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Falconets eliminate world champions USA

Falconets eliminate world champions USA

Posted: 2010-07-25 14:35

Nigeria Super Falconets did the impossible by eliminating world champions USA from the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Germany on Sunday morning.

Goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan was the hero as she saved one penalty kick and intimidated USA star player Sydney Leroux into missing the decisive kick to send Nigeria through 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation and extra-time.

Amber Brooks gave the USA the lead on nine minutes as a nervy Nigerian team struggled to find any sort of rhythm in the opening 45 minutes. It was to their credit though, that despite the disjointed play, they held it down at the back and kept the dangerous Sydney Leroux quiet.

At the other end, the USA back-four were also doing a good job stifling and keeping pace with Nigeria's lethal combination of Ebere Orji and Eberechi Oparanozie.

The Falconets best passage of play came in the closing minutes of the first half when composed passing and ball movement opened up the USA defence, but Orji hit tamely at the keeper.

Nigeria looked a side reborn in the second half, continuing from where they left off in the first and threatened the world champions endlessly.

Both Orji and Oparanozie had half-chances to reap rewards, but found their route blocked by Crystal Dunn and Henninger.

Nigeria coach Ndem Egan then threw on the mercurial Esther Sunday, who had been inexplicably left out of the starting eleven, and Nigeria looked even more dangerous. And the goal didn’t take long to follow.

Sunday rolled a free-kick into the path of Ukaonu, who zapped an unstoppable effort past Henninger and into the top right hand corner.

Nigeria had their tails up and were pinning the rattled Americans back in their own half, but there were to be no further goals even in extra time, although both sides had chances to do so.

Oparanozie muscled round her marker, but hit the side netting with only Henninger in front of her, and Kristie Mewis crashed a volley on the crossbar late on. The game went into penalties, and it was the Nigerian who came out triumphant.

They will now play Colombia in Thursday's quarterfinal.

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Toluwase: 2010-07-25 14:40

I am so happy, you've really made my day ladies, I love you all.What those useless Yakubu stuff could not do, you've done it.That world cup is coming to Africa in Jesus name.

Eric: 2010-07-25 14:40

Congrats girls !! Teach the men how to do it. I hope Yakubu & co have learned from you people.
The Nigerian girl's (Ukaonu) goal was a thunderous shot. More vicious than Taiwo's shot.

Promo: 2010-07-25 14:40

Congratulations to our girls. Umm...between why would an English Referee officiate the match? Didn't Fifa officials think that since Nigeria played against England,that it wouldn't make sense to have an English officiate such match? Is she the only qualified one in this tournament? Anyway, after all the crappy free kicks he gave to the US, they still lost. God avenged that for us. All the best, girls!!

Promo: 2010-07-25 14:41

*She*

nano: 2010-07-25 14:42

those girls are pretty good

Bona: 2010-07-25 14:50

Fifa.com

Nigeria stun USA in shootout thriller Email my friend Share

Nigeria won a penalty shootout to claim a place in the semi-finals at the end of an enthralling struggle in Augsburg. Ironically it was USA's golden girl Sydney Leroux who missed with the US' fifth penalty to seal the African side's 4-2 victory, their captain Christine Nairn having seen her attemopt saved as well.

It was a notable triumph for the Falconets who had never before won a quarter-final in a FIFA womens competition and who had faltered at the last-eight stage on three previous occasions in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Ndem Egan's team had been overrun in the second half but found their feet and plundered a magnificent equaliser through Helen Ukaonu late on. They now face Colombia in Thursday's semi-final in Bielefeld in what is a major surprise with USA the two-time champions and the most successful team in the history of the competition.

US started confidently and it was clear newcomer Casey Short was going to enjoy some freedom down the left. In the sixth minute Kristie Mewis invited her to run on to a through ball with her marker left standing. It was a great chance but Alaba Jonathan saved well with her legs.

In the next instant a free-kick high up the field was rolled into the path of Mewis as the Nigeria defence slept. Fortunately for them Amarachi Okoronkwo had read the danger and was back to cover.

It all proved a preamble to the inevitable USA goal. Again it was poor defending that gifted them a generous amount of room. When a short corner was played to Mewis she was able to run several metres with nobody challenging. When she squared the ball across, Amber Brooks was on hand to side-foot her first goal of the tournament.

