The English Coca-Cola Championship and Nationwide League One seasons ended last weekend but while most players in those divisions are already rushing off to fancy holidays in exotic places, Super Eagles hard as nail defender Sam Sodje is still training hard to stay fit, in anticipation of a call to duty when the Super Eagles resume in a fortnight for a clutch of three games in a spcae of about just one week.
Nigeria's Super Eagles have games against an as yet unnamed African country on May 28 as part of Nigeria's government's inauguration celebrations and a few days after that, they play a high profile friendly against Argentina on June 1 before heading off to Addis Ababa to tackle Ethiopia in a 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier. Sam, who played a vital role in saving cash strapped Notts County from relegation to League two has postponed all vacation plans, and refused to take a break like most of his mates as he awaits a call up by Coach Samson Siasia to play a part in the games to come.
"When Siasia was in England recently he told me that I am still in his plans, so I am happy to wait a call up from him to play for my nation. There has been wild celebrations here in Nottingham as Notts County survived relegation only on the last day, but I have not been a part of it because I want to remain in shape for the up coming games.
"With three games in a short space of time, I am sure that I will get a chance to play a prominent role in them. Every time I have played for the Eagles I have always done very well. Only God knows why I have not played as often as my performances deserve but I realise that the team is full to the brim with top quality players. Competition is what makes a team tick and I enjoy the competition in the Eagles, that's why I always give my best whenever I get a chance.
Asked of his chances in such a high profile game, hard as nails Sam boasted that he has played in big games for Nigeria and excelled, and this one will be no different. " I played against The Republic of Ireland in 2009 at Craven Cottage and I did very well. A few days later. I played in the team that beat a star studded France on their home soil and I held my own against Thiery Henry and co. I'm a big game player and Argentina do not scare me," declared the former Reading FC and Charlton Athletic stopper.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Friday, 20 May 2011
I STILL HAVE A LOT TO OFFER NIGERIA- EFE SODJE
Q: Congratulations on your promotion to League 1 Efe. How did you guys achieve that feat?
A: Thank you brother. Our promotion is due to God's grace, and also due to a lot of hardwork on the part of everybody in the team, from the chairman, to the directors, the technical crew, adhoc staff, players and even the fans who were solidly behind us all through the campaign like they have been always, through thick and thin. Consistency also played a big part because the former manager brought in a number of good quality players and the new manager did so too and we had a very good team. For the last three years we've worked as hard as we can and it paid off this season and we thank God for that.
Q: You are signed as a coach player at Bury but statistics show you have played 42 games in all competitions for The Shakers, scoring 4 goals and played q big part in your team's promotion. This is quite impressive. Can you talk us through your season?
A: It's been a terrific season for me, as I played regularly, like I have always done since joining Bury and in most clubs I have played in. I have missed the last five goals though because I was given a straight red card in one of our matches which is an automatic three match suspension. I went for a 50/50 ball and the referee felt that I went too hard. Luckily the team kept winning in my absence and after my suspension finished our coach decided not to change a winning team which is understandable. That's why I started on the bench today. Unfortunately we lost 1-3. We have another game to go and I will be happy with the gaffer's decision on whether I start on the pitch or on the bench. I played 40 league games and I can say that's a good achievement for me.
Q: Four goals in a season is quite an impressive acchievement for a defender. Many a midfielder would even be jealous of that feat.
A: Yes, I thank God for putting me at the right places at the right times but all through my carer I have always been a goalscoring defender. I would say goals run in our family because my brother Sam is a goal scoring defender too, and Akpo is a striker who's been banging in goals for fun in the Scottish Premier League. For me, I am a good aerially which makes me a big threat during set pieces and makes it easier for me to find the net regularly.
Q: With the impressive statistics you have on the playing aspect, have you been able to make any input on the caoching side too?
A: Oh yes! Fortunately, as a coach/player we sought and obtained permission for me to sit on the bench during those games I was suspended because normally when a player is suspended he cannot be on the bench. We got the permission and I did a lot of work from the sidelines and it showed. For today's game I decided since I was on the substitutes bench I wouldn't be doing that.
Q: Now that you have achieved promotion with Bury, how do you fancy your chances in League 1 next season?
A: As a team we will cope comfortably
Q: Have you been obtaining your coaching badges?
A: Yes definitely. By the end of May I will do my final assessment for my UEFA B license and after that, before the next season starts I will commence my A license.
Q: That's lovely. We wish you all the best in acquiring your badges, but after that, with the current trend of ex Nigerian internationals being giving coaching roles at home, if that happens will you be willing to bring your wealth of playing and coaching experience to Nigeria or would you rather prefer to be in the UK?
A: Oh yeah. That's one of the main reasons I am working hard to obtain my badges. Nigeria gave me a lot and I definitely want to give her back. If I have the opportunity I would gladly go home and do y bit. Nigeria has a lot of talents and I can use my wealth of experience, knowledge to manage these abundant talents.
Q: Obviously youth football is one place where an opportunity might readily come for you in Nigeria. Do yu have any experience working with youths?
A: I've done a lot of work with the youths. I was coaching the youth team all through last season and into this season but when our promotion campaign heated up I had to concentrate on the playing aspect. Two seasons ago I worked with the reserve team so I have loads of experience with youths and I am confident I can handle any of the junior national teams if given the opportunity.
