terzurum5:
Nigerians To Wait Up Until 11PM To Monitor Nigeria Vs Senegal Friendly



Nigerians will have to stay awake until 2300 hours to monitor the Super Eagles two friendly matches with Senegal and Burkina Faso in March.


The Nigeria Football Federation, Eurodata Sport the NFF’s Official FIFA Match Agent and Barnet FC have confirmed that both games against the West African opponents will start 2000 hours local time which is 2100 hours in Nigeria.


Tickets for the games will cost £10 (equivalent of N5,300) for adults and £5 (2,650) for juniors.


The Super Eagles take on Senegal at the Hive Stadium on March 23 before wrapping up their schedule against Burkina Faso four days later.


Nigeria coach Rohr has named seven English-based players among a 25-man roster for the friendly matches.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=22246

joseph1013:


Messi and Ronaldo would have dominated in the Zidane, Ronaldo era. Their domination now does not show the dearth of quality players, it shows how lucky folks like Ronaldinho were. In fact, you constantly hear them say that these two are the best they have seen and wished they played with them.

Based on the quality they bring to the team at their prime, Zidane is not far away from Xavi and Iniesta. People forget how Iniesta and Xavi were eclipsed for the top award just by being teammates with Messi.

Based on sheer quality, Ronaldo de Lima is not far away from Zlatan. If Zlatan was born a Brazilian in the Ronaldo era, he would have won the World Cup. There is nothing Ronaldo would have done to win the Euros with this Swedish team. In fact based on sheer consistency in churning out the numbers, Zlatan beats him. Everywhere Zlatan went, he was banging in goals and all his teammates and coaches recognize the value and extraordinarily leadership he brings on the team. Ronaldo is more skilful and has more pace, but sheer leadership, strength and aerial prowress, Zlatan is miles ahead.

Anyway, back to the Eagles. I'm disappointed with this list. Osimhen has no place in the team, neither does Shehu, or Muhammed Musa, or Awaziem. We need to encourage players playing regularly. I expected to see Sone Aluko. And since the Nigerian league is in session, we should have called up players playing in the local league for Osimhen, Musa and Awaziem. I watched a NPFL game the other day and my, the quality has come up. I heard StarTimes is now sponsoring the NNL, we have to encourage these projects.

I keep repeating that there are excellent players in the NPFL, and I know someone like komekn will shoot back that they are overaged. Doesn't matter. If you are good enough, you are young enough. There is no reason why that guy that scored the CNN goal of the week cannot be invited to camp. This is how to develop the league. That La Liga has even partnered with the league and there are players already leaving for the best league in the world shows we are doing a world of disservice to them.

I was pained to see that 25-year old Rangers guy go to Sweden, he has no reason to go there based on his quality. He is better than some of these players we see in the french league. If he had been recognized and played by past coaches, I am positive that he would have performed. Someone with the quality of Nwobodo is rotting away in the league and we are inviting Osimhen who has not played a single game of professional football. SMH

forgiveness:



Let us be truthful to ourselves. Why on earth will a coach leave out one of the best performing players churning in MOTM right left center for players who are anonymous even in an obscure league or academy?

Why Osimhen and not Onyekuru?

Why Isaac and not Aluko?

Why Aweriem and not Otigba?

Why Musa and not Brain?

Why invite inactive Ikechuckwu and not Nwokolor?

Nonsense Nigerian coaches are influencing Rohr's decisions.

TheGoodJoe:


CR7 and Messi would have been among the top players but would never have dominated as they did in this era. They would have played more on the wings with two strikers in front of them. That was the challenge the likes of Figo, Overmars, Amunike, Finidi, Ronald de Boer faced.

Despite their exceptional talents, CR7 and Messi will not rake the kind of goals the did to win the Ballon D'Or repeatedly.

terzurum5:

When you take stock of players like Chuba Akpom, Alex Iwobi, Dominic Solanke, Dele Alli, Tammy Abraham, Ojo, Ibe, etc who were all eligible to play in the previous FIFA U17 or FIFA U20. You will discover that if they were a bit serious, they should get to atleast the finals, looking at the quality of talents their youth system churn out every now and then. That is why I concluded they do not take FIFA under age tournaments serious.

They have good home grown players both in academies, the championship and even in the premier league. So what stops them from going to these tournaments for the Gold

forgiveness:


Sure starter or not a labourer deserves his wages.

They have done very well to be noticed.

I will agree we invite one or two players from our league but not at the detriment of the ones doing well in Europe.

terzurum5:
FC Porto Congratulates Awaziem On Super Eagles Invitation, Buy-Out Clause Revisited



Super Eagles invitee Chidozie Awaziem has received congratulatory message from his Portuguese team FC Porto following his invitation to the senior Nigeria national team.


Awaziem was named in the squad released by coach Gernot Rohr for the upcoming friendly games against Senegal and Burkina Faso in London later this month.


Although it is not the first time he is being invited to the senior national team of Nigeria, Porto however congratulated him with a message to the defender to this time around make sure he makes his debut.