Nothing had been seen of Nigeria's twin hot-shots, Ebere Orji and Desire Oparanozie though they did break out to land their first shot of the game with Cecilia Nku aiming high and wide. Normal service was quickly resumed as Zakiya Bywaters, operating down the right. moving infield before forcing two saves from the goalkeeper.

Nigeria did improve near the end of the first half but their efforts foundered on a rock known as Crystal Dunn who twice came in with well-timed and determined challenges.

The second half proved a reversal of what had gone on before with Nigeria now finding some confidence and taking control of the game. Oparanozie worried Bianca Henninger momentarily from distance but the goalkeeper pulled off a good save high up by the left-hand post.

Orji then had a chance as a long ball bounced high and threateningly inside the penalty area but there were enough defenders to rescue the situation. The Falconets clearly saw long shots as their route back into the contest. Esther Sunday was barely at the mid-point of the US half when she took aim and Henninger pushed it away.

Then in the 79th minute came a memorable equaliser. A free-kick was rolled into the path of Ukaonu who unleashed a lethal strike which flew into the top corner of the net, leaving Henninger helpless.

Nigeria were really buzzing now and Henninger was called into action again and again as Nigeria shot from far out. Dunn's uncharacteristic slip almost allowed Orji in but another defender was there to shut out the daylight.

In extra-time Oparanozie passed up a glorious chance having evaded two challenges. With the goal gaping she stabbed it wide. US substitute Meg Morris drew a save and as Nigeria countered as pace, there was an opening for Orji but her attempt lacked power.

With seven minutes remaining Mewis crashed a shot off the bar and then saw a header tipped over the top.
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Thank you girls for a job well done Nigerians are proud of you.

McRichie: 2010-07-25 14:51

dat referee thought we cant beat usa...thk gudnes we outplayed dem and beat dem wth d yeye English ref. Onward! Beautiful falconet...

oscar : 2010-07-25 14:52

It was a worthy comeback... Third time lucky for Nigeria.

PATRICK : 2010-07-25 14:52

AM IN LOVE WIT D SUPER FALCONETS.THEY ARE WONDERFUL.EAGLES SHULD LEARN FRM THEM

mayor: 2010-07-25 14:55

Unbelievable! KON reported this match immediately after being played. Anyway, I urge you to keep it up by rising up to the task of giving good and uptodate journalism.

As for the girls, I say more strenght to your shoulders. despite your lack of technical know-how from the bench, you have shown the "SUPERLESS EAGLES" that fighting spirit, dedication and indomitability is very important in football. Thank you girls!

Chumekhs : 2010-07-25 14:57

Although the ref is a little bit bias in the game but God is with us. We Love our dear FALCONETS,
GO FOR GOLD.
GOD HELP US.

Chumekhs : 2010-07-25 15:06

"was"

mayor: 2010-07-25 15:13

Unbelievable! KON reported this match immediately after being played. Anyway, I urge you to keep it up by rising up to the task of giving good and uptodate journalism.

As for the girls, I say more strenght to your shoulders. despite your lack of technical know-how from the bench, you have shown the "SUPERLESS EAGLES" that fighting spirit, dedication and indomitability is very important in football. Thank you girls!

Jerry : 2010-07-25 15:15

Good of u. That's wht i'm talking about. Timely, fair, relevant and accurate information. UP SUPER FALCONETS. So let' celebrate!!! PLZ Blow VUVUSELA 4 us or u don throway am!

Noel: 2010-07-25 15:18

The condescending and racist comments by the eurosports commentators soured the atmosphere for me. When will europeans learn?

A.a : 2010-07-25 15:20

na so keep it up.

Peziewalker : 2010-07-25 15:25

That was a great job well done by the 9ja gurlz...kudos and keep our green and white flag flying higher...

Apiripah: 2010-07-25 15:27

Everybody should thank Nigerian guys and fans at the stadium.The English female referee was trying to send the girls packing by making all false calls against them but later on,Nigerian Guys and fans were paying her back by booing her calls against Nigeria,thats when she knew that the world is watching.I always say it that,When we lose the right to be different,we lose the privilege to be free.had it been that Nigerian fans where quiet on the referee,the outcome would have been nagative.Thanks to Nigerian guys at the stadium.

Apiripah: 2010-07-25 15:30

Everybody should thank Nigerian guys and fans at the stadium.The london female referee was trying to send the girls packing by making all false calls against them but later on,Nigerian Guys and fans were paying her back by booing her calls against Nigeria,thats when she knew that the world is watching.I always say it that,When we lose the right to be different,we lose the privilege to be free.had it been that Nigerian fans where quiet on the referee,the outcome would have been negative.Thanks to Nigerian guys at the stadium.