Q: Ok.Let's talk about your brothers. Akpo is doing very good in Scotland, so is sam in Notts County. How does it feel coming from a footballing family, and being the leading light?
A: It's really great. We grew up in Nigeria. They were young boys when I was playing with Delta Steel Pioners and I took them to all my games. When I moved to England, I knew they were very talented so I paved the way for them and they came over and did very good. Sam has played in the Premiership, Akpo has played in the Championship and is painting scotland red with goals. It's lovely to be from a footballing family and I am very proud of them.
Q: Sam plays for the senior national team, Akpo hasn't. Do you think he can cut it in the senior national team?
A: Definitely! There's no doubt about that. Yes he can play for Nigeria but I told him to be patient and keep scoring and he will get a chance. Look at what he has done at Hibernians, he joined them just last January and he has scored regularly like he's being doing in all the teams he's played for in England. Also with his name, I don't see the reason why they will not give him that opportunity. They say they are going to change the system and give a chance to a lot of players and with the way he is going in Scotland, it shows he can cut it at the highest level so they should give him a chance too.
A: Thank you brother. Our promotion is due to God's grace, and also due to a lot of hardwork on the part of everybody in the team, from the chairman, to the directors, the technical crew, adhoc staff, players and even the fans who were solidly behind us all through the campaign like they have been always, through thick and thin. Consistency also played a big part because the former manager brought in a number of good quality players and the new manager did so too and we had a very good team. For the last three years we've worked as hard as we can and it paid off this season and we thank God for that.
Q: You are signed as a coach player at Bury but statistics show you have played 42 games in all competitions for The Shakers, scoring 4 goals and played q big part in your team's promotion. This is quite impressive. Can you talk us through your season?
A: It's been a terrific season for me, as I played regularly, like I have always done since joining Bury and in most clubs I have played in. I have missed the last five goals though because I was given a straight red card in one of our matches which is an automatic three match suspension. I went for a 50/50 ball and the referee felt that I went too hard. Luckily the team kept winning in my absence and after my suspension finished our coach decided not to change a winning team which is understandable. That's why I started on the bench today. Unfortunately we lost 1-3. We have another game to go and I will be happy with the gaffer's decision on whether I start on the pitch or on the bench. I played 40 league games and I can say that's a good achievement for me.
Q: Four goals in a season is quite an impressive acchievement for a defender. Many a midfielder would even be jealous of that feat.
A: Yes, I thank God for putting me at the right places at the right times but all through my carer I have always been a goalscoring defender. I would say goals run in our family because my brother Sam is a goal scoring defender too, and Akpo is a striker who's been banging in goals for fun in the Scottish Premier League. For me, I am a good aerially which makes me a big threat during set pieces and makes it easier for me to find the net regularly.
Q: With the impressive statistics you have on the playing aspect, have you been able to make any input on the caoching side too?
A: Oh yes! Fortunately, as a coach/player we sought and obtained permission for me to sit on the bench during those games I was suspended because normally when a player is suspended he cannot be on the bench. We got the permission and I did a lot of work from the sidelines and it showed. For today's game I decided since I was on the substitutes bench I wouldn't be doing that.
Q: Now that you have achieved promotion with Bury, how do you fancy your chances in League 1 next season?
A: As a team we will cope comfortably
Q: Have you been obtaining your coaching badges?
A: Yes definitely. By the end of May I will do my final assessment for my UEFA B license and after that, before the next season starts I will commence my A license.
Q: That's lovely. We wish you all the best in acquiring your badges, but after that, with the current trend of ex Nigerian internationals being giving coaching roles at home, if that happens will you be willing to bring your wealth of playing and coaching experience to Nigeria or would you rather prefer to be in the UK?
A: Oh yeah. That's one of the main reasons I am working hard to obtain my badges. Nigeria gave me a lot and I definitely want to give her back. If I have the opportunity I would gladly go home and do y bit. Nigeria has a lot of talents and I can use my wealth of experience, knowledge to manage these abundant talents.
Q: Obviously youth football is one place where an opportunity might readily come for you in Nigeria. Do yu have any experience working with youths?
A: I've done a lot of work with the youths. I was coaching the youth team all through last season and into this season but when our promotion campaign heated up I had to concentrate on the playing aspect. Two seasons ago I worked with the reserve team so I have loads of experience with youths and I am confident I can handle any of the junior national teams if given the opportunity.
Q: Ok.Let's talk about your brothers. Akpo is doing very good in Scotland, so is sam in Notts County. How does it feel coming from a footballing family, and being the leading light?
A: It's really great. We grew up in Nigeria. They were young boys when I was playing with Delta Steel Pioners and I took them to all my games. When I moved to England, I knew they were very talented so I paved the way for them and they came over and did very good. Sam has played in the Premiership, Akpo has played in the Championship and is painting scotland red with goals. It's lovely to be from a footballing family and I am very proud of them.
Q: Sam plays for the senior national team, Akpo hasn't. Do you think he can cut it in the senior national team?
A: Definitely! There's no doubt about that. Yes he can play for Nigeria but I told him to be patient and keep scoring and he will get a chance. Look at what he has done at Hibernians, he joined them just last January and he has scored regularly like he's being doing in all the teams he's played for in England. Also with his name, I don't see the reason why they will not give him that opportunity. They say they are going to change the system and give a chance to a lot of players and with the way he is going in Scotland, it shows he can cut it at the highest level so they should give him a chance too.
