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Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Sports / "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup (12302649 Views)
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Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by forgiveness: 8:24am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Time to recall Vincent Enyeama Published December 19, 2017 Orji Ogbonnaya Orji The need to recall Vincent Enyeama to join the Super Eagles squad to the 2018 World Cup in Russia has become important and urgent. The team needs a strong, experienced goalkeeper to prosecute the tournament. I have followed the debate over the need for Enyeama to stage a comeback from retirement with keen interest. But one has difficulty connecting logic with reason on the varied opinions so far expressed. For instance, those afraid of Enyeama’s recall have argued that his inclusion will bring rivalry, acrimony and disaffection in the team over the issue of leadership. But they hardly explained how. Those with this opinion neither realised that Enyeama has since moved on; nor appreciated that the train has since left the station because a lot of water has passed under the bridge. There is also the argument that because he was not involved in the qualification stages of the World Cup, his inclusion would amount to reaping where he did not sow. In their opinion, the other goalkeepers would feel short-changed and their aspiration to showcase their talents at the world stage would have been jeopardised. Some even went further to demand that if Enyeama wants a place in the national team, he should gather his kinsmen to go and tender an apology to the Nigerian Football Federation officials and others that he might have “stepped on their toes”. A close examination of these views point to nothing that serves either national interest or public good. All the arguments against the recall of Enyeama are largely narrow, driven by ego, pride, selfish and flimsy considerations. The only valid argument, that one could relate to, remains the concern by the Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr over the fitness of the Lille of France goalkeeper. This remains a genuine reason especially with reports that he just came out from a nagging injury. Even at that, the optimism of the coach that Nigeria’s current quagmire over who mans the post during World Cup would be laid to rest if Enyeama is fit, able and willing to return to the Super Eagles. The confidence of the coach from his pronouncements is not only valid but professional. It also conveys a strong message of a coach with sincerity of purpose and focus to deliver results by using the best we have to get the best we want. Rohr should follow this path now that Enyeama has fully recovered, has rejoined his team in France and has resumed training. Besides, the coach should please move closer to the player with some authority of ownership. This will help push the boundaries of pride over who blinks first which we do not need at this time. Every good coach knows that the World Cup tournament is where experience, character, courage and track record count a great deal. And success is what matters. Besides, football is no longer just a game but has assumed a strategic position in the world economy. It has also become an emerging big business and an element of state power. That is why big economies like China and the USA have become big investors with huge interests in the game of football. For Russia 2018, all Nigerians around the world look forward to results not reasons. Enyeama is not finished. Something points to his direction that in the 2018 World Cup, he has a date with history in favour of Nigeria. Enyeama has virtues that we currently lack among the aspiring goalkeepers in the team. It requires more than two eyes to see why Enyeama is needed in Russia. The coach should develop more eyes to see the opportunities in Enyeama’s return to fortify the team he has worked so hard to assemble within so short a time. The young goalkeepers that we have seen so far – Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi, Dele Ajiboye, Francis Uzoho and Dele Alampasu lack the required World Cup confidence. They are better as reserves on the bench. They need time to get there. And their time will surely come. Enyeama’s ability to take full control, marshal instructions to his teammates, read the movement of players easily on the pitch, decode very quickly the character and structure of a game are experiences that one cannot easily pick on the shelf. Besides, his presence on the post sends very powerful signals to strikers because of his ability to calculate with precision. His presence in the goalpost equally exhumes confidence, trust and reduces the chances of hypertension for the rest of us watching on television. And he never allowed that to enter into his head. Why then are some people afraid of his return? It is worthy of note that when Enyeama left the national team, he did not do so with fanfare and great memories as expected. He left under painful, controversial circumstances that could have been avoided. From public information, Enyeama was said to have been stripped off his captain’s band while he was away for the burial of his dear mother in his native Akwa Ibom State by former coach Sunday Oliseh. The dust raised by the decision and chain of reactions that followed complicated the crisis. And he was ignored by those who should have immediately intervened. Before the ugly development, followers of the Super Eagles believed in Enyeama as a loyal, patient, dedicated, humble, creative and dependable goalkeeper ready and willing to sacrifice for his country. He was also the presiding pastor and spiritual leader of the Super Eagles before, during and after every match. The ‘ambush” of Enyeama’s and his apparent “humiliation” while away at his mum’s graveside was crude, insensitive, lacking in sympathy, empathy, support and compassion. It was an unfair and an ill-timed decision with huge moral burden. His anger, feeling of betrayal, and disappointment which led to his hurried exit could be justified, when one puts in context the deep loving relationship between him and his late mum. Those who plotted Enyeama’s exit