forgiveness:



Hahaha! You dey change mouth too much.

TheGoodJoe:


What does Mbappe at 18 has to do with this? How many 17 year old have played for Super Eagles in recent years. It is not that easy.

By the way, I am a Van Gaal fan since the days of Finidi George. So you can understand my joy seeing a young Nigerian working with Van Gaal at Bayern.

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.

goldfish80:


I like the Omidji example you pointed out. I hope you realise the boys parents were always edging him close to Nigeria.
He traveled sometime ago to meet some Super Eagles players. If his parents didn't take steps to channel his thoughts towards Nigeria, trust me, the Nff wouldn't have heard about him let alone sending birthday wishes to him.

Sometimes you just have to show interest. If you're good enough, you will get invited.

Also, we must one thing very clearly. Because you're born in Europe doesn't automatically make you better than everyone else. This was how the Swiss born Ukoh was capped severally because na oyibo.
Recall Semi Ajayi made John obuhs U20s? I laughed so hard. I mean, if the boy went into an arse kicking content against a one legged man, he will loose! Thats how incompetent the lad is, yet he took up squad space just because he was born in London and training with Arsenal U23s.

We must be careful. Being born in Europe is not some Holy grail or passport to success.

Poaching foreign born players shouldn't be standard practice for a country like ours, especially in football.

Icon79:
Guys, can we just leave the technical decisions to the guys who are paid to make those decisions. Here's why:

1. Gernot Rohr played the game at a higher level than any one of us here
2. Gernot Rohr had coached the game at a higher than anyone of us
3. I stand corrected but Rohr and his crew can read the game better than everyone of us here
4. Gernot Rohr knows these players better than everyone of us because he trains them and have watched them up, close, and personal.



O pari

TheGoodJoe:


Please. Joebie highlighted us setting up an apparatus for them to declare so we can know those to invite. He talked of database and also inviting some to camp when we are in Europe which is not a regular occurrence (not the rapport you are preaching).

The key point is database and an apparatus to declare. Not what you are suggesting.

komekn:


How do you know that

And so what You are making assumption upon assumption garnished with more presumptuous deductions underpinned with nothing but fresh air.

Mourinho was a Translator in Barcelona when Rohr was coaching, possibly Pep wasn't born when Rohr was involved in football. But who is Rohr compared Bro them. Indeed in the scheme of world football where would Rohr be ranked despite his Methusela experience.

Because you played football doesn't mean you will.be a great coach and or manager.

If Rohr wanted to Manage a league one team in England would he even be considered.

Some of the players some of us know up close and personal too. Rohr sees them for a few weeks at a time. What about coaches and team that work with them week in week out for years.

So talk for yourself and nobody else.

soetanoreoluwa:


Yes... I saw his update... Mikel might be having flight challenges... China to rabbat.. My opinion though

Joebie:
Were prior contacts made on Ejaria, Alaba, Balogun etc when they declared for Nigeria? Putting his international furure on the line? You mean when Hungary game calling? Explain.

Sir,
Two things because I don't like derivative arguments. I take one discussion at a time. So let us get this clear.

One, I had stressed that MOST of these players will choose the other country over Nigeria. So there is no point we arguing about Otigba's true reasons, as I never said it's NEVER about patriotism.

I also said earlier that patriotism is overplayed here. When I say patriotism is an illusion, I'm not saying it's impossible for one to be patriotic. Get the context. I'm saying the way we think of that word as regards these player's making their choices is illusionary. MOST (once again) times, the decisions they make are like professional decisions. How do I know this? By carefully studying their statements before and after, I've realized that they considered the other nation as well, but the opportunity was not open to them AT THE TIME THEY MADE THEIR DECISION to choose Nigeria. Hence, we are a second option.

Consider the latest on Tammy. They were asking him if there a was decision to be made (trying to know what's going on from the Nigeria side) or if he was or is still considering Nigeria. Read all his answers paying attention word for word.

forgiveness:


That was why it was a big news then because a 17 years old player that begged to play for Nigeria broke into Bayern Munich first team

A popular football analyst even wrote about him and suggested NFF cap him but dem no gree.

When Austria realised Nigerian press wrote about him and pressured NFF to cap him they quickly handed him invitation. That was why Austria rushed and capped him at 17 while NFF dey do suwegbe.

I can never forget what happened then.

forgiveness:


What was different when Bartholomew Ogbeche and Femi Opabumi played for Nigeria 17??

komekn:


The way Sone Aluko was and has been treated is shockingly abysmal. It is not good PR for the SE and does not endear us too players here in England.

People are talking about, Tega Abrahams saying England will soon drop you. Just look at Englands past behaviour.

The same can be said of the NFF with regards to how Sone Aluko, Anichebe and others were treated. So it's not like we are saints. I will not even go down the road of our ingrained Egunje politics at the NFF.

TheGoodJoe:


We knew them. Opabunmi played U17 with us, Bartholomew Ogbeche had a local cult following, I think from his days at Calabar Rovers.

