By the way, the on going going Common wealth games have once again proved that Nigeria should no longer be classified as a serious sports nation.
Things have gotten so bad in the sports industry that the likes of South Africa who started showing interest in sprints recently, an event which used to be our stronghold can boast of gold and silver in men's 100 meters, I mean even Botswana have athletes dominating 200 meters. While we have zero. How low can we go?

Just 2 silver medals for a country of over 100 million youths is simply not good enough. The President should as a matter of urgency declare a state of emergency in sports. A clear road map on sports development must be drawn before we sign up for future sports meets like the common wealth and Olympics.

tbaba1234:


Awaziem was a sure starter before his injury...

Awaziem has started 14 matches out of 32 league matches. how many months was Awaziem out?

Martz101:


Awaziem has started 14 matches out of 32 league matches. how many months was Awaziem out?

He had a steady run in the team before his muscle injury...

And he has had some great games with Nantes..

andrew444:


Awoniyi was dropped because of umar does not mean umar is better than him ,Ruben Gabriel went to the 2014 World Cup,does that means he his better than Joel obi ? I can give many names as Example if you want

Umar was just better than him...except you are implying siasia took bribe for Umar...you know Umar was automatically in the starting 11 of the U23 at the Olympics..that means his quality took him there not under the table dealings....

andrew444:


Awoniyi was dropped because of umar does not mean umar is better than him ,Ruben Gabriel went to the 2014 World Cup,does that means he his better than Joel obi ? I can give many names as Example if you want

Awoniyi was going through a terrible barren spell with the Olympic team and was deservedly dropped.

Umar came in and scored goals, justifying his selection.

edi287:

You clearly have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Coquelin was already providing all that but his passing at deep wasn't good enough.
Anyone who is familiar with Wenger knows he doesn't like playing with traditional destroyers for a while now. That's why he converted Arteta and Denilson to DMs. Why do you think he moved Carzola to a CM??
Xhaka isn't a destroyer. He's a Regista. Anyone who's watched him will tell you as much

You are deviating, you said Ramsey was not so good in dictating play that arsenal acquired xhaka because of that, Xhaka can also dictate but not better than Ramsey.Xhaka gives arsenal more physicality in the midfield which is what arsenal lacked while doing a dictating job.

Ramsey is better than Xhaka going forward in all capacity, please dont make us derail this thread

tbaba1234:


He had a steady run in the team before his muscle injury...

And he has had some great games with Nantes..

sure he had good times, this is his real first season in top flight football, he will get better hopefully

Loogan:

You are the one saying thier yardstick to comparing them both is flawed but yours is worse!
You should not judge quality based on how many matches played some players are naturally gifted. Willian had played alot of matches won trophies but if they tell you to choose between him and Asensio who I'm not sure has racked his 50app who would you choose? There is levels to this game. I love them both but cmon don't you k
1. umar is better than awoniyi on the air not just because he's taller but It's a proven strong point of umar amoury, his first serial a game for Roma at age 19 was a nice well placed header, the coach who gave him his break in the first team got sacked and since then he went on loan to bologna where injuries and lack of play time saw his game stall. The seria a is not a league for youngsters it's more experienced players. He had a wonderful preseason at Roma and was sent to be the second striker to Italy's first choice striker, he had limited game time but he still played but did not score, now he's in the edisevere where awoniyi actually struggled.
2. Umar is more direct, more skillful, more unpredictable and faster.
3. Awoniyi is the better team player and works his socks off for the team. Both of them are good at hold up plays.
I want you to watch these two players without sentiment, if you are a real football lover it's not hard to identify who the better talent is.
As regards to umar lack of game time, he has played in an Olympic competition against the very bests in the world as the top striker for us, scored and won a bronze medal trust me that exposure and experience has improved him drastically. He has 4goals and 3assits in 8games where he didn't start all

Thank you bro, I didn't have to waste my time explaining their both strength and weakness...one thing for sure, when you see talent, you know right away...there is just something about their game..

