Super Eagles induced headache.

   I have heard people call our male national team the Super Chickens. But I have always tried not to. Even in the midst of very dreadful performances by the Super Eagles, I have maintained my cool and supported the team. After Saturdays white washing of the Super Eagles by the Congolese team, the 'Super Chickens' tag reared it's sarcastic head.
   The AFCON qualifier on Saturday was an eye opener to some Nigerians as regards the declining state of our senior male national team. In Brazil, the team was without form and void. Reminds me of how my father told me that my boyhood club ran around like headless chicken during a game we lost woefully. From administrative issues to onfield problems,we show cased our gross iberibe to the rest of the world. Other nations came to play football, we came to act drama.
   Immediately Vincent Enyeama pulled out of the game citing family issues,I knew we had lost a commander. Enyeama never shied away from running things from the goal post. Screaming at his defenders and putting everybody on their toes. This is not however, undermining the performance of his stand in and deputy, Austin Ejide. In fact I feel he wasn't bad on the day as people make it look. That game clearly showed us what we have always refused to admit but know; our defence line is crap. No organization. Their positional play leaves a lot to be desired. The second goal being a clear example.
Our midfield was not any better. Every top football side in the world that doesn't have one midfield bully should be able to string at least fifteen passes uninterrupted. But in our Super Eagles side, we neither have that bully nor are we able to string even five uninterrupted passes inside the core of the midfield. Uche Nwofor started ahead of Emmanuel Emenike for reasons best known to Keshi. The big boss is a good coach. Very fantastic one. But his managerial side begs questions. One wonders what a Chigozie Agbim is doing in the Super Eagles set up. I follow the Nigerian football league well. I watch the games I can,both in the stadia and on telly. Agbim is far from the best we have locally. Names like Enyimba's Femi Thomas and Sunshine Stars' Ikechukwu Ezenwa are way ahead of the fat and anonymous Chigozie Agbim. In fact I make bold to say that the best goalkeeper in the Nigerian League is Femi Thomas. It remains a mystery why he hasn't been called up. I may be wrong, but I think Stephen Keshi places player loyalty to him above player performance. There seem to be sacred cows in the team. The big boss,who I am a solid fan of have really given life to the saying that when a fly perches on your scrotal sac,you will realise there are better ways to resolve issues than violence. Discipline should be metted out across board.
 I find it amusing that some of us blame NFF crisis for the loss. Seriously? How does NFF presidency affect our performance? Is any player running for the glass house job? Then some other school of thought blame the playing turf. The same turf the Congolese played on too. The team lacked focus. They were busy doing absolutely nothing. Moreso, there was absence of any tactical input from the technical crew who looked on helplessly as we got battered. There is no player to single out for the heaviest criticism. The entire team were bullshitters on that day in Calabar.
   Could it be that diminishing returns has seen in? No way. It's too early. This team has not been stretched. Keshi and his crew should get the team up and running. What these guys fail to realise is that football is our way of life in Nigeria. It distracts us from our many problems and therefore should not be toyed with. A stitch in time saves nine.

World Cup Blues; 'Super' Eagles, effective German Machines and FIFA lies.

   The biggest football festival has ended. The FIFA World Cup 2014 final was played in the Maracana. A game in which a very effective German side emerged victorious over the Argentines.

