Any Nigerians in the American league?
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Any Nigerians in the American league?
Africans star in the US
The United States' Major League Soccer is a month into its ninth season and BBC Sport looks at the nine African players playing in this year's championship.
As well as the nine African stars there is also the Ghanaian-born youngster Freddy Adu, who is the league's highest paid player.
In recent years football in the US has struggled to compete with the likes of American football, basketball and ice hockey but it seems Adu could be helping to change that with fans filling stadiums every time he plays.
BBC Sport profiles the nine African players currently playing in the MLS.
Sumed Ibrahim
Another Ghanaian making his debut in the MLS is Sumed Ibrahim, who was picked by the Chicago Fire after a successful college career at the University of Maryland, where he was rated one of the best players in America.
The 23-year-old Ghana forward played for the Chesapeake Dragons in the United States Premier Developmental league during the 2001 season.
He also helped his secondary school in Kentucky win the national championships in 1997, where he also starred in the basketball team.
Joseph Ngwenya
Zimbabwe's Joseph Ngwenya is also making his debut in the MLS for the Los Angeles Galaxy who have very high hopes of him after he was the third player selected in the 2004 draft in February.
Fresh from Coastal Carolina University the 23-year-old enters the MLS with an impressive record having dominated the collegiate league in America where he was the top scorer for the past two years.
He capped his final year at college with several awards including the Most Valuable Player at the Big South Tournament as well as the Big South Scholar-Athlete of the year as well as their player of the year.
Nkosinathi Nhleko
Dallas Burn were delighted to retain the services of South Africa's Nkosinathi 'The Lion' Nhleko, who despite playing only 11 matches last season was their third joint top scorer.
The 25 year-old striker has also played for SK Brann in Norway, where he appeared in two UEFA Cup matches, and Jomo Cosmos in his native South Africa.
He was in the Bafana Bafana squad that played the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia and played in the group match against Morocco that ended in 1-1 draw.
Stephen Armstrong
Stephen Armstrong also from South Africa is in his third season with Kansas City Wizards.
Armstrong is currently recovering from a knee injury and the Wizards will be missing his consistent contributions and his ability to set up goals for the team.
He made his professional debut in 2000 when playing for Vastra Frolunda in the Swedish first division and has also had spell with English first division side Watford.
His international experience has so far been limited to the South African under-23 team.
Dipsy Selolwane
Botswana striker Dipsy Selolwane is also at the Chicago Fire but has struggled to establish himself in the team.
The 26-year-old has however made some vital contributions in the few games that he has played and the news from the club is that the player is improving which means that he could get some more time on the pitch this season.
Selolwane is however an established international for Botswana having played 17 times for his country and weighed in with five goals.
He has also had experience in Europe having played for Vejle Boldklub in the Danish Super League in 2002 before moving to America.
Zizi Roberts
The most experienced African in the MLS is Liberia's Zizi Roberts who plays for the Colorado Rapids, having played in Europe for eight years with the likes of AC Milan of Italy and Olympiakos of Greece.
His coaches at the Rapids say that the Liberian international is providing the perfect foil for the sides strikers and has impressed with several skilful displays since he joined the team last season.
Roberts is also an experienced international having played for the Lone Stars at their first ever African Cup of Nations finals in South Africa in 1996.
Daouda Kante
Mali's Daouda Kante is now playing in his third season for the New England Revolution.
At nearly 6ft 2in (1m 88cm) the Malian provides a commanding presence in the Revolution's defence.
Kante was originally drafted in 2001 from The Virginia Beach Mariners, who play in the MLS feeder A-League, into the now defunct Miami Fusion side.
Tenywa Bonesu
Uganda defender Tenywa Bonesu is now with his fourth MLS team, the MetroStars.
The player nicknamed T-bone has already played for Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and Dallas Burn and is a regular for Uganda.
Bonesu was voted the Burn's defensive player of the year in 2002 and was a regular starter for his clubs over the last three years.
However he opted to remain in college to complete his studies in international business and international relations, which he hopes to use in a future career in diplomacy and government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 659599.stm
The United States' Major League Soccer is a month into its ninth season and BBC Sport looks at the nine African players playing in this year's championship.
As well as the nine African stars there is also the Ghanaian-born youngster Freddy Adu, who is the league's highest paid player.
In recent years football in the US has struggled to compete with the likes of American football, basketball and ice hockey but it seems Adu could be helping to change that with fans filling stadiums every time he plays.
