Afolabi David

Nov 22, 2011

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
LET US ASK OURSELF SOME QUESTIONS: WHERE IS YSFON AND PRINCIPAL CUP WHERE MOST OF OUR STARS CAME FROM TODAY? BUT YET THE NFF SEEMS NOT TO SEE THIS AS ONE OF OUR MAJOR PROBLEM FOR SPORT DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR READY MADE PRODUCT OR CHEAT TO GET RESULT. LET US NOT FOUL OURSELF.UNLESS WE GET WORKING HARD TO REVIVE OUR FOOTBALL, I TELL YOU WE ARE REALLY GOING DOWN FOR GOOD. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START NOW.

THINK ABOUT THE NIGERIA HONOR AND NOT YOUR PERSONAL INTEREST( WORD FOR OUR LEADERS). WHEN U DO THINGS RIGHT, WE THE PEOPLE WILL SUPPORT YOU.

GOD BLESS NIGERIAN AND OUR FOOTBALL.

Nwoma

Nov 23, 2011

Yes i a gree with afolabi let us stop cheating so that GOD ll help us pls nff

Nwoma

Nov 23, 2011

Yes i a gree with afolabi let us stop cheating so that GOD ll help us pls nff

Stephen

Nov 23, 2011

I read an article by China Acheru in which he wrote that he told Taiwo Ogunjobi that Dele Ajiboye was a 29yr old with 3 children. He said Ogunjobi told him to write whatever he want and that Dele will go to the world cup. The spanish coach said he was not sure that Nigeria paraded the true under 17 boys. Chrisantus, Alfa, Akinsola, Rabiu etc. Where are they? Remember Tomi Kroos now at B. Munich. Real food for thaught

Stephen

Nov 23, 2011

I read an article by China Acheru in which he wrote that he told Taiwo Ogunjobi that Dele Ajiboye was a 29yr old with 3 children. He said Ogunjobi told him to write whatever he want and that Dele will go to the world cup. The spanish coach said he was not sure that Nigeria paraded the true under 17 boys. Chrisantus, Alfa, Akinsola, Rabiu etc. Where are they? Remember Tomi Kroos now at B. Munich. Real food for thaught

Ghani Olahitan

Nov 23, 2011

It's nigerian syndrome,we over celebrate the little achievement at age grade level ad this is seriously affecting them to fight 4more laure, they belief they have reach dprime omo tio joberi ton japosaya

Ghani Olahitan

Nov 23, 2011

It's nigerian syndrome,we over celebrate the little achievement at age grade level ad this is seriously affecting them to fight 4more laure, they belief they have reach dprime omo tio joberi ton japosaya

Emmanmuel

Nov 23, 2011

IT ALWAYS BAFFLE ME WHEN I SEE YOUNG PLAYERS OF OTHER COUNTRIES WHO ARE NOT EVEN BETTER THAN OUR OWN YOUNG PLAYERS GROWING SO FAST BUT, CRYSANTUS WHERE IS HE? WE GROOM AND KILL WHY? WE SHOULDN'T BE LACKING IN ANY DEPARTMENT OR LEVEL OF FOOTBALL. PLEASE HELP THESE PLAYERS GROW.

Chuks

Nov 23, 2011

judging from the facial make up, you will agree with me that hunger and poverty as well as degrading environment has a way of affecting one negatively. remember David de Gea hails from Spain where virtually everything works. good academy, good foot- ball lessons and welfare, good profesional league that is devoid of government interferences. after the world cup, he was snatched by a profesional club ( Athletico Madrid ) with good academy, good welfare packages. why him no go make am. a ten year old nigerian boy will appear much more older than his counterpart in europe basically b/cos of the environmental factor. u talk of toomi kroos, is he not a german,? the club in question is it not a german club? which club in Nigeria can boast of facility like other clubs in europe ? how many clubs in Nigeria can boast of a working, well funded youth team where these talents can be groomed to stardom to avoid being distracted by what to eat, wear, and where to sleep as well as pertinent family problems. these players are suffering and they need prayers from us for God to see them thru.

Channel Of Favour

Nov 23, 2011

Why are people bordered considering those two faces when we know that at that level when the nigerian keeper was claiming under 17 he might be 25yrs old, dont u know these white men know how to check all these things. they saw the young age in that spain keeper and went for him thereby allowing the old Nigerian keeper to die in abject poverty. Better clubs he could not get play Super eagle where him mates dey no way. I pray make God bless am and show the next direction to go.

Don Kester...

Nov 23, 2011

THIS FOOD 'SOUNDS' INTERESTING BUT MAY BE SOUR IN THE TONGUE OF AJIBOYE; FOR OBVOIUS REASONS... LOOK AT THEIR FACES...

