For the first time in my life I saw a Nigerian player score a Panenka penalty. Plateau United first goal in Tunisia..so much confidence

Speaks for itself online. Will keep mute on the offline aspect for now.

Icon4s:


So what has been your own contributions?

Icon4s:


Firstly, we must all note something on this thread. Criticism does not mean hatred.
It has become a norm here that whenever you criticize a player or a team you are tagged "a hater".

This same thing has been transferred to if you criticize the local league then you hate the home based players. How can that be?

If I am not pleased with the way things are going am I not free to voice it out?

Even for some of those that are calling the league critics haters I know how far I went to defend the Flying Eagles crew's decision of selecting NPFL players for camping. Those that are pointing fingers today are even those criticizing the selection of those NPFL players. Why didn't I call them haters?

Of course if you are not a hater then you must be a lover.

So how many of the "lovers" of the NPFL here even watch the NPFL matches on TV? How many have used there money to buy tickets to watch them at stadiums? How many watch CAF Club Competition matches live on TV. How many have burnt there data to watch these games online?
How many have any NPFL Club they support?
You are a lover but you don't Identify with them. That one na Love?

Talking about my coaching certificate, you don't have to be a coach to be a sports administrator. We know those that have the say in sports administration in Nigeria, we can only criticize and recommend which is what we do as analysts of the game.

Talking about Stephen Odey, those who were long enough on this thread know how I personally clamored for the inclusion of Odey in the Amuneke's U20 Team. But I kicked against his inclusion in the Super Eagles because he was not (even now) a Super Eagles material. Does that mean I hate him?

If someone should prefer a player over the other, that is his choice or Opinion. It does not mean he hates the other player.

We all want the best for our national team and leagues. Nobody should be tagged a name for showing his displeasures or preferences.

Oga icon4s no wahala.Respect.

TheSuperNerd:
Looolll... come on Sir Basco... give him a break. He actually spent time watching Plateau play and was even impressed with one Omoyele. Sir Basco... chillax... looolll

If I'm someone who is always negative about the NPFL that was a match to watch because we know the pedigree of that team.
Plateau needs a 2-0 win to make it and that is pretty possible but I was really talking about someone saying 10 goals in 10 matches by one Junior Lokosa is a hyped product. Even using a Stephen Odey that we all really should be proud of his progress as an example.

Also let me add that when I use the word hate or hater I am talking about some who is always negative towards something or someone. I do not mean the person is a racist or nothing like that. I'm not saying he wants them dead just that he finds it hard speaking positive things about them.

tbaba1234:


Now, that the league is not yet there. Let players go and improve themselves and earn money doing so.



The clubs should have feeder teams where trained coaches groom talents early. That way, they do not have to argue with a player about his age.

Messi joined Barca as a child and his talent was developed. Do you know how many messis/ronaldos/neymars have wasted on the streets of Nigeria. Clubs should scout for young players and stop presenting uncles as 18 year olds.

Till?

So that you can then encourage them to leave again?

The league should scout 18 years old and build them, then let them leave again, then start the cycle all over again?

I don hear you sir.

somehow:


Till?

So that you can then encourage them to leave again?

The league should scout 18 years old and build them, then let them leave again, then start the cycle all over again?

I don hear you sir.

brazillian and argentine league scout and develop home talents..does not stop the talents from going abroad even early since financially they cannot compete with european teams..doesnt stop their leagues from being good leagues.

somehow:
Speaks for itself online. Will keep mute on the offline aspect for now.

Eh, lets continue to keep our contributions offline.

elyte89:




Balogun is not d same balogun dt played very well during d qualifiers,intact he was a suspect in our last two games against Zambia and Algiers,d last friendly against argies too he didn't play well.its not a must we use "oyinbo wall",once we c any trace of deep in form, we shld try oda defensive options,no b every time "oyinbo wall"go gell

True talk. Balogun has not been solid. His lack of pace was exposed in the Zambian and Argentina matches. He needs to up his game.
Balogun is the weak link in the oyibo wall. Last match Ekong was the General, organising the defence and issuing orders.

tbaba1234:


I was surprised when you made the statement earlier about Odey because i know i have been critical of several non NPFL players.

