho,Ideye,Ighalo,Anichebe,Osimieh,Olarewaju,with this pool of players,we should not be having issues.

Rohr should used US94 squad as his blue print coz all d 94 positions w filled with tested players from d bench to d first eleven.Rufai,Agu,Agbonibvare(goalkeepers)Eguavoen,Ezeugo,Iroha,Emenalo(full backs)Keshi,Nwanu,Okechucwu,Okafor(CB)Olishe,Okocha,Adepoju,oliha(midfielders)Yekini,Siasia,Amokachie,Ekoku,Amuneke,Finidi,Ikpeba.

Yeah, I was trying to remember some of those names. There were also Patrick Pascal, Ndubuisi Nda, Ida Peter-side, John Zaki,

Icon4s:


I have always been advocate of youths but they must prove they have come of age to play for the Super Eagles. No automatic shirt because you were an U17 MVP or highest goals scorer. You must prove it at club level first and I am proposing the U21 to fully assess their readiness for senior team action.

The Super Eagles should not be an all comers affair for young players so we need a platform to assess them and promote the best of them. That is my point.

Assess what? Someone wanted Rohr to callup Osimhen if he plays well in Germany and u were against it. What will he see against Benin Republic that he won't see in Germany?

Icon4s:


This Asia they are giving 8.5. Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Australia, Iran, Iraq, Saudi-Arabia, maybe China. These are the only recognized footballing houses in Asia. Which means they will always be in the WC. They want to give that play-off slot to the likes of Vietnam, Jordan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillipnes, India, Pakistan and the likes?

Africa deserve 10.5 IMO. They should remove 1.5 from Asia and add to Africa.

only three of those teams can even make it out of group stage. It's too much slots for a non-footballing continent.

However, Africa did get the most increase in slots

joseph1013:
We Have Lots Of Options In Attack – Rohr Cast Doubts Over Immediate Invitation Of Bournemouth Star Ibe Invitation



The possible invitation of Bournemouth star Jordon Ibe to the Super Eagles of Nigeria won’t be as fast as many have expected with coach Gernot Rohr admitting that competition is stiff in the attack of the team.

Ibe has indicated his willingness to play for Nigeria after initially snubbing overtures to play for the team, when he had his breakthrough at Liverpool.

However will his decision has been hailed by some Nigerians, who view him as a positive addition to the firepower of the team, the coach says his inclusion will be based on merit.

” We have options in attack, and if Ibe is truly willing to play for Nigeria then he will also be a part of the options we have in attack. He is a good player but other players in his position are not doing bad as well”, Rohr told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” The idea is to select the best players for Nigeria at all time. We need our best legs to help our dream of going to the World Cup 2018, hopefully we will have the players we want for specific games”.

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/11/we-have-lots-of-options-in-attack-rohr-cast-doubts-over-immediate-invitation-of-bournemouth-star-ibe-invitation/

sometimes delay can be fatal.

If this guy had sense back then, he should have struck while the iron was hot and would have been as solid as Iwobi is in this team probably.

It could have been a confidence booster and maybe affected his club career positively.

But look where he has found himself about a year after, in limbo. The queen won't call anymore and the rebound isn't so sure you're good enough anymore

Poor Aibe...

Eagles coach chases young Levekusen star


images(.jpg

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is working to convince Bayer Leverkusen attacking sensation Chinedu Ekene to commit his international future to Nigeria.

The 17-year-old, who has represented Germany from Under-15 to Under-18 level, is eligible to play for Nigeria because his father is a Nigerian. The German-born player is also free to switch because he has yet to play for the European country’s senior national team.

Ekene, who is one of the players to be promoted to the Budesliga side’s first team next summer, has earned rave reviews from the German media following his countless good performances in the Under-19 league.

Our correspondent learnt that Rohr, who takes a keen interest in the German Bundesliga and the French Ligue 1, has been pressuring the young striker to play for the Eagles instead of Die Mannschaft (German senior national team).

Despite Germany manager Jaochim Low boasting Werder Bremen’s 28-year-old hitman Max Kruse and Manchester City forward Leroy Sane, 20, in his squad, Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller, 27, remains the World Cup champions’ best striker.