Friday, 30 July 2010
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT GOODLUCK ON NIGERIAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS
YourExcellency,
All other protocols observed.
Your Excellency Sir, thank you for rescinding your decision to withdraw our teams from all international competitions. It is undeniable that football is the religion of Nigeria. When football is the topic, Nigerians of all tribes, religions, creeds, sexes and whatever demarcation unite as one. Even the sceptics support the national team. When Enyimba won the CAF Champions League years ago, the whole country, from east to west celebrated like we had won the World Cup. The local league unfortunately is not widely followed by the locals. So, if we were ostracised from international football for any amount of time it meant that there would be no football activities in Nigeria for that period. That would be such a nightamre for many true Nigerians.
When General Sani Abacha stood his ground and needlessly withdrew us from South Africa 96 Nations Cup we were subsequently hammered by CAF and thus missed the next tournament too. Our football suffered for it the most. The same people mocking your u-turn will be the same ones criticising you when the Nations Cup starts and Nigeria is not represented because you had held your ground and drew FIFA's ire.
Anyway, now that you show your humane side by listening to the pleas of the people, it is not yet uhuru. The next step is to make sure only people who have something to offer Nigerian football are elected into the board. The EFCC should dig deep into the records to unearth enough to send the guilty parties in the last board away for a long time in order to set an example for whoever else want to come in so that they know that the NFF is nobody's milking cow.
It is no secret that irrespective of FIFA's no government intervention stance, the Federal Government through the sports ministry always play a big role in who gets into the board. He who pays the piper dictates the tune, we all know. And since the sports ministry is the main sponsor of the NFF, it is the sports ministry that hand pick the board, with or without decree 101.
The main criteria for the board should be a track record of actions in football to show that the candidate is not just going there to fill his pockets. Emphasis should be on expenditure in football development. Has the aspirant sponsored any national competitions, donated trophies, developed talent, or single handedly funded a club up to atleast national league level? This last criteria truly shows that such an aspirant has a genuine love for the game so much as to spend his own private funds in sponsoring a club.At a time in Nigeria when multi-billionaires, multi-national companies and even some state governments shirk from fully funding a football team, any individual who has, in the last ten years, single-handedly funded a football club has done this out of a genuine love for the game. If such a man desires to participate in the governance of Nigerian football he should be given a chance.
Before Galadima took over the reigns he had no track record of personal commitments and sacrifices to our football, and it was evident in the way his tenure panned out. Same can be said of Lulu. Enough is enough. We need someone who has guided a footballing venture when all he had to encourage him was the passion of the game and the desire to get good results. Any one who has sponsored a team to amateur division one and above, single handedly, has a passion for the game.
Sir, the initial caretaker committee which you later wisely did not go ahead to inaugurate consisted of a couple of ex-footballers. At this crucial time of our football, people with no track record in football should not be given a chance to guide our football. It is not time for people to learn on the job. The players mentioned in the caretaker committee are dedicated ex-internationals who gave their all for Nigeria, but I do not think they are ripe for leadership yet. Yes, they can be board members if they make the vote, but leadership of a nations' football requires a lot more than skill. Take a look at even the western world, not many players are in key positions in football administration, aside Franz Beckenbauer and Mitchel Platini who both paid their dues through the ranks before getting to where they are now. So, JJ Okocha and Samson siasia, both great individuals, while having a lot to contribute, can do so as board members. Any other lofty dreams will not be in our best interest.
Also, intelligence and composure should be a major criteria too. Any one aspiring to lead our nation's favourite past time must be a man of clout, who is also well composed and who carries an aura about him. He should be a charismatic, self confident and intelligent person. During the presidential debate before the last election at AIT studios in Abuja, Alhaji Sani Lulu was the least composed of all the contestants that day in what was a live broadcast. Honourable Lumumba Dah Adeh and Chief Segun Odegbami were outstanding that day, and viewers reactions after the broadcast confirmed this. However, Lulu and his crew were handpicked by the government for their role as stakeholders who played a big role in ousting Alhaji Galadimma from the hotseat.
This time around whoever gets into the hotseat has to be a man with the leadership ability to lead the nation's number one past time, a passion for football, a track record of sacrifice and commitment to the game and enough intelligence and charisma to carry our football forward. This is not a time for no names without the requisite know-how to lead us. We need to select an achiever.
Finally dear Sir, in making the choice of who to lead our football please do not consult the same advisers that advised you to withdraw our national teams from all competitions because they do not have an idea of what is best for Nigerian football.
Warmest regards,
JOHNNY OGBAH
All other protocols observed.
Your Excellency Sir, thank you for rescinding your decision to withdraw our teams from all international competitions. It is undeniable that football is the religion of Nigeria. When football is the topic, Nigerians of all tribes, religions, creeds, sexes and whatever demarcation unite as one. Even the sceptics support the national team. When Enyimba won the CAF Champions League years ago, the whole country, from east to west celebrated like we had won the World Cup. The local league unfortunately is not widely followed by the locals. So, if we were ostracised from international football for any amount of time it meant that there would be no football activities in Nigeria for that period. That would be such a nightamre for many true Nigerians.
When General Sani Abacha stood his ground and needlessly withdrew us from South Africa 96 Nations Cup we were subsequently hammered by CAF and thus missed the next tournament too. Our football suffered for it the most. The same people mocking your u-turn will be the same ones criticising you when the Nations Cup starts and Nigeria is not represented because you had held your ground and drew FIFA's ire.