Don Kester...

Nov 23, 2011

THIS FOOD 'SOUNDS' INTERESTING BUT MAY BE SOUR IN THE TONGUE OF AJIBOYE; FOR OBVOIUS REASONS... LOOK AT THEIR FACES...

Onovo

Nov 23, 2011

nice article, I have actually been planning to write something about David De Gae, and our Dele Ajiboye. During the 2001 FIFA U-17 world cup at Trinidad and Tobago, I spoke to my friends that those so called 17 years old men we paraded as kids where at least ten years older than what they claim. is it not a shame that today (ten years) when these boys are suppose to suppose to be 27 years old they have all retired, with none of them making it to the national team except femi opabunmi who had a couple of glimpse in 2002 and then went to the limboo. Can some one please tell me where is Joseph Enyimofe, Kenedy Chinwo, Emmanuel Baba, Ibrahim Ndala, Mohammed Suleiman (captain), Victor Brown, Karimu Shaibu, Temile Omonigho, Femi Opabumi, Soga Sambo, Gona Cyril, Bassey Akpan (G), Austin Nnamdi, John Akhimien et al ? and probably Abiodun Segun, Chigozie Agbim and Collins Osunwa who were dropped before the tournament for some political reasons. While Argentina can boast of Javier Mascherano, Pablo Zabaleta, Maxi Rodriguez, While spain could boast of Andres Iniesta, an Fernando Torress.

The fact is we cheat, use old men whom are probably in their late 20's and early 30's in youth competition, this act is done (perpetrated) by coaches who wants to win youth tournament as well as save their job at all cost and is supported by the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) who wants to be seen as winning a trophy while in office.

It is a shame that a country like nigeria with all its huge success in youth tournament can not replicate same at senior level with same youth. If we want to really eliminate cheating as pointed out by segun odegbami we should select players from the secondary school only for U-17, and not feeders club and academies as they are all over aged players.

Obi

Nov 23, 2011

There could be a lot of sentiments here, but when you cannot prove anything let it be.

But i like the comment of Chuks makes a lot of sense. You guys talk of clubs they play for, leave football alone, consider other professions, when a Nigerian graduate with 2:1 goes abroad a works as a Taxi driver so for economic reasons.
These guys once they win under 17 heavy family pressure comes on them they become bread winners immediately. friends , family etal is on them for survival,

Instead of playing in the Nigerian league for economic reasons they are ready to take a second or third division club for hard currency, whether they go down in terms of world renown so far money enters their pocket they are better of, bc they have a limited time to play and most are not educated ar highly;y skilled in other professions.

also the system a normal German u17 star will automatically play for at least any of the best 5 clubs in Germany, they can't go toe England or italy as at yet they play in their country, Da Gae played in Spain, same way our won Adeboye played for the any of the best 5 in Nigeria.

Where they land after is the quality of the National league, and of course all these age comments are depreciating the value of Nigerian Young footballers which is hwy they end up on the way side.

Europe is harsh. It is a system thing more than an age thing. Same u-20 in the eighties and early nineties like Siaone, Kanu Nwankwo, Wilson Oruma , Yobo, Okocha,Ikpeba Played more than 12 years after the age grade championship, why? bc they got good clubs

How can these ones succeed when you guys have washed them up with your write ups, and they are fighting the odds, spend 3 years in Nigeria b4 ant club comes calling, when they do it is div 3, bc you guys have sacred the big clubs.
Mikel is still playing is he not from same u17?

Obi Ii

Nov 23, 2011

Obi, you killed yourself, o! What is Mikel "playing", exactly? If you are young, you are young. If you are lying, your lies will catch up with you! CHIKENA!

Goodtalk

Nov 23, 2011

From what is happening now, it will be difficult for any Nigerian coach to want to field a truly under age player in any of the under age national teams. This is because while other nations uses the age group competition to groom future talents, the administrators in Nigeria want instant success. They wouldn't bleak an eye before sacking a coach who fielded a true under age player and lost-out in a competition. For them, they want the nation to eat their future today. A coach who fielded a truly under-age team and lost is regarded as a failure.

Kunle

Nov 23, 2011

The comparism as stated in the article above is just one of the uncountable examples that are abound.

Current Brazilian sensation,Naymar was here in Nigeria for the U17 WC and he played at the Calabar centreI dont need to elaborate further.Ronaldinho too was here with Brazil,the list is endless.

Bottoline is the fact that we use exteremely old players who are well over thire prime to exxecute under age competitions and when you expect them to blossom and hit center stage limelight,they make a turn for the expected downturn.Case in study is our U 20 side to the Saudi Arabia staged competition,over 75% of that team are dead and buried.

