Football

THE SLOW BUT STEADY RISE OF NIGERIAN FOOTBALLERS

I can remember years ago when Nigerian super Eagles had the very best in top European clubs. They were not only part of the team, but also vital first team players. Players like Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Finidi George e.t.c

For example, Sunday Oliseh played for Ajax Amsterdam and later plied his trade in the German Bundesliga with Borrussia Dortmund, Juventus of Italy. Taribo West on his part played for both Inter Milan and thier arch-rival, A.C Milan winning several Italian leagues and the Coppa Italia between the clubs.
I can go on and on. Those were the days when Nigerian players won individual Laurels and club laurels. Anytime the super eagles were assembled at a time for one match or the other, every player has a success story to tell the rest; how his club won trophies and laurels, collectively or/and individually. Players like Sunday Oliseh, Kanu Nwankwo, Tarico West, Finidi George, Tijani Babangida e.t.c won leagues, FA Cups and the Uefa Champions League.
After the disbandment of the Super Eagles in 2002, the flair in the team began to plummet. The upcoming stars never got any opportunity to learn from the 'senior players', many of whom retired from football and consequently from the Super Eagles. It can be recalled that at the FIFA 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup, Nigeria performed woefully amid feeding inexperience players plying their trade in some unknown leagues.
I remember a football analyst who said that the Super Eagles of that World Cup was made up of '10 players and 13 spectators.'
It is evident that these contributed to the downturn of a lot of Nigerian Stars. Few plied their trade in unenterprising and less entertaining leagues like Malaysia, China, Malta, Greece e.t.c. From 2008 to 2011, about 10 of Nigerian footballers plying their trade abroad, battled for relegation. Not fewer than 5 were relegated with their clubs. None has been listed among the top 3 in the CAF African Footballer of the year since after the retirement of Austine Okocha from the Super Eagles.
To do a little comparison with the Super Eagles before year 2000 and ten years later-2010. Super Eagles first choice Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai was plying his trade in the Spanish La Liga compared to the trio of Enyeama, Ejide and Aiyenugba who all play in the Israeli league. An situation which was made possible by the invitation of the former (a good sense of brotherhood you may say). Even when Ike Shorunmu was playing for Turkish giants, Besiktas FC, it can still be rated high than the league in Israel. The back four of Chidi Odiah, Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu and Taye Taiwo who play for CSKA Moscow of Russia, Everton FC of England, Bolton Wanderers of England and Marseille of France respectively can't be compared with players like Taribo West (A.C Milan), Celestine Babayaro (Chelsea) e.t.c
There is a saying that, 'there is always a light after the tunnel'. The latest transfer of Obinna Nsofor to Locomotiv Moscow, which puts an end to his unsettled football life after unsuccessful loan spells at Malaga of Spain and West Ham United of England. Even the transfer of embattled bulky player, Emmanuel Emenike and Hauna Lukman to Fenerbache (Turkey) and Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine)- UEFA Champions League Teams, is no doubt a welcome development. With the wonderful displays and emergence of players like Osaze Odewengie (West Brom, England), Joel Obi (Inter, Italy), Nnamdi Oduamadi (A.C Milan), Taye Taiwo (A.C Milan), the exodus to 'bigger clubs' has emerge once again.
The Super Eagles deserve the best. The flair under the tutelage of a tactician like Samson Siasia will in no matter of a long time, bring that success Nigerians long hungry for- National laurels, individual laurels and club laurels. Support is all they need.