I was very critical of Awoniyi at some point but i also praised him when i saw evidence of improvement.Awoniyi was not an NPFL player.

Immediately, one talks of NPFL , the next thing is that he hates NPFL.

I am a honest person, if i see good, i will say it. If i see bad, i will say it even if it is against myself.

Awoniyi was not performing at the time but u never criticize poor performing NPFL players it is always the ones doing good

If you read some of my comments, you should have grabbed some of the things I do offline. The online own speaks for itself already.

Those who are good at berating should continue, it's a free world.

Icon4s:


Eh, lets continue to keep our contributions offline.

Brazilian league is followed by its citizens, they patronise the league, not all their best leave, in fact what they do most of the time is to do a win win transaction. You sign my players but must allow the players stay in the league for some certain seasons before leaving. You should know this.

There is money in the Brazilian league too because alot of the clubs are privately owned even though it's not as rich as some European leagues.

asha80:
brazillian and argentine league scout and develop home talents..does not stop the talents from going abroad even early since financially they cannot compete with european teams..doesnt stop their leagues from being good leagues.

As for the Argentine league, they enjoy enough patronage even though they don't have money that much. Their stadiums always filled up. When the best leave the league, they still come home to retire. Both of these league have home patronage and citizens supporting the league unlike the NPFL.

somehow:
If you read some of my comments, you should have grabbed some of the things I do offline. The online own speaks for itself already.

Those who are good at berating should continue, it's a free world.

No need to start bragging about our contributions to Nigerian football here.

We each know what we have contributed, but you asking me what my contributions have been...

Icon4s:


Firstly, we must all note something on this thread. Criticism does not mean hatred.
It has become a norm here that whenever you criticize a player or a team you are tagged "a hater".

This same thing has been transferred to if you criticize the local league then you hate the home based players. How can that be?

If I am not pleased with the way things are going am I not free to voice it out?

Even for some of those that are calling the league critics haters I know how far I went to defend the Flying Eagles crew's decision of selecting NPFL players for camping. Those that are pointing fingers today are even those criticizing the selection of those NPFL players. Why didn't I call them haters?

Of course if you are not a hater then you must be a lover.

So how many of the "lovers" of the NPFL here even watch the NPFL matches on TV? How many have used their money to buy tickets to watch them at stadiums? How many watch CAF Club Competition matches live on TV. How many have burnt their data to watch these games online?
How many have any NPFL Club they support?
You are a lover but you don't Identify with them. That one na Love?

Talking about my coaching certificate, you don't have to be a coach to be a sports administrator. We know those that have the say in sports administration in Nigeria, we can only criticize and recommend which is what we do as analysts of the game.

Talking about Stephen Odey, those who were long enough on this thread know how I personally clamored for the inclusion of Odey in the Amuneke's U20 Team. But I kicked against his inclusion in the Super Eagles because he was not (even now) a Super Eagles material. Does that mean I hate him?

If someone should prefer a player over the other, that is his choice or Opinion. It does not mean he hates the other player.

We all want the best for our national team and leagues. Nobody should be tagged a name for showing his displeasures or preferences.

It's high time we dusted off the mentality of tagging any criticism as hatred on this thread. Granted too much criticism can be a subtle form of hatred but even at that its best to counter arguments factually than resorting to the low level of tagging every criticism as hatred.

Yes, if you're the berating type, we would like to know what you have tried doing in person to correct the anomalies. No one here will see it as bragging, rather it will help us know why some of your opinions are the way they are.

I hope you understand me sir?

Icon4s:


No need to start bragging about our contributions to Nigerian football here.