Low could be monitoring Ekene’s development, and Rohr has decided to make a move for the young striker.

Sources told our correspondent that German manager Rohr allegedly met several times with the player trying to convince him to choose Nigeria ahead of his mother’s country.

It was learnt that the former Burkina Faso and Gabon coach is also monitoring the performances of two other German-born Nigerians in the Bayer Leverkusen youth set-up Ufumwen Osawe (striker) and Maduka Okoye (goalkeeper). Both players are 17.

Rohr had told our correspondent last week that he was in talks with a German-born Nigerian at Bayer Leverkusen to play for the Eagles. And our correspondent learnt that Ekene is the player.

The former Bordeaux manager said aside from ADO Den Haag’s Dutch-born right-back Tyronne Ebuehi, who has agreed to commit his international future to Nigeria, he (Rohr) had been searching for young talents in Europe with Nigerian roots to play for the Eagles.

According to the 63-year-old former Bayern Munich defender, he wants players who are hungry for glory, as he believes the Eagles will qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Nigeria currently lead their Russia 2018 qualifying group on six points after beating Zambia 2-1 and Algeria 3-1 last year.


http://punchng.com/eagles-coach-chases-young-levekusen-star/

CODMOK:

Eagles coach chases young Levekusen star


images(.jpg

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is working to convince Bayer Leverkusen attacking sensation Chinedu Ekene to commit his international future to Nigeria.

The 17-year-old, who has represented Germany from Under-15 to Under-18 level, is eligible to play for Nigeria because his father is a Nigerian. The German-born player is also free to switch because he has yet to play for the European country’s senior national team.

Ekene, who is one of the players to be promoted to the Budesliga side’s first team next summer, has earned rave reviews from the German media following his countless good performances in the Under-19 league.

Our correspondent learnt that Rohr, who takes a keen interest in the German Bundesliga and the French Ligue 1, has been pressuring the young striker to play for the Eagles instead of Die Mannschaft (German senior national team).

Despite Germany manager Jaochim Low boasting Werder Bremen’s 28-year-old hitman Max Kruse and Manchester City forward Leroy Sane, 20, in his squad, Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller, 27, remains the World Cup champions’ best striker.

Low could be monitoring Ekene’s development, and Rohr has decided to make a move for the young striker.

Sources told our correspondent that German manager Rohr allegedly met several times with the player trying to convince him to choose Nigeria ahead of his mother’s country.

It was learnt that the former Burkina Faso and Gabon coach is also monitoring the performances of two other German-born Nigerians in the Bayer Leverkusen youth set-up Ufumwen Osawe (striker) and Maduka Okoye (goalkeeper). Both players are 17.

Rohr had told our correspondent last week that he was in talks with a German-born Nigerian at Bayer Leverkusen to play for the Eagles. And our correspondent learnt that Ekene is the player.

The former Bordeaux manager said aside from ADO Den Haag’s Dutch-born right-back Tyronne Ebuehi, who has agreed to commit his international future to Nigeria, he (Rohr) had been searching for young talents in Europe with Nigerian roots to play for the Eagles.

According to the 63-year-old former Bayern Munich defender, he wants players who are hungry for glory, as he believes the Eagles will qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Nigeria currently lead their Russia 2018 qualifying group on six points after beating Zambia 2-1 and Algeria 3-1 last year.


http://punchng.com/eagles-coach-chases-young-levekusen-star/

Our journalists like to make up news.

Eddie Howe is about to offload Jordan Ibe to the championship on loan. That is a massive fall from grace. At some point, he was considered the next big English star.

Eddie Howe publicly expressed disappointment at his development.

BascoVanVeli:


Assess what? Someone wanted Rohr to callup Osimhen if he plays well in Germany and u were against it. What will he see against Benin Republic that he won't see in Germany?

Has he started playing professional football in Germany? So why are people already calling for his inclusion.

Its like you don't really understand my stand points.

safarigirl:
only three of those teams can even make it out of group stage. It's too much slots for a non-footballing continent.