They would both be a blessing to the Nigerian team for the future..glad we have upcoming talents..

Kog45:
Chairman pls forget U 23 stuff,pls don't let me open up here cos i know why Awoniyi was dropped just like the way Emma Babayaro was dropped to the bench for Dosu Joseph but for the respect i have for our coaches let's just keep quiet.

Except you are implying siasia collected bribe to field Umar in that Olympic tournament..if Umar wasn't there, we know awoniyi would have made the Olympic team
...IMO, Umar merited that Olympic spot with his performance..

Icon79:
And who told you that Ekong/Omeruo's partnership would've performed any better than Ekong/Awaziem? And who told you that the coaches haven't tried all those possible scenarios/partnerships in training to see which ones work best?

Please, we need to give these coaches a little bit of credit because most of them understand the game and understand the team better than a vast majority of us.


O pari

and who told you and who told you, Awaziem and Ekong partnership conceded 4 goals in 2 matches, is not a coincidence

Kog45:
Chairman pls forget U 23 stuff,pls don't let me open up here cos i know why Awoniyi was dropped just like the way Emma Babayaro was dropped to the bench for Dosu Joseph but for the respect i have for our coaches let's just keep quiet.

Bros, Awoniyi was very poor in the run-up to the Olympics.. It was really bad..

edi287:

Liverpool and Copa America. Copa America was in 2011. They only put "Ajax" there because he spent half a season there. Is the ballon d orr not based on the calendar year?? They give the award out on January of the next year. The 2011 award was given out on January 9th 2012. So how can they take into consideration Suarez's performance of 2010?? Suarez made the 6th place mainly based on his Copa America performances...not the world cup.

Because the award is known as 'FIFA' Ballon d or.

ok, let me agree that his performance in the Copa Award made him the 6th best in the world but it still did not dispute the fact that he was adjourned the best striker in the world before he went to Liverpool, and that he did not become a world class player under Brender Rodgers. Chikena!

Kog45:
My man,pls try to get my point,am not saying Awoniyi is better or hyping him but they belong to the same class cos how on earth will someone be saying Awoniyi need to work drastically to meet up with Umar,or not the same Umar that left seria A to dutch league in January.

Sir Kog45, you just made laff so hard with the subtle way you referred to my statement regarding this umar vs Awoniyi...I only made my statement based on the talent I have seen both display..who knows Awoniyi in a couple of years might just get really better..

And Ekong/Omeruo could've conceded six. You never know

On a serious note, anytime you lose, the best player in the world becomes the guy who didn't play in that game.


O pari

Martz101:


and who told you and who told you, Awaziem and Ekong partnership conceded 4 goals in 2 matches, is not a coincidence

Mujtahida:

Till now the young man is still struggling to regain his fitness.

Funny enough I explained this injury in detail to members of this thread cos I struggled with this injury a lot, in fact I'm just overcoming one...another case now is Salah, he pulled his groin in their last game to man city....ppl should watch and see his game..the coach might decide to start him tomorrow even thou that injury is not gone..

Icon79:
And Ekong/Omeruo could've conceded six. You never know

On a serious note, anytime you lose, the best player in the world becomes the guy who didn't play in that game.


O pari

This a case of partnership, they might not be bad players but is not working for them together, just like lampard and Gerald never worked

tbaba1234:


Awoniyi was going through a terrible barren spell with the Olympic team and was deservedly dropped.

Umar came in and scored goals, justifying his selection.

That does not mean he is better than him,I wonder why you guys are comparing this players who are yet to even play 50 games in their respective career

Wow! She looks like a teenager, yo. I wouldn't even have the heart to gbensh her sef


O pari

Danycrusoe:


which kine little girl? she x a course mate jo. the unprepared posture made her look so and I'm kinda taller than she is. I only took the pix because of the jersey

bengine:


Umar was just better than him...except you are implying siasia took bribe for Umar...you know Umar was automatically in the starting 11 of the U23 at the Olympics..that means his quality took him there not under the table dealings....