The Germans came prepared. Having built a £25 million Campo Bahia before the world cup started, it was evident to all that the team had a clear mission. Campo Bahia, which will double as a youth soccer retreat centre after the world cup, was built with climate of the team's world cup venues in mind. It has sixty five residential units, a training pitch, fitness centre and has a wonderful view of the beach. Telecommunications and IT facilities will also help locals beyond the world cup. This, in more ways than one helped the team bond into a formidable unit. They came with a team. A real team. With very disciplined players and manageable egos,they stormed Brazil. Joachim Lowe and his boys won the world cup on the back of an attack lethargic Argentina. The Argentines didn't Come to the party.
   Argentina, a Messi based team didn't turn up because Messi didn't turn up. However though, I think Messi is unfairly held responsible for the woes of Argentina. Other players should be able to show forth in the absence of a Messic performance. When Gonzalo Higuain failed to put Argentina ahead after a 'wonderful' German assist we knew the game was a delicacy prepared for German mouths. And midway through the second period of extra tine, Mario Gotze clinically finished off an Andre Schurrle assist.  That was it. The Germans had won the world cup in the presence of Chancellor Angela Merkel and under the full glare of a colourful Chris the Redeemer.
   I personally advise anyone whose life lack surprises to go through FIFA decisions. Once again, they goofed. The FIFA study group came up with and awarded the Golden Ball to Lionel Messi. In a competition where Arjen Robben shone like a million stars, Muller and Mario Gotze dazzled for Germany and James Rodriguez had an outstanding tournament, FIFA gave the honour to Lionel Messi who was largely anonymous in the knock out stages. Barring the assist to set up Angel Di Maria, Messi disappeared in the knock out stages. This however,does not remove the fact he is about the best player on earth. Just that he didn't have a beautiful world cup. One then wonders why FIFA gave him the golden ball. Aren't we used to FIFA goofs and surprises?O yes we are.
  Super Eagles. Yes. The Nigerian senior male football team. When all the facts are out about what actually happened in Brazil, we will talk. For now,they are still sharing money. Africa,except for Algeria, went to Brazil to share money. Continental shame.
  The world cup is over. One month of ecstasy. As the football community await the resumption of the various leagues, it's important to note that Brazil deserve an excellent salute. Twenty one gun shot salute for a wonderfully hosted world cup.

Vampire Diaries; the Luis Suarez page.

He is a complete striker. He scores, he defends, he runs and he works. Still,he bites. Luis Suarez is a striker whom every coach will want to have in his team and the type you won't want your rival to have. He is a threat to every line of defence. On club level and on the international stage. Ask English defenders for confirmation on this. This is one of the most sought after footballers. Presently, Real Madrid and Barcelona are trying to break bank for his signature. A young man who came to the world cup on the back of a successful premier league season. Yet, the man in the middle can't seem to stay off the headlines. Albeit negatively.
   In November 2010,while playing for Ajax, he received a seven match ban for biting Otman Bakkal of PSV Eindhoven.
April 2013,he was flogged with a ten match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
June 2014,he struck again. In the build up to a corner kick,he bit Italy's Giorgio Chellini on the shoulder.

Based on the footage,as he dug into Chiellini's shoulder,the Azzuri defender instinctively lashed out. Chellini clutched his shoulder while Suarez 'clutched' his face. Or rather,his teeth.
The initial action went unnoticed by the referee and as both players clutched their clutchables, the referee became as confused as the little boy spectator watching the game. International disgrace.
   The whole world wanted to see Suarez play at the world cup. Having lost Radmel Falcao to injury and with the prospect of seeing an off colour Edinson Cavani,we all got a scare when Suarez pulled up injured during their world cup preparations. The hope to see a fearsome South American striker was lost. But when we saw him on the bench in Uruguay's opener against Costa Rica,fears were allayed. The gangling attacker was back. He went on to send a woeful England back to meet the Queen,earlier than she would have liked. Truth be told. Luis Suarez had been on several occasions clattered by Italian defenders. But then that was no excuse for biting Chiellini. Unbelievable. The rest of the world didn't understand it when followers of the Dutch and English leagues covered their faces in shame during the biting incidents involving the Liverpool hit man. FIFA is expected to act on the incident. Suarez should be handed a lengthy ban. But I don't subscribe to the life ban some fans propose,not like their opinions or any other persons' matter to the football overlords in FIFA. He should be handed a lengthy ban. Longer than any he has ever received. Reason being that this was done on the world stage. Not everyone watch the Dutch league or the EPL. But people in caves find a way to watch the FIFA World Cup.  Just like the World Cup generate more television views,that biting incident generated more views than both previous biting incidents. A statement should be made by the world governing body. However, he shouldn't be banned for life. A lengthy ban and heavy fine should do. Thereafter,he should continue with his career. Luis Suarez needs help. I don't know in which form. But he sure needs help.
   One question that begs answers from this incident is; considering the fact that the top guns are after his signature, if he receives the ban from FIFA,how does it affect his market value? How interested will his suitors be after the whole debacle? Liverpool hierarchy will surely be debating on what to do with their star man.
   Let's keep his family away from all these issues surrounding the striker. They deserve respect and peace. Luis Suarez need to get a grip on himself. Whatever it is that makes him show how else his teeth can be put to use should be identified and put on proper check.