Segun: 2010-07-25 15:33

@ mayor, although there is still room for improvement, give it to the coach even for his effort of raising a team who can play good interchange of passes. The team knocked out the Asian champion, Japan, European champion, England and now the defending champion, US.
Having said that the coach must find a way of reducing the set-pieces we concede in vital areas and I believe this may just be the time to create history.
I believe Ebere Orji and Esther Sunday are just the hearts of the team. Esther should be worked on. She is just technically gifted. Looking forward to the Colombia game.

Segun: 2010-07-25 15:35

@Apiripah, you are definitely right. I was stunned by the level of support from the Nigerian fans. Who says drums and trumpets cannot outdo vuvuzelas? lol

Tunnix: 2010-07-25 15:42

FIFA, FIFA, FIFA! When will this calculated fraudulent officiating end? The English refree (Alexandra I) was completely a disgrace to FIFA tournament at this level. She sold her favour to the USA girls and was passionately biassed against the Nigerian team! Thank God that in spite of her intimidations, we still won the game.

It is time for FIFA to practice the 'SAY NO RACISM' they preach by appointing credible officials, especially the centre refree and be ready to take immediate public decisive actions against fraudulent offials (refs) in and after the game.

Congrats girls, with confidence, determination and team work you can play in the final at the expense of the Colombians.

Tunnix: 2010-07-25 15:47

FIFA, FIFA, FIFA! When will this calculated fraudulent officiating end? The English refree (Alexandra I) was completely a disgrace to FIFA tournament at this level. She sold her favour to the USA girls and was passionately biassed against the Nigerian team! Thank God that in spite of her intimidations, we still won the game.

It is time for FIFA to practice the 'SAY NO RACISM' they preach by appointing credible officials, especially the centre refree and be ready to take immediate public decisive actions against fraudulent offials (refs) in and after the game.

Congrats girls, with confidence, determination and team work you can play in the final at the expense of the Colombians.

Winner: 2010-07-25 15:58

Congrats! You really made us proud. Thanks a bilion. Let the ref go home in shame bcuz her wish did not come to pass.

Tomiwa: 2010-07-25 16:04

@ Tunnix

Don't agree with you. Yes the referee made mistake, but i doubt if she intended to favour USA. If so, why will she allow a Nigerian girl to take her spot kick 3 times after missing 2 twice, when she could have easily ignore the fact that US Keeper steps out of the goal line.

Winner: 2010-07-25 16:04

There are referees from many other countries, fifa why the choice of a british ref in nig/usa match. Dont you know she ll support the usa. Britain is know globally for blindly supporting usa even when they are doing wrong. What a bull****. Let it never repeat itself again ok.

Winner: 2010-07-25 16:07

She allowed the penalty kick bcuz she knew nigeria was already one goal up.

jude: 2010-07-25 16:45

I think its high time we get a new forum site where we can talk about nigerian football....Nigeria won Not even a picture from this eye service website.......showing old pictures all the time...Niger guys whats happening...kickoff is just in SA na...does it mean we cant get a good site where we can all comment...we need change of attitude....One Nigeria...lets start the revolution..........

jude: 2010-07-25 16:46

I think its high time we get a new forum site where we can talk about nigerian football....Nigeria won Not even a picture from this eye service website.......showing old pictures all the time...Niger guys whats happening...kickoff is just in SA na...does it mean we cant get a good site where we can all comment...we need change of attitude....One Nigeria...lets start the revolution..........LETS I FORGET...UP FALCONETS......A WELL DESERVE VICTORY AND ACCOMPLISHEMENT

jude: 2010-07-25 17:03

I think its high time we get a new forum site where we can talk about nigerian football....Nigeria won Not even a picture from this eye service website.......showing old pictures all the time...Niger guys whats happening...kickoff is just in SA na...does it mean we cant get a good site where we can all comment...we need change of attitude....One Nigeria...lets start the revolution..........LETS I FORGET...UP FALCONETS......A WELL DESERVE VICTORY AND ACCOMPLISHEMENT

Agbe: 2010-07-25 17:37

Hopefully after beating USA, our girls should have more confidence, so they will be able to calm down, if they do that ,they will be fine vs Colonbia, goodluck girls.