Anyway, now that you show your humane side by listening to the pleas of the people, it is not yet uhuru. The next step is to make sure only people who have something to offer Nigerian football are elected into the board. The EFCC should dig deep into the records to unearth enough to send the guilty parties in the last board away for a long time in order to set an example for whoever else want to come in so that they know that the NFF is nobody's milking cow.
It is no secret that irrespective of FIFA's no government intervention stance, the Federal Government through the sports ministry always play a big role in who gets into the board. He who pays the piper dictates the tune, we all know. And since the sports ministry is the main sponsor of the NFF, it is the sports ministry that hand pick the board, with or without decree 101.
The main criteria for the board should be a track record of actions in football to show that the candidate is not just going there to fill his pockets. Emphasis should be on expenditure in football development. Has the aspirant sponsored any national competitions, donated trophies, developed talent, or single handedly funded a club up to atleast national league level? This last criteria truly shows that such an aspirant has a genuine love for the game so much as to spend his own private funds in sponsoring a club.At a time in Nigeria when multi-billionaires, multi-national companies and even some state governments shirk from fully funding a football team, any individual who has, in the last ten years, single-handedly funded a football club has done this out of a genuine love for the game. If such a man desires to participate in the governance of Nigerian football he should be given a chance.
Before Galadima took over the reigns he had no track record of personal commitments and sacrifices to our football, and it was evident in the way his tenure panned out. Same can be said of Lulu. Enough is enough. We need someone who has guided a footballing venture when all he had to encourage him was the passion of the game and the desire to get good results. Any one who has sponsored a team to amateur division one and above, single handedly, has a passion for the game.
Sir, the initial caretaker committee which you later wisely did not go ahead to inaugurate consisted of a couple of ex-footballers. At this crucial time of our football, people with no track record in football should not be given a chance to guide our football. It is not time for people to learn on the job. The players mentioned in the caretaker committee are dedicated ex-internationals who gave their all for Nigeria, but I do not think they are ripe for leadership yet. Yes, they can be board members if they make the vote, but leadership of a nations' football requires a lot more than skill. Take a look at even the western world, not many players are in key positions in football administration, aside Franz Beckenbauer and Mitchel Platini who both paid their dues through the ranks before getting to where they are now. So, JJ Okocha and Samson siasia, both great individuals, while having a lot to contribute, can do so as board members. Any other lofty dreams will not be in our best interest.
Also, intelligence and composure should be a major criteria too. Any one aspiring to lead our nation's favourite past time must be a man of clout, who is also well composed and who carries an aura about him. He should be a charismatic, self confident and intelligent person. During the presidential debate before the last election at AIT studios in Abuja, Alhaji Sani Lulu was the least composed of all the contestants that day in what was a live broadcast. Honourable Lumumba Dah Adeh and Chief Segun Odegbami were outstanding that day, and viewers reactions after the broadcast confirmed this. However, Lulu and his crew were handpicked by the government for their role as stakeholders who played a big role in ousting Alhaji Galadimma from the hotseat.
This time around whoever gets into the hotseat has to be a man with the leadership ability to lead the nation's number one past time, a passion for football, a track record of sacrifice and commitment to the game and enough intelligence and charisma to carry our football forward. This is not a time for no names without the requisite know-how to lead us. We need to select an achiever.
Finally dear Sir, in making the choice of who to lead our football please do not consult the same advisers that advised you to withdraw our national teams from all competitions because they do not have an idea of what is best for Nigerian football.
Warmest regards,
JOHNNY OGBAH
Monday, 12 July 2010
I CAN MAKE SUPER EAGLES BETTER!
FIND BELOW AN INTERVIEW I HAD WITH NEDUM ONUOHA ON WEDNESDAY 24TH MARCH 2010 AT THE CITY OF MANCHESTER STADIUM AFTER MANCHESTER CITY V EVERTON.....
HE SOUNDED EAGER TO PLAY FOR NIGERIA. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE NFF SAID HE REBUFFED THEIR APPROACH. SO WHERE DID IT ALL GO WRONG? WHEN DID HE CHANGE HIS MIND? HOW DID THE NFF APPROACH HIM?.......
ENJOY
Former England U-21 captain and Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha reveals his love for his Nigerian roots and believes that he can make the Super Eagles a better team in this exclusive chat with our UK Correspondent Johnny Ogbah at the City of Manchester stadium after their recent league clash with Everton.
Johnny: Nigerian football fans would like to know more about Nedum Onuoha. In your own words, please introduce yourself.
Nedum: I was born Chinedum Onuoha on 12th November 1986. I am from Abia State. I came to England in 1991 with my parents and siblings [two sisters then]. I have been here ever since. I attended Nelson Street Primary School Miles Platting followed by Hulme Grammar Private School in Oldham.
Q: How was life growing up and how did you combine your studies with playing football?
A: Life was beautiful growing up as I have a lovely family surrounding me. My parents were very supportive of my football career right from early childhood like most parents here in the UK are but they also ensured I did not toy with my books. They made sure there was a time for everything. So, I was able to combine both pretty well and made eight 'A' and two 'B' grades at GCSE. From Hulme Grammar Private School I moved to Xaverian College here in Manchester where I also made three 'A' grades at A-level.
