TheGoodJoe:


I did not read of foreign based players making it to the Amunike U20 Open camp for screening. I think this was the first stage because it was the qualifiers. If we qualified, there would have been room for foreign talents like Ovie and Henry Onyekuru.

TheSuperNerd:
I pray Solanke to RB Leipzig materialises.... they have some of the finest unknown young talents.... oliver Burke, Werner, Naby Keita, and more.... I have been following them ever since the takeover of the club by Redbull sports...

And you are right about Simy.


We have a Tammy who is 1.90m... but in Simy , we have a super giant.... of about almost 2m....

Such players with speed and heights and technique also can be of great addition of the Super eagles and give us even greater tactical depth.

safarigirl:
I don't think a player like Alamoasu would qualify as 'new to the setup' considering he has trained and camped with the team previously.

So I expect him to be invited to the France camp

Icon4s:


Iheanacho and Kelechi Nwakali were part of Manu's U20 African qualifiers even though they were foreign based.

TheGoodJoe:


Samson Siasia will do a wonderful work if it comes to training the boys for the tournament and playing good football. The challenge comes from the coach battling with finances.

If the NFF pays him on time and there is support from multinationals and concerned stakeholders, Siasia can go places with our current crop of talents.

Also with a strict warning of no backhand dealings for players to make the final cut, we can have a brilliant campaign.

With finances in place, Siasia will get my support.

TheGoodJoe:


Spoilt your list with Werner. When he was about 16/17 at Stuttgart, there was a big buzz about him becoming the next Gotze. Watched some of his game then. A brilliant talent.

TheGoodJoe:


Kelechi Nwakali was invited for the qualifiers too. I am talking about the screening process. It was likely about finding out talents better than the already assembled team. In the already assembled team, even foreigners can get the nod.

With the screening team, BASED ON LOGISTICS, mostly local players get the chance of joining. It takes a process to apply for players already in clubs to come in. Then imagine for just a screening process.

Icon4s:


Rohr and his crew are very predictable.

It is only people who chose not to understand him that cannot predict him.

I once said here that I can list at least 9 out of the 11 players that will start against SA.

Daniel Akpeyi as shaky as people here say he is has severally proven he is a at least a descent back up goalie. Keeping goal against Egypt, Algeria and Senegal. How bigger can it come for him?

The goal keeping position for our next 3 games is not for rookies.

In other news, TheSuperNerd you are impressing me more and more these days with your analysis. The young has grown. We will soon induct u into the Elders hall of fame. Haha haha.

Icon4s:


Yes Kelechi Nwakali, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwuze and Orji Okonkwo were invited. So what stopped him from inviting a host of other foreign based U20s. He just chose to invite only his boys who are foreign based. Simple.

TheSuperNerd:

But Timo Werner is their best striker....

He has been good of late... he got about 17 goals in 28 games this season I think for Leipzig...

TheGoodJoe:


I am talking of you saying unknown players. Werner should not come in the list of unknown for those who followed him at Stuttgart. Back then, he was too young to lead the line but he was brilliant.

TheGoodJoe:


Process. You can not drag these players out from their club for a screening process. After the qualifiers, there is most times a camping for the World Youth Championship where the coach has the opportunity of inviting selected pros.

The qualifiers took place immediately after the screening process.

daveP:

TheGoodJoe:


Process. You can not drag these players out from their club for a screening process. After the qualifiers, there is most times a camping for the World Youth Championship where the coach has the opportunity of inviting selected pros.

The qualifiers took place immediately after the screening process.

TheSuperNerd:
Why is this Oga looking lost? loooooolll

TheGoodJoe:


Process. You can not drag these players out from their club for a screening process. After the qualifiers, there is most times a camping for the World Youth Championship where the coach has the opportunity of inviting selected pros.

The qualifiers took place immediately after the screening process.

Icon4s:


When I thought Amuneke did not know the strength of the challenge he had ahead of him was when he was already talking about winning the WYC.

It meant he felt he already had what it takes to conquer the world so he stuck to 'his boys'.

TheGoodJoe:


Kelechi Nwakali was invited for the qualifiers too. I am talking about the screening process. It was likely about finding out talents better than the already assembled team. In the already assembled team, even foreigners can get the nod.

With the screening team, BASED ON LOGISTICS, mostly local players get the chance of joining. It takes a process to apply for players already in clubs to come in. Then imagine for just a screening process.

Icon4s:


I would personally recommend Siasia for that U20 job or what do you think?

Icon4s:


Did he even consider the home-based players who would have been easy to 'drag' out of their clubs? I still ask: where was Steven Odey when Amuneke was making his selections?

Icon4s:


Mostly local players from where? Which clubs?

TheGoodJoe:


I doubt he did not know the strength. The external factors were too much. That is why I will keep calling for external support to keep the team focused. We also need better preparation of venues. Taking team to adverse weather conditions and poor pitches should stop.

Icon4s:


So how was he able to drag out Nwakali, Osimhen, Chukwueze and Okonkwo for the "screening process " or was there no screening process for the quartet?

Icon4s:


I doubt he knew the strength of the opposition he was going to face. If we had qualified for that AYC we would have crashed out.

He thinks the u20 is just a step above u17.

TheGoodJoe:


I did not take the role call of the hundreds of players who showed up in camp.

daveP:
just 'jackbauering' or you want to find me? you havent answered that question bout whatsapp group existence....

Icon4s:


Wait, with the exception of Osimhen, Nwakali, Okonkwo and Chukwueze who were foreign based name any other player in that squad that played for any NPFL or NNL team.

tbaba1234:


Siasia is too loyal to his chosen players.

Ndifreke, Azubuike and Sincere Seth will make the next under 20, if he is chosen.

TheGoodJoe:


Amunike plays a beautiful brand of football that takes natural instincts and devotion of the players to make it come to life.

You do not expect our NPFL or NNL players to immediately fit the bill. That is one of the reason Amunike remains my favorite. I have said it before. It is not about result but dynamics.

For instance, when Amunike screened Osimhen, he was one of the very few strikers who chose to track back and defend. It was Natural. Coupled with Amunike's training, we had a potential top player.

While screening, he was looking for naturals. So it is not guaranteed our pros will have the natural instinct needed.

TheGoodJoe:


You have no idea. We could have won it too. We need to change our approach to preparation and organization. Instead of blaming the wrong person. We failed that team by abandoning them.