Agbe: 2010-07-25 17:42

I enjoyed every single crunche tackle that was dished out to that girl that america stole from canada, great brutal tackles, and when she missed that pen, her action afterwards and the cry? priceless.love it a lot.

Soccer_Pro: 2010-07-25 18:14

Well done our dear Falconets,you've made Nigeria and Africa as a whole proud.Continue this way and overcome Colombia in the semifinals.Point of correction to Mr.Collins Udoh.They will now play Colombia in the semi finals and not quarter finals.Correct that asap.

Bababs12 : 2010-07-25 18:19

It pains to know dat d financial motivation given to these performing babes in terms of match bonus is too poor compared to dat given to d so called Super chickens. Bravo girls, u've made us proud.

terver: 2010-07-25 19:08

The Semi-final feet attained by this girls is far better than what the Super chickens had achieved in the past 16 years at the international level. I see this girls winning the coveted trophy. Congrates

The word.: 2010-07-25 19:47

i didnt watch the match but i watched the preview on fifa.com. i loved the way the american was booed during the penalty. also i was so trillied by the song our ladies sang before filling out from the tunnel. " sama si wa lo, sama si walo, oluwa sama si walo". translate " just be with us, just be with us, lord just be with us". and truly Lord of lords was with them.

I wish these ladies can be duely compensated. but for where! NFF will rather chop the money.

CONGRAT LADIES.

slop de 1st : 2010-07-25 19:52

up falconets,up naija.dis is a team worthy of investin on.

The word.: 2010-07-25 19:52

pls nobody should say bad thing to these ladies for whatever reasons.they did deserve it. i have not seen those basket mouth people so far.

people should leave the coach alone. the man should take the bigger credits. there is no team without a coach. behinde any team success, there must be a good coach. where is the world class coach for japan, england and now usa?

Dr Kola: 2010-07-25 20:04

Simply said, what men can do women can do better. Good plays girls you have shown that with determination and hardwork anything can be achieved. Goodluck to you in the semi, as you make Africa proud.

Come on Nigeria!!!

ken gadaffi: 2010-07-25 20:15

I am so happy for these girls. Thank God President Jonathan rescinded his decision to ban the national teams from international competition which could have put paid to these girls participation in Germany. Had the self imposed ban wasn't lifted, no one would have known what these girls would have done just as no one would know what could have happened had the NFF allowed AMODU lead the eagles to the world cup in 2002 and 2010 after qualifying.

I see these girls going on to win the cup not because they are necessarily the best, but there is a divine intervention following them. May the good lord see them through. AMEN

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Uchenna : 2010-07-25 20:31

Congrats super falconets

Mike .: 2010-07-25 20:45

forumites una no notice d mistake. read the last sentence ''They will now play Colombia in Thursday's quarterfinal. ''
colin, abeg edit am to semi final

Clovis: 2010-07-25 20:48

Wow! Way to girls. We are proud of you all!

God Bless Nigeria

oyes: 2010-07-25 21:52

Oga colin, the falconets are not going to play the qfinal but the semi final. Pls put in a bit of focus in your reporting.
Well done girls....

olutayo (USA): 2010-07-25 22:00

and with a home based coach in charge.Did anyone see James Peters shouting instructions at the touch line?
What we need is to develop our home based coaches and ex-internationalss and stop wasting money on white skinned opportunists.

Garvey: 2010-07-25 22:16

@Ken - I would love to see our girls go into the final and win but you need to see the German or south Korean girls play. If the falconets can reach the final it will be great but winning the final? I have my doubts.

hami_truther: 2010-07-25 22:26

In egpyt, South africans and Ghanaians were cheering for USA over Nigeria. Africa really got a problem if football is a source of jealousy instead of cohesion.But i have never seen a Nigerian fan cheer for a non African team to win over an African team, no true African should do that. go Falconet! go Nigeria,go Africa.

ZUMA : 2010-07-25 23:52

@ hami, Not only those countries u'av listed, even d international community including FIFA, Trying to intimidate NIGERIANS,through their hurrible reports,articles,documentry, speech and news,painting her image like hell,as if their countries is such a paradise whr GOD lives.But u knw what, NIGERIA is such country they all are coming to appreciate.
DEAR NIGERIA,! PEACE WILL NEVER DEPART FROM THOSE WHO WISHES U GOOD AND A CHANGE FOR GOOD AND EVIL WILL NEVER DEPART FROM THOSE WHO WISHES U EVIL.

