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I can't believe we are actually having a nationwide debate on the merits or otherwise of having former skipper Austin Okocha return to the Super Eagles!
I dont know how, where or when this debate began. Irrespective, it now seems to have creeped up on all of us, enough that it has become a national issue.
Pretty soon, it will get so that we might just see somebody in authority slyly 'advise' national coach Shuaibu Amodu to 'try' Okocha.
Shocking.
The very fact that we are having this debate, to me belittles our nation. Do not misunderstand me. I admired Jay Jay, not a little and I still do. He also happens to be someone I am honoured to call a friend.
But as far as I am concerned, he has done his bit, done it very well and got to the end of the road. Full stop.
We do not need him back on the field, at least not, in a playing capacity.
This is the time for us to make a job of what we have with the personnel we have available. The argument for his return has been that the team lacks a creative midfielder.
I mean, just how lazy can the argument get? We need a creative midfielder, go get Okocha. That simple. Get Okocha and all our midfield probloems will be solved. Gbam!
In that case, why stop at Okocha?
A lot of people have pointed out, and rightly so, that the team haven't been scoring goals as they should.
So, we need a free-scoring striker. Let's go un-retire Yekini.
Heck, haven't we been going on and on about 'wing-play'? Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke are still available. Lets call them up too.
Oh, and weren't we complaining about problems in defence? Go get Uche Okechukwu and/or Taribo West.
That's how ridiculous this whole Jay Jay argument is.
By the way, we seem to be collectively afflicted with a variegated combination of selective myopia and short-term amnesia.
Was Okocha not involved in our 2006 World Cup qualifiers? How did that pan out? In one breathe we talk about retiring Kanu, in another we are asking for Okocha.
The same man who has not played any sort of competitive football in over two years, which makes him way unfit for the rigours of an African campaign.
Maybe we would have to get the NFF to give him a contract with a European club, or get hm to play for Enyimba, then fast-track him into the Super Eagles.
And at his age, and current fitness level, what would he really do except be what we call a 'short one'?
If, by some stroke of miraculaous misfortune, we get Jay Jay back into the team, his spirit could well be willing, but it will be extremely tough for that willingness to be backed by a body slipping gradually into decrepitude.
I saw Jay Jay play last week in that MTN African Legends game. And while the skills were still there, it was clear to see that some critical things had gone. He misplaced passed a few times and had a few issues with his timing.
These are things that come naturally with age and not playing regularly, and it is clear that it Jay Jay is at that point.
The same people who are calling for him now, would be the first to tear him to bits when he fails to live up to the high standards they will, naturally, hold him up to.
And then his legacy would be ruined forever. I dont think even Okocha wants that for himself. I know I certainly don't.
Nigeria Premier league rating
Once again the Nigeria Premier League is celebrating a rating as the 'best league in Africa'.
I have warned before and I will say it again, celebrating an award this dubious does no good for us as a league and as a country.
There is no doubt that the Globacom Premier League has made big strides in the past few years, but we are still a long way short of even coming close to the being the best league in West Africa, let alone Africa.
A lot of folks claim that the award comes from FIFA. That is a blatant lie. FIFA does not and have never done club ratings. FIFA only rates national teams.
This so called rating comes from the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) based in Germany, where it is generally derided and its statistics ignored by a wide range of serious mainstream media and football people.
This is how the IFFHS is described:
“In a wide range of media there is massive doubt about the significance of IFFHS rankings and elections.
German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur abstains from publishing news relating to the IFFHS.
Karl Lennartz, a sports historian from Cologne, Germany, calls the organization "obscure", describing it as a one man show of its chairman Alfredo Pöge.”
May I also add that this is the same outfit which named Egypt's Mohammed Aboutreika World's Most Popular Player for two consecutive years; 2007 and 2008!
In that 2008 award, FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo was a distant 21, and his runner-up Lionel Messi was 24th.
Kaka was 29th. Need I say more? Yes I will.
Second place went to Sporting Lisbon's David Suazo of Honduras and Brazil's Marcos picked up third place with El Merreikh's Faisal Sido grabbing fourth!
Yes, Sudan's El Merreikh, no less. That's a player I can bet that most people reading this have never even heard of. And he was in fourth place ahead of the likes of Ronaldo, Messi and Kaka.
Much as I like Aboutreika and believe he deserved the African Player of the year award ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor, this surely,is taking the piss!
I could go on and on about the dubious awards thrown about by the IFFHS, but I won't.
Is it any wonder that the only place where this so-called award is celebrated, is in Nigeria?
Have we seen these reports in any other media outside of Nigeria? Even the ones outside of the mainstream? No.
I will say again, our league has seen tremendous improvements in the past few years.
But, and I continue to say this, we are nowhere near being the best.
Our clubs are run amateurishly. There is a lack of organisation at almost every level. There is zero marketing.
Club 'administrators' hardly know the first thing about administering clubs, and worse, the football is not exactly eye candy.
Such is the state of training and lack of technique, that the last time we saw a player move directly from here and walk into a top European side was Finidi George in 1993.
