Joebie:
My friend that process is not feasible today. I will give you reasons.
1. Most of our good players are abroad based
2. You will need an extended camping exercise to make selections and that will be difficult considering where they are based.
3. Having a full month camping before the World Cup will mean your so called best players will not be able to play enough games together for blending sake. It's one thing to pick the 'best' in all departments. It's yet another to have a TEAM.

Joebie:
My friend that process is not feasible today. I will give you reasons.
1. Most of our good players are abroad based
2. You will need an extended camping exercise to make selections and that will be difficult considering where they are based.
3. Having a full month camping before the World Cup will mean your so called best players will not be able to play enough games together for blending sake. It's one thing to pick the 'best' in all departments. It's yet another to have a TEAM.

TheGoodJoe:


Thank you for sharing your personal experience here. They were educative. This is the main reason why I find basing our team selection based on the choices of foreign club coaches detrimental to the team.

TheGoodJoe:
I spent about 15 years in the national team but those who do not know won’t believe it. I was a product of eight years before I broke into the national team. I started with the Green Eagles in November 1981.

We started camp with 182 players and it was Rabar Madjer that denied us a place at the World Cup. That was the Chukwu, Odegbami era and the team was disbanded.

When it was going to be rebuilt, over 140 players were invited and that was when I met the likes of Ben Iroha, Monday Eguavoen, Azuka Abor, Bright Omokaro, Peter Rufai, Steven Keshi and the late Benjamin Okorogwu who was my room mate at the NIS camp.

When the team was cut to 60, I made the list and when it was cut to 30 I also made it and we began camping for the Libya’82 Nations Cup but I was dropped at the end of the day.

http://www.transparentnigeria.com/news_entries/26308/Keshi,-Amokachi-ruined-US%E2%80%9994-Super-Eagles-%E2%80%93Moses-Kpakor

An example how it was done back in the days. All these, this one scored in China, this one has a regular shirt in Hong Kong, this one the coach dropped on bench means he should not go to World Cup is all guess work.

Unless someone can come up with another system that can give a precise method of screening out the best players for the country and give all the potential quality players a fair chance, we will keep going to tournaments and games without the best players.

komekn:


This is a guy that was awarded as the best player in the U20 world cup.

Was so impressive at Liverpool he literally caused Divock Origi to go on loan to Wolfsburg who has now blocked the pathway of Osimhen completely.

In this regard I will say think again.

Joebie:
Alhaji Gero score against Bilbao

tbaba1234:
Nowadays, inviting hundreds of players to camp is impractical. It wastes a lot of time. Most of the players in the 70s and 80s were home based so maybe it was easier.

goldfish80:


I agree with you. The Football industry in the 80's wasn't as developed as it is now. The 80's solution cannot be applied in 2017.
We are talking about 1982 when Volkagon beattle without a radiator was the coolest thing in town.

Joebie:
Alhaji Gero score against Bilbao

goldfish80:


Origi was never a starter for Liverpool. Let's not talk up Origi likes he's some sort of world class player that was let go by Liverpool for Solanke to have a pathway.
Solanke is a youth team player. He haven't done nada at the pro level. His team mate at Chelsea Bertrand Traoure, is a Full international for Burkina Faso with 2 AFCON experience under his belt (both semi finals appearance), Europa cup finalist with Ajax and 2 resounding good season in the Dutch top flight.
This is what I call progression not playing U20 world cup.

The jury is still out on Solanke.

komekn:


I would agree with you but will add ceteris paribus.

I recall the exceptional Danny Shittu who was rendered a bench warmer and surplus to requirements at Bolton. I truly admire his mental resilience many players would have crumbled. He then went on to win best CD in the championship immediately after leaving relegated Bolton.

For me outside of Yobo in that era in my opinion the best CB we had. I remember his game against Ghana when sprinted to the other goal after defending a corner and it only needed Osaze to square the ball and it would have been a goal, but he didn't.

That not withstanding you cannot be a mouse in your parent club then come to the SE and become a Lion over night. It's not possible.

What you do week in week out should be the justification for selection and invitation to the SE. But it's football you can always be proved wrong, Iwobi was essentially an academy player before he was invited to the SE. The rest we can say is History but then Iwobi went on to prove his quality with subsequent first team games.

Decide not on the coaches opinion but the players performance. Using KC as an example he hasn't been able to adapt his game to the Leicester city style good or bad he has to adapt, which he has not been able to do. I have said before his true test will be when he leaves city surrounded by world class players that can make an average player look excellent. I didnt say he was average just making a point.