during a most trying moment of his life actually hit him below the belt. But Enyeama must put all that behind him now as history. He must move on. While Nigeria has yet to recover from the moral crisis of rewarding Enyeama with a bad coin in spite of his valuable, exceptional service to his country, the time to let go has come. While one notes and in fact applauds the amazing job so far done by Rohr with stoic support of the NFF led by Amaju Pinnick, the recall of Enyeama is one more hurdle they must cross. And the time is now. This bold decision will simply nail the coffin on Eagles’ preparation. Let the request be formally made publicly for Enyeama to have a soft landing. I have no doubt that Enyeama will not let his country and his numerous supporters down especially at this time. No matter how it is presented, a half -fit Enyeama is better in Russia than the current plot to “gamble” with those eager to learn on the job. Pinnick’s NFF, Rohr must note that since the 1994 squad, at no other time in the history of Nigerian football, is our country ready to take the world head-on than now with the squad they have laboured to assemble. We therefore need to seize the moment. Examples are common of many footballing nations that put pride aside and recalled their stars from retirement to fortify their teams when it mattered most. It happened in Chile, neighbouring Cameroon with Roger Milla and recently in Egypt. The triumph of the Pharaohs of Egypt in the last African Cup of Nations lay on the experience of their national goalkeeper recalled from retirement. Enyeama’s recall with every encouragement extended to him to strengthen the Super Eagles squad to Russia will be in the overriding public interest. His country needs him as much as he needs his country in Russia. Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji wrote from Abuja OPINION SPORTS http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/915952410?-21310:11479:1 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by forgiveness: 8:42am On Dec 19, 2017 |
I have said it times without numbers that Onyekuru can't play the Striker role but some people : wants to make us believe otherwise just to squeeze him into the team. Onyekuru must fight for the LW position but I don't think he is the best or inform in that position currently in Europe even in Belgium. ![]() Everton Loanee Henry Criticized By Anderlecht Coach For The Umpteenth Time Published: December 18, 2017 Henry Onyekuru is still in the bad books of Anderlecht manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck following his side's disgraceful 5-0 loss to Club Brugge in the Belgian First Division A on Sunday. Despite the Everton loanee spending approximately half an hour on the Jan Breydelstadion (Brugge) turf, he came under fire from the coach yet again. ''It does not make much sense to put Onyekuru at the center, but when he is standing there, he does not move, and he just moves to the left..., he always lets himself down,'' Vanhaezebrouck was quoted as saying by voetbalkrant.com. Henry Onyekuru is one of the best players in Belgium and Anderlecht's top scorer in the league, but Vanhaezebrouck is not impressed. He added : ''He does score now and then, but the last few weeks have not been as good either, his contribution went down.'' This season, Onyekuru has written his name on the score-sheet ten times from 27 appearances in all competitions for the Belgian champions. Igho Kinsgley Photo Credit : Instagram.com http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/915905483?-21310:11479:1 |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by tbaba1234: 8:42am On Dec 19, 2017 |
I blame previous coaches for our goalkeeping issue. When we were carrying Agbim up and down, We could have been grooming a viable replacement for Enyeama and Ejide. Now where is Agbim?? 1 Like |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by tbaba1234: 8:49am On Dec 19, 2017 |
forgiveness: The Anderlecht coach is ridiculous.. The man is the highest scorer in the league, highest scorer in your team and you leave him on the bench for your biggest game. If he can't play as a striker, then play him in his best position.. Too much talk.. 7 Likes |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 8:52am On Dec 19, 2017 |
goldfish80: I don't need any lectures on the past, pls let us not use history to stand in the way of common sense. BBC does not have a 3 man shortlist and even if they did who cares? Moses was not the best right back in London? maybe, but he was the best RWB in the world and I can say this in front of any oracle. 1 Like |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 8:57am On Dec 19, 2017 |
tbaba1234: This is what I tried to explain to u guys. This was Moses Simon's coach and he is not an offensive coach. He want Henry to play a more tactical game. 1 Like |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by goldfish80(m): 9:06am On Dec 19, 2017 |
BascoVanVeli:The past set's a precedent for the future. If he was the best right back in the world, he wouldn't have had problems making the Epl team of the season. |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Nobody: 9:10am On Dec 19, 2017 |
BascoVanVeli: Same reason why Rohr almost never fancies or play him but loves Simon. Simon tracks back a lot and helps the defence. |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by tbaba1234: 9:10am On Dec 19, 2017 |
BascoVanVeli: The same coach that did not give Ekong a chance, shipped him off and bought a worse defender... You talk to your player on the training pitch not in the press. 3 Likes |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 9:10am On Dec 19, 2017 |
tbaba1234:Honestly you are right on our coaches who are too sentimental in their decision making. Pls is Dele Aiyenugba not a Nigerian for God sake cos sometimes it baffled me that despite goalkeeping crisis we have a keeper doing it in Isreali league that has the likes of Nwakaeme and Ogu in the national team. If Enyeama is saying No,let's gives Aiyenugba another chance cos i know Ejide is clubless for now.If am in Alloy shoe i will put Uzoho, Ezenwa, Akpeyi, Alampasu Ajiboye,Maduka,Aiyenugba in case Enyeama declined into frame,give them fair treatment and get the best. 2 Likes |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 9:13am On Dec 19, 2017 |
