A Possible Reason why SE players do not last

[mojojojo]

Watching teams like Uruguay and Mexico field experienced campaigners some with 100 caps I began to wonder why we keep fielding inexperienced players at every world cup.

I looked at the 2010 and 2014 teams and realized that most of the players did not return for 2018.

The only player to survive the 2010 squad is Elderson.

The players that survived the 2014 squad are Mikel, Moses, Musa and Onazi.

It would be easy to blame age cheating for this but we also have to look at the fact that african players struggle to maintain their places in foreign clubs.

Africans players are not treated like other players.

African players must perform at a high level at their clubs or get dropped.

That is why their careers are short lived.

Players like Wilshere, Walcott, Berahinho, Barkley etc get consistent second chances our boys are not given the time of the day.

Musa could not get playing time. Slimani could not get playing time.

Iheanacho does not get playing time.

Because of that our players do not last professionally.


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2014 team

***************************************************************************
1 Vincent Enyeama (captain) goalkeeper, Lille

2 Joseph Yobo defender, Norwich City

3 Ejike Uzoenyi midfielder, Enugu Rangers FC

4 Reuben Gabriel midfielder, Waasland-Beveren

5 Efe Ambrose defender, Celtic

6 Azubuike Egwuekwe defender, Warri Wolves

7 Ahmed Musa forward, CSKA Moscow

8 Peter Odemwingie forward, Stoke City

9 Emmanuel Emenike forward, Fenerbahce

10 Mikel John Obi midfielder, Chelsea

11 Victor Moses midfielder, Chelsea

12 Kunle Odunlami defender, Sunshine Stars

13 Juwon Oshaniwa defender, Ashdod


14 Godfrey Oboabona defender, Caykur Rizespor

15 Ramon Azeez midfielder, Almería

16 Austin Ejide goalkeeper, Hapoel Be’er Sheva

17 Ogenyi Onazi midfielder, Lazio

18 Michael Babatunde midfielder, Volyn Lutsk

19 Uche Nwofor forward, Heerenveen

20 Michael Uchebo forward, Cercle Brugge

21 Chigozie Agbim goalkeeper, Gombe United

22 Kenneth Omeruo defender, Middlesbrough

23 Shola Ameobi forward, Newcastle United

******************************************************************

#################################################

2010 Squad
****************************************************************************

Goalkeepers -
Vincent Enyeama Hapoel Tel Aviv (ISR)
Dele Ayenugba Beni Yehuda (ISR)
Austin Ejide Hapoel Petah Tikvah (ISR)
Defenders -
Taye Taiwo Marseille (FRA)
Joseph Yobo Everton (ENG)
Danny Shittu Bolton Wanderers (ENG)
Elderson Echiejile Rennes (FRA)
Ayodele Adeleye Sparta Rotterdam (NED)
Chidi Odiah CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Rabiu Afolabi SV Salzburg (AUS)
Midfielders -
Nwankwo Kanu Portsmouth (ENG)
d#$% Etuhu Fulham (ENG)
Mikel John Obi Chelsea (ENG)
Sani Kaita Alanya (RUS)
Yusuf Ayila Dynamo Kiev (UKR)
Kalu Uche Almeria (SPA)
Haruna Lukman Monaco (FRA)
Forwards -
Yakubu Ayegbeni Everton (ENG)
Chinedu Obasi Hoffenheim (GER)
Obafemi Martins Wolfsburg (GER)
Obinna Nsofor Malaga (SPA)
John Utaka Portsmouth (ENG)
Osaze Odemwingie Lokomotiv (RUS)

**************************************************************

[Enugu II]

mojojojo,

Thanks for thinking outside the box. I believe the age factor is a simplistic justification that makes little sense when you use comparative analysis of other teams. This is not to deny age cheating BUT it is to deny its effect on the squad variation.

Watching teams like Uruguay and Mexico field experienced campaigners some with 100 caps I began to wonder why we keep fielding inexperienced players at every world cup.

I looked at the 2010 and 2014 teams and realized that most of the players did not return for 2018.

The only player to survive the 2010 squad is Elderson.