His situation has nothing to do with the coach but himself. He may get lucky and a coach comes in that sets the team play to suit him. However it may get worse and a kick and rush typical blood and guts English manager comes in. At that stage he may find himself in the same position of Musa.

My view is good strikers adapt no matter the situation.

tbaba1234:
Nowadays, inviting hundreds of players to camp is impractical. It wastes a lot of time. Most of the players in the 70s and 80s were home based so maybe it was easier.

komekn:


I would agree with you but will add ceteris paribus.

I recall the exceptional Danny Shittu who was rendered a bench warmer and surplus to requirements at Bolton. I truly admire his mental resilience many players would have crumbled. He then went on to win best CD in the championship immediately after leaving relegated Bolton.

For me outside of Yobo in that era in my opinion the best CB we had. I remember his game against Ghana when sprinted to the other goal after defending a corner and it only needed Osaze to square the ball and it would have been a goal, but he didn't.

That not withstanding you cannot be a mouse in your parent club then come to the SE and become a Lion over night. It's not possible.

What you do week in week out should be the justification for selection and invitation to the SE. But it's football you can always be proved wrong, Iwobi was essentially an academy player before he was invited to the SE. The rest we can say is History but then Iwobi went on to prove his quality with subsequent first team games.

Decide not on the coaches opinion but the players performance. Using KC as an example he hasn't been able to adapt his game to the Leicester city style good or bad he has to adapt, which he has not been able to do. I have said before his true test will be when he leaves city surrounded by world class players that can make an average player look excellent. I didnt say he was average just making a point.

His situation has nothing to do with the coach but himself. He may get lucky and a coach comes in that sets the team play to suit him. However it may get worse and a kick and rush typical blood and guts English manager comes in. At that stage he may find himself in the same position of Musa.

My view is good strikers adapt no matter the situation.

TheGoodJoe:


It is a learning stage for Iheanacho. Same goes to every player. You do not sign deals just because the money is good or a club wants you. If you noticed before Iheanacho's departure from City, I hammered on signing to a club that suits his style.

The true test is not the challenge but his mindstate to bounce back. A lot of players have reached positions in clubs that did not work or suit them. A recent example, Lukaku.

Lukaku flopping at Chelsea did not rub away his qualities. He was still a special talent.

He went to a club that favored him, redirected his path and today, one of the most exceptional talents.

Messi has not replicated his Barcelona status with Argentina. That does not write-off his Barcelona exploits.

I hope a coach that suits Nacho comes. If not, he gets his British passport and jets off to a club that will suit and favor him. The rest is history. It must not be a big club but a club that plays open attractive attacking football.

Concerning camping, if a player is doing it week in week out, it does not guarantee his quality. I remember how people hammered Kayode is a better choice because he is scoring in Austria and Iheanacho benching in City. I asked if Kayode would start at City. So why make Austria the right criteria.

We need the best players. Not the most played players.

komekn:


I would agree with you but will add ceteris paribus.

I recall the exceptional Danny Shittu who was rendered a bench warmer and surplus to requirements at Bolton. I truly admire his mental resilience many players would have crumbled. He then went on to win best CD in the championship immediately after leaving relegated Bolton.

For me outside of Yobo in that era in my opinion the best CB we had. I remember his game against Ghana when sprinted to the other goal after defending a corner and it only needed Osaze to square the ball and it would have been a goal, but he didn't.

That not withstanding you cannot be a mouse in your parent club then come to the SE and become a Lion over night. It's not possible.

What you do week in week out should be the justification for selection and invitation to the SE. But it's football you can always be proved wrong, Iwobi was essentially an academy player before he was invited to the SE. The rest we can say is History but then Iwobi went on to prove his quality with subsequent first team games.

Decide not on the coaches opinion but the players performance. Using KC as an example he hasn't been able to adapt his game to the Leicester city style good or bad he has to adapt, which he has not been able to do. I have said before his true test will be when he leaves city surrounded by world class players that can make an average player look excellent. I didnt say he was average just making a point.

His situation has nothing to do with the coach but himself. He may get lucky and a coach comes in that sets the team play to suit him. However it may get worse and a kick and rush typical blood and guts English manager comes in. At that stage he may find himself in the same position of Musa.

My view is good strikers adapt no matter the situation.

komekn:


I agree with you.

Just one thing Lukaku didn't flop at Chelsea he was just not given an opportunity. In addition the small matter of in form powerful DD Drogba standing in his way.

He then went on loans to premiership clubs and to dated has been tearing up the EPL since.

