HOME-BASE-PLAYERS: HOMEBOUND!

[GUEST]

SOURCE: THE PUNCH

HOMEBOUND! • Home-based players set to leave for home

Obafemi Obadare, Faro, Portugal

Wolverhampton of England defender, Isaac Okoronkwo, was the latest arrival in camp on Sunday amidst tension among players likely to be dropped as the national team coach, Mr. Christian Chukwu, prepares to name his Nations Cup squad on Wednesday.

Our correspondent gathered that the players, mostly home-based, would be homebound as from Tuesday.

Only the goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, and the defender, Romanus Orjinta, are likely to survive the weeding after the three-week camping in Faro, Portugal.

Among the home-based players likely to give way to their Europe-based counterparts are Bob Usim, Seyi Olofinjana, Ekene Ezenwa, Oge Ileagu and Sam Okoye.

Otheres are Ishola Shaibu, Ahmed Garba, Uche Ogochukwu and goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi.

Okoronkwo's arrival coincided with the rest day observed by the team on Sunday as they awaited the arrival of other Premiership big names who seem to have hit form in their last club matches before heading for camp.

Among those being expected as at the time of filing this report are Yakubu Aiyegbeni who scored two goals on Saturday as Portsmouth defeated Manchester City 4-2 and Nwankwo Kanu who scored midweek and had a good match when Arsenal defeated Middlesbrough 4-1 on Saturday.

Team captain, Austin Okocha, who led his club, Bolton Wanderers, to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Blackburn Rovers and Celestine Babayaro who scored in Chelsea's 4-0 victory over Leicester are also expected to join the camp together with Joseph Yobo and Victor Agali.

In a friendly match played by the team against a first division Dutch side, Zwolle, Aghahowa lived up to his reputation as the team's hit man when he scored a late winner to give the Super Eagles a 2-1 victory.

Osaze Odemwigie had put the Nigerians ahead just two minutes into the match only for the Dutch to level scores 21 minutes later.

[wiseone]

...of that home based bunch. Ishola Shuaibu and Bob Usim are good enough to make the squad. Enyeama is not even good enough to be called up to the training camp. .....and Enyimba's outstanding defensive midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo SHOULD DEFINITELY have been called up. He may be one of Nigeria's best DMs and could have played a key role in Tunisia.

[mister dolly]

If Sunday Rotimi and Okoye goes home..that gives the three GK spots automatically to

Enyeama
Ejide
Etafia

I must say this report is consistent with what I've been hearing from the Faro grapevine..

...and by the way I think he meant Seyi Olajengbesi not Olofinjana..

[MI5]

Hmm is Seyi Olofinjana a homebased player??? Hmmm

[MI5]

MD,

If NFA had any sense of development in their brains i would advice they keep Sam Okoye and Sunday Rotimi and take them to Tunisia for tournament experience, not as part of the team but as outsiders to see what it's like to play in a tournament like this, it will only help them in the future when their time comes. Similar to how they took Ike to Dakar'92 and Tunis'94...

If Sunday Rotimi and Okoye goes home..that gives the three GK spots automatically to

Enyeama
Ejide
Etafia

I must say this report is consistent with what I've been hearing from the Faro grapevine..

...and by the way I think he meant Seyi Olajengbesi not Olofinjana..

[Ayo Akinfe]

Hmm is Seyi Olofinjana a homebased player??? Hmmm

The ignoramus was meaning to say Seyi Olajengbesi. Anyway, Olajengbesi has a slight knock, so is unlikely to make the team if picked anyway.

[KoC]

It should be Sey Olajengbesi not Olofinjana

[MI5]

Thanks ohh na waoo this guys need to be rounded up...

[Guv007]

MD,

If NFA had any sense of development in their brains i would advice they keep Sam Okoye and Sunday Rotimi and take to Tunisia for tournament experience, not as part of the team but as outsiders to see what it's like to play in a tournament like this, it will only help them in the future when their time comes. Similar to how they took Ike to Dakar'92 and Tunis'94...

If Sunday Rotimi and Okoye goes home..that gives the three GK spots automatically to

Enyeama
Ejide
Etafia

I must say this report is consistent with what I've been hearing from the Faro grapevine..

...and by the way I think he meant Seyi Olajengbesi not Olofinjana..

Pls

MI5
That spot is for the girlfriends.

[Guv007]

If Enyeama is the number 1 choice then that is worrying.

[MI5]

G007,

Cheii i don forget sha na true you talk ohh just like in previous tournaments we only hear 22 about 22 players but don't know how many girlfriends and concubines are going along for the ride... shame... This guys need exposure and it will only help them in the long run...