The players that survived the 2014 squad are Mikel, Moses, Musa and Onazi.

It would be easy to blame age cheating for this but we also have to look at the fact that african players struggle to maintain their places in foreign clubs.

Africans players are not treated like other players.

African players must perform at a high level at their clubs or get dropped.

That is why their careers are short lived.

Players like Wilshere, Walcott, Berahinho, Barkley etc get consistent second chances our boys are not given the time of the day.

Musa could not get playing time. Slimani could not get playing time.

Iheanacho does not get playing time.

Because of that our players do not last professionally.


#######################################################

2014 team

***************************************************************************
1 Vincent Enyeama (captain) goalkeeper, Lille

2 Joseph Yobo defender, Norwich City

3 Ejike Uzoenyi midfielder, Enugu Rangers FC

4 Reuben Gabriel midfielder, Waasland-Beveren

5 Efe Ambrose defender, Celtic

6 Azubuike Egwuekwe defender, Warri Wolves

7 Ahmed Musa forward, CSKA Moscow

8 Peter Odemwingie forward, Stoke City

9 Emmanuel Emenike forward, Fenerbahce

10 Mikel John Obi midfielder, Chelsea

11 Victor Moses midfielder, Chelsea

12 Kunle Odunlami defender, Sunshine Stars

13 Juwon Oshaniwa defender, Ashdod


14 Godfrey Oboabona defender, Caykur Rizespor

15 Ramon Azeez midfielder, Almería

16 Austin Ejide goalkeeper, Hapoel Be’er Sheva

17 Ogenyi Onazi midfielder, Lazio

18 Michael Babatunde midfielder, Volyn Lutsk

19 Uche Nwofor forward, Heerenveen

20 Michael Uchebo forward, Cercle Brugge

21 Chigozie Agbim goalkeeper, Gombe United

22 Kenneth Omeruo defender, Middlesbrough

23 Shola Ameobi forward, Newcastle United

******************************************************************

#################################################

2010 Squad
****************************************************************************

Goalkeepers -
Vincent Enyeama Hapoel Tel Aviv (ISR)
Dele Ayenugba Beni Yehuda (ISR)
Austin Ejide Hapoel Petah Tikvah (ISR)
Defenders -
Taye Taiwo Marseille (FRA)
Joseph Yobo Everton (ENG)
Danny Shittu Bolton Wanderers (ENG)
Elderson Echiejile Rennes (FRA)
Ayodele Adeleye Sparta Rotterdam (NED)
Chidi Odiah CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Rabiu Afolabi SV Salzburg (AUS)
Midfielders -
Nwankwo Kanu Portsmouth (ENG)
d#$% Etuhu Fulham (ENG)
Mikel John Obi Chelsea (ENG)
Sani Kaita Alanya (RUS)
Yusuf Ayila Dynamo Kiev (UKR)
Kalu Uche Almeria (SPA)
Haruna Lukman Monaco (FRA)
Forwards -
Yakubu Ayegbeni Everton (ENG)
Chinedu Obasi Hoffenheim (GER)
Obafemi Martins Wolfsburg (GER)
Obinna Nsofor Malaga (SPA)
John Utaka Portsmouth (ENG)
Osaze Odemwingie Lokomotiv (RUS)

**************************************************************

[kali]

How come Ivorian or Ghanaian teams do not go through the same turnover?

Methinks Nigerias problem reflects the weak talent pool is not strong. Of the 2014 team only Mikel, Moses and Enyeama were world class talent. The rest were role players. So any new coach is looking for fresh talent from the jump.

For 2018 the talent pool is still weak. Moses, Mikel, Ndidi, Etebo are sure bankers. The rest are work in progress.

Nigeria needs to start blending in the likes of Iwobi and Iheanacho as forwards in a 4-4-2 formation that works and start easing out Mikel since he is really not needed.

[bigbrovar]

How come Ivorian or Ghanaian teams do not go through the same turnover?

Methinks Nigerias problem reflects the weak talent pool is not strong. Of the 2014 team only Mikel, Moses and Enyeama were world class talent. The rest were role players. So any new coach is looking for fresh talent from the jump.