However, Africa did get the most increase in slots

Africa and Asia got 4 apiece.

None of those Asian teams can beat the best 3 teams in Africa.

tbaba1234:
Eddie Howe is about to offload Jordan Ibe to the championship on loan. That is a massive fall from grace. At some point, he was considered the next big English star.

Eddie Howe publicly expressed disappointment at his development.

English press hype. Na their way be that.

Icon4s:


Has he started playing professional football in Germany? So why are people already calling for his inclusion.

Its like you don't really understand my stand points.

What game are we playing this month? Obviously we are not saying invite him right now without him playing a game in Germany but at least give him a chance if he proves himself in Germany.

BascoVanVeli:


What game are we playing this month? Obviously we are not saying invite him right now without him playing a game in Germany but at least give him a chance if he proves himself in Germany .

That is my point exactly. He needs to prove himself in Germany first.

TheGoodJoe:


It is not a waste if we are hunting for quality. Rohr is not satisfied with the full back situation. It is a key ingredient of his attacking play. Rohr is not going to make a guess list. He will call up those who will come to camp after careful deliberation.

We spent money camping different full backs that did not convince Rohr. Will we call that wastage? No. It is a continuous process. If Fabian Senninger can become top quality, investing money in camping him can not become a waste because the aim is to keep making our team stronger.

You obviously missed my point.
Yes, it makes sense to invite young players with the intention to expose them to international football and integrate those who are ready to the team.
My point is that, the so called young players need to buy a ticket to be considered for such invites.
Our national team is our pride. We can't have Junior who plays in the German amateur division for Hannover U19's to be invited for such expos. We are not in the mid 2000's where an Abbey George playing non-league football will be holding sway in our Super Eagles. The criteria should be that such player must have broken into his clubs first team to get such invite. Ovie Ejaria qualifies for such look in.

The u21 team as suggested by Icon4s is a good one but funny enough, the Nff is downsizing the number of national teams in their portfolio due to cash crunch.
Again, Caf should consider having an U21 championship like Europeans do. The game needs to develop further in Africa due to the world cup expansion.
It's innovative having CHAN championship but the U21/19 championships will go along way in shapping talents from our continent.

Further more, the Caf champions league and confederations cup format should be tweaked to meet the demands of the 21st century.
An 8 team, 2 groups format in the Caf champions league is laughable. It looks like an amateur league structure.
The Caf champions league format should be expanded to 16 team formate in a group of 4.

We need to do what is necessary to raise the game in Africa. The extra world cup slots should count to our advantage.

Icon4s:


That is my point exactly. He needs to prove himself in Germany first.

since when? We already told u that and u said no let him wait. If he is playing week in week out he would be proving himself.

goldfish80:

You obviously missed my point.
Yes, it makes sense to invite young players with the intention to expose them to international football and integrate those who are ready to the team.
My point is that, the so called young players need to buy a ticket to be considered for such invites.
Our national team is our pride. We can't have Junior who plays in the German amateur division for Hannover U19's to be invited for such expos. We are not in the mid 2000's where an Abbey George playing non-league football will be holding sway in our Super Eagles. The criteria should be that such player must have broken into his clubs first team to get such invite. Ovie Ejaria qualifies for such look in.

The u21 team as suggested by Icon4s is a good one but funny enough, the Nff is downsizing the number of national teams in their portfolio due to cash crunch.
Again, Caf should consider having an U21 championship like Europeans do. The game needs to develop further in Africa due to the world cup expansion.
It's innovative having CHAN championship but the U21/19 championships will go along way in shapping talents from our continent.

Further more, the Caf champions league and confederations cup format should be tweaked to meet the demands of the 21st century.
An 8 team, 2 groups format in the Caf champions league is laughable. It looks like an amateur league structure.
The Caf champions league format should be expanded to 16 team formate in a group of 4.

We need to do what is necessary to raise the game in Africa. The extra world cup slots should count to our advantage.

You have said quite a lot from this post.

I so much agree with you on the issue of young players' invitation to the national team. It seemed I was alone on that argument for long but thank God other analysts are pointing it out. A player needs to break into his clubs first team first and play a couple of games from which the coach would assess him and decide whether he is worthy of a call up.