The 20 year old central defender who is also comfortable as a defensive midfielder made 12 appearances for the first team of FC Porto last season, 18 months after his transfer from El-Kanemi Juniors of Jos.


This season he is yet to play for the main team but he has been ever present for the B team who are playing in the second division in Portugal, with over 25 league appearances to his name this season.


Contracted to FC Porto till the summer of 2021, his buyout clause is pegged at €30m by the Portuguese side. A sign of how high he is rated by the upper ends of the club.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/03/03/fc-porto-congratulates-awaziem-on-super-eagles-invitation-buy-out-clause-revisited/

terzurum5:
Everton Rave Of The Moment Ademola Lookman Talks Up Proud Nigerian Root & Culture



Ademola Lookman has spoken out about his Nigerian root as the battle to win his international future intensify between Nigeria and England.


Lookman spoke about his Nigerian roots in an interview with international magazine FourFourTwo, while discussing his rise from non league football to the Premier League.


Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, the 19-year-old reveals his dream to play at the highest level was tough, but was determined to achieve his goal following the death of a team-mate when he was playing non-league football at Waterloo FC.


The teenage forward joined Everton in a deal worth in excess of £10m in January from League One side Charlton Athletic after being spotted playing in amateur leagues in South London.


But Lookman says his career could have easily gone in a different direction.


“My parents are from Nigeria and in our culture they want you to be an accountant or a lawyer,” Lookman said.


“I told them I was going to be an accountant but I was lying.


“I only ever wanted to be a footballer.”

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/03/03/everton-rave-of-the-moment-ademola-lookman-talks-up-proud-nigerian-root-culture/

forgiveness:



Everton Rave Of The Moment Ademola Lookman Talks Up Proud Nigerian Root & Culture


image
Ademola Lookman has spoken out about his Nigerian root as the battle to win his international future intensify between Nigeria and England.

Lookman spoke about his Nigerian roots in an interview with international magazine FourFourTwo, while discussing his rise from non league football to the Premier League.

Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, the 19-year-old reveals his dream to play at the highest level was tough, but was determined to achieve his goal following the death of a team-mate when he was playing non-league football at Waterloo FC.

The teenage forward joined Everton in a deal worth in excess of £10m in January from League One side Charlton Athletic after being spotted playing in amateur leagues in South London.

But Lookman says his career could have easily gone in a different direction.

“My parents are from Nigeria and in our culture they want you to be an accountant or a lawyer,” Lookman said.

“I told them I was going to be an accountant but I was lying.

“I only ever wanted to be a footballer

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/874765052?-21310:8643:0

komekn:
I pray that Rohr is not unduly influenced by our local coaches in looking at local league players who will more than likely bring in the usual under hand dealing.

I will say it again and again that the pool of available potential talent is far greater in the UK than any other place in the world apart from Nigeria.

Someone has suggested that I am only interested in English Nigerian players and therefore biased. No, I am not, I have a experiential familiarity about English football so I talk about what I know. I am also not totally ignorant about German and Dutch football.

So my expectations were for Rohr to have done some digging picking and courting players who are excellent but not seen or widely acknowledged as being any good in England not just German and Dutch players. I had the same expectations for the local league in Nigeria.

Vardy at Leicester and Antonio at West ham are not the only non league players to be discovered and playing in the EPL. Ngolo Nkante is acknowledged widely as World class and the one setting the pace and redefining the DM role. Three years ago he was effectively playing in the French 3rd division.

See
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/news/forget-zlatan-sanchez-and-diego-costa-kante-is-the-best-player-in-the-premier-league/ar-AAnKeGV?ocid=spartandhp

I would like to see exceptional players from the local Nigerian league. Players don't just become good because they are now playing in Europe.

BascoVanVeli:


Look at England's squad in the last European U21 and tell me they didn't go to win. England is just poor in international competition when anything is on the line.

Humility017:


should England win an under 20 world cup...their media will not allow the world to rest...the world cup they won in the 60s they are still blowing it up till now....
abeg their matter na wan kind

Humility017:

Sir...the painful truth is even the local players will not be selected on merit... every one of them will like chip in their boys as a marketing channel to obscure leagues in Europe...
mtcheww.

komekn:


We have a problem of corruption, favoritism, bribery, etc, etc in our entire country. It's not unique too football so why should football be any different.

Can someone tell me why in all our discussions Sunday Mba has not been mentioned. Barely a few years ago he was the man that lighted up AFCON 2013
his refusal to bow to various enforced arrangements by our officials nearly ended his career.

An example of a player from Local league to almost immediate international recognition. Unknown to him I knew at least two EPL clubs at the time who were very interested in him. But we're frustrated by various persons in Nigeria.

Just like Mba I believe there are still several top quality local players who should be in the initial group selection. I don't know any names. However, I am sure the very informed contributors here can surely name some with thier unique attributes.