MD,

If NFA had any sense of development in their brains i would advice they keep Sam Okoye and Sunday Rotimi and take to Tunisia for tournament experience, not as part of the team but as outsiders to see what it's like to play in a tournament like this, it will only help them in the future when their time comes. Similar to how they took Ike to Dakar'92 and Tunis'94...

If Sunday Rotimi and Okoye goes home..that gives the three GK spots automatically to

Enyeama
Ejide
Etafia

I must say this report is consistent with what I've been hearing from the Faro grapevine..

...and by the way I think he meant Seyi Olajengbesi not Olofinjana..

Pls

MI5
That spot is for the girlfriends.

[MI5]

Cheii God help us sha... we go see how prepared dem go bi when D-DAY comes around...

[Ayo Akinfe]

MD,

If NFA had any sense of development in their brains i would advice they keep Sam Okoye and Sunday Rotimi and take them to Tunisia for tournament experience, not as part of the team but as outsiders to see what it's like to play in a tournament like this, it will only help them in the future when their time comes. Similar to how they took Ike to Dakar'92 and Tunis'94...

If Sunday Rotimi and Okoye goes home..that gives the three GK spots automatically to

Enyeama
Ejide
Etafia

I must say this report is consistent with what I've been hearing from the Faro grapevine..

...and by the way I think he meant Seyi Olajengbesi not Olofinjana..

(1) In Dakar 92, Ike Shorunmu went as the third choice goalie behind Wilfred Agbonibare and Alloy Agwu. He was not an "outsider."
(2) Are you aware of the fact that Rotimi and Okoye are older than Etafia, Enyeama and Ejide?
(3) In my opinion, if the older Okoye and Rotimi, who have been on the scene for a lot longer than the other three cannot make the team on merit, I fear they may struggle to do so in future.
(4) Given that Rotimi has understudied Shorunmu, Akanji, Egbo and Idah, he has no reason not be the number one now, other than a refusal to improve.
(5) Okoye played in Nigeria 99 along with the likes of Cassilas, Dida and that Arsenal goalie (I've forgotten his name now). Look at how well they are doing. Why has he not progressed too!
(6) The outsiders spots should be reserved for young up and coming keepers like Bassey Akpan and Dele Aiyenugba.
(7) With the likes of Layeni coming through in Europe, I think old timers like Rotimi and OKoye have really had their day.
(8) For me, the NFA can help the likes of Okoye and Rotimi by helping them find European clubs where they will be trained up.
(9) Even if you take a Nigerian goalie to a major tournament, as long as he is going back to the local league, it is a waste of time. The likes of Etafia and Ejide have improved their games by leaving Nigeria.
(10) To add insult to injury, there uisa no proper goalkeeper trainer in the Eagles camp.

[MI5]

Thanks for the proper correction on Ike's appearance in Dakar'92.


You make some revelations here and everything you said here is true based on our goalkeepers and how they don't want to develop. hmm Naija'99 had a lot of players from tournament who we hear about everyday. Players like Diego Forlan, Damian Duff, Robbie Keane, Iker Cassilas, Ashley Cole, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Mike Phelan, Matt Holland and others who are doing very well now...

Yes i like Bassey Akpan and the keeper who kept in Finland don't know his name but this are future keepers to groom and watch for in the years to come..

Very sad indeed on our goalkeeper development programs which has fallen apart for good...

MD,

If NFA had any sense of development in their brains i would advice they keep Sam Okoye and Sunday Rotimi and take them to Tunisia for tournament experience, not as part of the team but as outsiders to see what it's like to play in a tournament like this, it will only help them in the future when their time comes. Similar to how they took Ike to Dakar'92 and Tunis'94...

If Sunday Rotimi and Okoye goes home..that gives the three GK spots automatically to

Enyeama
Ejide
Etafia

I must say this report is consistent with what I've been hearing from the Faro grapevine..

...and by the way I think he meant Seyi Olajengbesi not Olofinjana..