We did not know nada of Alaba in Austria to hand him a Super Eagles call-up. Even that year, he was still in the junior team of Bayern before he made the climb.

komekn:


When did Ejaria commit to Nigeria

Or I my getting this wrong.

komekn:


When did Ejaria commit to Nigeria

Or I my getting this wrong.

Mujtahida:


I just wanted to know the reason why they choose to play for Greece over Nigeria. I am not blaming Nigeria. I am only saying it would be great if we adopted a more forward approach and that to adopt a strategy of saying they must declare first for us before we invite them is being unrealistic if we chose that as our ONLY strategy.

And do you know that I mentioned Atetokuonmpo just as a background to the main point I wanted to make namely that they are parents with kids all over the world looking for ways through which their kids can represent Nigeria and I feel that engagement and contact with them can solve that problem.
Are you happy with what we are doing with fifteen year old Omadiji? He's just fifteen years old, NFF sends him happy birthday wishes. Do they do that to every kid? No! But we appreciate what they are doing. They are saying we care, we want to be part of your world. That's not begging. That's engagement, that's building relationship.

We cannot pursue every kid. Let's pursue the talented ones early and even at that we will lose some, and win some. We have played and lost many football matches, important ones too but we've not stopped playing football altogether. So for all those who we approached and they declined, we possibly have those we approached and they accepted. So I am vehemently against the adoption of one strategy.
Joebie has written a fine piece that expresses my full sentiments on this issue. I endorse it and adopt it as mine(with his kind permission)

Joebie:
Sir we can all sign the petition and forward to the NFF somehow if there is a channel. I don't care, all our names can be on it. I'm not claiming ownership.

Mujtahida:

Which petition my Bro?

Mujtahida:

Lawd Gawd! So why my emphasis on establishing relationship? Is it not to help us to not say we know nada on talented players like Alaba?

Joebie:
Ehen that suggestion na as regards database.. Let's make it formal with modifications where necessary.

TheGoodJoe:


The relation is to build rapport. That was your term. My problem has always been with those that do not feel Nigerian. Alaba feels Nigerian.

That is why I agreed with Joebie to establish a database and a means of identifying those that want to play for us. Not begging and convincing them to play for us.

Gerrit?

Mujtahida:

Okay. No wahala with that. It won't be tagged a petition though. By the way whatsup with our suggestions for making our Russia 2018 World Cup a success? Where's Goke7. Baba Icon4s, we've not put finishing touches on the thing oo

Joebie:
Sir,
I will break it down further later when I have more time in my hands. And Mujtahida is right, building relationship goes side by side with it. Engagement is important. And that does not mean begging. with the system, we will not have to approach players we already know are not interested, because we have already played our part as regards engaging them and carrying them along. With the system, we won't need to get the NfF involved in trying to talk to players. Coaches will just key into the system and identify players that are available, and will simply invite. Drama free.

TheGoodJoe:
cc: Mujtahida

You gats to be kidding me if you believe Mikel convinced Ola Aina to play for Nigeria. The question with Ola was when he would switch. Not making him feel Nigerian. He was already feeling Nigerian. He even explained that as a kid he plays with Nigeria on his game console when playing international matches.

Joebie:
Sir,
I will break it down further later when I have more time in my hands. And Mujtahida is right, building relationship goes side by side with it. Engagement is important. And that does not mean begging. with the system, we will not have to approach players we already know are not interested, because we have already played our part as regards engaging them and carrying them along. With the system, we won't need to get the NfF involved in trying to talk to players. Coaches will just key into the system and identify players that are available, and will simply invite. Drama free.

TheGoodJoe:


I said it is fine by me due to the bolded. We look for those that want to play for us.

I already said I agree.

Mujtahida:

This is the only system that can save us from e'mbarrassment'(I use the quotes for those who see the Tammy saga as embarrassment cos I don't see it so at all). Once we fail to do this we will just have to beg and be ready for more 'embarrassments'

Mujtahida:

Okay. No wahala with that. It won't be tagged a petition though. By the way whatsup with our suggestions for making our Russia 2018 World Cup a success? Where's Goke7. Baba Icon4s, we've not put finishing touches on the thing oo

Kog45:
I just dey gbadun you,joebie and thegoodjoe analysis on foreign born.

Mujtahida:

I have not debated with you on feeling Nigerian. Don't introduce a new element into our discussion. I talked about engagement and building rapport with foreign born players. You talked about waiting for those who want to play for us to declare first before we approach them. Feeling Nigerian has not been the focal point of this discourse. So stay on course

On Ola Aina read this ' "The one person that I would say has been an influence to me a little bit is John Obi Mikel," Aina told Goal . "I was first talking to him three years ago about it [playing for Nigeria]. Last season, the season before and the season before that.
"Two years on, it has finally happened. Anything that comes from Obi is respected and I was happy that he invited me to come and join the team. He is very respected. He is our skipper, he is our captain. Every respects him entirely as they should.
Link to the full article http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/chelsea-loanee-ola-aina-chose-nigeria-because-of-john-obi/1r5668pi9qlyt1w05nu6w032os. And I hope you decipher that despite all Aina's 'feeling Nigerian' he

TheGoodJoe:


I said it is fine by me due to the bolded. We look for those that want to play for us.

I already said I agree.