goldfish80: That makes no sense, if it did we would still be colonized till day because we are living in the past. We have to admit our mistakes of the past not cover them up. I said he was the best right wing back so why are u dragging right back into this? Not every right back can play wing back. 1 Like |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 9:22am On Dec 19, 2017 |
tbaba1234: The same coach who had Esiti, Moses and Kalu as regulars in his starting 11. Gent had too many defenders, even Rohr spoke about Ekong leaving the club. U talk on the training pitch but u also have to answer the media. This should serve as motivation to the young man, at least he is playing unlike others. 2 Likes |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 9:24am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Questence: Yes I agree |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by mazimee(m): 9:25am On Dec 19, 2017 |
tbaba1234: The idiot of a coach even started him from the bench after first half . He didn’t blame those that played before him but singled him out. He has been criticizing him for a while now. I wonder how he scored 9 goals despite the zero encouragement from the coach 1 Like |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Jarus(m): 9:42am On Dec 19, 2017 |
nelszx: Only a Nigerian will rank Moses ahead of Salah in 2017. A Salah that got Egypt to AFCON final. A Salah that got Egypt WC qualification after many years. A Salah with fantastic performance in Roma, which he has continued in Liverpool. Nigerians are funny. 2 Likes |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by goldfish80(m): 9:58am On Dec 19, 2017 |
BascoVanVeli:Mane, Aubameyang and Salah made the team of the season in their leagues, Moses didn't. Who is living in the past by omitting a player who wasn't considered the best in his league? Also, make no mistake about this, Right wing back is just a morden way to describe an overlapping full back. 2 Likes |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 10:04am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Jarus:No we are not funny but always sentimental.I want Moses to win APOTY but just too glaring he cannot cos we have Sallah in a maverick form,Aubemeyang and Mane are there also doing their things. |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 10:13am On Dec 19, 2017 |
BascoVanVeli:Moses changed football? |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Jarus(m): 10:16am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Kog45: Mane and Aubameyang made the list of FIFA Top 30 in 2017 and some Nigerians are still expecting Moses, who didn't even make EPL 11, to make Africa's Top 3 ahead of them. 1 Like |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Jarus(m): 10:18am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Kog45: Nigerians are funny. |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 10:20am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Jarus:Agreed but Moses na our own,so expect such comments. |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Humility017(m): 10:21am On Dec 19, 2017 |
tbaba1234:the coach don't have sense... only a senseless man will be accusing a loanee who have even contributed more to his team success than the team owned players..... everytime the dude is singled out for criticism....nasty coach.... what's the boy offense that he can't call him privately to talk to.....rather than open his mouth in tin air...and speak trash. 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Nobody: 10:24am On Dec 19, 2017 |
forgiveness:The man is just trying to justify why he didn't start his highest goalscorer and by extension, why he chopped 5. 3 Likes |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 10:35am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Humility017:I think it's time for Oyekwuru to have tete discussion with his coach on his preferred position cos the man always criticising him anytime he played as CF not as a winger. Yes the coach was a little bit nasty may be that was his style,remember Mourinho does it too by criticising his players openly. Oyekwuru should not be let down but continue working hard to improve on his shortcomings and i don't think the coach hate him cos we have quite number of Nigerians who have played under the same coach. |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Jarus(m): 10:36am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Kog45: I just think we should be able to rise above sentiments in some things |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by enomakos(m): 10:40am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Jarus:you said it all i said it here around April early this year that there was no way that Victor moses will win the award |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 10:41am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Jarus:Truly but naija blood strong o but have you read comments like how Awaziem rendered Neymar useless, Oyekwuru finished Alves,Moses the best RWB in the world,Moses changed football.Those comments simply mean we need to promote our own but sometimes we don't need it when we want to get true picture of things. |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Mickael2(m): 10:46am On Dec 19, 2017 |
blueto: wow....just wow. So you sat down and thought about this before posting it? Or is it a joke? |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Humility017(m): 10:56am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Kog45:the coach have been doing this repeatedly.. why not talk to him in private...If he have issues wit the young lad.....such attitude end up pull sown players confidence |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by safarigirl(f): 11:01am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Kog45:this one is a generally known fact...I read other nationals acknowledge this on Twitter, so, it's not a case of Nigerians blowing the horn of our people 1 Like |
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by goldfish80(m): 11:16am On Dec 19, 2017 |
Kog45:Add Kelechi better than Mbappe. |
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