Super Eagles, Iberian demolition and the flying Dutchman.

The heat is on! Pressure is mounting! The FIFA World Cup 2014 is up and running. The football community is excited as she is once every four years. Brazil, the host nation opened the world cup account with a victory over Croatia. A game marred in controversy as Brazil were gifted a very saucy penalty kick which was duly despatched by Neymar Jr. Football fans the world over speedily got over the controversy as the balling continued. It had started!
   Spain,having beaten Netherlands in the 2010 edition in South Africa by a lone goal, were book makers favourites to lift the trophy. Alongside Germany and Argentina, Spain were favourites. Therefore, when the two teams were billed to play the opening game in the group, everyone was excited. It was billed to be a tickling game. One of high tempo. It didn't disappoint. Netherlands fell behind to a Xabi Alonso penalty,dubiously won by the Brazilian born Diego Costa,who was booed through out his time on the field. It seemed like the Iberians were cruising to a now traditional victory before the Louis Van Gaal team hit back. A Daley Blind drop from the left side of the field to the front of the penalty box was met by a flying Robin Van Persie who defied every available law to meet the ball with his head and lob it over the motionless Iker Casillas. What a goal! Absolutely beautiful! That was the equaliser and the beginning of the Dutch festival of goals as RVP got another goal, Robben got a brace after having Casillas crawl all over the box for one of his goals. Stefan de Vrij equally got on the score sheet. Spain had no answer to the Dutch questions and so ended the game. Spanish heads dropped.
Spain's Iberian neighbours,Portugal, were also taught a thing or two about football. Pepe,in a moment of madness and idiocy, head butted Muller who was on the ground clutching his face and was duly red carded. That was a turning point in the game as the Portuguese never came back into it. Muller went on to get a hat trick while Matt Hummels equally got on the score sheet. The Iberian demolition was complete.
   The Super Eagles of Nigeria were expected to run riot over Iran. However,that wasn't to be. The Iranians ran away with a point. No thanks to tactical inefficiency, lack of coordination and improper attitude. The Nigerian boss, Stephen Keshi decided to start the game with three defensive midfielders; Mikel Obi, Ramon Azeez and Onazi Ogenyi. It was never going to work. Who will attempt to open up the opposing defence with runs and passes? Who will link up play between the midfield and attack? Azeez was made to play in the hole. A tactic that failed woefully. The team was in total disarray. Thank the heavens for the Super good Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who produced a fine save from a corner to deny the Iranians a goal. The Iranians rarely tested the goalkeeper. Having lost a reliable Godfrey Oboabona to an ankle knock, Nigerians kept praying that no serious threat would come the way of the defence now led by Joseph Yobo. The Nigerian team was very poor. One wonders how the team will fare with Bosnia and Argentina. Some school of thought opine that Keshi is a slow starter. One who eventually gets it right. Okay. But he shouldn't ride that luck for so long. The tactics and team selection need to change against Bosnia. Osaze should be in the starting eleven. Nigeria misses dearly the services of Sunday Mba or Nosa Igiebor. The lack of creativity in the team is so appalling. The team is very predictable.
Nevertheless, all hope is not lost. If Keshi gets his tactics right and the players give 100%, Nigeria can beat Bosnia and Argentina and even go ahead to qualify from the group. It's still possible. It all depends on Keshi and his boys. Nigerians are realistic people. They are not asking for the trophy. What they want is a decent outing, irrespective of the final outcome. A decent outing. Definitely not what was witnessed against Iran.
   It's the world cup. Savour every second of it. As we stay awake into the wee hours of the day to watch matches, I wish us all good health. It's for the love of the game. Our game. The most beautiful game on mother earth. Happy World cup!

Ola Brasil!