We each know what we have contributed, but you asking me what my contributions have been...

somehow:
Brazilian league is followed by its citizens, they patronise the league, not all their best leave, in fact what they do most of the time is to do a win win transaction. You sign my players but must allow the players stay in the league for some certain seasons before leaving. You should know this.

There is money in the Brazilian league too because alot of the clubs are privately owned even though it's not as rich as some European leagues.

now on the bolded in the 80s i am quite sure nigerians patronized and fervently watched nigerian league..at least i remember the leventis,abiola babes,ranchers bees and iwuanyanwu nationale rivalries.. the ansahs,john bensons,wole odegbamis,adeolu adekolas,abubakar balarabes,ayo ogunlana,tajudeen oyekanmi,amokachi,uwakwe eke,mike obi,chike arisa,justus ewendu,joe ashinze,chimezie nwanaga,friday ekpo,bode williams,yekini,ben nwosu..the followership started reducing from the early 90s becasue of falling standards and birth of cable tv..maybe the fa should work on that falling standards angle..as for private ownership issue i have always believed that the scenario where clubs are run by govt should be stopped .

somehow:
Yes, if you're the berating type, we would like to know what you have tried doing in person to correct the anomalies. No one here will see it as bragging, rather it will help us know why some of your opinions are the way they are.

I hope you understand me sir?

What I have tried doing in Person to correct the anomalies in the league?

Please let us be realistic in making certain comments

"In person" there is little or nothing you can do when you are not part of a system.

Asides going to match venues to render support, watch games on TV and maybe buy their jerseys, there is virtually nothing else you can do if you are not part of the clubs' administration or state or national football governing body.
As an outsider, the best you can do is to raise critical issues and bring them to the awareness of those in the "system". Which is what we are doing here. That is not even a guarantee that it will change anything because if you like write 1million recommendations and proposals if those in authority chose to pay a deaf ear there is nothing you can do about it.

Nobody should be called a hater for critiquing a failing system pleeaasse.

Kog45:
Oga icon4s no wahala.Respect.

Respect to you too.

But I hope you get my point.

There are alot you can do in person and thank God you listed some of them. Additionally, if you have a club you support in the league, go and meet the people in charge, give them your recommendation and then follow through, if that's not enough, get other supporters together, go in group and have these recommendations pushed. Except you are dealing with demons, they will surely obliged as long as the recommendations are feasible.

If those in charge are incalcitated, move up to the state. Once you're able to achieve this at your own club, others will copy.

Kano pillars is what it is today because the followers engaeged those in charge, those in charge can't take some decisions without putting the followers in mind. There is alot we can do in person.

Sir, can I ask you what you would want a club you support look like? Let's start from there.

Icon4s:


What I have tried doing in Person to correct the anomalies in the league?

Please let us be realistic in making certain comments

"In person" there is little or nothing you can do when you are not part of a system.

Asides going to match venues to render support, watch games on TV and maybe buy their jerseys, there is virtually nothing else you can do if you are not part of the clubs' administration or state or national football governing body.
As an outsider, the best you can do is to raise critical issues and bring them to the awareness of those in the "system". Which is what we are doing here. That is not even a guarantee that it will change anything because if you like write 1million recommendations and proposals if those in authority chose to pay a deaf ear there is nothing you can do about it.

Nobody should be called a hater for critiquing a failing system pleeaasse.

somehow:


Till?

So that you can then encourage them to leave again?

The league should scout 18 years old and build them, then let them leave again, then start the cycle all over again?

I don hear you sir.

will you advise your talented younger brother to keep playing in the league earning peanut at the expense of better opportunities wit better pay and training facilities abroad...
please be truthful to yourself abeg.

Which time dem go release the list? Me sef don dey get anxious

somehow:
Brazilian league is followed by its citizens, they patronise the league, not all their best leave, in fact what they do most of the time is to do a win win transaction. You sign my players but must allow the players stay in the league for some certain seasons before leaving. You should know this.

There is money in the Brazilian league too because alot of the clubs are privately owned even though it's not as rich as some European leagues.