Now, the majority have to go to small clubs in backwater leagues to unlearn all the bad habits they have picked up from here before they are ready to make an impression with the big clubs.
Final word, lets stop celebrating dubious awards and knuckle down to the real business of making our football work.
When that time comes, we will not need any funny-monikered organisation to tell us we are where we want to be.
All Columns
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igboasokwu vivian (nnewi) - Wednesday December 02 2009 - 15:58
there is no problem. NFA should also inculde peter the goal keeper
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emmanuel tauetsile (gaborone) - Thursday November 19 2009 - 10:46
if jay jay feels his legs would not disappoint him i think,it is ok if he comes back.He knows how he used to feel during his days,and if he still has the same feeling then let him play,he has his secret.Unlike supporters who would only talk,talk,talk and talk....
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chuma (PH) - Friday September 04 2009 - 16:03
man,dats a gr8 analytical write up and i agree wt u,but wait!cant AMOKACHI muta-rotate 4rm Assistant Coach role he s playing now back 2 field to re-claim his place as THE BULL.pls proponents of this unpopular debate should use their freedom of speech in a better sense and leave our dear Okocha to play THE FOOTBALL MENTOR s role he s willing to play.Dont drag Okocha in2 ur dirty politiking
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Ish Mokone (Kempton Park) - Wednesday September 02 2009 - 17:55
If the topic you wrote about is irrelevant, why didn't you find something better to write about? Be proactive man, start a debate and leave dead ones alone!
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Precious Mobian (Escravos warri) - Monday August 17 2009 - 12:06
Collins is one of the analyst that I can stick out my neck for and say he will never support this burning National debate of Okocha coming back to Super Eagles. For one I am forced to ask. To do what for God's sake? I want to believe that Okocha is behind this nonsense as I no sone conscience can be but easily in Nigeria. Well for those that dont know it Jay Jay's money speaking for himto come back.
I willbe Anti Super Eagles should Nigerians allow Okocha to comeback to play so that he can go to world cup.
Na Lie
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Oladapo Olayemi (Ibadan) - Sunday August 16 2009 - 19:42
I agree with Collins that our league has improved but the facillities for training are lacking. Organization is very poor and the pitches are disgarceful. Beautiful well groomed playing tufts will go along way to improve the marketability of our league especially on TV and before we know it Nigerian National coaches will be able to include more local players in their squad.
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isaac Abraham (Uyo/Nigeria) - Sunday August 16 2009 - 14:31
Hi Collins,
i concur to your arguments. of a truth Okocha is a legend of the beautiful game. we all love him. lets fashion out a better way of using him to impove our game and the future of football in Nigeria. instead of calling him out of retirement to disgrace him, because that is what is going to happen if he fails. trust Nigerians.
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Sfiso Maphanga (Pretoria) - Thursday August 13 2009 - 18:37
Thanks for being brave and face the truth.
Okocha is one of the best players of his generation and now let the new generation play.
Secondly its good to hear that you warn people against celebrating mickey mouse awards.
ABSA PSL is one of the best run leagues in the world and its only laughable that Nigerian league is better than it.
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elias (South africa-Louis Trichardt) - Tuesday August 11 2009 - 16:00
Maybe Bafana bafana should un-retire phil masinga.
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Adanu Michael (Abuja, Nigeria) - Saturday August 08 2009 - 18:45
The Jay-Jay story is just pop news, just to stir up excitement and that's it. I don't think it's serious maybe this is just a way to try and get Jay-Jay back into the coaching crew using their dubious methods.
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OMOTOYE OLUGBEMI (Ibadan,Nigeria) - Wednesday August 05 2009 - 15:18
what Okocha need to do,is to help d coaching crew to build the young ones,most especially the midfielders,where he has ego,instead of inviting him to come and join the yeam again.
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Desmond Olalekan Temitope (Warri/Effurun) - Wednesday August 05 2009 - 11:54
I quite agree with Udho, the okocha saga is a big embarrassment to Nigerian Football and as a nation. Is like asking former US president Bill Clinton to come back to office. Okocha has done his best for the country and deserves the best after retirement, no one should try to insult him by asking him to come back to the national team to play football again, to me it's a big insult to him, he should be left alone, what I expected fron the NFF and others is how to engage his services in the administration of football in Nigeria by that he'll be able to give his best in administrative not active playing.
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Enugu II (Bowie, MD (USA)) - Tuesday August 04 2009 - 05:24
The JJ issue is a non-issue trumped up by Adokiye Amaesiemaka and it makes very little sense. JJ should stay retired but I certainly can understand the cry for a creative guy in the middle. We just don't have one at the moment but JJ cannot be the guy. The search continues....
As for the Nigerian league, I think you need to cut the IFHHs some slack. It is not a one-man show for sure. Professor Poge runs the outfit but it has value and depends on voting from people across the various continents. As for ranking the Nigerian league, the IFHHS was very clear on their criteria -- performance in the continental cup competitions. Based on that, there is no country that has done better than Nigeria so far. Thus, it is difficult to fault IFHHS here since they were clear on their methods. Perhaps, IFHHs should use other indices as someone else has suggested but based on their specified indices, the NPL certainly ranks above all others.