Sal Elijah,Chinedu Odiari to mention a few.

So long as well dont do away with chaeating,start to plan as people with brains do , as well as do the right things instead of calling on God for things as mundane as football matches and granting attensions to challatans who claim to be Man of God ,we will never ever get anywhere.

Enough said..................

El Blaze

Nov 23, 2011

You know, the Nigerian situation is like a person who has failed to invest when his mates are investing and in the future when his mates are financially successfully and he is not, he wonders why he is poor and a failure in life, the picture of De Gea and Ajiboye tells the sad story of our planlessness, shortsightedness, irresponsibility, and dishonesty. We have failed to invest in football development from the grassroot and yet when our players fail to get good clubs in Europe and play poorly in the National team we complain and wonder why. The truth of the matters is, because we have failed to develop and implement a structured and delibrate master plan on how to discover, nuture & develope talents from the age of 6, 7 & 8 yrs till they are mature to play for the national team we will continue to use over aged players from the NPL for our U17 national team, because the truth is the players who are trully U17 in Nigeria are not developed enough to play at that level of football. This is because when a Nigerian player is 15-17 yrs he is still playing street football and does not know what is organised football is, he does not get to play organised football untill he is 22-23 yrs in one amature club with poor football fundamental skills he developed by himself through trial and error. He will not get to play for an NPL side until he is about 25 yrs, this is the level he is picked to play for our U17 national team. But meanwhile, he counterpart in other parts of the world is nutured and taught the fundamental skills of the game from the age of 6 to 8yrs minimal through football academies so by the time he is 16yrs his skills have become fully developed and ready to play at the U17 world cup level, so his country does not need to use overaged players for this level, unlike us in Nigeria. So in essence, we need to start investing heavly in football academies who will pick young boys & girls from primary schools at the age of 6-8 yrs & groom them professionally from that age as is done elsewhere, that is why they have players like Jack Wilshere, Fabregas, Messi, Neymar playing mind blowing football at the age of 17-18 yrs and we in Nigeria wonder how they did it, it is simply as a result of long term planning and investment in academies. This is the way we must go or we will continue to have pictures like the one in the article above forever and we will continue to produce poor or at the best average overaged players, who will always break our hearts whenever they paly for our senior side. So the question is, where is the plan our NFF abi na NFA has to discover and develop players from a tender age? your guess is as good as mine.

Bright

Nov 25, 2011

well i think nigeria we always look for a scape goat for our own mishaps.we can't judge a player based on his physical features and that he or she is way above his age not , i do know that our age grade levels are always questionable the problem still lies on the fact that we wait too late to find replacement for our so called over aged player's.we should also note that it is not he or she that was great at age grade level that do make an impact at senior level e.g fabregas was not that good in holland u-20 2005 but look at him now,quincy dutch born ghanian was compared to messi in 2005 at u-20 level where is he now,ryan babel was a hot prospect graduated from ajax youth side.went to the u-20 world cup and got positive rave reviews prompting liverpool to splash around 11.5 mill pounds for his signature where is he now? .we have many in the so called western world that where great at age grade level but never made an impact at senior level.so we should stop blaming our mishap on fact that we use over age player's.we currently lack planing thats our biggest problem the next u-17 and u-20 world cups are two years away from now other organised nations are already planing but nigeria would wait for the competition year to start planing , the average nigerian always wants to win at all cost and lacks patients so if we use the real 17 year old for an u-17 tourney and we loose would they be patient to see it's is building process.i remember henry nwosu had a team close to u-17 during his time in charge went to a tourney in dubai finished last on the log came back and got sacked cos of the public and the media out cry.john obuh lead u17 team where 3-0 down in this first half and the stadium almost got empty cos the fans became angry and where leaving.so tell me how can we field an under 17 team and expect the public to understand that it is a building process when they lack patients. okocha's and the kanu's of this we all age group players and played over 12 years for the national won laurels.i can beat my chest that in this part of our world we can not ask a real 17year old to represent nigeria and expect to even have reasonable result in the next 8 year cos even at his age of 26 he is still not yet ready for senior football cos the facilities are not available two the state of the economy.we always look at the spain's of this world and for get that for every xavi there are over ten more waitng in line but in nigeria that is not the case cos we do lack planing that rubs off on our local league which is there for all to see.a player that is 28 and has played several years in the local league and has nothing to show for it would always jump at the chance of playing for the u-17 national team when called upon .less i forget beckham is 36 and is still playing good football and still itching for national call so who says a player over 30 can't deliver ,klose at 34 is still scoring goals and still relevant to the german national team with more than 10 player's in line to replace him should he stop playing that can not be said about nigeria. till we start planing we would not make any head-way in our soccer.