TheGoodJoe:


CR7 and Messi would have been among the top players but would never have dominated as they did in this era. They would have played more on the wings with two strikers in front of them. That was the challenge the likes of Figo, Overmars, Amunike, Finidi, Ronald de Boer faced.

Despite their exceptional talents, CR7 and Messi will not rake the kind of goals they did to win the Ballon D'Or repeatedly.

As for comparing Ronaldo de Lima with Zlatan, no way are they even close. Ronaldo de Lima was just too complete. From his speed, to his power. His skills are comparable to some of the best in the history of the game.

Zlatan is one of the football greats, his consistency is commendable but talent wise, he is no way close to Ronaldo de Lima.

Humility017:

I know you don't joke with this kind of news. of a truth the young lad stand a better chance of enjoying his international football if he plays for Nigeria

Humility017:

Sir...the painful truth is even the local players will not be selected on merit... every one of them will like chip in their boys as a marketing channel to obscure leagues in Europe...
mtcheww.

forgiveness:



March Friendlies Pre-Analysis: Rohr’s New Pick in Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee


KicKed by Bryan Efe

Contrary to reports in various Nigerian football websites, the only player that received a debut invitation among the 25 players picked by Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr to prosecute Nigeria’s international friendlies this month, is Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee. The likes of Victor Osimhen, Tyrone Ebuehi, Chidozie Awaziem and Isaac Success have all been earlier invited by the Franco-German tactician, but were not capped eventually.
Hence, we will start our March Friendlies analysis by focusing on the statistics of the Germany-born player, and consider why he is expected to add some bite and provide options in the Super Eagles attack formation.

Noah qualifies to represent Nigeria by virtue of his father’s nationality. He was long rumored to have been courted by Gernot Rohr to switch his allegiance to his fatherland, and this first invitation confirms the story. The 20 year-old forward who is mainly a right winger, can also be deployed as a support striker or left winger. Noah currently plies his trade for Bundesliga II side, Hannover 96. One may be tempted to ask, why did Rohr invite a player who only plays for a second tier side, when we have other options in Olarenwaju Kayode, Henry Onyekuru, to mention a few, who play in the top flight and have been in top form? My answer comes in two reasons: One, we need to cap him early ahead of Germany, because his statistics show a lot of promise. Two, Noah posted promising stats with Hannover 96 before they were relegated in the Bundesliga 2015/2016 season . Here are the statistics:

Bazee’s Stats

Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee was only promoted from Hannover 96 U19 to the senior team at the later part of last season. He clocked a total of 383 minutes in his debut Bundesliga season, starting 5 times and providing 3 assists, the first coming against Borusia Monchengladbach in the 2-0 home win. Noah also provided the lone assist for Hannover’s consolation goal in their home loss to Shalke 04. He likewise provided the only assist for Hannover in their one-nil victory over TSG Hoffenheim, clocking 90 minutes on the pitch. Those were no mean feats for a promising 20 year old who had scored 16 times and provided 7 assists for the Hannover junior team. Both Onyekuru and Kayode are still yet to compete at that high level considering the relatively higher standard of the Bundesliga.

So far this season, since their relegation to the German second division, the right footed forward has been out due to injury for about half of the total number of rounds. After returning from injury, he has featured 11 times, starting 7 times from that total number of appearances. He has scored once and contributed a whopping 7 assists.

Most definitely, given more time on the pitch, the almost 6-foot tall player’s statistics signify he has the potential of doing more damages against opposing sides.

What will he bring to the national team?

A lot of support to the main striker (who is still yet to be determined). Should Rohr deploy Kelechi Iheanacho as the main striker, Iheanacho will likely form a good partnership with the Hannover 96 forward — of course depending on the formation the coach employs.

Who is/are his competition?

Ahmed Musa’s place in the team may come under threat should Bazee impress, since Leicester man have been deployed more as a right attacker by Rohr. Victor Moses is yet another player who have appeared for Nigeria in that position in the past, however, he seems to be the most indispensable player in the Super Eagles at the moment, going by his versatility and current form with EPL leaders, Chelsea. Kelechi Iheanacho also have been seen in the Super Eagles operating from that wing, but have been largely used as the main striker at club level.

Conclusion

Should Bazee fail to dislodge any of the familiar names in the national team, his invitation will definitely lay a good foundation for the player to be capped by Nigeria internationally in the nearest future — and that will indeed be our gain, in the expense of Germany, should he ever hit world class form.




http://spotkik.com/2017/03/01/the-analysis-rohrs-new-pick-noah-joel-bazee/

maidaboi:
sorry to ask,can he dribble and do he has some skills?

Icon79:


How can you cap him when he has already clearly stated that he wants to wait for England?

I think we should let him keep waiting for England. Let's focus on the players who are interested in playing for us.
I only wish that Henry Onyekuru was invited. And I knew that he was in the mix.
Anyway, I will check with my sources at the NFF to know what happened.

O pari

forgiveness:


I only saw him on YouTube. So, I don't know. Sorry.