As for the Argentine league, they enjoy enough patronage even though they don't have money that much. Their stadiums always filled up. When the best leave the league, they still come home to retire. Both of these league have home patronage and citizens supporting the league unlike the NPFL.

are you going to compare Nigeria league wit the Brazilian and Argentinean league...?

the staduim, management and training facilities....don't even go the area of talents

Sir I put it to you that Nigerians patronised the league then because we had no other options. There was no way to access foreign leagues on TV so the available became the toast of town.

That to me is the major reason we had crowds then but not the only reason. The other reasons you gave counted too.

asha80:
now on the bolded in the 80s i am quite sure nigerians patronized and fervently watched nigerian league..at least i remember the leventis,abiola babes,ranchers bees and iwuanyanwu nationale rivalries.. the ansahs,john bensons,wole odegbamis,adeolu adekolas,abubakar balarabes,ayo ogunlana,tajudeen oyekanmi,amokachi,uwakwe eke,mike obi,chike arisa,justus ewendu,joe ashinze,chimezie nwanaga,friday ekpo,bode williams,yekini,ben nwosu..the followership started reducing from the early 90s becasue of falling standards and birth of cable tv..maybe the fa should work on that falling standards angle..as for private ownership issue i have always believed that the scenario where clubs are run by govt should be stopped .

But you know this won't stop unless private individuals take charge? Governments are ready to sell (it reduces burden) if buyers approach them.

Hence the reason I said Nigerians play football for the money and not for the love of it. The earlier we grab this, the better so no one should expect the best from the league nor should we bereate a league we made so. I have people in the league. Some of those who left ended up in oblivion. Some Nigerian players playing in the league have achieved more than some who left for relatively unknown countries/league/club.

There is a particular one that went to Iran, up till now he's struggling badly, some make it but most don't.

Humility017:

will you advise your talented younger brother to keep playing in the league earning peanut at the expense of better opportunities wit better pay and training facilities abroad...
please be truthful to yourself abeg.

somehow:
Sir I put it to you that Nigerians patronised the league then because we had no other options. There was no way to access foreign leagues on TV so the available became the toast of town.

That to me is the major reason we had crowds then but not the only reason. The other reasons you gave counted too.



But you know this won't stop unless private individuals take charge? Governments are ready to sell (it reduces burden) if buyers approach them.

well maybe private sector has not seen any evidence that would be able to make money in it (maybe absence of clear cut policy by nfa or nff)

Please join conversation from the start and not jump in, someone brought in these leagues, I didn't.

Try to understand a cruse of discussion before adding your quota sir.

Thanks

Humility017:

are you going to compare Nigeria league wit the Brazilian and Argentinean league...?

the staduim, management and training facilities....don't even go the area of talents

somehow:
Hence the reason I said Nigerians play football for the money and not for the love of it. The earlier we grab this, the better so no one should expect the best from the league nor should we bereate a league we made so. I have people in the league. Some of those who left ended up in oblivion. Some Nigerian players playing in the league have achieved more than some who left for relatively unknown countries/league/club.

There is a particular one that went to Iran, up till now he's struggling badly, some make it but most don't.

very difficult in this era to find a football player that is not playing football without money in mind.

When we were younger, we come together as community guys, we organise tournaments, contribute money, then we share the winnings based on performance.

If private sectors are expecting the government to organise the league for them, then na long thing. Most leagues in the world are in private hands with h government acting as watchdogs.

If they Are waiting for evidence that it's profitable, it won't come.

We have the crowd
We have the passion
We have the lands
We have the awareness.

What else is needed by private sectors?