Q: Aside football, where you involved in any other sports?
A. Yes I was. I was into many other sports growing up, especially athletics. When I was just 14, I clocked 11.09 seconds to come second in the final of the 2001 English School's Athletics Association Junior 100 metres contest. In the process I beat Craig Pickering who is currently a Great-Britain sprinter. I also still hold the national record hold for boys under 15 standing triple jump, in the Sports Hall events held annually throughout the UK, although the record is held with international long jumper Jonathan Moore. You can say that growing up I was an all rounder with regards to academics and sports, but football was always my first love.
Q: So how did you get into Manchester City?
A: Growing up in the great city of Manchester, I supported City as a kid. Then I joined the youth academy and came up through the ranks to where I am now in the first team. I started playing regularly for Manchester City's reserves in the 2003–04 season, and played made my first team debut in a pre-season friendly against Bury. My first team debut was against Arsenal in the Carling Cup on 27 October 2004, at the age of 17. Soon after I signed my first professional contract in November as soon as I turned 18, then made my Premier League debut as a substitute on 1 November 2004 at home to Norwich City before making my first premier league start against Portsmouth the same month and since then it’s been wonderful playing for Manchester City.
Q: What are the highlights of your Manchester City career?
A: Playing in the Premiership is always a highlight. It is the best league in the world and the games are just awesome. I have played many great games for Manchester City and I look forward to playing many other great games. Hopefully we will soon start winning trophies sooner rather than later. On a personal note, I have really enjoyed my career so far and the fans always show their appreciation whenever they see me. I was voted the Club Player of The Month in April 2009 and this year, despite the stiff competition in the team, I am also enjoying my game.
Q: Tell us about your international career.
A: I represented England at U-21 level after making my debut on 12 October 2005. I played in the 2007 European Under 21s Championship in the Netherlands where I was a regular at centre back, partnering Newcastle’s Steven Taylor. I captained the England Under-21 team for the first time in a 0–0 draw with Poland Under-21s. I also played in the European Championships in 2009 in Sweden.
Q: All these while you have been playing for England and for Manchester City, have you ever been approached by Nigerian officials to play for Nigeria?
A: Yes I was contacted a couple of years ago by Berti Vogts who said he would get back to me but I did not hear from him again. This was when the rules were different. Since the change of rules I am yet to hear from anybody again with regards to playing for Nigeria.
Q: How often have you been home since you came to England?
A: Unfortunately I haven't been able to visit home since we came over but my family do regularly. The way football works, in the summer when people go on holidays that's when we start training so it hasn't been possible for me to go home not that I haven't wanted to but I just haven't found a convenient opportunity.
Q: Do you follow Nigerian football?
A: I follow Nigerian football all the time. I'm the same as any other person, if you are born there that's where your heart is. It doesn't feel good to see the team not being as successful as it has been in the past. There is a lot of pressure now on the team for future success in tournaments to come and I hope and pray all the time for that to happen.
Q: Which Nigerian players do you follow?
A: Of course as a young Nigerian growing up when we won the Atlanta 96 Olympics, I loved to watch Jay-Jay [Okocha], Kanu [Nwankwo] and Sunday Oliseh. Now I like to watch the ones playing in the Premier league here like Joseph Yobo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, John Obi Mikel, Kanu Nwankwo, John Utaka and Dickson Etuhu. I like to watch them to see how they affect their teams.
Q: Which of them are you in touch with?
A: Quite a few of them. We exchange banters whenever we come across each other in matches. I'm friends with Victor Anichebe. I don't see him as often as maybe I should but I speak to him as often as I can. I speak to him about the national team setting and he always speaks enthusiastically about playing for Nigeria. He says its very good and he always feels proud whenever he gets a chance to play and he is looking forward to representing Nigeria at the World Cup in the summer.
Q: Speaking about the World Cup, with the recent change in FIFA laws removing the age limit for switch of allegiance and thus making you eligible to play for Nigeria, are you willing to play for Nigeria?
A: Like I said before apart from the formal approach by Berti Vogts I have not heard anything again from anybody in Nigerian football with regards to playing for Nigeria but if they were to contact me any time soon my mind will always be open.
Q: So if you had an invitation from Nigeria now would you be willing to play for us?
A: I would have to weigh up my options but It's more than a possibility. I will give it favourable consideration. Being brought up here and playing for England has been a massive thing for me but in my heart I think playing for Nigeria is bigger! If I ever get the opportunity I will have to definitely give it a thought but like I said earlier, it's more than a possibility. My family are still very close to our roots and I will turn to them for advice and guidance in case of an invitation.
Q: What do you think are Nigeria's chances at the World Cup coming up this summer?
A: Well I think we've done very well to qualify and get there because only the top teams are left now. We go in with as much chances as any one because at the end of the day it's a tournament situation so on any given day anybody can win. Hopefully it can be our tournament with good preparation and dedication from the players and coaches. We can get as far as we can, possibly even get to the Final.
Q: What do you think you can add to the Nigerian team if given a chance?
A: You know the way it works in football, you never really get into a team if you are not as good as, if not better than something that's there before so I'd like to think that hopefully, if I do get a chance I'll be able to make the defence stronger and have a good base to help the attacking players to make a more successful team.
Q: And what are your targets with Manchester City?
A: Well Manchester City is a team to be reckoned with and we have every chance of taking fourth place in the Premiership this season.