These guys are too young to be compared okay they are just starting their football career,forget about the u23,we all know how age grade competition are,even at the u20 World Cup iheanacho was not a starter does that mean the striker there is better than him?

You guys are just going too far,comparing 2 young players who is just starting their career by saying this is better than the other,I am on no side,I hate sentiment,just because you like one player and you are calling for him to be invited does not mean he his better than the other one,comparing 2 kids who are yet to play 50 games in their career and taking side of your favoured one

Did I tell you siasia took bribe? Do you think those players we take to the Olympic are the best leg?

I totally understand what you mean by a certain partnership not working. And you can throw in "Ndidi/Onazi" into the mix as well. However, we shouldn't jump into that conclusions based in two games where the team essentially played a weakened side - that is, the South Africa and Serbia games. You gotta agree that he played well in the friendly against Argentina.


O pari

Martz101:


This a case of partnership, they might not be bad players but is not working for them together, just like lampard and Gerald never worked

Good move for his development.

ChrisKels:
Gent Searching For Replacement In Nigeria For Ligue 1 Bound Samuel Kalu


Top division Belgium side Gent are currently resigned to losing their talented Nigerian forward Samuel Kalu, who is close to joining a team in the French Ligue 1.

Last night Kalu scored the only goal for Gent in their 1-0 win over Club Brugge in the Belgium play-offs, and shortly after the game, a club source revealed to Owngoalnigeria.com that the 20 year old will leave the club in January.

Since joining Gent two seasons ago from Slovakian side AS Trencin, Kalu has improved tremendously with 10 goals and 16 assists in the 47 matches he has played since his move to the club.

” He is off in the summer to a French Ligue 1 team. The deal is as good as done from what I’m hearing. As a matter of fact Gent are already in the market for a new wing forward and they prefer a Nigerian”, Owngoalnigeria.com transfer expert Daniel Martins revealed.

” The transfer fee could be in the region of 8-10 million Euros with a particular percentage due to his former side AS Trencin. Gent will also demand a sell on clause in his deal when he moves to the Ligue 1 “.

Icon79:
I totally understand what you mean by a certain partnership not working. And you can throw in "Ndidi/Onazi" into the mix as well. However, we shouldn't jump into that conclusions based in two games where the team essentially played a weakened side - that is, the South Africa and Serbia games. You gotta agree that he played well in the friendly against Argentina.


O pari

they played well because Balogun was also there

andrew444:


That does not mean he is better than him,I wonder why you guys are comparing this players who are yet to even play 50 games in their respective career

Based on their qualities right now. Umar is ahead.

Ofcourse, this can change very quickly because they are both young.

goldfish80:


YOu talk about goals and performance in the Eredivise as if that is the panacea of being world class.
Can you name the last 3 top scorers in the Eredivise? Are they world class? (That is if you can name them without Google)
Can you name Ajax captain this season? Is he world class? How about last season? The season before?
Finally, Suarez came in 6th in the Fifa ballon dor in 2011 on the back of his performance for Liverpool and the Copa America title which he won as the player of the tournament. The accolade had absolutely nothing to do with Eredivisie or Ajax. Next time, do your due diligence before rushing to post.

Let me agree with you on your second paragraph but that is not the koko of the matter. The koko still remains that Suarez was adjourned the best striker in the world before he went to Liverpool and it was not under Brender Suarez became the 6th world best in the world. Fact

Martz101:



You are deviating, you said Ramsey was not so good in dictating play that arsenal acquired xhaka because of that, Xhaka can also dictate but not better than Ramsey.Xhaka gives arsenal more physicality in the midfield which is what arsenal lacked while doing a dictating job.

Ramsey is better than Xhaka going forward in all capacity, please dont make us derail this thread

No I am not deviating. Can you bring proof of Ramsey playing as a regista?? What physicality has Xhaka brought that we didn't have with Coquelin??
RAMSEY CAN NOT DICTATE PLAY. He is a b2b midfielder that is known for his late runs into the box and stamina. He can not dictate play. I didn't say Ramsey wasn't creative. Comparing Ramsey and Xhaka is like comparing Vidal and Kroos. Kroos is a Regista. Vidal is not.