For 2018 the talent pool is still weak. Moses, Mikel, Ndidi, Etebo are sure bankers. The rest are work in progress.

Nigeria needs to start blending in the likes of Iwobi and Iheanacho as forwards in a 4-4-2 formation that works and start easing out Mikel since he is really not needed.

I think a lot also has to do with personal discipline. Many of our players use football as a get out of poverty card and once they have steady job and pay in Europe they quickly loss shape by not maintaining a discipline lifestyle. A modern day football should spend a good part of his earning on keeping himself in shape. This involves personal practices, some even go as far as to have personal coaches that help them improve on their lapses. Diet and lifestyle also plays a big role in being in form. Not many Nigerian player have the discipline to remain at the top case in point is Isaacs success even Iheanacho is not the player he once was.. Once the money fame and girls come most get carried away. It takes hard hard work to remain at the top

[charlie]

Take a look at your post again and the timelines.
The one consistency is inconsistency in the coaching crew. We have been changing coaches after every tournament. Every new coach comes with their own philosophy and preferred players.

Not exactly the right conditions to build consistency into your team selection.
Give Rohr 4 years with this team and he will keep the core of his team intact with key additions in areas of needs only when necessary.

What do we have to lose that we have not already lost? Its the only thing we havent tried since the Westerhof era.

[Bouncer]

How come Ivorian or Ghanaian teams do not go through the same turnover?

Methinks Nigerias problem reflects the weak talent pool is not strong. Of the 2014 team only Mikel, Moses and Enyeama were world class talent. The rest were role players. So any new coach is looking for fresh talent from the jump.

For 2018 the talent pool is still weak. Moses, Mikel, Ndidi, Etebo are sure bankers. The rest are work in progress.

Nigeria needs to start blending in the likes of Iwobi and Iheanacho as forwards in a 4-4-2 formation that works and start easing out Mikel since he is really not needed.

I think a lot also has to do with personal discipline. Many of our players use football as a get out of poverty card and once they have steady job and pay in Europe they quickly loss shape by not maintaining a discipline lifestyle. A modern day football should spend a good part of his earning on keeping himself in shape. This involves personal practices, some even go as far as to have personal coaches that help them improve on their lapses. Diet and lifestyle also plays a big role in being in form. Not many Nigerian player have the discipline to remain at the top case in point is Isaacs success even Iheanacho is not the player he once was.. Once the money fame and girls come most get carried away. It takes hard hard work to remain at the top

You nailed it and nothing else. This is overall African mentality. Little money is always enough for an average African.

[chif456]

Our expectations and reality never lines up. We do not have as many good players as we think we do. Also when things don't work in Europe for our players they don't a viable local league to retire to. Brazil - most players go back to finish their career there which improves their local league. Mexico has a strong league which is a great option for their players when things aren't working in Europe. Not many players are breaking into the top European clubs and when their experiment end they end up in tons of backwater leagues where they are forgotten

[Bigpokey24]

Another lazy thread

[mcal]

...African players, Nigerians in particularly, don't fair well at big events because when they get bumped by their clubs they don't have good home league to fall back on, hence a move to obscure leagues. Remember, those that go to China, Qatar, MLS, are the good ones, exceptional at their former clubs. If we have good functional home league, heck these guys will return to polish their skills until the next big dance, in Africa or the world.

[ANC]

...African players, Nigerians in particularly, don't fair well at big events because when they get bumped by their clubs they don't have good home league to fall back on, hence a move to obscure leagues. Remember, those that go to China, Qatar, MLS, are the good ones, exceptional at their former clubs. If we have good functional home league, heck these guys will return to polish their skills until the next big dance, in Africa or the world.

And pass-on knowledge to the younger ones.

[chief nfachairman]

I think that age is a major factor.

An average born in Nigeria player is 6/7yrs older than his declared age. The younger ones who are the minority do 4/5yrs. And the rest, do 8/10yrs and more (most hardly get to be SE players or regulars).

Also consider that a player plays the best football of his life between 29 to 32yrs when experience is blended with his play.

A player already doing well in Europe at 21 is about 26/27yrs Real age.