Q: Thanks Nedum, It's been a pleasure talking to you.
A: The pleasure is all mine.
GHANA AGE SCANDAL
I read in the British press the other day about an age scandal involving members of the Ghanaian senior national team. Former Ghana Football Association chief Dr Nyaho Tamakloe suggested there were question marks about the ages of Scottish club Heart's Laryea Kingston, Chelsea's Michael Essien, Fulham's John Pantsil and fellow defender John Mensah of Sunderland. All four British-based players are hoping to be in the Ghana squad for the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa.
The ex-diplomat was not diplomatic when he implied that the four players are among the hundreds of Ghanaian stars who have been involved in age cheating which is now catching up on them. Dr Tamakloe made his attack in an interview with a local radio station Peace FM when asked about the growing number of injuries in the Ghana squad ahead of the World Cup.
“Essien is 1, Pantsil is 2, John Mensah is 3, and Laryea Kingston. Even if they say he is fit is a bit doubtful to me,” Tamakloe said.“So if you watch carefully we don’t have frontline players we can call players who can take us up. It’s a bit disturbing. What I personally have observed is that most of them are burnt out now.
“I remember when I was the FA boss I insisted that anyone that would have to be brought into the Black Stars and for that matter even the junior groups must be right. “We must make sure we bring people whose ages reflect would represent the exact tournament they are supposed to be playing in.”
Even though no single reader of this column can rightly claim that this is news to him,to those of us in the diaspora, it only brought shame and disgrace, coming from such a top official. I recall last year that the indefatigable barrister Adokiye Amesiemeka told it to the world that the captain of the Golden Eaglets had played under 17 for him at Sharks seven years previously and so is far far above the age limit. FIFA heard this, but could do nothing but query the timing, saying it was a calculated attempt to disruot the FIFA U17 World Cup being hosted by Nigeria then.
Even if Amesiemeka could be forgiven for raising the alarm at the time he did because he probably did not know that The young man was in the team until the tournament, Tamakloe has no justification at all to keep quiet till now before opening his big mouth. Get it right from me, I am not in any way in support of the falsification of age by players. We all know that this happens and that atleast 90% of all African players cut atleast 2 or 3 years from their real ages for any reason whatsoever.
In fact, I strongly believe that this is also prevalent in all third world countries, Brazil inclusive. If Kaka is truly as strong in the Lord as we hear he is, then I would want him to tell the world his real age. He may be playing with his real age, but many of his team mates are not. If also our own Evangelist Taribo West wants to really really believe him and his ministry, he should tell us the truth about his age. That is my opinion as I see things.
The only players I can vouch for their true ages are those born in the western world, where everything is documented from the day of one's birth till the day he dies. Players like Victor Anichebe and Nedum Onuoha that came over at a very tender age also fall into this category because when they come over as very young boys their parents had no reason to alter their ages then. For other players, they are caught in the web of life. In most third world countries, there is no proper documentation of births, deaths, etc. people are born at home, in maternities, in school, at church, anywhere and so nobody knows when any one was actually born.
Also, acquiring passports are as easy as ABC, as I know many players that have three to four different passports. My people leave talk. We are all guilty one way or the other. HE WHO HAS NO SINS LET HIM CAST THE FIRST STONE JARE!
Back to the Ghana incident, Dr. Tamakloe had all the time in the world not just to say what he saw, but to say it when it would have made sense and also do something about it when he was the FA chairman but he kept quiet. He cannot say he did not use any over aged players in the junior national team and even senior national team when he was the FA boss, so coming now to cry wolf is utter rubbish because he only wants to be relevant. Imagine how it would have been if he had spoken out when he was the FA boss. Even if something good may not have come out of it, atleast he would have been seen to be an honest man. Any attempts at honesty now is belated, and the timing is utterly wrong.
Why I am so aggrieved is because of the negative publicity it brings on those of us in the diaspora, especially those of us in the business of player management. Clubs will have reason to doubt the ages of the players we bring them now. The British press no dey take eye see such thing, and dem don highlight am as dem fit, but wetin we fit do? We march on, knowing that until they show tangible evidence [which neither Amesiemeka or Tamakloe could show], all they are saying is hearsay and inadmissible.
On the part of the players, the rest of them acted reasonably and shut up because we all know the truth, and silence they say is the best answer for a fool. But Laryea Kingston tried his best to defend himself by asking Dr. Tamakloe to show proof of what he had said. You see, my quarrel with African players is that they like to pack their money in a sack and chop alone instead of investing in things like management. Come to think of it, of all the four players mentioned, Kingston who plays in Scotland could be said to be the lowest earner so he probably did not have management. It must have been the management teams of the other three England based players that adviced them.
Such allegations you best leave them lying low, otherwise you will have to prove it yourself one way or the other. Kingston's action may lead to people in the British press to clamour for him to sue Dr. Tamakloe for defamation of Character. And one of the easiest defences in a defamation suit is justification or truth. It will be easier for DR. tamakloe to prove the truth of his statement than for the player to prove the falsity of it. Dr Tamakloe only needs to dig a little into the players past record to come up with facts that will be used in his defence. And depending on where the player choses to sue, the onus of prove may lie on him to prove that he is not over aged. My people how him wan take do that one naa?
[This article was first published before the World Cup for Sports Mail, a Lagos based Sports newspaper.]