(1) In Dakar 92, Ike Shorunmu went as the third choice goalie behind Wilfred Agbonibare and Alloy Agwu. He was not an "outsider."
(2) Are you aware of the fact that Rotimi and Okoye are older than Etafia, Enyeama and Ejide?
(3) In my opinion, if the older Okoye and Rotimi, who have been on the scene for a lot longer than the other three cannot make the team on merit, I fear they may struggle to do so in future.
(4) Given that Rotimi has understudied Shorunmu, Akanji, Egbo and Idah, he has no reason not be the number one now, other than a refusal to improve.
(5) Okoye played in Nigeria 99 along with the likes of Cassilas, Dida and that Arsenal goalie (I've forgotten his name now). Look at how well they are doing. Why has he not progressed too!
(6) The outsiders spots should be reserved for young up and coming keepers like Bassey Akpan and Dele Aiyenugba.
(7) With the likes of Layeni coming through in Europe, I think old timers like Rotimi and OKoye have really had their day.
(8) For me, the NFA can help the likes of Okoye and Rotimi by helping them find European clubs where they will be trained up.
(9) Even if you take a Nigerian goalie to a major tournament, as long as he is going back to the local league, it is a waste of time. The likes of Etafia and Ejide have improved their games by leaving Nigeria.
(10) To add insult to injury, there uisa no proper goalkeeper trainer in the Eagles camp.

[Cross]

Was Dida in Nigeria '99?

[Gotti]

hmm Naija'99 had a lot of players from tournament who we hear about everyday. Players like Diego Forlan, Damian Duff, Robbie Keane, Iker Cassilas, Ashley Cole, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Mike Phelan, Matt Holland and others who are doing very well now...

M15:
I am unsure how you judge players, but Nigeria' 99 Flying Eagles' Joseph Yobo, Julius Aghahowa, Pius Ikedia, Gabriel Melkam and even Rabiu Afolabi are also "doing very well now."

[Waffiman]

If true, I am disappointed about Bob Usim but his time will come.

[Chief Goza]

If true, I am disappointed about Bob Usim but his time will come.

True talk Waffi. I have seen him play several times, and though I feel he's consistently played out of position at left back, he has always acquitted himself well. I think he's one player who will do we at a higher level, but time and confidence level may not be his best friends now, following this disappontment.

[Waffiman]

If true, I am disappointed about Bob Usim but his time will come.

True talk Waffi. I have seen him play several times, and though I feel he's consistently played out of position at left back, he has always acquitted himself well. I think he's one player who will do we at a higher level, but time and confidence level may not be his best friends now, following this disappontment.

The boy na real baller. I have no doubt he will play for the SE and get many caps in future. I hope he comes out this disappointment even more determined to prove the coaching crew wrong.

[bret- hart]

Chukwu will always pick his boys wether they are good enough or not.

[Waffiman]

Chukwu will always pick his boys wether they are good enough or not.

He is the coach, let us respect his right to pick who so ever he wishes. You can neva get agreement on a team list but this is why we have a coach, he has to be free to make such decisions, because the buck stops with him. His head is on the line not yours.

[olu]

Ishola Shaibu has been overlooked several timesfor the Eagles despite the fact that that he has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the local league. He delivers better crosses than Osaze, Ikedia or Utaka.

[paj]

SOURCE: THE PUNCH

HOMEBOUND! • Home-based players set to leave for home

Obafemi Obadare, Faro, Portugal

Wolverhampton of England defender, Isaac Okoronkwo, was the latest arrival in camp on Sunday amidst tension among players likely to be dropped as the national team coach, Mr. Christian Chukwu, prepares to name his Nations Cup squad on Wednesday.

Our correspondent gathered that the players, mostly home-based, would be homebound as from Tuesday.

Only the goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, and the defender, Romanus Orjinta, are likely to survive the weeding after the three-week camping in Faro, Portugal.

Among the home-based players likely to give way to their Europe-based counterparts are Bob Usim, Seyi Olofinjana, Ekene Ezenwa, Oge Ileagu and Sam Okoye.

Otheres are Ishola Shaibu, Ahmed Garba, Uche Ogochukwu and goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi.

Okoronkwo's arrival coincided with the rest day observed by the team on Sunday as they awaited the arrival of other Premiership big names who seem to have hit form in their last club matches before heading for camp.

Among those being expected as at the time of filing this report are Yakubu Aiyegbeni who scored two goals on Saturday as Portsmouth defeated Manchester City 4-2 and Nwankwo Kanu who scored midweek and had a good match when Arsenal defeated Middlesbrough 4-1 on Saturday.

Team captain, Austin Okocha, who led his club, Bolton Wanderers, to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Blackburn Rovers and Celestine Babayaro who scored in Chelsea's 4-0 victory over Leicester are also expected to join the camp together with Joseph Yobo and Victor Agali.

In a friendly match played by the team against a first division Dutch side, Zwolle, Aghahowa lived up to his reputation as the team's hit man when he scored a late winner to give the Super Eagles a 2-1 victory.

Osaze Odemwigie had put the Nigerians ahead just two minutes into the match only for the Dutch to level scores 21 minutes later.

..how aout that Nworgu kid?Abi CCC plans to use Lawal on the Left Flank again?

Pa