It is the biggest tournament in the world of football, all countries desire to participate in it and every player's dream is to represent his country. Each country picks their best 23 players to represent them.
A lot of preparations take place before the tournament. Most countries in the World (about 200) participate in the World Cup qualifiers where national teams are divided into groups in their continents. They play series of qualifying matches, at the end of the qualifiers, only 32 teams will participate in the World's greatest football event. To be a participant means you earned your spot and I must say a big congratulations to all 32 teams participating in this year's World Cup though a few missed out after all the hard work and efforts they put in.
I'm so proud of the Super Eagles of Nigeria for making it and I know with the right players we will go all the way in the tournament. How do we pick the right players? We need a team so strong, with a lot of drive to succeed. Do we have such a team? Absolutely YES, we have quality players in the team. Every player wants a spot in the team but not all players can make the list. There are a lot of heartbreaks when a player is dropped but the biggest heartbreak is a player picking up an injury just before the tournament, now that is really sad (prayers to the players that will miss the tournament because they got injured ) :(
For years, we have heard of the "big boys" in the team, the ones that are unquestionable and can do as they please, knowing their positions are untouchable. We cannot deny there are indisciplined players in the team. I'm happy the coach says he will not tolerate any form of indiscipline in the team.
All players should be reminded it is a thing of pride to wear the national jersey, and for the love of football, you are not doing anyone a favour representing your country. It does not matter how much you earn or where you plight your trade, you are not bigger than your country. ;)
For the coach, here is your biggest test, how do you pick your players? What criteria does a coach use in selecting his players? Is it by merit? 'godfatherism'? Or bribes? Hmmm
Sometimes we are shocked when we see the team list. We ask questions; how did this player make the team? Why was that player dropped? But in the end, the coach has the final say and only he has the right to pick players. We are spectators, we love the game, we know the game, and we also want the best for our team. I have heard people talk about brown/White envelopes to make the team. I have also heard how some powerful godfathers impose the names of their wards on the coach. We can also not rule out coach's 'favourites' and 'coach's boys.
The above mentioned should not in any way be a criteria for selecting players. No, I'm not a coach but I know every player should earn a spot based on hard work, consistency, and most especially discipline. Overall, a player should make the team based on MERIT, yes, MERIT. The beginning of failure and discord in a team is when sentiment is used in selecting players. We already know, a lot of preparations lead up to the tournament and the performance of every player in different stages should be used in the selection process. White/brown envelopes should not be a way of making the team. It is unfair for a player to work hard and then be dropped for another player because the latter has a godfather or can afford to pay his way to make the team.
A 30man list just came out, some players were recalled to the team, I think they deserve to be there. Some were dropped... Ouch
What do you guys think about the list?
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba, Gabriel Reuben, Nosa Igiebor, Joel Obi, Michael Uchebo
Strikers: Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Osaze Odemwingie, Victor Nsofor, Babatunde Michael, Uche Nwafor, Nnamdi Oduamdi
THE VERDICT
There you go the 30 man list, 7 more will be dropped until we have the final 23 man list.
Were you shocked? Who should make the team? Who needs to be dropped?( Ouch). Who should be recalled or added?
Is this team good enough for the World Cup? Do you have your own list?
What is your Verdict?
See you soon,
The Verdict
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