I agree if KC was in Austria he would be free scoring for fun. This is why I say some of these boys tearing it up in lower level leagues will struggle to get into the youth teams of these top EPL clubs.

TheGoodJoe:


Not Getting a good run of games in a favored role is still part of flopping. Some people are saying Iheanacho must adapt to the Leicester System, even though it does not favor his style or give him the opportunity to showcase his talent.

Lukaku in some games was played on the wing off his position.

Iheanacho will do better if he is playing up top and they are sending all the balls to him. Unfortunately, Shakespeare refused even for few minutes to give Nacho that opportunity.

TheGoodJoe:
From the excerpt above, you can see that even the likes of players training together in camp gives the young ones exposure to training with quality players, which give them a chance to improve.

TheGoodJoe:
From the excerpt above, you can see that even the likes of players training together in camp gives the young ones exposure to training with quality players, which give them a chance to improve.

TheGoodJoe:
From the excerpt above, you can see that even the likes of players training together in camp gives the young ones exposure to training with quality players, which give them a chance to improve.

komekn:


I always say to forward players that that you must be able to play wing on both sides. Because you may not always be first choice striker. Being versatile is a good attribute.

Indeed Balotelli, Thierry, Bolasie, Walcott, Wellbeck, Sanchez, Sturridge, Neymar, Mbappe, the list is endless. I can say that nearly all good top class strikers play or have played wing. It's almost an essential ingredient and requirement.

TheGoodJoe:


Look at Suarez. From Ajax, to Liverpool. Two clubs with history of playing beautiful attacking football. Now he is at one of the best attacking sides.

komekn:


I remember Traore when he was at Chelsea he got capped by Burkina at about 16. He made the right moves going to Ajax now at Lyon teaching Everton how to play football.

Solanke didnt do a lot in the Eredivisie but he tore up the script at the U20 world cup.

Yes the jury is still out but he is looking very sharp for Liverpool, early days let's see.

komekn:


To be honest I would never have advised KC to go to Leicester. You need a team thar wants to play good on the deck attacking football.

Even Newcastle would have been better for him.

forgiveness:


In regards to Obagoal, Ike Uche and Odenwinge, I think they are very good and you are sure to get a goal with these guys.

Unfortunately, when these players were banging in goals left right center in Europe our bad belle coaches decided to drop them for lesser strikers.

However, if these three players are still banging in goals left right and center, I don't mind they are invited to the National team because we don't have any inform young striker in the best leagues in Europe and in the National team that can lace their shoes.

As it being that Kelechi and Kayode (because they are the only two consistent prolific strikers playing at the highest level) are banging in goals left right and center, I don't need to even think about these men but because as sand sand don pass garri, I will prefer Martins and ike Uche if they continue to score goals for their clubs. I don't know about Odenwinge.


However, I think we can split the three slots for the striker to three categories.

I. For informed experienced striker
II. For a mixed of both informed young and experienced striker
II. For very young informed striker


Based on these categories,

Category 1

Odion Ighalo - 14 goals and 3 assists (25 games in CSL)

Obafemi Martins - 7 goals and 3 assists (12 games in CSL)

Osaze Odenwinge 13 goals and 5 assists out of 18 games in Indonesia)

Ikechuckwu Uche 5 goals and 0 assist out of 8 games in the la Liga 2

Brown Ideye clubless

Anthony Nwakaeme 0 goals and 1 assist out of 5 games in Israel


Category 2

Ahmed Musa - EPL
Kayode Olanrewaju - LA Liga
Aaron Samuel - Russia
Ebere Paul Onuachu - Denmark
Simeon Nwankwo - Seria A

Category 3

Kelechi Iheanacho
Tammy Abraham
Cyriel Dessers
Dominic Solanke
Dennis Bonaventure
Peter Olayinka
Taiwo Awoniyi
Osimhen
Sadiq Umar



Based on current form and pedigree of leagues, please choose one from each categories, we are good to go.

Please, no sentiments and give reasons.

jihday:
I saw Solanke at the u20 world cup, nothing special keep in mind a certain Adiya won golden ball at the 2009 edition and today not sure even heart of oak will include him in their B team. not trying to rubbish him o but then trying to hype him like he's some Aguero no be am he could improve and be a world beater or could go the way of them Francis Jeffers

tbaba1234:


Racism in the US is not always direct. It is often subtle. It is when you have lived long that you start to notice the signs and shut it down when possible. Sometimes, people grow up with stereotypes of what black people are like and run with it. It is systemic. I live in the east coast too.