5yrs after, At 26 football age, huge amount Nigerian players have played the best part of their football and by 27yrs, RIPE for China, UAE and the less stressful Turkish league and lower level leagues. At 27yrs, they are 32-34yrs or more.

Hence, from 27 football age, they start to get injured easily and don't heal fast, move to easier leagues, ride the bench in the more competitive clubs.

We also have other factors, like players fading out at younger football ages (21-25). Some eventually come back to give 1/2 solid years. These kind of cases are less age related and other factors might cause this.

It would be nice if the NFF research department can sponsor a study on this topic.

Watching teams like Uruguay and Mexico field experienced campaigners some with 100 caps I began to wonder why we keep fielding inexperienced players at every world cup.

I looked at the 2010 and 2014 teams and realized that most of the players did not return for 2018.

The only player to survive the 2010 squad is Elderson.

The players that survived the 2014 squad are Mikel, Moses, Musa and Onazi.

It would be easy to blame age cheating for this but we also have to look at the fact that african players struggle to maintain their places in foreign clubs.

Africans players are not treated like other players.

African players must perform at a high level at their clubs or get dropped.

That is why their careers are short lived.

Players like Wilshere, Walcott, Berahinho, Barkley etc get consistent second chances our boys are not given the time of the day.

Musa could not get playing time. Slimani could not get playing time.

Iheanacho does not get playing time.

Because of that our players do not last professionally.


#######################################################

2014 team

***************************************************************************
1 Vincent Enyeama (captain) goalkeeper, Lille

2 Joseph Yobo defender, Norwich City

3 Ejike Uzoenyi midfielder, Enugu Rangers FC

4 Reuben Gabriel midfielder, Waasland-Beveren

5 Efe Ambrose defender, Celtic

6 Azubuike Egwuekwe defender, Warri Wolves

7 Ahmed Musa forward, CSKA Moscow

8 Peter Odemwingie forward, Stoke City

9 Emmanuel Emenike forward, Fenerbahce

10 Mikel John Obi midfielder, Chelsea

11 Victor Moses midfielder, Chelsea

12 Kunle Odunlami defender, Sunshine Stars

13 Juwon Oshaniwa defender, Ashdod


14 Godfrey Oboabona defender, Caykur Rizespor

15 Ramon Azeez midfielder, Almería

16 Austin Ejide goalkeeper, Hapoel Be’er Sheva

17 Ogenyi Onazi midfielder, Lazio

18 Michael Babatunde midfielder, Volyn Lutsk

19 Uche Nwofor forward, Heerenveen

20 Michael Uchebo forward, Cercle Brugge

21 Chigozie Agbim goalkeeper, Gombe United

22 Kenneth Omeruo defender, Middlesbrough

23 Shola Ameobi forward, Newcastle United

******************************************************************

#################################################

2010 Squad
****************************************************************************

Goalkeepers -
Vincent Enyeama Hapoel Tel Aviv (ISR)
Dele Ayenugba Beni Yehuda (ISR)
Austin Ejide Hapoel Petah Tikvah (ISR)
Defenders -
Taye Taiwo Marseille (FRA)
Joseph Yobo Everton (ENG)
Danny Shittu Bolton Wanderers (ENG)
Elderson Echiejile Rennes (FRA)
Ayodele Adeleye Sparta Rotterdam (NED)
Chidi Odiah CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Rabiu Afolabi SV Salzburg (AUS)
Midfielders -
Nwankwo Kanu Portsmouth (ENG)
d#$% Etuhu Fulham (ENG)
Mikel John Obi Chelsea (ENG)
Sani Kaita Alanya (RUS)
Yusuf Ayila Dynamo Kiev (UKR)
Kalu Uche Almeria (SPA)
Haruna Lukman Monaco (FRA)
Forwards -
Yakubu Ayegbeni Everton (ENG)
Chinedu Obasi Hoffenheim (GER)
Obafemi Martins Wolfsburg (GER)
Obinna Nsofor Malaga (SPA)
John Utaka Portsmouth (ENG)
Osaze Odemwingie Lokomotiv (RUS)

**************************************************************

[Rawlings]

Old age comes too early