UP FALCONETS! UP NIGERIA 4 EVER.

coache: 2010-07-26 00:18

Congratulations to the Falconets once again. I know that you will do us proud. THE BIG QUESTION IS THIS, DID WE USED A FOREIGN COACH/THIEF TO ACHIEVE THIS FEAT?

Lar Largeback, PLEASE PACK YOUR BAG AND GO BEFORE WE BEGIN TO PRAY

LARS, FALL DOWN AND DIE. YOU ARE A CLONED BERTI VOGHTS. YOU DON'T WANT TO STAY IN NIGERIA AND MINGLE WITH THE HOME BASED PLAYERS BECAUSE YOU ARE SIMPLY CRAP. WHY DID YOU PLAY KAITA AGAINST GREECE WHEN WE NEEDED TO WIN. A CRAP COACH, PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE.

SIASIA WILL DEVELOP OUR FOOTBALL AND GIVE US WHAT WE WANT. HE WILL NOT RELY ON EUROPEAN BENCH WARMERS.

Austin: 2010-07-26 09:41

Good one girls. The lesson here is that we sometimes pay too much respect to the white skin, something that borders on colonial mentality and inferiority complex. The girls showed that in the first half, but when they knew that they had nothing to lose they came out smoking and, of course, the USA girls, complete with their white coach, buckled under.
From the above we can learn that the white man or woman is not necessarily better than us. We did not need to bring in Lagerback to reap where his sorry self did not sow. We do not need him to continue with the SE; Give Siasia the job today. Pay him well, give him a comfortable accomodation, security, car [the best], excellent backroom staff ... all the works, and see if he will not deliver.
Another lesson here is that Nigeria does not need any foreign help to succeed. We do not need to borrow to develop our economy. We CAN generate enough power to energize our system. We can stamp out corruption. WE CAN DO IT.
As for the other African brothers that hate us, that is their problem. You can only hate what you cannot deal with! Nigeria will continue to be a dominant force even beyond Africa, it does not matter who likes us or not. That's the truth, the whole truth.

end: 2010-07-26 09:41

My advise on the way forward for Nigeria Super Eagle.First I realised that the major problem we are having is over reliance on set of players year in and year out. With this reliance when they are aged like Kanu we still want to keep to what they have done rather than what they can do at a point in time.

Now I see football as an avenue to promote and give people means of living in Nigeria,thus I recommend that in each competition we should retain 8 or 7 out of set of previuos players for next subsequent competition,afterward we discard them and retain another 8 set of players in subsequent competition.This will sound myopic to some but the fact remains that when players are used for two or three competition in Nigeria they become too big, bend camp rule, under value team spirit and cause problem to coach..But if this system is adopted I believe any player given the opportunity will play with seriousness and dedication after knowing that the opprotunity maybe be his sole hope of representing the country.

I know many people will think that reatining players over years is working in Europe and other football countries. But in our own case the reverse is the condition. If this system is adopted the king ttitude by Yakubu,Kanu and others will not repeat itself.God bless Nigeria.

danarchy -is- back: 2010-07-26 12:17

@ken Gadaffi any time you are refering to Amodu and the super eagles you say it so casually as one scared of being attack shout it loud and clear:::

IF AMODU HAD GONE TO THE WORLD CUP NOTHING ON EARTH WOULD HAVE STOPPED HIM FROM QUALIFYING FROM THAT GROP:: PERIOD!!!

Its not bringing in siasia but allowing him do his job and not bringing in a white man if his team plays well today and bad tommorro..

USELESS WHITE MAN MENTALITY WILL DESTROY OUR FOOT BALL....

Afterall falconets did not go with a white coach.

danarchy -is- back: 2010-07-26 12:18

@ken Gadaffi any time you are refering to Amodu and the super eagles you say it so casually as one scared of being attack shout it loud and clear:::

IF AMODU HAD GONE TO THE WORLD CUP NOTHING ON EARTH WOULD HAVE STOPPED HIM FROM QUALIFYING FROM THAT GROUP:: PERIOD!!!

Its not bringing in siasia but allowing him do his job and not bringing in a white man if his team plays well today and bad tommorro..

USELESS WHITE MAN MENTALITY WILL DESTROY OUR FOOT BALL....

Afterall falconets did not go with a white coach.

