Segun Oluwaniyi

I don't want to say any current players. That whole allegations thing. One name that jumps out though is Taribo West.

What exactly is a derisory offer for someone who has not yet finished puberty. Something's wrong when MFK Kosice are trying to extort us.

1997 What on earth did England win in 1997? that's because they all lied about their ages You know something man...I hate you. I've seen like two of your posts and my dislike of you is greater than any other member on this forum, even NE5. I'm sorry. Honestly. Out of the players on the listed...a couple ring out as obvious age cheats, but for the most part age cheating is something that is not as prevalent among the top African nations anymore, especially now as the boys are leaving for Europe at very young ages.

How's his walk?

Maybe it's a cultural thing, but I am always amazed at the amount of English people who don't care about their national team. I can't even imagine not caring about my country. It's the same with pretty much everyone I know. I mean even the old ladies in my family are very interested during the major tournaments. I mean is it just an English thing, or do the Irish and Welsh (I woudn't blame them tbh ) have the same mentality as well.

Very arrogant statement. Slovakia (like most teams at that level) have some very decent players (thinking of Hamsik, Skrtel, Vittek, etc.). It is very important that England go out and handle their business quickly. Pretty average if you ask me. About Nigeria's level. Ahh! What have I done to deserve any of this?! Actually, you are right Mr. Disco. I didn't realise the Slovakia match was a friendly, and that's why I perceived your comment as really arrogant. Slovakia are not the ideal team I'm sure, but it is probaly very difficult to find a decent match that day since the majority of the teams in WCQ will be playing on that date.

Then there was really no need to open and respond to the thread was there .

Good post all around. Ghana don't have the most African championships though. That's Egypt's honor. The talent level across Africa has increased alot even in the last ten years. Teams I would have as minnows suddenly have players plying their trade at the highest level, and you're right in that African qualification is not all that easy. Away matches can be a deep test of mental strength more than anything and as you say there are not second chances. Definitely Africa suffered from not sending its best in 2006. There was a chance to finally make a big impact and we ended up sending Angola and Togo (though full credit to them, was rightfully earned). While some teams have been constant for decades (Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt), others are just massive flashes in the pan. Look at Senegal, break through team in 2002. They won't even be at the next nations cup, nevermind the World Cup.

Very arrogant statement. Slovakia (like most teams at that level) have some very decent players (thinking of Hamsik, Skrtel, Vittek, etc.). It is very important that England go out and handle their business quickly.

I can think of three fantastic Jonas assists off the top of my head. Fro OBa against Villa and Owen against Popmey and Stoke. All were great play as well. I think Duff is greatly underrated on this forum also. While he not someone I'd like to rely, he's still a decent player with some good attributes.

I think that when there is a team in the league called Real Salt Lake it is time to stop copying other's ideas and come up with something of your own. If a team comes out in balck and white stripes, Americans will laugh at them for looking like referees and those with knowledge of the game will think they are only copying from clubs like Newcastle, Juventus, and Siena. How are DC United doing btw? I remember they were very successful and classy with a good supporter base back in the 90's. Pretty much the opposite of what you would expect of an MLS team.

What, Tijani? Yeah, he was top class. He was a real quick tiny little player witha lot of skill. Found his way to Ajax and was one of the star players for a season or two. Then he got malaria or TD or something that kept him out of the team and he spent a few seasons on Ajax's bench or being loaned out to random Middle east sides. After that his career kind of petered out. Never really got to shine for the NT either because of being kept out by other players and Nigeria not participating in two ACN's during his prime. Regardless, he was very very good, just didn't have the career to match his talent.

Look we just fired Berti F**** Vogts and hired Shabiu Amodu, so you can f*** off with telling me we've had quality managers tbh Saying Nigeria have havn't been good in my lifetime is like saying that Newcastle weren't good form the mid 90's to the early 2000's. Except, unlike my club, my country actaully one a few things and helped pave the way for other teams. Also, frankly, I just made a whole post explaining that Nigeria have no done badly, so I don't know what else to say on that. And I made a whole post explaining that winning two tinpot trophies does not consitute success...Nigeria should be an African powerhouse and dominating this competition (along with qualifying regularly for the world cup since 1994). Their reputation >>>>>>>>>> their achievement How exactly are the ACN and the Olympics tinpot trophies? They're the second and third biigest competitions Nigera can possibly win. Frankly the only time we've had far and away the best team in Africa was he period between 1994-1998 when they won ACN and the Olympics and had two decent world cups. That was also the period when we missed two tournaments because our military regime could not get along with Nelson Mandela. Since 2002, the team has been rebuilding really. The generation of the early 2000's was not up to par at all. Team is improving with the influx of players from 2005 WYC and such.