BBC Sport profiles the nine African players currently playing in the MLS.
Sumed Ibrahim
Another Ghanaian making his debut in the MLS is Sumed Ibrahim, who was picked by the Chicago Fire after a successful college career at the University of Maryland, where he was rated one of the best players in America.
The 23-year-old Ghana forward played for the Chesapeake Dragons in the United States Premier Developmental league during the 2001 season.
He also helped his secondary school in Kentucky win the national championships in 1997, where he also starred in the basketball team.
Joseph Ngwenya
Zimbabwe's Joseph Ngwenya is also making his debut in the MLS for the Los Angeles Galaxy who have very high hopes of him after he was the third player selected in the 2004 draft in February.
Fresh from Coastal Carolina University the 23-year-old enters the MLS with an impressive record having dominated the collegiate league in America where he was the top scorer for the past two years.
He capped his final year at college with several awards including the Most Valuable Player at the Big South Tournament as well as the Big South Scholar-Athlete of the year as well as their player of the year.
Nkosinathi Nhleko
Dallas Burn were delighted to retain the services of South Africa's Nkosinathi 'The Lion' Nhleko, who despite playing only 11 matches last season was their third joint top scorer.
The 25 year-old striker has also played for SK Brann in Norway, where he appeared in two UEFA Cup matches, and Jomo Cosmos in his native South Africa.
He was in the Bafana Bafana squad that played the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia and played in the group match against Morocco that ended in 1-1 draw.
Stephen Armstrong
Stephen Armstrong also from South Africa is in his third season with Kansas City Wizards.
Armstrong is currently recovering from a knee injury and the Wizards will be missing his consistent contributions and his ability to set up goals for the team.
He made his professional debut in 2000 when playing for Vastra Frolunda in the Swedish first division and has also had spell with English first division side Watford.
His international experience has so far been limited to the South African under-23 team.
Dipsy Selolwane
Botswana striker Dipsy Selolwane is also at the Chicago Fire but has struggled to establish himself in the team.
The 26-year-old has however made some vital contributions in the few games that he has played and the news from the club is that the player is improving which means that he could get some more time on the pitch this season.
Selolwane is however an established international for Botswana having played 17 times for his country and weighed in with five goals.
He has also had experience in Europe having played for Vejle Boldklub in the Danish Super League in 2002 before moving to America.
Zizi Roberts
The most experienced African in the MLS is Liberia's Zizi Roberts who plays for the Colorado Rapids, having played in Europe for eight years with the likes of AC Milan of Italy and Olympiakos of Greece.
His coaches at the Rapids say that the Liberian international is providing the perfect foil for the sides strikers and has impressed with several skilful displays since he joined the team last season.
Roberts is also an experienced international having played for the Lone Stars at their first ever African Cup of Nations finals in South Africa in 1996.
Daouda Kante
Mali's Daouda Kante is now playing in his third season for the New England Revolution.
At nearly 6ft 2in (1m 88cm) the Malian provides a commanding presence in the Revolution's defence.
Kante was originally drafted in 2001 from The Virginia Beach Mariners, who play in the MLS feeder A-League, into the now defunct Miami Fusion side.
Tenywa Bonesu
Uganda defender Tenywa Bonesu is now with his fourth MLS team, the MetroStars.
The player nicknamed T-bone has already played for Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and Dallas Burn and is a regular for Uganda.
Bonesu was voted the Burn's defensive player of the year in 2002 and was a regular starter for his clubs over the last three years.
However he opted to remain in college to complete his studies in international business and international relations, which he hopes to use in a future career in diplomacy and government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 659599.stm
One thing you may not remember is that the Americans will shun any country or anyone no matter the promise the country or person pocesses, once the word is out that that country or person is trouble in many ways. Nigeria had not been portrayed in good light of late, nor Nigerians making it any better to be seen as reliable, or trusted in their daily lives.
The scam and NFA trouble with the rest of the world, not to mention their recent unkept dates in the US, had contributed to mark Nigeria and Nigerians down in the books of the US Sports authority, to mention a few.
The scam and NFA trouble with the rest of the world, not to mention their recent unkept dates in the US, had contributed to mark Nigeria and Nigerians down in the books of the US Sports authority, to mention a few.
Igugu wrote:One thing you may not remember is that the Americans will shun any country or anyone no matter the promise the country or person pocesses, once the word is out that that country or person is trouble in many ways. Nigeria had not been portrayed in good light of late, nor Nigerians making it any better to be seen as reliable, or trusted in their daily lives.