Njia4life: 2010-07-26 12:43

well-done girls...help us keep the flag high..God bless

danarchy -is- back: 2010-07-26 13:25

FIFA World Cup 2010 Group B
Pos Team Pld W D L Pts
1 Argentina 3 3 0 0 9
2 South Korea 3 1 1 1 4
3 Greece 3 1 0 2 3
4 Nigeria 3 0 1 2 1

Nothing has ever ***** my heart like remembering this table... just becuase some criminals want to make some dollars before living the office...THEY Sucedeed in confusing some ''where belle face'' forunmites who can't think fast and pre-empt no football future(NFF) only to end up giving us the best miss of the tournament..

most of our columnist contributed to the above....

If only they had joined voices with some of us who preached about continuity.....

.... KAI How can I wait for another 4 yrs... may be another Whiteman will replace siasia by then afterall some forunmites will be fooled to supporting their dollar lust again...

EFCC now comming in is medicine after Death

CHE... I WEEP

Garvey: 2010-07-26 16:53

Continue weeping danarchy. That will not change anything.

nelson: 2010-07-26 17:44

@danarchy,even in the glaring failure of their white coach,they still claiming for his continuity,cos of shame can't let them critize him.



nelson4ever.

steve : 2010-07-26 18:42

tk@shame on you , you want US to beat Nigeria ? but what is the result now... in football, Nigeria will always open the doors for other Africans brothers to follow.Nigeria reaching this height, the first by any African country in womens football , will surely enable Fifa to give Africa another slot, which your Amajita will benefit at the long run.

I really dont know why you SA are at hate with Nigeria?.Nigeria provided its resources and might to liberate you guys from the shackles of Aparthied and here you are paying them back with hatried.I remember when i was in the university some years ago (1990-1996) in FUTO, our school housed so many south Africans in thousands schooling across nooks and cranny of nigeria during the break and they where being taken care of by the federal government!! .They where given meal ticket of about $50 per day!! which they used to buy mainly booze, women as well as using it to intimidate us (when we can hardly spend $1dollar per day) ...this is our our hard earned money, given to them by the our government!!.Probably that might have caused our state of affairs now, a thankless service by our thinkless government!!.But dont worry , Nigeria will rise again...we have learnt our lesson .Talking about age cheat, does the picture of the Amagita girl on display looks like an under 20 girl? go and watch our fantastic falconet, the pride of Africa...defeating the European champions -England, Asian champoins -Japan and the world champoins USA , TK boy!!! arent you proud of your sisters!!

Leonard: 2010-07-26 19:06

That friendly against South Korea
Sports Bassey Jul 26, 2010
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By Paul Bassey

When a colleague from Brila FM first called to sound me out on the purported friendly against South Korea, I was very angry and said so. I asked him, “ what friendly, why?”

My reaction was on the spur of the moment. That one of the reasons why I supported a two year ban for the Super Eagles was because I believe we needed time to put our national team in shape. I said we did not need to portray the withdrawal as a punishment, but that we could, intelligently decide not to participate in competitions in the next two years starting with the Nations Cup while putting our house in order.

I said, now that we are going to take part in the Nations Cup, where are the players we were going to use to play? The young man said coach Eguavoen had identified and was ready to rescue 15 players from the ruins of the World Cup.
I nearly fainted with laughter. 15? From where?

I did not think we could get 8 players from the hetereogenous bunch that disgraced us at the World Cup. Besides whosoever we were going to bring together, time was needed for them to bond and to gell before exposing them to a major competition like the Nations Cup.

I do not ascribe to blooding our new team in the tick of competition. I must have been making a lot of noise, because as you are reading this, there is no doubt that the NFF is hell bent on going ahead with the friendly with South Korea even with the funny clause that at least half of the players that went to the world cup must be fielded.

In the hurry, a list has been drawn that includes an overbloated number of home based players sprinkled with their foreign counterparts.

My first question is, where is Anichebe, where is Peter Utaka? Why have we retained Dani ****tu, why don’t we allow Mikel Obi to recover properly and be focused in a club where new stars have been signed?

This is recovery time. If South Korea is playing us, it is because they are in the process of rebuilding their team, complete with a new coach. They should also afford us that opportunity of rebuilding sans the foreign legion that did not only disappoint in South Africa, but are now in the process of fighting for dear life in their clubs.

Sir Alex Ferguson of Man U and his counterparts in Chelsea and Liverpool have decided to give their world cup stars time to recover from their post world cup blues. We should emulate the masters.