As for the U21 team proposal, the Europeans so much value this age grade competition. CAF can scrap the CHAN and replace it with the U21 competition and let the tourney be played at the end of the league season. The AYC can be made U19 and be played a year before the WYC. The U21 be played a year after the WYC with that there would be an easier progression into the U23.

What do you call it when Nigeria has won 5 U17 tourneys and yet we have only played in 2 U20 WC finals and not winning any. The transition from U17 to U20 is what is not there. But why is that we perform better at U23 than U20?- Another food for thought.

I have followed the game far well enough. I watched live the maiden edition of the U16/U17 world cup. I have over the years studied team selection for the U20 team two years after the U17. It was even U21 in the 80s and 90s. I think it became U20 from 1999 or there about.

Nigerian coaches have not gotten right at the U20 level. The only two coaches that got to the final-Samson Siasia and Tunde Disu understood the challenges/competition at that age grade. Look at the structure and composition of their teams.

I some time ago highlighted to this great house the failure of Chile '87. Shockingly Emmanuel Amuneke said he could not remember anything about that tourney. That tells a lot. Not because he was too young to remember (after all he was my senior in school by 4 years) but because he probably choose not to commit the event to memory. The selection of players for that U21 Tourney was the recipe for the catastrophe that followed. A group of boys played U16 in 1985. Two years after in 1987 they were playing U21. Mind you, a lot of those boys were 15 years in that 1985 it means they would be 17 in 1987. The oldest being 18yrs. I recall Thompson Oliha and Etim Esin were dratfted into Chile '87 squad but that was not enough. They were walloped 4-0 by Brazil, 2-0 by Italy and played 2-2 draw with Canada.

Tunde Disu took over the Flying Eagles in 1989. What he did was to select from the 1985 Eaglets who were 19 and 20 yrs old by then and the best of the 1987 Eaglets. He also added some players from the local league. That Flying Eagles squad in my opinion remains the best till date.

Players like : Nduka Ugbade, Jonathan Akpoborie, Taiwo Enegwea from the 1985 Eaglets. Dimeji Lawal, Philip Osondu, Christopher Nwosu, Bawa Abdulahi, Anthony Emeodofu and Peter Ogaba from the 1987 Eaglets. Others came from the local league: like Mutiu Adepoju (shooting star), Chris Ohenhen (Calabar Rovers), Samuel Elija (shooting stars), Tunde Charity (Bendel Insurance), Mike Onyemachara (First Bank), Jimoh Balogun (Julius Berger) among others including the goalies: Angus Ikechi and Emeka Amadi. Note that most of these boys were already professional players. A couple of the Eaglest graduates were already in European clubs. At least I recall Philip Osondu was in Anderlecht of Belgium. This was a matured U20 Team.

Looking at the Siasia's team of 2005. Kennedy Chinwo was the only player picked from the 2001 Eaglets because he was the only 15years old when the U17 tourney was played in 2001. The other were not eligible age-wise to play U20 in 2005. From the 2003 Eaglets: Isaac Promise, Chinedu Ogbuke-Obasi, John Obi Mikel, Solomon Okoronkwo, Kola Anubi and Ambrose Vanzekin. The other players came mostly from the local league: Taye Taiwo (Lobi stars), Onyekachi Apam (Enugu Rangers), Monday James (Bendel Insurance), Daddy Bazuaye (Bendel Insurance), Solomon Abwo (Enyimba), John Owoeri (Bendel Insurance), Sani Kaita (Kano Pillars), Dele Adeleye (shooting stars),Gift Atulewa (Bayelsa Utd) Olubayo Adefemi (Israel), Yinka Adedeji (Sweden) and Daniel Akpeyi (Gabros International). Those NPL boys, where no feeder team players. They were regulars in their team. I vividly recall a rampaging David Abwo during Enyimb's 2004/2005 CAF chmapions league campagne.

