In 1998;
The world was singing great praise about 2 emerging talents of world football:
Ronaldo Of Brazil
Kanu Nwankwo of Nigeria
Ronaldo went on to win the World Cup for Brasil Won the WORLD PLAYER THREE (3) times
Won the EUROPEAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR TWICE
Won the GOLDEN SHOE
Won the GOLDEN BALL
Kanu Nwankwo and Nigeria were bundled out of the World Cup in the 2nd round…..
In 2002, the world heralded the coming of 2 great wizards of world football. They said they would rule world football in the next 5 years:
Lionel Messi Argentina
Mikel obi Nigeria
Messi was the last winner of the EUROPEAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR before it was merged with the world player of year award
He has won the WORLD PLAYER OF YEAR THREE TIMES
Won the GOLDEN BALL
Mikel Obi and Nigeria were bundled out of the World Cup again in the 2nd round….
Messi – Mikel ;
Guess who has won everything and guess who is looking for a club?
The BEST and most talented Nigerian PLAYERS are probably PLAYING on the streets and have maybe never featured for any club…..
Can we harness such potential?
What harnesses the potential of the Ronaldos, Beckennauer, Cryuff, Ronaldinho, Romario, Papin, Van Basten, Gullit, Rivaldo, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Kroos, Neuher, Schweinsteiger, Maradona?
Could it be A VISION?
Perhaps SYSTEMS?
STRUCTURES maybe?
– VISION: Man saw a bird fly and today we have
aeroplanes.
– SYSTEMS: Same Spanish Players progressed TOGETHER from U-8 CATEGORY to win 2 European championships and 1 World Cup
– STRUCTURES:
Franco Baresi – AC MILAN
Paolo Maldini – AC MILAN
Sergio Ramos – REAL MADRID
Carlos Puyol – Barcelona
Iniesta – Barcelona
Xavi – Barcelona
Those players played for single clubs, captained club or country to championships
Which way forward Africa?
Argentina lost but don’t be fooled, they’ll be back. Majority of those players would be back in 4yrs time
Messi 27. Di Maria 26. Higuain 26. Aguero 26. Romero 27. Ezequiel 27
Belgium? They are already preparing for the next 8 yrs; Courtois 22
Alderweireld 25
De Bruyne 22. Hazard 23
Lukaku 21. Januzsaj 17
Chadli 24. Mirallas 26
Dembele 26. Kompany 28
Vertonghen 27.Witsel 25
Holland?
Cillissien 25
De Vrij 22
Bruno martins 22
Blind 24
Memphis depay 20
Clasie 22
Widjnadum 23
De Guzmann 26
Janmaat 24
Are we building or pulling down?
Are we progressing or static?
This Eagle is not soaring, it is striving with the wind…
But for how long before it falls and lands among the chickens?
Germany won because they started early…..
Let’s take a leaf from them and begin the arduous journey to reality…..