Every four years, the 'rest of the world' stand still at this time of the year. Businesses slow down a bit. Market women hang aloof as they can't comprehend the hype behind the period. Find your way into Ariaria market in Aba, Tejuosho market in Lagos or Ogbete market in Enugu, you find many world cup analysts. Leaving their shops unattended to, they gather in front of the shop of the most fanatic of them, pull of their shirts,exposing either an acutely hairy,protruding stomach or a saggy singlet that used to be white . That is where you hear all sorts of things about the players. How one witch in Germany is responsible for some players injury; how one native doctor from Ghana said he is behind Ronaldo's injury; how some players are actually from Congo or Nigeria and not from the countries they are lining up for. Very funny stories. But I tell you, that is what makes the world cup what it is; beautiful.
   During this period, I deliberately look outside the window to see if people are going about their businesses as usual. I see a couple of them and then I wonder to myself, "are these guys human beings?" World cup period is NOT business as usual! It's more than that. Omo...its the world cup! It happens once every four years. This period, wives will see less of their husbands, girlfriends will cry for their boyfriends attention, kids will sacrifice their cartoon channels for Super sports. Men will eat less and drink more. Football and Campari is one of the best combinations you will ever find...Lol...
   The next one month is going to be eventful. For the decades I have spent on earth, the world cup period has been my happiest. The hype is everywhere in Nigeria. Nigerians and football! We love the game to a fault. We drink, eat and sleep football. It's in the DNA of every Nigerian. We have kept loving the game despite the way NFF have kept messing with our heads over the years. Yes. Our faith in the game is that large. We have waited for the world cup. We have been waiting for four years. Those years seemed to us like an eternity. Those years between the World Cup in South Africa, 2010 and today must have been one thousand years! But then...the wait is over. It's today!
   To every Nigerian,African and indeed, every human and even aliens, Happy World Cup. Ola Brasil!

Super Eagles and the World Cup.

The World Cup have crept up on us. The biggest football fiesta is here again. Tension is high. Adrenalin is pumping. Nations are lining up expectations for their respective national teams. Nigerians are not an exception. We have seen the Super Eagles on display especially against Scotland and the United States of America. We are far from impressed,but still hopeful.
   After failing to qualify Nigeria for AFCON 2012, the then coach, Samson Siasia was duly relieved of his position and Stephen Keshi took over the reins. He was able to gather Nigerian ballers together and formed a beautiful team. Despite the AFCON 2013 victory, the team was viewed by most,and yours sincerely, as a team still under construction. Nigerians were once again brought over to the side of the team after years of perpetual heart break. Emotions were high. The players became instant heroes with us. Stephen Keshi was viewed as a saviour. I have always been a fan of Stephen Keshi. From his playing days to his managerial today. So much that I celebrated his emergence as Super Eagles Supremo. We qualified for the 2014 world cup,but not without solid fight from the Ethiopians,who were seeking for their first world cup outing. But then,we qualified.
   Observers always knew that selecting players for the mundial was going to be headache for Keshi. With so many players at his disposal, we envisaged a dilemma. He released his list of thirty players first. Then subsequently released his twenty three man list. Some part of the Nigerian football community hadn't recovered from Ike Uche's absence in the first list before being hit by Sunday Mba and Ejike Uzoenyi's exclusion. Discussions and arguments arose. Especially where a certain Michael Babatunde, Joseph Yobo and Shola Ameobi were concerned. Michael Babatunde and Shola Ameobi because of their technical abilities and then Yobo,with an everlasting question as to his contribution. I honestly don't know what it is between Keshi and Yobo. But whatever it is,I hope it doesn't rob Nigeria of any game at the world cup. Maybe Keshi is doing for Yobo,what Westerhof did for him in 1994; help with amassing caps,with absolutely no contribution onfield. Some will argue he was selected for the sake of experience. That's the crap of a life time. Mikel Obi, Osaze and Enyeama can offer offer that perfectly. So I don't see exactly how Yobo's own will be different. If that was why he was selected,then he made a mess of it in the USA friendly. He was pathetic. As the most experienced player and defender on field,he couldn't run the show. Nigeria's defence was in shambles. I don't know how the rest of the country sees it but we have come to trust a central defensive pairing of Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo. In midfield, Mikel has to be at his best. He has to give 100%, if not, wahala dey. Their has to be someone pulling the strings in the midfield. I think we need one special person to sit and dictate pace and direction from the midfield. Its something Onazi or Mikel can do. I prefer Onazi to do that so Mikel can rove. But with Onazi's constant surge upfront which exposes the defence and leaves the midfield open, we have a problem. That duty should be delegated to someone. And that person must do it.
We don't know what Keshi has up his sleeve but it better be beautiful. I am sure no realistic Nigerian expect the Super Eagles to emerge the winners but a place in the semi finals is not an abomination. But with what we have seen of the team in the last two friendlies, we need to get our acts together. A miracle would not be out of place too. But then you have to work hard,do your bit before expecting any kind of help. Keshi should relegate Yobo to the bench. Play his team. I am a die hard fan of Keshi. A Keshi believer. It's so bad that whatever Keshi does in the team is okay by me. But I am still trying to lie to my senses that his selection and tactics against USA was the the right one.
   A friend told me that Keshi has nothing to prove. Self deceit. He has an awful lot to prove. If Vincente Del Bosque and Felipe Scolari have something to prove then Keshi has a tanker load of stuff to prove too. Football is a lifesaver for the average Nigerian. Even the meanest ones will always have an eye on the television set to know what becomes of the Eagles in Brazil. Keshi should get it right. Listen to his conscience and the soul whisper of over one hundred million Nigerians and give us a nice outing. Like earlier said,no realistic Nigerian expects the team to emerge world champions. All we desire is a decent outing. But who knows...just maybe we could go on to win the championship! Haha...a one full month public holiday await us if that happens. Orgasmic feeling! In Nigeria,we eat and drink football. Keshi,NFF and the players know this. So I guess they won't toss the minds of Nigerians.