Manu Garba tried with his 2015 Flying Eagles. Firstly he called back the boys that failed the MRI. Players like: Wilfred Ndidi, Ifeanyi Mathew, Bernard Bulbwa, Ibrahim Alhassan, Abdul Mustapha( I always forget his name-the one u guys call picture boy). You could see the great input made by those boys. He also called Kingsley Sokari from the NPFL, Moses Simon from Gent and Enahoro-the goalie from MFM. However, majority of the team were still from his former 2013 U17 set up. By that time in 2015 majority of them were still academy players. Only Isaac Success, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon and Kingsley Sokari professional players. The squad was largely lacking in experience compared to the Tunde Disu's 1989 and Samson Siasia's 2005 squads.

Peeps who can recall from the U20 thread would remember how I lamented this deficiency in Manu's U20 squad.

Looking at the Amuneke's U20 squad. Amuneke I feel did not recognize the level of competition he would face. The team was made up 90% of his 2015 U17 players. The team was too young and greatly lacking in experience just like what happened with the Chile '87 boys. Well, Amuneke said he could not remember what happened at Chile '87 so no lessons learnt.

I have always said it that the U20 is for young professional players. If you go and parade academy players there talents will fail them where experience is needed. The Amuneke's U20 were playing passing game on a flooded pitch in Lagos while the Sudanese boys were playing long balls. Victor Osimhen scored Sudan's winning goal that day.

We need to really take the U20 age grade level more seriously. Of late we seem to be underrating the competition at that level.

BascoVanVeli:


since when? We already told u that and u said no let him wait. If he is playing week in week out he would be proving himself.

Has Victor Osimhen played any game for Woldburg's senior team yet?

Icon4s:

Has Victor Osimhen played any game for Woldburg's senior team yet?

Are the Eagles playing today?

BascoVanVeli:


Are the Eagles playing today?

There is a friendly in march.

So on what grounds are we inviting Victor Osimhen?

Icon4s:


You have said quite a lot from this post.

I so much agree with you on the issue of young players' invitation to the national team. It seemed I was alone on that argument for long but thank God other analysts are pointing it out. A player needs to break into his clubs first team first and play a couple of games from which the coach would assess him and decide whether he is worthy of a call up.

As for the U21 team proposal, the Europeans so much value this age grade competition. CAF can scrap the CHAN and replace it with the U21 competition and let the tourney be played at the end of the league season. The AYC can be made U19 and be played a year before the WYC. The U21 be played a year after the WYC with that there would be an easier progression into the U23.

What do you call it when Nigeria has won 5 U17 tourneys and yet we have only played in 2 U20 WC finals and not winning any. The transition from U17 to U20 is what is not there. But why is that we perform better at U23 than U20?- Another food for thought.

I have followed the game far well enough. I watched live the maiden edition of the U16/U17 world cup. I have over the years studied team selection for the U20 team two years after the U17. It was even U21 in the 80s and 90s. I think it became U20 from 1999 or there about.

Nigerian coaches have not gotten right at the U20 level. The only two coaches that got to the final-Samson Siasia and Tunde Disu understood the challenges/competition at that age grade. Look at the structure and composition of their teams.

I some time ago highlighted to this great house the failure of Chile '87. Shockingly Emmanuel Amuneke said he could not remember anything about that tourney. That tells a lot. Not because he was too young to remember (after all he was my senior in school by 4 years) but because he probably choose not to commit the event to memory. The selection of players for that U21 Tourney was the recipe for the catastrophe that followed. A group of boys played U16 in 1985. Two years after in 1987 they were playing U21. Mind you, a lot of those boys were 15 years in that 1985 it means they would be 17 in 1987. The oldest being 18yrs. I recall Thompson Oliha and Etim Esin were dratfted into Chile '87 squad but that was not enough. They were walloped 4-0 by Brazil, 2-0 by Italy and played 2-2 draw with Canada.

Tunde Disu took over the Flying Eagles in 1989. What he did was to select from the 1985 Eaglets who were 19 and 20 yrs old by then and the best of the 1987 Eaglets. He also added some players from the local league. That Flying Eagles squad in my opinion remains the best till date.