Of course it is different here.
In England, the coach has been given an all clear to continue. The German coach has earned a two year extension to his contract. Italy and France were set to replace their coaches even before the world cup ended, while it took South Africa less than one week after the world cup to appoint a new coach and get along with their football life.

Here, the rumour mill reigns supreme fuelled by my colleagues who have joined in the fray. Today you are confronted by bold headlines that say Sia Sia was appointed Last night only for another medium to counter that it is Eguavoen that has been given the mandate. I have also come across a third camp, those rooting for coach Obu to mount the saddle.
In the midst of all the cacophony you will expect the Football association to bring things into perspective. Not here

Parliament Queries SAFA
Let me quickly share with you, an instructive news piece that I saw in last Tuesday’s issue of Complete Sports, entitled SAFA QUERIED.

SAFA is the South African Football Association. The querying is to be done by the South African Parliament. Permit me to reproduce that story in detail here. “ Parliament is set to grill the South AfricanFootball Association’s top brass on how the body plans to spend its R1billion wind fall from FIFA especially in developing the game in the country.

“ ANC member of parliament and chairman of the National Asembly Sports and recreation committee Butana Komphela confirmed on Sunday they would be meeting football bosses Tuesday to question them about plans for soccer development for which some of the millions are earmarked……..

“SAFA President Kirsten Nematandari said most of the money would be pumped into soccer development, but MPs will also be asking questions about the size and number of bonuses to be dished out

“Komphela said it was important that SAFA start with soccer development to ensure the country built on the success of the world cup. SAFA needed to focus on establishing strong junior soccer teams,” he said

“ What we want from SAFA is development. Those junior teams are the feeder to the national team. SAFA must be clear when it talks to us about those things.

“They must show us their plan in terms of how this wind fall will benefit the entire South Africa” It has been a week since I read the story above quoted and I must be very very disappointed that SAFA has not run to Zurich to report the country to FIFA. I am equally disappointed that FIFA has not descended on South Africa for interference. By now, I am sure you have gotten my drift.

That IAAF Junior Championship
Everyday, or is it night?, I stay awake to watch the IAAF World Junior Championship in Canada and end up sleeping badly. Few minutes to midnight, thanks to Supersport, I tune in to live broadcast of the afternoon events and am always delighted by the quality of youngsters on display.

Thursday night I saw Kenya’s Caleb Ndiku sprinting to gold in the 1500 metres men in grand style and I wondered where the Nigerian athletes were.

Friday morning I called athletics buff Dare Esan to enquire about our team. He informed that we had a silver in the 400metres girls through Margaret Etim and that was all we were likely to have.

Why? I asked. “ quality “ he replied. “ we do not have enough quality” those youth I saw in Canada 16, 17, 18 years olds can be found in our universities but how do we get them out? Do we have inter university competitions?
See you next week

oxgood: 2010-07-26 19:10

Nice one girls ride on! Since the past 24hours no fresh news from KON. Guys if you need accurate and uptodate football news check out www.africaplays.com You will love it. Now to other african brothers or rather haters of nigeria, you guys are stupid and irresponsible. Our girls will always beat your girls anyday in football and otherwise.

osas: 2010-07-27 22:32

CONGRAT FALCONET, AND THANKS 4 GOOD JOB,WELDONE, IN NAME OF GOD ALMIGHTY U WIN COLOBIA, NOT ONLY WININ BUT SERIOUS BETING.

Jim: 2010-07-28 17:38

I hope our so-called-super eagles are learning?

objective bibby: 2010-07-29 14:15

This is culled from FIFA.com's interview with the member of TSG on the ongoing Women U20 WC.

"Nigeria are the best team I have seen from that country in ten years of watching them at world events. They have all the classic qualities of Nigerian teams: great tackling and physical presence and unbelievable speed but they are more disciplined as well. They are physically superior to any team in the tournament and they are really sold on their roles and their commitment to that role. There doesn’t seem to be a superstar in the team and there’s a sense that they abide by that old saying: ‘none of us is smarter than all of us’. Against the US, the second half was where the story of the game turned and Nigeria showed they could adapt and learn quickly"

charles: 2010-07-29 20:37

I have just finished watching the Nigerian under 20 ladies in the world cup in Germany. I wonder why these ladies were not taken to South Africa to represent Nigeria in the just concluded world cup. I will have Orji of the under 20 women in my team before I consider Yakubu Aiyegeni.