Killing us softly...

After Nigeria were knocked out of the 1998 world at the second round stage by Denmark,Pele was reminded of his prediction made in 1989 that predictions that an African team will win the world by the turn of the last century. Since that was the last World for that century and Nigeria being the last African team standing up to that point, he was asked to defend his predictions.

While Pele, like FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been known to make comments that are off the mark,which most no longer take too seriously, he made a valid one in the same interview. He said the reason his prediction failed was that African leagues are not strong.While it's a known fact,it is one nobody seems to want to do anything about.

With the availability of the English Premier League to viewers in Africa,it has become even more difficult to remedy the situation.These facts are well documented and I will not want to bore you by repeating them.

But I will talk about it's effects on the national team.Apart from the obvious drain of talents, there has been marked change in the style of play of the national team since the team's key players moved to England.

The English game is built on speed and physical play,with very little technique. The players are not allowed to express themselves as tackles fly in as soon you get the ball.And so in order not get caught on possession you release the ball as soon as you get it.

In international football, you have very little time prepare for matches and get used to your teammates.So teams slow games down in order not make mistakes with their their passing.The Spanish are masters at this with Xavi at the center of things.They are also always quick to spot runs by the forwards and provide those killer through passes.In Argentina, Juan Roman Requilme does the same for them.

In the past, Nigeria relied on Jay Jay Okocha to play this role, but of the current bunch Mikel seems to be man most suited for job.But you will agree with me that Mikel has not hit high notes of his performances at the WYC in 2005 as well at the ANC in Jan 2006.The same can be said of Seyi Olofinjana since move to Wolves and subsequently Stole City.

At the last nations cup the Ivory Coast midfield completely dominated a Nigeria midfield comprising the above mentioned players and Kanu who is also based in England.

Essentially, the English game does not suit the Nigerian style, were we rely on patient build ups in the middle and quick release of the wingers.And as the Olympic team showed last month, that style is still very effective.I will mention here that none of the midfielders used in China were based in England at the time.

So what is the solution? We need to make our league stronger and more attractive so that players are not tempted to leave after just one good season.In some cases players completely bypass the league and move to Europe as teenagers.

By playing up to three or four seasons in the NPL, players get used to the "Nigerian system" and it will not be easy for them to forget.Another solution is to set up a national football center, where the Nigerian football philosophy is taught to young players while they play for the national youth teams.In this way no matter what they learn later in life, they will know that once they pull on the Nigerian green they are expected to play a certian way.


Do you know?

That while Enugu Rangers have not won the FA cup since 1983 or the league since 1984, they are Nigeria most successful club domestically.They have won the league 6 times, more than any other club including back to back titles twice in 1974 and '75 and again in 1981 and '82.
They have also won the FA cup 5 times, as well as the doing double in 1974,1975 and 1981.