I agree with TBK aswell

Blue@woji, the 94 one the same as the 96 one?
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The 94 team was very different from the 96 team.

Only Oliseh, Okocha, The Bull and Amunike were eligible from the 94 team (olympic rules...)

I would like both OXO!

Would you rather have your team be a flair team or a winning team?
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Depends if you are frustrated Arsenal fan or not.

How about both like Brasil used to be? or Barca are now!

Nigeria is not Brazil or Barca, and while the goal is to get there I'd rather be winning first then expand the playing style WITH the winning mentatlity

Nigeria U20s were recent stars at the 2011 U20 World Cup

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That is never an indication. Nigeria and Ghana have always done well in tournaments of younger-age groups: U-17,U-20,U-21, U-23 etc. Over the years, they are probably only second to Brazil in that regard.

The problem is making the transition to the seniors where they flounder.

I remember watching the U-20 tournament when Messi (yes, Messi) and Mikel were vying for player of the tournament before Messi stepped up in the finals.

Mikel was a no 10, a pure enganche with exceptional promise.

Compare their careers? Whilst Messi is Messi and tbf, Mikel's career has not been a disgrace but the parallels stand.

And what of Mikel's teammates in that illustrious class? how many made the successful transition to the senior team?

Ibrahima Mbaye another one earing rave reviews at Inter. Coulibaly at Spurs, who was the best player at the U17 World Cup. Christian Atsu looking very strong at Porto. Boakye has looked good on loan from AC Milan in Serie B. Then you've got the likes of Andre Ayew, Benatia, Prince-Boateng, Asamoah, Aubameyang, Wanyama, Belhanda, Song etc. who may not be as good as the best African footballers ever ilke Drogba and To'o, but are all top players in their own right.

Nigeria is not Brazil or Barca, and while the goal is to get there I'd rather be winning first then expand the playing style WITH the winning mentatlity
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what does that mean? IN the past they played like Brazil,

They have the talent or had the talent in the past (I believe it's still there) Just that there is so much politics in African football it's hard to progress!

Yeh, TRC - what happened to that team! they were decent

TRC I could find many examples of players who ripped up U20 tournaments but later didn't go onto become the best player in the world. Myself, I think Mikel is still a good DM, and he's one of Nigeria's best players. The reason why he hasn't fulfilled his potential is partly his fault. He was not disciplined in keeping with fitness plans in his early years at Chelsea, you can see the effects of that poor decision now, as he actually has quite poor stamina, very slow on the ball.

Nigeria is not Brazil or Barca
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True. But the reason why I remember 94 is because of a very you Jay-Jay, the goals from oap yakini. amokachi etc.

Its like who remembers the Dunga winning team in USA compared to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo in Japan!

Nigerian players had skill and it wasn't only the Jay jays or Kanu's.
But not just Nigeria, we are forgetting who made a way for African football

Cameroon!!!!!!! - How far have they fallen?

Yeah will there be another Etoo?

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The Blue Kenyan (U1641) - Re: Mikel

It didn't help that Chelsea tried turning a rather exceptional playmaker into a half baked DM

Before etoo was Roger Milla!

I don't think Eto won anything with Cameroon!

Well, TBK i see your point.

I was just replying to your optimism that this success seems to herald a new dawn and by juxtaposing it with relative success in junior tournaments. I just didn't buy that.

As Jenius said, i do look back with fondness of the class of 94/96. The swashbuckling attacking style, the entertainment value, the individual brilliance etc - and subsequent classes have been found wanting.

I recall five years ago when 'Rabiu Ibrahim' was the new big thing. The true heir to Jay-Jay but so far he has gone on a merry-round of clubs in Europe and ended up in Kilmarnock.

I do agree that a lot is self-inflicted. I myself have seen Mikel a few times in a club on the weekend 'living it up' - i was there primarily for research

Nigeria buying the ACON

Hopefully FFP will put an end to that

Its like who remembers the Dunga winning team in USA compared to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo in Japan!
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You got to be kidding right??

Romario, Bebeto, Kafu, Roberto carlos, Tafarel... I guess you were to young to understand what was going on

I don't think Eto won anything with Cameroon!
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I guess 2 African cups don't count

comment by Ginger_Beard_Man (U15929)
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Ginger...

Get real, that Brazil team of 94 was the worst in living memory. Very dour football. Romario aside...put them in stripy red and they could have looked like Stoke.

I suppose that is why Dunga carried the dour brand of football he played into coaching.

Then again, USA94 was arguably the worst wc in living memory.

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I guess 2 African cups don't count
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That's why I said "I don't think"
Why did I miss that one?

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