FIFA World Cups

Archive for January, 2011

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The Falconets, one of 16 teams competing at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, were initially scheduled to depart last weekend, but those plans had to be shelved while the country’s football leadership sorted out its internal crisis.

Quarter- finalists at the last edition of the competition staged in Chile in November 2008, the Nigerian Falconets were set to miss the tournament in Germany following President Goodluck Jonathan’s pronouncement last week.

Head Coach Egan Adat led out the final 21–person squad comprising of goalkeepers Mabel Egwuenu, Rabi Ihiabe and Alaba Jonathan.

Others are Joy Jegede, Ngozi Ebere, Gloria Ofoegbu, Esther Michael, Marvis Ohale, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Ugochi Oparanozie, Rebecca Kalu, Glory Iroka, Uchechi Sunday, Esther Sunday, Helen Ukaonu, Charity Adule, Martina Ohadugha, Cecilia Nku, Ebere Orji, Blessing Edoho and Soo Adekwagh.

Nigeria will play in Group C of the tournament alongside England, Mexico and Japan. The Falconets first tackle England in Augsburg next Wednesday, before taking on Japan in the same city on July 17.

Women’s Football in Germany German society has been defined by its openness to the world and by the harmonious cooperation and coexistence between its various cultures. Host Country

Germany is Europe’s most populous nation and remains one of the world’s leading industrial powers, despite the economic demands of re-unification.

They will then play Mexico in Bochum on July 21.

Nigeria reached the quarter-finals of the last edition of the competition in Chile in 2008 before losing to France in extra-time.

Nigeria stands the chance of not qualifying for the Fifa 2010 World Cup after slipping up against Tunisia in Abuja and losing the chance of overtaking the North Africans on the group table.

What are the seemingly unending problems of this otherwise talented team?

Coaching

The coaching is not right, as the Nigerian Manager clearly lacks technical depth. His style is so predictable that you can always for instance predict that veteran Nwankwo Kanu is going to come in around the 70th minute, and striker Eneramo as well. See the team’s previous matches.

The opposition here would simply strive to wrap up the game before these inputs are made, or arrange to shackle the changes, or simply counter them.

Why would the Nigerian bench not know that left full back Taye Taiwo is slow at recovering after a counter attack, and that a player like Adeleye who spends more time folding up his shirt sleeves would lack concentration? See the Tunisian’s second goal at Abuja for measure.

It is strange, but Shuaib Amodu got so carried away celebrating both goals against Tunisia that he failed to instruct his team to maintain discipline in anticipation of a Tunisian response. Tunisia scored their equalizer while Nigeria was still celebrating its first goal.

Bolton Wanderers’ player Danny Shittu is a rock in the Nigerian defence as proven during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana and after. Why would such a stabilizing factor be left out at this stage of Nigeria’s football?

Leadership

The Super Eagles clearly lack a leader as was the case in the days of Stephen Keshi, and Christian Chukwu before him. Sunday Oliseh also created some inspiration in his team mates. Right now, Joseph Yobo or Nwankwo Kanu do not visibly command the same respect in the team, and so it would be fool hardy to expect any discipline or cohesion in the team’s play.

The Super Eagles need a leader to inspire confidence and propulsion.

Midfield Creativity

The Nigerian team lacks a midfielder to hold and effectively distribute the ball in a creative way. Since Jay Jay Okocha’s departure the team has suffered greatly in that department.

John Obi Mikel who used to play creatively at the under 20 level, has since changed his style since his arrival in Chelsea.

Nigerian Press

The Nigerian press has largely not helped the team grow, as most of the time they heap undue praises on the players with superlatives, such as “Eagles Killer squad” “Nigeria set to tame Tunisia” and other such nonsense, when they could do more with unearthing the strategies and tactics of the opposing team.

When Nigeria crashed out of USA ’94 World Cup to Italy, Cameroun’s Roger Milla in regret said “If anyone had come out to tell Nigeria that they would lose to Italy before the match, they would have won” Nigeria thrives on criticism and because of their pride they would usually wish to prove themselves! In that painful encounter Nigeria threw away the possibility of a World Cup win with careless play in the dying moments of the game.

Administration

Which rational administrator would motivate when a task has failed to be accomplished? In Nigeria, the Super Eagles were paid full bonuses of $10,000 each for the draw against Tunisia, and have had similar payments in the past, even when losing!

If Nigeria fails to go to South Africa next year, the World would lament yet again, the failure of this illustrious footballing nation to present a team to entertain them like they did so well in ’94 and at Atlanta in the Olympics 1996.

Unfortunately, it is no more in their hands. Advantage Tunisia!

Alfredb

www.soocerxtra.net

FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 is just round the corner. Are you geared up to cheer your team? Soccer games are perfect for bonding, hooting, cheering and basically giving vent to your primeval instincts. More so, the Soccer World Cup. It’s 30 days of unrivaled football action. A vehement display of guts, gumption and glory. And a great chance for you, the die-hard soccer fan, to show your support for your team, your country. Your chance to show-off your patriotic streak.

You may not be able to catch the next plane to South Africa to watch the play-offs, but you still can cheer for your team by sporting some cool soccer merchandise. Here are a few cool ways to sport your support for your team.

Wear the soccer t-shirt of your country. These t-shirts and shorts are available online at very affordable prices and are easily shipped to your doorstep. They come in a variety of sizes. You can also work-out in an Argentina track suit to show your support. If a t-shirt isn’t really your still; sport an accessory, say an Italy cap to get that ‘fan’tastic look. This way, you look cool and you tell the world that you are rooting for your home team. Gift a World Cup Championship 2010 Ball to your little buddy to get him in the mood for some super sporting action. Organize match-viewing parties for your friends and co-workers in front of your giant-screen television. Grab a few cans of beers, bring in the chips and dips. Hand-out a few soccer merchandise that you have brought from an online merchandise goods shop. You get to feel like you are almost watching the match live in the stadium.

Get into the World Cup spirit. Sport the merchandise and shout out your support for your favorite soccer team.