The ex-diplomat was not diplomatic when he implied that the four players are among the hundreds of Ghanaian stars who have been involved in age cheating which is now catching up on them. Dr Tamakloe made his attack in an interview with a local radio station Peace FM when asked about the growing number of injuries in the Ghana squad ahead of the World Cup.
“Essien is 1, Pantsil is 2, John Mensah is 3, and Laryea Kingston. Even if they say he is fit is a bit doubtful to me,” Tamakloe said.“So if you watch carefully we don’t have frontline players we can call players who can take us up. It’s a bit disturbing. What I personally have observed is that most of them are burnt out now.
“I remember when I was the FA boss I insisted that anyone that would have to be brought into the Black Stars and for that matter even the junior groups must be right. “We must make sure we bring people whose ages reflect would represent the exact tournament they are supposed to be playing in.”
Even though no single reader of this column can rightly claim that this is news to him,to those of us in the diaspora, it only brought shame and disgrace, coming from such a top official. I recall last year that the indefatigable barrister Adokiye Amesiemeka told it to the world that the captain of the Golden Eaglets had played under 17 for him at Sharks seven years previously and so is far far above the age limit. FIFA heard this, but could do nothing but query the timing, saying it was a calculated attempt to disruot the FIFA U17 World Cup being hosted by Nigeria then.
Even if Amesiemeka could be forgiven for raising the alarm at the time he did because he probably did not know that The young man was in the team until the tournament, Tamakloe has no justification at all to keep quiet till now before opening his big mouth. Get it right from me, I am not in any way in support of the falsification of age by players. We all know that this happens and that atleast 90% of all African players cut atleast 2 or 3 years from their real ages for any reason whatsoever.
In fact, I strongly believe that this is also prevalent in all third world countries, Brazil inclusive. If Kaka is truly as strong in the Lord as we hear he is, then I would want him to tell the world his real age. He may be playing with his real age, but many of his team mates are not. If also our own Evangelist Taribo West wants to really really believe him and his ministry, he should tell us the truth about his age. That is my opinion as I see things.
The only players I can vouch for their true ages are those born in the western world, where everything is documented from the day of one's birth till the day he dies. Players like Victor Anichebe and Nedum Onuoha that came over at a very tender age also fall into this category because when they come over as very young boys their parents had no reason to alter their ages then. For other players, they are caught in the web of life. In most third world countries, there is no proper documentation of births, deaths, etc. people are born at home, in maternities, in school, at church, anywhere and so nobody knows when any one was actually born.
Also, acquiring passports are as easy as ABC, as I know many players that have three to four different passports. My people leave talk. We are all guilty one way or the other. HE WHO HAS NO SINS LET HIM CAST THE FIRST STONE JARE!
Back to the Ghana incident, Dr. Tamakloe had all the time in the world not just to say what he saw, but to say it when it would have made sense and also do something about it when he was the FA chairman but he kept quiet. He cannot say he did not use any over aged players in the junior national team and even senior national team when he was the FA boss, so coming now to cry wolf is utter rubbish because he only wants to be relevant. Imagine how it would have been if he had spoken out when he was the FA boss. Even if something good may not have come out of it, atleast he would have been seen to be an honest man. Any attempts at honesty now is belated, and the timing is utterly wrong.
Why I am so aggrieved is because of the negative publicity it brings on those of us in the diaspora, especially those of us in the business of player management. Clubs will have reason to doubt the ages of the players we bring them now. The British press no dey take eye see such thing, and dem don highlight am as dem fit, but wetin we fit do? We march on, knowing that until they show tangible evidence [which neither Amesiemeka or Tamakloe could show], all they are saying is hearsay and inadmissible.
On the part of the players, the rest of them acted reasonably and shut up because we all know the truth, and silence they say is the best answer for a fool. But Laryea Kingston tried his best to defend himself by asking Dr. Tamakloe to show proof of what he had said. You see, my quarrel with African players is that they like to pack their money in a sack and chop alone instead of investing in things like management. Come to think of it, of all the four players mentioned, Kingston who plays in Scotland could be said to be the lowest earner so he probably did not have management. It must have been the management teams of the other three England based players that adviced them.
Such allegations you best leave them lying low, otherwise you will have to prove it yourself one way or the other. Kingston's action may lead to people in the British press to clamour for him to sue Dr. Tamakloe for defamation of Character. And one of the easiest defences in a defamation suit is justification or truth. It will be easier for DR. tamakloe to prove the truth of his statement than for the player to prove the falsity of it. Dr Tamakloe only needs to dig a little into the players past record to come up with facts that will be used in his defence. And depending on where the player choses to sue, the onus of prove may lie on him to prove that he is not over aged. My people how him wan take do that one naa?
[This article was first published before the World Cup for Sports Mail, a Lagos based Sports newspaper.]
HODDLES ALLEGATIONS
I was shocked by recent reports that Ex English international Glenn Hoddle was approached for a kick back and when he refused this cost him the chance to lead the Eagles to the World Cup. If this allegations are true, then it is a big shame that some people entrusted with our football would put selfish reasons ahead of doing what's best for Nigerian football. The story goes that Hoddle had impressed the assessors and agreed a salary of one million dollars only to be told that $1.5million would be announced to the public. When he refused to play ball, he was promptly overlooked for the post.