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Gabtigab (martinsville, VA) - Tuesday August 04 2009 - 01:56
I can't help but agree with your opinion on Okocha and the NPF.
To elaborate further on the Okocha issue: there are many out there who believe JJ despite his immense talent underachieved. With his talent he could easily have won African Footballer of the year a few times and even WFY. He did not. Ofcourse we still love him because he is our own JJ and brought smiles to our faces with his skills (even when the end product was nothing to write home about).
Bringing JJ back now is like trying to turn back the hand of time hoping the feat we couldn't achieve when JJ was in his prime would be achieved now in the twilight of his career.
Delusional!!!
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zuko (jozi) - Monday August 03 2009 - 22:52
the jay jay issue is truly a non issue, the best he can do if he still wants to be in football would be to groom youngsters, live the man enjoy his retirement.
The best league in africa, is really something that africans themselves can discuss || have certain benchmarks agreed upon by Africans at large that can allow easier way of rating our leageus....not these iffhs characters. Winning games cant be the only baromoter for the best league in Africa, team management,,,,marketing,,,,facilities,,,,,level of coaches etc....
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TOYIN IBITOYE (Lagos) - Monday August 03 2009 - 21:35
I also think that the okocha recall stuff is outrageous.I however have a slightly different opinion about the Nigerian league matter,the ranking was based on the performance of Nigerian teams in different CAF competitions this season,i have reasoned hard to see a better performance this season from any other country's representatives,am yet to find.Pls join me in the search and let me know what you find
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Victor (Denmark) - Monday August 03 2009 - 19:32
Its really funny and unbelievable.But we have to pardon the originator of this debate simply because in Nigerian constitution,there is freedom of speech.
Just like you said,Okocha has paid his dues and we have to move forward.People played that position and retired before Okocha came in.And after Okocha,others should be allowed to pay their own dues.Enough of this pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
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Peterpaul (Lagos) - Monday August 03 2009 - 18:08
Unfortunately at this time and age in football we are stiil blabbing about vague issues like this. Okocha has paid his dues to Nigeria soccer and should be left alone to sort out himself elsewhere. I saw his unveil as the Guiness new 'Sign on', such is what he should be doing not professional football. I am sure he is wise enough to accept such jokes because he will rubbish whatever he has built for himself in the past. We dont need a Rogger Milla right now in the Super Eagles.
I laughed out so loud when I saw the comment about our League being the best in Africa.I dont know of the IFFHS, and wherever they get their facts from but I show do know that our league is not qualified for such status in as much as there has been progress from what it used to be but when you look at the facilities, Administration and the players you will sure know we are miles away.
Maybe this should be the time we should strive to take our league more seriously so that it doesnt get worse than what it is now.
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Gadfly (Lafia) - Monday August 03 2009 - 16:15
At this stage in the evolution of our Super Eagles, team cohesion, unity and balance is more important than having a playmaker who will be an unnecessary distraction. The team is still "work in progress" and remind me of the same stuttering we had on the way to the 1994 World Cup.
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Chinenye Unanma (Owerri) - Monday August 03 2009 - 15:38
I am sure Okocha himself wouldn't want to come, else what happened to Peter Rufai in 1998 World Cup will happen to him. He wdnt want to mess himself up.
I also want to say that a play maker must not be a dribbler. It has to do with your ball sense. Fabregas is not a dribbler but he is a play maker. Carrick is not a dribler. Lampard is not a dribbler. Andre Pirlo is not a dribbler. A playmaker in as much as he may be a dribbler, must be a workaholic. Hard working and strong. Amodu should look out for guys that are strong, with good work rate and good football sense. Period
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Emma Jemegah (Lagos) - Monday August 03 2009 - 15:04
Please let them continue to celebrate! Atleast the best league ended with the most magical result. A team needing 9 goals to escape relegation, so motivated its players and they got the number of goals they needed.
Yet, those players have been sacked. Did you read the news last week? 22 of those boys that did the unimaginable have been thrown out of job. A case of used and dumped?
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Adekunle Salami (Lagos) - Monday August 03 2009 - 15:02
I strongly beleive Okocha has paid his dues...I also wrote in my column that we might need to bring back Amuneke and Oliseh..it is just unecessary distraction. good piece.
The second piece on award is funny. I know Nigerian league cant be the best in Africa...dat one is certain..how they came about it at a time we were still thinking third place was flattery...May God help Nigeria.
We need to solve the problem of match fixing and how to bring crowd to our stadia for now.
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Dikeledi (soweto) - Monday August 03 2009 - 11:00
I really like Jay Jay,but I'm afraid I have to agree with you on this issue.He used to be the best,no one can argue that but gone are those days,let us give other youngsters a chance to proof themselves.I know that there are many young players who would like the opportunity to proof that they can match Jay Jay's standard of play.Football is like gambling,sometimes you have to take chances by using unknown players and you might get the best result ever.
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Mphilisi Zwane (Durban) - Monday August 03 2009 - 10:04
I think Okocha was the best at his age but let give the youngsters a chance.
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