Players like : Nduka Ugbade, Jonathan Akpoborie, Taiwo Enegwea from the 1985 Eaglets. Dimeji Lawal, Philip Osondu, Christopher Nwosu, Bawa Abdulahi, Anthony Emeodofu and Peter Ogaba from the 1987 Eaglets. Others came from the local league: like Mutiu Adepoju (shooting star), Chris Ohenhen (Calabar Rovers), Samuel Elija (shooting stars), Tunde Charity (Bendel Insurance), Mike Onyemachara (First Bank), Jimoh Balogun (Julius Berger) among others including the goalies: Angus Ikechi and Emeka Amadi. Note that most of these boys were already professional players. A couple of the Eaglest graduates were already in European clubs. At least I recall Philip Osondu was in Anderlecht of Belgium. This was a matured U20 Team.

Looking at the Siasia's team of 2005. Kennedy Chinwo was the only player picked from the 2001 Eaglets because he was the only 15years old when the U17 tourney was played in 2001. The other were not eligible age-wise to play U20 in 2005. From the 2003 Eaglets: Isaac Promise, Chinedu Ogbuke-Obasi, John Obi Mikel, Solomon Okoronkwo, Kola Anubi and Ambrose Vanzekin. The other players came mostly from the local league: Taye Taiwo (Lobi stars), Onyekachi Apam (Enugu Rangers), Monday James (Bendel Insurance), Daddy Bazuaye (Bendel Insurance), Solomon Abwo (Enyimba), John Owoeri (Bendel Insurance), Sani Kaita (Kano Pillars), Dele Adeleye (shooting stars),Gift Atulewa (Bayelsa Utd) Olubayo Adefemi (Israel), Yinka Adedeji (Sweden) and Daniel Akpeyi (Gabros International). Those NPL boys, where no feeder team players. They were regulars in their team. I vividly recall a rampaging David Abwo during Enyimb's 2004/2005 CAF chmapions league campagne.

Manu Garba tried with his 2015 Flying Eagles. Firstly he called back the boys that failed the MRI. Players like: Wilfred Ndidi, Ifeanyi Mathew, Bernard Bulbwa, Ibrahim Alhassan, Abdul Mustapha( I always forget his name-the one u guys call picture boy). You could see the great input made by those boys. He also called Kingsley Sokari from the NPFL, Moses Simon from Gent and Enahoro-the goalie from MFM. However, majority of the team were still from his former 2013 U17 set up. By that time in 2015 majority of them were still academy players. Only Isaac Success, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon and Kingsley Sokari professional players. The squad was largely lacking in experience compared to the Tunde Disu's 1989 and Samson Siasia's 2005 squads.

Peeps who can recall from the U20 thread would remember how I lamented this deficiency in Manu's U20 squad.

Looking at the Amuneke's U20 squad. Amuneke I feel did not recognize the level of competition he would face. The team was made up 90% of his 2015 U17 players. The team was too young and greatly lacking in experience just like what happened with the Chile '87 boys. Well, Amuneke said he could not remember what happened at Chile '87 so no lessons learnt.

I have always said it that the U20 is for young professional players. If you go and parade academy players there talents will fail them where experience is needed. The Amuneke's U20 were playing passing game on a flooded pitch in Lagos while the Sudanese boys were playing long balls. Victor Osimhen scored Sudan's winning goal that day.

We need to really take the U20 age grade level more seriously. Of late we seem to be underrating the competition at that level.

It was a pleasure to read through your post. We obviously share the same vision. If only Caf and the Nf shared the same vision.
Sometimes I wonder what the job description of these Caf executive Committee members are. Many armchair analyst like us can do better job.

Caf should integrate an U21 tournament into their calendar, also an expansion of the Caf champions league is long overdue, maybe an alliance with a few Arabian gulf countries to have their teams play in the Caf champions league could prove to be a master stroke. This will attract larger followership of the tournament and more TV money to participating clubs.
The recent Chinese infiltration should be a food for thought to Africa. We must re-strategies. The Europeans have succeeded in developing a UEFA youth champions league while Africa still operates a half baked 8-team champions league,without an U19/U21 championship.

In my opinion, Issa Hayatou cannot take Africa to next level. The status quo will remain intact if he's still there.