Nigeria we hail thee! No other place can you hear such a story. I read on www.africansoccerunion.com about the involvement of respected FIFA licensed agent John Shittu amidst stories of fake robbery claims and misleading of the Presidential Task Force on Nigeria's 2010 World Cup (PTF) Chairman, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state and his counter part from Kwara State, Bukola Saraki .
According to the website and I quote, “Shittu denied ever telling Gov. Saraki of any bribery allegation when the investigative panel set up by the PTF Chairman summoned him. He was said to have begged for clemency after he was thoroughly washed down by the panel. He was also at the VIP during the Nigeria versus DR Congo international friendly match on Wednesday appealing to members of the panel for forgiveness.”
It is really very appalling, and derogatory to the image of Nigerian football not only now, but in the near future. With this kind of report, many top coaches will be turned off at the prospect of having anything to do with Nigerian football.
Surprisingly, uncharacteristic of the western press that blow such negative stories of Nigeria sky high, I have yet to read anything about it here in the UK. Or have I been reading the wrong papers?
[THIS ARTICLE WAS OUBLISHED BEFORE THE WORLD CUP IN SPORTS MAIL, A LAGOS BASED SPORTS PAPER WHERE I HAVE A COLUMN TITLED JOHNNY IN THE DIASPORA]
Nigeria we hail thee! No other place can you hear such a story. I read on www.africansoccerunion.com about the involvement of respected FIFA licensed agent John Shittu amidst stories of fake robbery claims and misleading of the Presidential Task Force on Nigeria's 2010 World Cup (PTF) Chairman, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state and his counter part from Kwara State, Bukola Saraki .
According to the website and I quote, “Shittu denied ever telling Gov. Saraki of any bribery allegation when the investigative panel set up by the PTF Chairman summoned him. He was said to have begged for clemency after he was thoroughly washed down by the panel. He was also at the VIP during the Nigeria versus DR Congo international friendly match on Wednesday appealing to members of the panel for forgiveness.”
It is really very appalling, and derogatory to the image of Nigerian football not only now, but in the near future. With this kind of report, many top coaches will be turned off at the prospect of having anything to do with Nigerian football.
Surprisingly, uncharacteristic of the western press that blow such negative stories of Nigeria sky high, I have yet to read anything about it here in the UK. Or have I been reading the wrong papers?
[THIS ARTICLE WAS OUBLISHED BEFORE THE WORLD CUP IN SPORTS MAIL, A LAGOS BASED SPORTS PAPER WHERE I HAVE A COLUMN TITLED JOHNNY IN THE DIASPORA]
SPORTS AGES OF OUR PLAYERS!
Talking about negative publicity from western media, I was enjoying the latest edition of Football Punk, a monthly magazine about the beautiful game with attitude which talks about football intertwined with fashion, equipment, skills and chicks [www.footballpunkonline.com] when I turned to a page that had the pictures of a couple of Nigerian players in national colours. I was pleasantly surprised. However, the pleasantries immediately turned to disgust when I saw the headline: AN AGE OLD PROBLEM?
It got worse when I had the stomach to go through the article and it turned out to be an article telling the world how Nigerian players deceive the world with fictitious ages. And guess what? The article was from a forum on www.nairaland.com , a Nigerian website. According to the article, Taribo West whose official age is 35 is allegedly anything between his mid 40s and 50s. Jay-Jay Okocha is officially 36 but bloggers believe he is 39. On paper Obafemi Martins is 25 whereas bloggers believe he is 29 while Yakubu Aiyegbeni is 32, whereas his passport reads 27. The most annoying one is that of legendary Kanu Nwankwo who though 33 years old according to his passport, is allegedly 41 years old in reality.
Now this is absurd. Inasmuch as all of us know that majority of players in third world countries use ages lower than their actual years when going professional, what irks me is why must we be the ones to wash our dirty linen in public? Just like I was mad at one of my friends who rushed to send the pictures of that gory robbery incident along Lagos-Benin express way to the BBC, I was mad at all the stupid bloggers who opened their mouth to write rubbish in this internet age about our beloved stars. Such comments are defamatory, but unfortunately for the players they cannot do anything to fight this by filing legal suits because there is a defence to defamation called justification, when actually the defamatory comments are true!
It got worse when I had the stomach to go through the article and it turned out to be an article telling the world how Nigerian players deceive the world with fictitious ages. And guess what? The article was from a forum on www.nairaland.com , a Nigerian website. According to the article, Taribo West whose official age is 35 is allegedly anything between his mid 40s and 50s. Jay-Jay Okocha is officially 36 but bloggers believe he is 39. On paper Obafemi Martins is 25 whereas bloggers believe he is 29 while Yakubu Aiyegbeni is 32, whereas his passport reads 27. The most annoying one is that of legendary Kanu Nwankwo who though 33 years old according to his passport, is allegedly 41 years old in reality.
Now this is absurd. Inasmuch as all of us know that majority of players in third world countries use ages lower than their actual years when going professional, what irks me is why must we be the ones to wash our dirty linen in public? Just like I was mad at one of my friends who rushed to send the pictures of that gory robbery incident along Lagos-Benin express way to the BBC, I was mad at all the stupid bloggers who opened their mouth to write rubbish in this internet age about our beloved stars. Such comments are defamatory, but unfortunately for the players they cannot do anything to fight this by filing legal suits because there is a defence to defamation called justification, when actually the defamatory comments are true!
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