Maybe I was a kid then, but I remember vividly when Nigeria went after John Fashanu to get him to play for Nigeria, as against playing for England. I also remember thinking to myself, "biko this John Fashanu man we are literally begging to play for us better be an improvement on Roger Milla". After that, I took out time to watch some of his games in the EPL. I was not impressed.
Down the years, Nigeria have 'lost' some of her talents to other nations. The list is a long one. But do we really have to be going cap in hand pleading with Nigerians to play for Nigeria? No. I don't think so.
Nigeria didn't have to beg Victor Moses with a calabash of palm wine, aligator pepper and two bottles of Schnapps like an impossible bride. He wanted to play. Immediately Nigeria came up as an option he took it. That, spoke volumes. I don't subscribe to our football house wooing foreign born or bred players for too long to play for Nigeria. Really, I don't understand why an average player will be made to feel important when even his preferred country doesn't see him at all. Some of these players see playing for Nigeria as second choice and will grudgingly play for Nigeria when the preferred groom doesn't look their way. An alternative, in event of shenking by their country of choice.
On the thirteenth of September, Super Eagles Supremo, Sunday Oliseh tweeted:
"Jordon Ibe's family informed me by
by telephone call, that he was giving
priority to an England call. We wish
them well".
It came as no surprise to me. Jordon Ibe is probably not a good student of history. If he was, history would have sounded out names like John Fashanu, Angelo Ogbonna and Carlton Cole to him. I agree that players have nationalised in adopted countries and gone ahead to have illustrious careers. Zinedine Zidane and Marcos Senna being typical examples. Indeed, like Oliseh said, we wish him well. Question is, did we need Jordon Ibe desperately in the first place? We do not. Jordon Ibe does not offer what Victor Moses offers on the left wing. From the local scene, Onoriode Odah of Enugu Rangers is a more direct and tactical player than Jordon Ibe. Kufre Ebong of Warri Wolves can shore in a good game from same position. Enyimba's Ezekiel Bassey though better from the right flank, puts in a beautiful shift from the left side. So, why the craze for foreign bred Nigerian football imports? I have no issues whatsoever with a Nigerian footballer, born or bred abroad playing for Nigeria. I simply have a problem with Nigeria going after them like a young peasant man from Kuvuki land going to seek the hand of an arrogant wealthy man's daughter in marriage. If such player wants to play for Nigeria, fine. He should be given an equal opportunity with other players to impress the Supremo. If he must be begged to play, away with the person even as we wish him well.
Nigeria has abundant football talents plying their trade home and abroad. Instead of going after a few confused kids who see Nigeria as a fall back, we should go with the many who are ready to throw in their shins into games for Nigeria.
Photo credit: nairaland.com
Follow Ikenna Enenta in Twitter; @ikenna005
This your analogy of a groom seeking a potential bride's hand is something else! However, this article is full of sense and he who has ears should put them to good use...gbam!!
ReplyDeleteHaha...I merely wanted to portray the idea of Nigeria going to plead with them from a disadvantaged side from the word go. Thanks for the recomm.
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