Cybereagles

The most positive attributes of the Nigerian persona that one will imagine will translate on the football pitch particularly flair are often displayed in abundance at the younger levels. Our senior teams on the other hand tend to lack that. Our players start off in Nigeria and finish in Europe. They have it at the junior level but by the time they spend time in Europe and return for the senior team they develop the earliest stages of rigor mortis. Obvious conclusion is that Europe is ascribed the blame and Mikel Obi is a prime example of the phenomena.

An obvious hint at a disparity in football organization and a gap that shows levels of preparation, tradition, passion, middle class. You name it. We got swag and they got etcetera. Argentinians had sometimes three generations of fans including grandfathers that had not missed an Argentinian World Cup game since 1978. A fan told me that his dad brought him when he was a boy and now he was obligated to bring his sons. It means so much to them.

Our team played well. Certainly better organized than some of the previous Nigerian teams. So, Nigerians somehow assume that this experience will yield benefits in four years. But so did Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana after elimination in 2014. The real planning hopefully has started already. Though one wonders if it is realistic to expect all the other government system struggles and lack of planning we see in numerous other sectors and somehow have it different and better in sports, which matters less.

Enugu II wrote:

The most positive attributes of the Nigerian persona that one will imagine will translate on the football pitch particularly flair are often displayed in abundance at the younger levels. Our senior teams on the other hand tend to lack that. Our players start off in Nigeria and finish in Europe. They have it at the junior level but by the time they spend time in Europe and return for the senior team they develop the earliest stages of rigor mortis. Obvious conclusion is that Europe is ascribed the blame and Mikel Obi is a prime example of the phenomena.

Thunder wrote:

Enugu II wrote:

The most positive attributes of the Nigerian persona that one will imagine will translate on the football pitch particularly flair are often displayed in abundance at the younger levels. Our senior teams on the other hand tend to lack that. Our players start off in Nigeria and finish in Europe. They have it at the junior level but by the time they spend time in Europe and return for the senior team they develop the earliest stages of rigor mortis. Obvious conclusion is that Europe is ascribed the blame and Mikel Obi is a prime example of the phenomena.

EII, The Mikel Obi example is why Pogba is at loggerheads with Mourinho. Pogba doesn’t want to be turned into a sideway passer. He’d rather leave Man Utd, than allow Jose to damage him. Unlike Mikel, he has backings and will get his way.

The YeyeMan wrote:When and why did Ghost become "former CE"?

Enugu II wrote:

Thunder wrote:

Enugu II wrote:

The most positive attributes of the Nigerian persona that one will imagine will translate on the football pitch particularly flair are often displayed in abundance at the younger levels. Our senior teams on the other hand tend to lack that. Our players start off in Nigeria and finish in Europe. They have it at the junior level but by the time they spend time in Europe and return for the senior team they develop the earliest stages of rigor mortis. Obvious conclusion is that Europe is ascribed the blame and Mikel Obi is a prime example of the phenomena.

EII, The Mikel Obi example is why Pogba is at loggerheads with Mourinho. Pogba doesn’t want to be turned into a sideway passer. He’d rather leave Man Utd, than allow Jose to damage him. Unlike Mikel, he has backings and will get his way.

Thunder,

The piece is written by a former CE "Ghost" who was at the World Cup and watched Nigeria v Argentina. His observations and insight are revealing. I think the way he links this to explain different results for Nigeria between the youth and senior levels is food for thought.

Kneedeep wrote:I like the author's wholistic approach. The team is not world class, the coach is a _______, OK. The supporters club nko? The fair weather fans nko? Press, are you even continental class?

The WC is coming to North America in 8 years, it will be very disappointing if after "making mout" we play Australia and even they outnumber us in the stadium .

Even if the team plays rohrible football, let the support be world class. Amen!