The scam and NFA trouble with the rest of the world, not to mention their recent unkept dates in the US, had contributed to mark Nigeria and Nigerians down in the books of the US Sports authority, to mention a few.
TRUCK LOAD OF CRAP!!!
No footballer will choose the 'micky-mouse' MLS over a 2nd div. contract in any of europe's top footballing countries.
AND THAT's WHY YOU WON'T FIND ANY NIGERIAN PLAYER IN MLS.
Apart from my usual Amodu rantings all in all. He has done very well and the laurels and records speak for itself - MI5
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=157957
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=157957
legend wrote:Igugu wrote:One thing you may not remember is that the Americans will shun any country or anyone no matter the promise the country or person pocesses, once the word is out that that country or person is trouble in many ways. Nigeria had not been portrayed in good light of late, nor Nigerians making it any better to be seen as reliable, or trusted in their daily lives.
The scam and NFA trouble with the rest of the world, not to mention their recent unkept dates in the US, had contributed to mark Nigeria and Nigerians down in the books of the US Sports authority, to mention a few.
TRUCK LOAD OF CRAP!!!
True said,still some truth in Igugu's comment.methink young guns Omey2k to will enhance our positive image in future
Some call him Titi,others El tel,some school hola at Hooray !for me he is irrespressible, El gazito , the express,the King ,the one, the only Thiery Mitchel Henry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
_________________
No footballer will choose the 'micky-mouse' MLS over a 2nd div. contract in any of europe's top footballing countries.
AND THAT's WHY YOU WON'T FIND ANY NIGERIAN PLAYER IN MLS.
They used to say Muhammad Ali could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Arsenal swim with the grace of a dolphin — and bite like a shark. The GREAT Brian Clough. viewtopic.php?t=18273
If you're having girl problems i feel sorry for u son,i gat 99 problems but da *Nice Lady* aint one !
http://www.brazzil.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7162 BLACK BEAUTIES !
http://www.ypforum.org/nigeria2002
If you're having girl problems i feel sorry for u son,i gat 99 problems but da *Nice Lady* aint one !
http://www.brazzil.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7162 BLACK BEAUTIES !
http://www.ypforum.org/nigeria2002
Igugu wrote:One thing you may not remember is that the Americans will shun any country or anyone no matter the promise the country or person pocesses, once the word is out that that country or person is trouble in many ways. Nigeria had not been portrayed in good light of late, nor Nigerians making it any better to be seen as reliable, or trusted in their daily lives.
The scam and NFA trouble with the rest of the world, not to mention their recent unkept dates in the US, had contributed to mark Nigeria and Nigerians down in the books of the US Sports authority, to mention a few.
Come where you come from saf!!! wetin be the logic wan dey inside this ya yarnings wetin Concern skillz and country reputation..??? I don talk am say the kind of people wan dey login here dey surprise me "OFF POINT MOFOS"
No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17 KJV)
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xxmanB2003
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Igugu is wrong in his remark about U.S and Nigerian players. What other Nigerians do is irrelevant to coaches when they see a quality player. U>S is not different from European countries when it come to recruiting foreigners to play either in their league or national team. If u doubt it look at the back ground of the team. If what u are saying is correct, how come five( 5)Nigerians are playing in the NBA and more than twelve (12) in the NFL with more going to be drafted in the summer. The fact of the matter is that our quality players prefer to play in Europe even if it is in division two. This is so becouse Europe has the best league in the world. Quality players love to play in Europe even Americans are coming here now to play.
With God everything is possible.
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tonyashiofu
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- Location: God's shelter
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wrong
My cousin plays in the NELSON AKWARI
Colombus Crew
captained US u-16 thru u20 in the u17 and u20 world cups
team mates included the trio of Bobby Convey , Donovan and Marcus Beasley
Colombus Crew
captained US u-16 thru u20 in the u17 and u20 world cups
team mates included the trio of Bobby Convey , Donovan and Marcus Beasley
Jesus is the Lord of my life!!The Lord has done great things for me and I will forever praise him!!!!
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Hard Man
Hardman, please be gentle. The MLS is improving. The WC2002 US team comprised of mostly MLS based players. Remember this team beat Portugal and Mexico - and played Germany wellwell. They have academies all over the nation and play their Brazilian youth counterparts in tournaments 2-3 times a year. It won't be long before they begin to see results. Recently they have been exporting players who are holding their own in the European Leagues. They are perfecting their system and success is round the corner.