Wenger on why he signed Xhaka over Kante : "[/b]When we play at home especially, and you are dominating the games, it’s important to have someone who can pass from deep areas through the lines[b].

‘We looked for someone who could do that and I felt he had those specific qualities to do that"

Again when he was asked the same question: “They are different types of players,” “[/b]I think Xhaka is more in the distribution of the pass through the lines[b] and Kante is more the ball winner with the real technique to steal the ball without making the foul.

“[/b]You can compare more Kante with Francis Coquelin more than with Xhaka. Xhaka is more a distribution player.”[b]

nelszx:

His game against Man U was wow.

Honestly, he is a very good player.

na wa even south africa dey dominate us for sprints now

edi287:

No I am not deviating. Can you bring proof of Ramsey playing as a regista?? What physicality has Xhaka brought that we didn't have with Coquelin??
RAMSEY CAN NOT DICTATE PLAY. He is a b2b midfielder that is known for his late runs into the box and stamina. He can not dictate play. I didn't say Ramsey wasn't creative. Comparing Ramsey and Xhaka is like comparing Vidal and Kroos. Kroos is a Regista. Vidal is not.

Wenger on why he signed Xhaka over Kante : "[/b]When we play at home especially, and you are dominating the games, it’s important to have someone who can pass from deep areas through the lines[b].

‘We looked for someone who could do that and I felt he had those specific qualities to do that"

Again when he was asked the same question: “They are different types of players,” “[/b]I think Xhaka is more in the distribution of the pass through the lines[b] and Kante is more the ball winner with the real technique to steal the ball without making the foul.

“[/b]You can compare more Kante with Francis Coquelin more than with Xhaka. Xhaka is more a distribution player.”[b]

Bros what is dictating play in the midfield, it actually means deep lying playmaker

forgiveness:


Let me agree with you on your second paragraph but that is not the koko of the matter. The koko still remains that Suarez was adjourned the best striker in the world before he went to Liverpool and it was not under Brender, Suarez became the 6th world best in the world. Fact

IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE COPA AMERICA OOO. As of 2011, Van Persie, Aguero, Lewandowski, heck even Cavani were more rated than Suarez. Higuain and Benzema too. What was his position on the Ballon d'or 2012 and 2013?? How many goals did he score the next season for liverpool?? 11. He scored 23 and 31 under Rodgers.

Martz101:


Bros what is dictating play in the midfield, it actually means deep lying playmaker

I said "dictating play from deep". Xhaka dictates play from deep. Ozil in the final third. Ramsey is a b2b midfielder who is known for making late runs into the box. He doesn't and isn't good at dictating play. That's what I've been saying since.
Maybe I should put it this way - Ramsey can't control the tempo of a game from deep.

The definition of a Regista : Regista in Italian means ‘director.’ It actually means [b][/b]the one who directs, who dictates the offensive play of the team. A regista is not the one who would run around the pitch vying for the ball, but it’s someone who would start his move by lying deep in his own half just in front of the centre-backs and finding his teammates [b][/b]with balls that would be difficult to spot even on a TV screen. Such is the elegance of the regista.

edi287:

I said "dictating play from deep". Xhaka dictates play from deep. Ozil in the final third. Ramsey is a b2b midfielder who is known for making late runs into the box. He doesn't and isn't good at dictating play. That's what I've been saying since.
Maybe I should put it this way - Ramsey can't control the tempo of a game from deep

Bros we should end this already, you believe what you believe and I believe what I believe, Xhaka and Ramsey ain't Nigerians.

Martz101:


Bros we should end this already, you believe what you believe and I believe what I believe, Xhaka and Ramsey ain't Nigerians.

Some things are opinion while some are undeniably facts.