I'm a bit stunned to being sitting to someone (let me be nice) calling my country a joke for "only" winning the ACN twice and "only" making the WC second round twice (We've qualified three times ffs, and in 1994 Baggio sing handedly knocked us out). The team only really got going as a power (even in Africa) in the 80's. It's not like Nigeria have been some perennial force. I'm 19, and I watched all the playes you listed play. The team has generally been very competitive. Look at our performance in the ACN 1994 - Champions 1996 - Withdrew from tournament 1998 - Disqualified for failure to participate in 1996 2000 - Second place 2002 - Third place 2004 - Third place 2006 - Third place 2008 - Quarterfinals (lost to host team and biggest rival) We are certainly not a joke. I compare us to Holland often because we are generally feared and have been very close, but have not racked alot of medals due to internal issues and general luck. I'm amazed how fast I can type when I'm angry btw. Just out of curiosity, what do you think is Nigeria's strongest XI ? That's a good question. I'll be damned if anyone actaully knows the answer. Certainly not our coaches. I'll do a simple 4-4-2, even though the coach prefers a formation more like 4-3-3/4-5-1 Victor Enyeama Chidi Odiah Joe Yobo Apam Taye Taiwo Yussuf Ayila Mikel Jon Obi Christian Obodo Oba Ikechukwu Uche Aiyegbeni Yakubu Actaully it is 4-3-3. That is preferred team with everyone fit. The coach plays different players o some of these though.

Look we just fired Berti F**** Vogts and hired Shabiu Amodu, so you can f*** off with telling me we've had quality managers tbh Saying Nigeria havn't been good in my lifetime is like saying that Newcastle weren't good form the mid 90's to the early 2000's. Except, unlike my club, my country actaully won a few things and helped pave the way for other teams. Also, frankly, I just made a whole post explaining that Nigeria have no done badly, so I don't know what else to say on that.

I'm a bit stunned to being sitting to someone (let me be nice) calling my country a joke for "only" winning the ACN twice and "only" making the WC second round twice (We've qualified three times ffs, and in 1994 Baggio sing handedly knocked us out). The team only really got going as a power (even in Africa) in the 80's. It's not like Nigeria have been some perennial force. I'm 19, and I watched all the playes you listed play. The team has generally been very competitive. Look at our performance in the ACN 1994 - Champions 1996 - Withdrew from tournament 1998 - Disqualified for failure to participate in 1996 2000 - Second place 2002 - Third place 2004 - Third place 2006 - Third place 2008 - Quarterfinals (lost to host team and biggest rival) We are certainly not a joke. I compare us to Holland often because we are generally feared and have been very close, but have not racked alot of medals due to internal issues and general luck. I'm amazed how fast I can type when I'm angry btw.

Their fans are livid. Why? Would've thought it makes little/no difference or did Whelan f*** them about? I thought this was a pisstake on Wigan for having no fans whatsoever in the entire world.

Sadly, yes. How many others would you say have played "well" for as long a stretch.

Nile Ranger came on for John Obika in the 46th minute. 0-0 final score. According to match report, Ranger hit the post.

25 goals in 27 league matches this season says it all. 102 goals in 135 league matches since joining Barcelona. He's been consistantly world class for the past 5 seasons, regardless of the players he's been playing with. He also does make quite a few goals for himself fwiw and is very capable of running at defenders and taking them on. For me.. Eto'o, Torres and Villa are the 3 best strikers in the world, it's very close between them. No one else comes close. Absolutely spot on. Although Id argue Drogba, van Nistelrooy and Benzema aren't far off Drogba and Benzema haven't been that good at all really. I rate Ibra and Henry above any of those three.

What? You're starting Owen?! You're mad!!

Odd list really. First off Taylor and Martins hav both had long stretches out of the team. In fact Taylor only recently became a starter after Beye went down. I guess you could say it was more of "fan's favourite" list, but it also features Nicky Butt.

No Beye? That's right. Beye's Back! I forgot. I also forgot that Ryan Taylor can play right back. Things aren't actually that bad then.

I'd rather see: Geremi Cacapa Coloccini Enrque Neither Chelsea or Stoke are raping us with pace, and while that whole "experience in a relegation battle" jargon is rubbish, I'd much rather see the two bald men infront than Edgar.

Quite right. Arsenal might struggle against Barca because they don't get stuck in enough, but in general, English sides put the willies up Spanish sides. Like in 2006 when Barca beat Arsenal and Chelsea in the process of winning it?