Obaseki tried his lot, came in Irabor and now Shehu. LMC is a private body, let primate entity work with them, raise the standard by pumping in money. The media houses are there, they can contact the government so as to reduce the easy access to foreign league. We Nigerians are normally lazy when it comes to thinking so we tend to grab the easiest thing available.

asha80:
well maybe private sector has not seen any evidence that would be able to make money in it (maybe absence of clear cut policy by nfa or nff)

Yes you're right, but our own just too much. Someone still developing already looking to earn big money, hence the die off earlier than their counterparts.

asha80:
very difficult in this era to find a football player that is not playing football without money in mind.

somehow:
Hence the reason I said Nigerians play football for the money and not for the love of it. The earlier we grab this, the better so no one should expect the best from the league nor should we bereate a league we made so. I have people in the league. Some of those who left ended up in oblivion. Some Nigerian players playing in the league have achieved more than some who left for relatively unknown countries/league/club.

There is a particular one that went to Iran, up till now he's struggling badly, some make it but most don't.

all over the world...no man works just for fun but also for ends meat....
if the Europeans were different why do players negotiate for wage increase abroad...?
you talking as if you don't know the happenings...I remember how some players were owned close to a year salary the other time.I think taraba FC players...even the governor' unleashed soldiers on them...for protesting for their pay.....

mind you in my words...I said better pay and working conditions.
for someone like odey and alhassan now...you will deprive them of the mo

somehow:
Hence the reason I said Nigerians play football for the money and not for the love of it. The earlier we grab this, the better so no one should expect the best from the league nor should we bereate a league we made so. I have people in the league. Some of those who left ended up in oblivion. Some Nigerian players playing in the league have achieved more than some who left for relatively unknown countries/league/club.

There is a particular one that went to Iran, up till now he's struggling badly, some make it but most don't.

all over the world...no man works just for fun but also for ends meat....
if the Europeans were different why do players negotiate for wage increase abroad...?
you talking as if you don't know the happenings...I remember how some players were owned close to a year salary the other time.I think taraba FC players...even the governor' unleashed soldiers on them...for protesting for their pay.....

mind you in my words...I said better pay and working conditions.
for someone like odey and alhassan now...you will deprive them of the move abroad all because you wanna develop the league...they should stay back.

gamaliel9:
For the first time in my life I saw a Nigerian player score a Panenka penalty. Plateau United first goal in Tunisia..so much confidence

Nerves of steel.
A well taken panenka at that

somehow:
There are alot you can do in person and thank God you listed some of them. Additionally, if you have a club you support in the league, go and meet the people in charge, give them your recommendation and then follow through, if that's not enough, get other supporters together, go in group and have these recommendations pushed. Except you are dealing with demons, they will surely obliged as long as the recommendations are feasible.

If those in charge are incalcitated, move up to the state. Once you're able to achieve this at your own club, others will copy.

Kano pillars is what it is today because the followers engaeged those in charge, those in charge can't take some decisions without putting the followers in mind. There is alot we can do in person.

Sir, can I ask you what you would want a club you support look like? Let's start from there.

My brother, I don't think you know how close I am to the corridors of those that run football in Nigeria. Let's leave it there.

I am a fan of Enyimba FC of Aba.
Not just that, during Enyimba's dominance from 2003 to 2005, I was a close associate to Enyimba chairman Felix Anyasi Agu.

Enyimba is my home town club.

I was in Tunis to watch Enyimba overcome Esparance in 2004, at the semi-final, second leg of CAF champions league.
I was involved in the mobilization of Aba traders to go watch the final of that same 2004 CAF champions league final against Austin Ejide's Etoile Du Sahel in Abuja. Orji Uzor Kalu provided buses.

We had a governor that was ready to spend big on the club.
Enyimba had the money to buy the best players domiciled in Nigeria. We bought players from neighbouring Countries.

We were too strong for the rest of Africa.

Due to my knowledge of the game Felix Anyasi Agu encouraged me to go for coaching training. Which I did. But I got something better doing not long after that.

I only analyse football on TV and radio( a couple of years back though) . Notably DRTV Warri and Vibes FM Benin. I also made presentations to Manu and Amuneke's boys of 2013. Ndidi, Iheanacho, Awoniyi, the Nwakalis, Yahaya were some of the kids in that class.

So oga, I would not say more than that.