Ronaldo; Papa ndi egwu!

   E chekata la m ihe m ga e kwu maka nwa amadi a aha ya bu Ronaldo de Lima, onu e kweghi m ikwu ihe o bula. Kedu nke a ga e kwu ghara ibe ya. Nwa no ofuma. Ihe o na a gba na ukwu di egwu. Ka o ihe ya na umu ada n'eme. Otu o bula e si kwu o ya,Ronaldo bu nna ndi egwu niile.

   Nwa amadi a si na ala ndi egwu, Brazil, obodo Chukwu tere mmanu n'ihe gbasara asomumpi boolu. Ronaldo a gbaala boolu, nuo ya ka a kpuru a chia ma rie ya ka anu mbe. Nzuko boolu obula daputara mgbe o na a nu nko,onye o bula choro I hu ya n'ihu ogu. N'ozo di ka ibe ya,nwa amadi ahu na a nukwa nko n'onu. Mgbe onye egwu mgbe ochie bu Pele koro ya onu gbasara ibu ya,ihe o koro ya bu Pele mere onye nna ahu ka o je zoo n'ohia nkakwu. O ji onu dee ya ka akwa. Ka o si a gba n'ukwu bu ka o si a e kwu n'onu ma bukwara ka ya na ihe gbasara umu nwanyi si e me. Hiohiohiohio...a nwuola m n'ochi!..nwoke di nko...nwoke di njo ihe!
   Ndi otu n'ahu maka egwuregwu boolu n'uwa niile gbaa gburugburu a na a kpo FIFA, ndi ojoo e ji wuruwuru wee mara turu ya ugo a na e to ndi egwu puru iche. Ka akuko si wee koo,Ronaldo nwere mgbe o buuru umu ato o huru ka umu ada wee lakpuo n'ime ulo ezumike.  Mgbe o ruru na I ku aka,o huru na ndi o butere a bughi umu nwanyi! Ha niile bu umu nwoke! Kai! Nwa amadi a bere akwa ariri n'ihi na o kwuru ugwo enwe a kponye ya adaka.  O fee n'isi ma kwuo ha ugwo ha a laa.
   Na a gbanyeghi, Ronaldo,nna ndi egwu niile bu onye uwa niile na a kwanyere Ugwu. Site na ogbako egwu Inta Milan, ruo Madridi ma jeruo na ala Brazil,uwa niile na a kwanyere ya Ugwu.
Ka a na a kwado asomumpi iko mba uwa na ala Brazil, anyi niile na e chete ya bu onye egwu.
   Na ngwucha, e ji m n'aka na o nweghi onye tabiri onu mgbe o na a gu ihe a. Ka Chineke chebe anyi niile...isee!