TheGoodJoe:


This picture make sense. Saved to my gallery and my knew screen background.

tbaba1234:


Your first analogy was with India who have not qualified for anything.

As in the case of Otigba, it is probably best for them to look out for their best career interests as patrotism could make them miss out of international football.

Idowu is having to give up the Russian passport to play for Nigeria. Do you know how difficult that is??

Joebie:
The comparison was actually Nigeria vs Hungary as regards Otigba. The India mention is just to buttress my point that countries get grade for football. No point teaching me about Hungary's most recents stats. Besides, before then they had not qualified for the Euros for 44 years. Or how many times had Hungary reached the last 16 in the Euros, when Otigba considered Nigeria ahead of Hungary?

tbaba1234:


Hungary does not have to qualify for any tournament for them to be a better international/career choice for Otigba. Playing European qualifiers with the best footballing nations will give him great exposure and possibly greater career opportunities. Playing Togo and Benin republic does not offer those kinds of opportunities. India /Uganda do not play European qualifiers.

From a career perspective, Nigeria does not necessarily offer better career growth and we have won only one AFCON since..

Joebie:
Nigeria is a bigger football nation. A popular one for that matter. We have a name. Nigeria may not give him a better option, but often times in life we make choices based on what we think will benefit us more. I'm not here trying to analyze which option is ACTUALLY better.

As regards the Russia issue, from my little research it's not like he will be losing his Russian citizenship. I have to do further research on that. I've read OGN's story on that.


A

tbaba1234:


You HAD a name. Nigeria is not much to be reckoned with these days. Let us be honest with ourselves.

Otigba's decision was based on patroitism not necessarily the best career choice. I think, there was an interview where he talked about dreaming of playing for Nigeria as a child.

Joebie:
Even Iwobi said as a child he wanted to play for Nigeria. you and I know if England had gone for him early enough he will not be playing for us today.
Nigeria is a big name in football. That's the point. A bigger name than Hungary. Stay with the point and stop digressing.

Kog45:
wait for who,do you guys know how 17 years old boy reason even Adebayour couldn't wait for Nigeria,funny enough Togo.

goldfish80:

They should have reached out to the Nbbf. Nigeria's basketball policy actually favoured Nigerians in diaspora for obvious reasons.
In the championship winning class of 2015, Stanley Gumut was the only home grown player we had in the team.

Since Giannis was already playing for Greece, why aren't his brothers considering Nigeria? His kid brother while still in high school declared for Greece. I don't know if I can find a link to this.
If I can, I will post it.

tbaba1234:


Otigba declared for Nigeria with zero guarantee of ever playing or even being invited.. No contact from NFF, nothing... That is like putting your international future on the line with no guarantees..

No player does that with career in mind especially as Nigeria is not necessarily a better career move.

Mujtahida:

You've still not told why they chose Greece over Nigeria. Were they approached and they declined? It's the reason for their decision I want to understand.

MetalJigsaw:
the Source... does Mikel who played throughout that game not hold the ball?

Joebie:
tbaba1234 read line by line

Otigba quotes


''Yesterday, I got an invitation from the first team squad of Hungary for the first time. They play against Greece in European qualification; I was called up,'' Kenneth Otigba said to SL10.ng.

''But I just spoke to the trainer, Dárdai Pal, ten minutes ago, and I told him if I listen to my heart, then I'll wait until Nigeria calls me.

''I am rejecting it because my biggest dream is to play for the Super Eagles, so I'll wait for that, maybe one day.''

The former Liverpool and Norwich City target has nothing but praise for Nigeria's national team, calling the Super Eagles the most dominant team in Africa.

''I would be so happy to play for Nigeria. I love the team because I look up to the players.

''I think they are the best team in Africa, and everyone knows the history about Nigerian football.

''I would just feel wonderful, and it will motivate me if I see all the big Nigerian players around me.

''I believe my dad would be delighted if I play for Nigeria one day,'
Kenneth Otigba added.

tbaba1234:


What i see here is love for Nigeria, Patroitism..

He followed his heart and not necessarily what was in his career's best interest.

Joebie:
haha.. skewed..

Love for the Super Eagles because the Nigerian team is actually a big name.
He wants to identify with the team. Does he think playing for Nigeria is a better option? -- most probably, yes.

tbaba1234:


Waiting for an imaginary call-up as opposed to a real one. It is one thing to talk about how great a country is before the invite and another to talk that way after an invite.

And playing regularly for Hungary is better exposure than playing for Nigeria. Just because they play in Europe. The best clubs are in Europe, the top scouts are there. How often do WC take place to see Nigeria on a global stage?

aodis:
This is so hilarious.

soetanoreoluwa:

aadvark:
please can someone give me the full list of players invited for the Algeria and Argentina game?

OMANBALA1:
See embarrassment. See reason why I kick against wooing of this foreign born players.
Just listen to this nigga,Tammy.

aodis:
So who is replacing Ighalo Onazi?

Joebie:
Well, let's not be sentimental so we can think clearly.
This is my suggestion on the matter.
Sometimes we look like beggars, just because we don't have a system of approaching.
What we need is a standard for invitation of those in diaspora.

Firstly we need a database. These players should be put in the database while still in their early teens. Relationship with the players and their parents should be maintained.

Secondly, these players, on a rotation basis should be invited to train with the big boys whenever we are camped in Europe. This would make the players have a relationship not only with the senior players but also the coaches handling the team.

Thirdly, we should send correspondence to these players at important dates, and provide option for them to indicate their availability for National assignments with Nigeria. They should be informed, the option is just for them to show interest, not a guarantee that they will be called up. This way we know from the onset those who are nursing an ambition to play for Nigeria, and those who remain interested.

With this process put in place, we will not need any middle man or any team to meet with these players for talks when we need them. We will make the job easier for our coaches. All they need do is look at the numbers and make the right approaches according to need.

Joebie:
Well, let's not be sentimental so we can think clearly.
This is my suggestion on the matter.
Sometimes we look like beggars, just because we don't have a system of approaching.
What we need is a standard for invitation of those in diaspora.

Firstly we need a database. These players should be put in the database while still in their early teens. Relationship with the players and their parents should be maintained.

Secondly, these players, on a rotation basis should be invited to train with the big boys whenever we are camped in Europe. This would make the players have a relationship not only with the senior players but also the coaches handling the team.

Thirdly, we should send correspondence to these players at important dates, and provide option for them to indicate their availability for National assignments with Nigeria. They should be informed, the option is just for them to show interest, not a guarantee that they will be called up. This way we know from the onset those who are nursing an ambition to play for Nigeria, and those who remain interested.

With this process put in place, we will not need any middle man or any team to meet with these players for talks when we need them. We will make the job easier for our coaches. All they need do is look at the numbers and make the right approaches according to need.

jotey:
Nwakali snr fitting in already
BTW where is ebuehi sef

Joebie:
THE FULL LIST with REPLACEMENTS



Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain)



Defenders: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey)



Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidiebere Nwakali (Sogndal FC, Norway)



Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Olarenwaju Kayode (Girona, Spain) ; Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Henry Onyekuru (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)



STANDBY: Alhassan Ibrahim (FK Austria Wien, Austria); Brian Idowu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia)