THE 'NEW' SUPER EAGLES

From top: IK Uche - the new Okocha, Uwa Echiejile - the best new discovery,and Super Eagles' Coach Shaibu Amodu (great photos from Zimbio)

THE 'NEW' SUPER EAGLES

It is heartening to observe that Nigeria's Super Eagles have suddenly become an object of affection to local football buffs again ; a feat achieved after some impressive performances against France and Tunisia in particular.Beginning with the friendly game with Ireland, several 'new' players were introduced and the pattern was consistently followed right till saturday's World Cup qualifying game against Tunisia in Rades ( I note however that, but for Sone Aluko, virtually all the other players were named in the coach's inaugural list a year ago !).

With victory over France in particular, a lot -if not all - of the hitherto diehard critics of Amodu Shaibu's team seem to have changed their position, at least for now. I'm happy for these developments, especially now that our World Cup qualification dream is now in our own hands. But the team is yet not the dream team we crave, and I will proceed to give my personal opinion on the shape and character of this 'new' team.

GOALKEEPERS

Clearly an area of strength, with Vincent Enyeama partiularly in splendid form.

DEFENCE

All the full-backs - Odiah,Mohammed,Olubayo,Echiejile and Taiwo - are good enough. However the same cannot be said of our central defence.The combination of Adeleye and Sodje may be high in grit and potential, but both still have some learning to do : Our best pairing, bar fitness, in my opinion for now remains Yobo and Shittu.

Uwa Echiejile was the most complete and effective among the 'new' faces. This is cheering as this will put pressure on Taiwo to keep his game up always. I also see a further advantage in having the two players in the team: See details below.

MIDFIELD

I have seen enough to be convinced that Olofinjana and Kalu Uche are just not it (more especially Olofinjana). Rather than continuing with them, I think it's better to keep trying out new players until we find the right quality. Kanu and Mikel however remain the essentials.

I think it is time we accept the reality that Mikel is a defensive midfielder and just keep him in that position.If Mourinho was a fool, Scolari and Hiddink surely could not also have been. In Tunisia he held the midfield very well , so let's know at least that we have that position coverred, while the search for the new Okocha continues.

And talking of the new Okocha, I think IK Uche has demonstrated enough skill and vision to merit being given a try. Therefore, I strongly suggest that ,when Yakubu and Martins are back fully fit, IK should be given the playmaker role. At least Kanu is there to guide him along. Then, there is the young lad Sone Aluko. He has a wonderful left foot and good dribbling skills (an Ilerika type of player, which we have not had for a long while), and should be kept in the team to gain experience and build self- confidence.

ATTACK

On the strength of what I saw in the last four matches, Eneramo and Akpalla are still far from international quality. Obinna Nsofor has world class qualities but is also one of the most inconsistent footballers I've ever known; which leaves us with just Osaze Odemwigie. This is therefore one critical area that we need to look inwards at the local leaque for, and we can start by trying the lad who just broke the long-standing goalscoring record, Orok Akaranduk.

Secondly our attack line is very weak on the left side. As a solution I will suggest that one of Taiwo or Echiejile be moved upfront to provide the needed balance. Remember that Otto Gloria played two hitherto outside-lefts, Adokiye and Felix Owolabi in our 1980 Nations Cup winning team, so it's nothing strange to work outside the box when faced with a problem. What really is the big difference between a wing-back and an outside-left anyway ?

MY BIG PICTURE

In summary, I will wish Amodu to try out this sort of line up in his next friendly matches:

Enyeama

Olubayo Yobo Shittu Taiwo

Mikel

Odemwigie IK Uche Echiejile

Martins Yakubu

Essential subs: Kanu,Nsofor,Adeleye,Sodje,Aluko.

POINT OF CAUTION

I strongly disagree with those who say that the World Cup ticket for thie group will be determined at the Nigeria v. Tunisia match in Abuja. Mark my words; there is a very strong likelihood that either of these countries will lose valuable points in their forthcoming matches against Kenya and Mozambique: Remember that there's also a Nations Cup place to play for.

My advise to Amodu is to repeatedly play back the tape of today's USA v. Spain FIFA Confedereations Cup match to his players, as there are abundant lessons to be learnt therein on commitment, total football, and above all that the concept of the underdog in football is outdated,myopic and potentially fatal.

EYO FESTIVAL,MUMINI ALAO, NFF'S VERY SAD DECISION

Eyo Festival is the symbol of Lagos' rich history and culture.See story below.

(photo from nigerianwiki)

MUMINI ALAO'S SOCCER TALK

Mumini Alao: Ace sportswriter

Although many people have chosen to make sarcastic remarks about the Nigerian government's brand pay-off line "good people,great nation", the truth is, Nigeria is actually blessed with so many 'good people'.My definition of good people here being a people with abundant talents that, through sheer hardwork,creativity and honesty, have been harnessed to achieve world class performance in various vocations. How else will you describe people like Cardinal Arinze,Enoch Adeboye,Chinamanda ,Wole Soyinka, Wole Oguntokun, Emegwali,Austin Okocha,Chinua Achebe,Dele Olojede,and so on and so on, if not as good people ?

Well, one good person that fully deserves all the accolades that have come his way is the highly influential sports journalist Mumini Alao.Today will see Mumini mark his second full decade as a sportswriter, and from the tone of the accolades one would think the guy is some old veteran in the throes of retirement. But the guy is probably only in his early 40s: In 20 years this young man has steadily progressed in his chosen profession to become, probably, the most influential sportswriter in Nigeria.

I have the good fortune to have followed Mumini's career right from the very beginning. As at the time he joined Complete Communications I was already a huge fan of his publisher Sunny Ojeagbase and his Sports Souvenir newspaper (now Complete Sports). In fact Ojeagbase was one of my early influences in sportswriting.The others were Chris Okojie of Vanguard,late Owoblow of Punch and Mitchel Obi of Guardian. So Mumini had the singular good fortune of starting his career under the best tutelage possible.The difference between him and the many others who passed through Ojeagbase is that,first of all he wrote in very similar style and conviction as the boss, and more importantly he had the patience to stay put with one employer and develop his career - something that's indeed very rare these days.

In the 1990s I had the priviledge of publishing several of my articles in their newspaper (in fact they published everything I sent to them), and incidentally till date I've never enterred their offices or even met Mumini. So maybe this article can also be regarded as official thank-you to Mumini for the priviledge they gave me to 'shine' !

From a distance it's easy to see that the arrival and efficiency of Mumini Alao provided the much needed room for his publisher,Sunny Ojeagbase to concentrate on the business side of his enterprise.The result is that,from the 80s when the newspaper seemed like a bad risk and guaranteed failure, Complete Sports is today about the most widely read newspaper in Nigeria, with readersship cutting across various segments - from mechanics to medical doctors to captains of industry.

But what is it that has stood Mumini Alao out from the rest of the pack ? Simple answer; he writes in a dispassionate and balanced manner, and always takes the trouble to research his facts before commiting his pen. Hardly would Mumini criticise someone without also mentioning some positives things about the person. The only time I felt dissappointed with him was in 2002 when I felt he and other influential journalists at the time did not do enough to dissuade the sports authorities from committing an obvious and needless suicide when they disbanded the National Team,Super Eagles, barely five months to the World Cup finals. The subsequent woeful performance of the team in Korea/Japan apart, Nigeria is,seven years later, still trying to recover from that premature termination of a whole generation of world class and patriotic footballers.I only hope we never repeat such madness again.

That however does not diminish the great respect I have for Mumini, whose Soccer Talk column has become the major reference point for enthusiasts and regulators alike in the industry. For instance it is in Soccer Talk that the name 'dutchgerian' was given to Clemens Westerhoff; 'Goalsfather' to Rashidi Yekini, and several other now household sobriquets.The book containing a compilation of past Soccer Talks will also be launced today, and I intend to buy several copies of it, to be given as precious gifts to friends and associates.

Keep the flag flying, Mr. Soccer Talk !

NFF'S VERY SAD DECISION

Nigeria's Under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets : NFF should give us their educational records.

(photo from FIFA.com)

I've just written about the senseless disbanding of the National Team in 2002; but yet another such inconceivable decision has just been taken by the Football Federation ,with their sacking of the Golden Eaglets' coach, Henry Nwosu during the week. And Nwosu's offence ? 'The team has not been playing well'.

With just a few months to the Under 17 World Cup, the clear message the NFF is sending out is that the 'win at all cost' mentality for cadet compeitions is still very much the in-thing. What do we expect the new coach to do now, if not to load the team with super-old men masquerading as teenagers. The opportunity for Nigerian schoolboys to savour a festival on their own soil with their peers on parade will now elude them, and another bunch of old cargos who cannot withstand competition with their true agemates will most probably be assembled, ride majestically through the competition, and win the cup. And we continue to deceive ourselves.

Thereafter, just like what we have seen with the last 'world champion' Eaglets, the celebrations would only last for the moment, as plotting a natural transition to a higher level will prove a herculean task.

Let's be clear on this: Building a team of genuine Under 17 footballers would make the task of winning the U-17 World Cup very difficult (though certainly not impossible).The reason being that most other teams from the so called 'third world' countries probably cheat at this level. However,if we are serious about the developmental process of our football, we have to take the crucial decision of jettisoning the win-at- all- cost mentality at the Under-17 level.

Whatever be the case, I will only challenge the NFF to ensure that they publish the educational records ( primary and secondary schools and dates) of all the players that will eventually be selected to represent Nigeria at the U-17 World Cup.That way any inquisitive citizen can check to confirm that the country is not living a lie once again; not now that the competition is holding right here on our own soil. Let our kids have their due, whether we win or not !

EYO FESTIVAL

As a 'Lagos boy' I feel immensely proud of the Adamu-Orisa festival, popularly known as Eyo. This is the cultural pride of the people of lagos, dating back well over a decade: From an origin traced to Badagry, and eventually settling as an important annual ceremony in Isale Eko ( lagos Island). My excitement this time around is that the government has stepped in to make the festival the gigantic tourist spectacle that it should be.

In years gone by, the Eyo masquerade has danced in honour of several illustrous indigenes of Lagos (originally as an important part of the rites of passage): From Oba Akitoye,Eletu- Odibo,Aromire Aiyedun and many others. Sometime before independence, we were told, the festival was even held in honour of Queen Victoria of England.Many musicians have also waxed hit records in praise of the festival. King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall and Ebenezer Obey's have to be the most famous of the lot.

Apart from fitting in very well with the Mega City vision of the 'new' Lagos,I'm happy that unlike in our youthful days when we held the masquerade in fear and mystery, our children and visitors to Eko (aka las gidi to the young at heart) will henceforth join in the celebrations with absolute free mind, savouring the frills and awesome spectacle. I dream of the day that the Eyo festival will attract the same worldwide reputation as the Rio festival in Brazil - and if that will also mean more euros and dollars for the people, so be it !

EASTER ,HIP HOP WORLD AWARDS,SUPER EAGLES.

HAPPY EASTER !

As a Christian, I'm humble enough to know and accept that Easter is the bedrock of my faith and therefore Love the essence of this life. Let me just say happy Easter to you all !

HIP HOP WORLD AWARDS: REFLECTIONS ON NAIJA MUSIC

D'Banj ruled the streets in 2008.
(Photo courtesy Hip Hop World)

I love music; and contemporary Nigerian pop music is no exception.In fact I have my own recorded material containing songs in afro-beat, galala and of course hip hop genre. I flow easily with this generation you know, and I must say that despite all the defects I'll definitely give kudos to everybody involved: the singers, producers (eventhough in most cases are no more than sound engineers),publishers (the magazine type that is, eg Hip Hop World),marketers, video producers,....and ehm ehm, well, the 'record companies' - oh sorry I mean labels.

Ayo Animashaun's Hip Hop World Awards has earned its place as the most respected industry award show today, and whenever it comes around, it sets the industry abuzz. This time around the organisers say they have deliberately excluded some songs from nomination because ot their not-so society-friendly lyrics, and this is supposed to be the magazine's own little contribution towards sanitising the industry.Good talk.

On the streets, 2009 was another exciting year, with so many dance hits to reckon with. Bigiano's Shayo, Sheyman & Dr Pat's I'm On Fire (aka Kondo Olopa !), J.Martin's Good or Bad ( aka Do Me pt. 2 ), Kelly Handsome's Maga Don Pay (aka Yahoozee pt. 2 )and the whole load of D'Banj's stuff all ensured that there was no dull moment. One of my personal favorites was Styl Plus' Four Years which unfortunately was thoroughly whipped by the 'critics' even before it got to the shelves.

From a creative point of view however and as usual, there were very few songs worthy of mention. 9ice's Gongo Aso ( which I still regard as an adulterated fuji song.....ha ha ha !) was definitely the year's best material. The other was Lord of Ajasa's Le Fenu So (also a fuji twist !). Frankly speaking, I couldn't see anything near those two.

The rap scene was particularly interesting, and not just because of Lord of Ajasa. Ruggedman, the self-appointed headmaster and inspector-general of the Nigerian rap scene met his nemesis in non other than his former buddy, Mode 9. Taken word for word, line by line, Ehen Pt 1 would sound like absolute child's play compared to the venom of Death Row.

On the positive side though, 2009 witnessed the release of one of the best rap albums yet in Nigeria - Naeto C's You Know My P. It was also the year of a new star MI. And yet another star in the making, Kel.

Afrobeat came alive with the release of the long awaited debut album by Seun Kuti, Many Things. It would appear though that the young lad still has many things to learn as far as his recording career is concerned.

Asa is doing the real branding job for Nigeria

Although D'Banj ruled the airwaves and the streets, the two most significant artistes of the year were Asa and Tuface. Asa in fact must be Nigeria's most popular artiste in Europe today - maybe with the possible exception of Femi Kuti. Her Jailer collection is absolutely awesome and has been doing the real branding business for Nigeria. I hope aunty Dora has been taking note !

Many have commented that Tuface's last album was weak. I agree. I also think the negative perception is essentially because he packed too many irrelevant and unnecesary songs into the album - a practice that has become commonplace in the hiphop era. Back in the day, our great artistes like Fela and Sonny Okosuns used to release magnificient 4-trackers, sometimes 6, and the market accepted the works, for essentially each song was memorable in it's own right.

These days most of our local hiphop cds come with 11 - 16 songs, most of which do nothing than bore the listener. I can count only very few that sustained a positive and consistent tempo throughout, and interestingly Tuface's first two albums are among these. Some artistes take it to really dramatic levels; eg Naeto C's rap album contains a pure and vintage highlife material ! Why waste money producing so many tracks when the market is only interested in one or two - or maybe four or five as in the case of Styl Plus' Olufunmi,P Square's Game Over or D'Banj's The Entertainer ?

That apart, Tuface's collaboration with R Kelly- one of the greatest r'n'b stars in the world- in Flex was quite a significant achievement which, if properly promoted should open the door for Nigerian acts to gain real international acceptance and fame. In any case the song is a very good one, and I dream of the day Mr Idibia will climb the stage with Kelly to perform it. Then we can truly say Naija hiphop/ r'n'b has arrived.

I hope I've not stirred too many controversies , for the real fun cometh with the Hip Hop Awards in a few weeks !

SUPER EAGLES: THE TRUTH ABOUT NIGERIAN FOOTBALL

John Mikel Obi is the only thing close to USA '94 quality in today's Super Eagles

When I noticed from their very first match in the World Cup qualifying series last year, that analysis of the Super Eagles' matches has been reduced to the single pedestrian exercise of highlighting the weaknesses - real and imaginary - of the coach, Amodu Shaibu, I knew the man was once again living on borrowed time.

Although the team still has not lost a game, the away draw to 'lowly' Mozambique in a weekend that saw rivals Tunisia win their own away fixture, would provide sufficient amunition for the carnivorous hawks whose appetite has only been wet by the recent sacking of Ladan Bosso in the Flying Eagles, to strike. And the cry has been loud and scathing ever since :'Nigeria is on the brink of missing the World Cup again'; 'Sack him'. And the replacement ? 'Bring Westerhoff', 'bring Siasia','bring foreign coach','bring.......'. All these coming after only the first of six round of matches !

Truly,I also share patriotic concerns about Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the World Cup. But I do not support any call for the sacking of the coach. For one, the man has proven more than sufficiently that he is as capable as anyone else of handling the National Team. And then everytime I remember the blatant 'suicide' that our Sports administrators committed in 2002 when they sacked the technical crew on the eve of the World Cup I catch instant cold. If the current administrators ever choose to walk that road again, posterity will be very harsh on them.

We must be honest with ourselves in analysing the current situation. Nigeria does not as at today have (or maybe have not discoverred) the quality of players she had between 2004 - 2006. At that time we had no less than 8 world class players, most of who could easily have won the African Footballer of the Year award on merit. Today we only have Mikel Obi to look up to. Maybe also I.K. Uche. Who else ?

Given this scenario, the key to success is to build a strong team spirit and make the squad function maximally as a unit, and I believe this is what the coach has been trying to do.With 5 rounds of matches to go, 2 of which will be against our main rivals Tunisia, the qualification ticket cannot be said to have been lost. The rest of us outside the coaching crew have the crucial patriotic role of motivating, not destabilising the players and technical crew.

I will advise the coaches to use the forthcoming grade A friendly matches to try out some new players in the major areas of weakness; namely, the playmaker, winger (right or left) and centre forward. I strongly agree with those who say Amodu should be more flexible in inviting players to the team.He should forget about the mediocrity of the local leaque and give some promising players a try. You never can tell.

THE TRUTH IS BITTER....

The low quality of the Nigerian National Team is a direct reflection of both the insipid local league where most young players with any sign of real talent are shipped out by the lucre-minded scouts to various obscure leaques abroad even before the fans and coaches discover them here, and the dubious system whereby glaringly overaged players are selected for the age-group teams,thereby giving us a false sense of the quality of talent at our disposal.

The earlier we start addressing these issues approrpriately, and stop hypocritical postures, the better for our football.

THE VILLAGE HEADMASTER

Ambassador Segun Olusola (right,with the late Elder Steve Rhodes) created the Village Headmaster.



Let me take it from my last blog and thank Chief Segun Odegbami for reconciling our warring dribblers, Etim and Jay Jay. The Big Seg simply put 1 and 1 together, and got Oba Dapo Tejuosho to issue a royal order on the two combatants, and in a jiffy two multi-million lawsuits had gone for good. Isn't he simply mathematical ?


After my Valentine (mis)adventure last year I really needed something different for a change this time around. Fortunately the call of duty took me to Ibadan during the period, and I couldn't have asked for anything better; no need for making up excuses at the home front, and an all expenses paid time to booot!. Despite the menacing presence of military armoured tanks all over the once very peaceful city, we still managed to catch good fun, particularly at an open space joint called ina straight (!!!).I remember a memorable scene when some teenagers alighted from a jeep, and pronto jumped on the next available seats , took off their shirts (all of them !) and commenced operation !



Oh I meant ; commenced serious igbadun ! Ibadan kini s'ow ooo ? S'ow s'or jare !



The evening before, I had an issue with my val: She couln't understand why I wasn't going crazy about some soap opera on TV.Truth is I really don't watch TV that much any longer; especially the drama or soaps as they are called. I had to explain to her that I've seen it all - I mean the best of Nigerian drama. After over one hour of reeling back from my memory the best of Nigerian TV, she gave up the fight.Now she's dying of hunger for vintage drama, truly made in Nigeria.



In the 1970s and early 80s we had not the luxury of satellite TV; even coloured TV for that matter. In fact there were just four or five TV stations in the whole country, but believe me TV was awesome. For the purpose of this write up I'll restrict myself to the drama programs. They were few but extremely entertaining and intensely addictive.



The Masquerade from NTV Aba, with Chief Zeburudaya alias 4.30, Giringory Akabogu, Clarus and Apena (played by the legendary singer Christy Essien-Igbokwe) was comedy at its best. Benin's all-time unforgetable export was Hotel De Jordan. There was also this Baba Sala show in Ibadan featuring the indefatigable Okondo. Icheokwu was there too, and Jagua,etc etc. Cockcrow At Dawn,featuring the unforgettable Bitrus and that exquisitely beautifulf damsel who played his mother, came a little later and was immensely popular as well.



However, the most popular TV drama ever on Nigerian television was the Village Headmaster, created and I think also directed by Ambassador Segun Olusola, the highly respected afficianado of the arts in this country. This was art at its best.



Village Headmaster was a simple but ingeneous script built around a cosmopolitan Nigerian village with all shades of characters and mountain-sized egos. The King was therefore always busy calming hot nerves and solving all manners of disputes. I think the whole thing can be better illustrated if I take the lead characters one by one.I however warn that everything I write on this topic is entirely based on raw memory: If you spot any gaffes, please let me know.



HEADMASTER (initially played by Ted Mukoro,then by Femi Robinson,and finally by Justus Esiri): A perfect gentleman and an urbane character.He brought a touch of civility and western decorum to the series.



BASSEY OKON (Played by Jab Adu): One of the most popular characters,he had a provisions shop which invariably was patronised by everyone in the village.This gave him a feeling of being very important .His trademark exclamation of 'chei,chei ,chei !' was a big hit with us kids back then.



CHIEF ELEYINMI (played by Late Oba Funsho Adeolu): For many people this was the funniest character.Eleyinmi was proud,arrogant and brash.You dare not cross his path ; lest he confers on you an ignoble label that will hunt you for life; e.g. 'hunter of rats and rabbits'!



GARUBA (Joe Layode): A senior teacher in the school, but prone to drinking and a rather unending personal crisis.



COUNCILLOR BALOGUN ( Wole Amele): Was very popular for his boldness and confidence, and the fact that he was a thorn in Eleyinmi's flesh.



GORIMAPA (sorry I can't remember his real name): This late addition to the cast became an instant hit with his clean-shaven head which the ever witty Eleyinmi dubbed 'sahara desert'! Till today the slang Gorimapa is used to describe bald-headed people.



AMEBO (Ibidun Allison): This is the most popular social expression that Village Headmaster bestowed on the Nigerian society: Amebo, gossip,gossip,gossip........



SISI CLARA (played by the series' creator's late wife, Elsie): Typical calaba woman; combining the best of womanhood with a spirit of entrepreneurship ,self assurance and dignity.



OKORO (Jimi Johnson) : Another late entrant,but immensely popular character. It took me and many others many many years before realising that Jimi Johnson isn't an Ibo man afterall (in the case of Bassey Okon the name 'Adu' gave him away ). That tells you the quality of acting on display.



KABIYESI ( Dejumo Lewis): The graceful and reverred monarch; loved by all, and who somehow managed to find the solutions to every conflict.



I also remember Lakunle Ojo,Boniface (Asuquo Ukwuak),teacher Oghene (Melville Obriango) and Chief Kokonsari.

I use this medium to pay tribute to these great actors who really brought fun and laughter to millions of Nigerians.Above all I salute the creator of the program Ambassador Segun Olusola for his ingenuity. And to the dead among these great heroes I wish a peaceful rest.



Maybe Laspapi or someone who knows him will read this post: Please try a stage version of this great drama. And since Segun Olusola is still alive, he can do one of two things or a combination of both : Re-invent the programme with a new cast; or take advantage of technology and make a compilation of the original series in DVD format (we won't mind the 'poor' picture quality;not at all !).This I assure,will sell in millions.



My fear though is if the tapes are still available.NTA please prove me wrong.

ETIM ESIN VS JAY JAY OKOCHA,NIGERIA'S FLYING EAGLES AND THE AGE-GRADE CONTROVERSY

I was already planning a write-up with the above title,wherein I intended to compare the unique skills of two of Nigeria's most gifted footballers ever - Etim John Esin and Augustine 'Jay Jay' Okocha,until I started reading the thoroughly unpalatable news of the face-off between the two over a telephone handset.Yes,believe me ,two very good friends washing their dirty linen in public over a mere telephone handset !

Of course I was concerned,and therefore took the time to get as much information on the issue,only to discover that it is nothing afterall.What's the story ? Jay Jay invited Etim to his Christmas party,and at the venue (which was Jay's house) a guest claimed to have lost his phone and immediately fingerred Etim as the prime suspect;then proceeded to search the former Nigerian international and his family thoroughly and in the full presence of the other guests including Etim's kids.Jay Jay heard of what was going on and swiftly asked 'Mr phone loser' to stop embarassing his guest,and the party continued.A few weeks later Etim got his lawyer,Festus Keyamo to threaten Jay Jay with a court case over the matter.

Now this is my candid opinion:

First,I've been following Etim's career for over two decades now,and I do not believe that Etim is a thief. Maybe I need to disclose something that many people do not know : Unlike most of our star footballers who struggled their way out of poverty,I doubt if Etim Esin has ever experienced poverty in his life.Even his travails since injury forced him into premature retirement is only relative, because people tend to compare his current situation with his lifestyle at the pinnacle of his career.

I happened to have been in Cross-River when Etim Esin came to limelight, and believe me it was not only the irresistable edikangikong and afang soups and the extraordinarily hospitable fine calabar babes that made my stay memorable.At that time Calabar Rovers were making waves across the country for their smooth,champaigne soccer and the Calaber Township Stadium was the place to be every saturday evening,especially for those of us Lagos boys who were used to the same atmosphere with Stationery Stores at the Onikan Waterfront.

Mid-field dynamo Isong Isang and left winger James Etokebe were absolutely delightful,and were soon to be joined by two new showstoppers who were to even surpass their feats as the ultimate football entertainers:These were Okon Effa (who later became very popular in lagos as John Ene Okon) and Etim Esin a secondary school student from the Boys High School,Oron. And guess what ? Etim used the visit of my darling team,Stores to boldly announce his arrival at the big stage. His biggest victim that afternoon being no less a personality that our dreaded and most dependable defender, Joe Appiah !

Sorry for that irresistable digression ! The point however is that it was a well known fact at the time that Etim was from an elitist family in Oron.His Dad - a very principled man ,if I remember correctly was a top shot in government at a stage,and his siblings were deep into serious academic pursuits here and abroad. Etim's problems originated from his extraordinary talents which brought him enormous wealth at the age of 18 or thereabout, and I do not intend to recount the story that we already know. But to summarise,I'll say he has a post-retirement weakness for booze.That notwithstanding,I've met and discussed with him personally as recent as last year, and I can say convincingly that he is a very responsible man who has taken his travails in good faith and is determined to make a success of his life after football.

On the other hand,Jay Jay,whose senior brother Emma, played for the Flying Eagles together with Etim, has impressed me with the way he has always treated Etim as a brother: Not for them, the kind of suppressed rivalry between Pele and Maradona, for instance. That is why I am highly suspicious that what happened at the Christmas party was a deliberate attempt by some envious people to create bad blood between the two friends and Nigerian soccer legends.

I will like both Etim and Jay Jay to think deeper about this incident, and bury the hatchet. Etim should stop any further activity on his court action: What is N100 million compared to human friendship? Some mutual friend or former international player should invite the two guys to lunch and get Jay Jay to apologise to Etim; and that should close the matter.

NIGERIA'S FLYING EAGLES AND THE AGE-GRADE CONTROVERSY

The performance of our Flying Eagles at the just-concluded Africa Youth Championship will be rememberred as one of the worst in history. And to put the issue in perspective,the Flying Eagles ( Nigeria's under-20 football team) has traditionally been adored by Nigerians,not just because of their numerous successes, but also because of the beautiful brand of football that they usually display.Nigeria's team to Rwanda produced neither.

I don't want to dwell on the already flogged issue concerning the competence of coach Ladan Bosso; rather, my concern is with the fact that the core of this disgraceful team is made up of players that only a couple of years ago won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup for Nigeria. Remember also that just before the disaster in Rwanda the same Flying Eagles crashed miserably here at home during the WAFU Cup.So why did a collection of players who just two years ago ruled the world at the Under-17 level suddenly become so crass and incompetent? I agree that Bosso has his problems, but if the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF ) is only looking at coaching as the weakness of the team, then thay are making a big mistake.

The dismal performance of the Flying Eagles in two successive competitions clearly calls to question the true ages of the former Under-17 players in that team, and this must be addressed seriously by the NFF. The problem with using over-aged players in age-grade competitions,most espesially at the Under-17 level is that it distorts the developmental plan of the federation. The oustanding Nigerian player in Rwanda, Uchebo was not in the last Under - 17 team, and now whoever takes over the Flying Eagles must have to start hunting afresh for quality players to take to the World Cup. Yet we have a World Cup winning group of 'Under-17' players who ordinarily should have been automatically drafted into the team.

This is therefore a wake up call to Henry Nwosu and the new Under-17 team he's moulding: Please go for authentic under-17 players only. Nigeria does not have to win the Under-17 World Cup at all means ! But we need to build a team that will serve as potent foundation for the Super Eagles and The World Cup in 2014 and beyond.There are thousands of exquisite and prodigeously talented footballers in secondary schools all over Nigeria - in fact, the likes of a certain Henry Nwosu who played for St. Finbarr's College some years ago !

My advice to the NFF is that henceforth, the names of the primary and secondary schools attended by every under-17 player selected to play for the country,and years of attendance should be published for everyone to see. Any talented 'youngster' who does not have academic record should be asked to try his luck with the U-20 or U-23s.We have had enough of this charade.

CHARLES NOVIA AND MAJEK FASHEK

Today I want to write about two people I like so much: Frontline musician,Majek Fashek and talented filmmaker cum many other things,Charles Novia. I like Majek because he gave us entertainment of the highest quality,on stage and in records from the late 1980s through the entire 90s,then sufaced from nowhere to drop one of the very best albums of the 2000s - Little Patience. And that is where my affection for Charles started.

Like Aibtonia did some years back, Charles Novia saw beyond the horrible press on the artiste and took on the daring responsibility of resurrecting Majek's recording career (well,in Nigeria that is) about four years ago.It turned out to be a very successful venture from an artistic and commercial point of view, as Majek's reggae/rock/afrobeat - lased pangolo music surprisingly caught on effortlessly with the hiphop incensed youths.The only minus in the whole thing was that Novia kept promising that Majek will return to the country by November of that year to stage concerts across the country (and went ahead to further wet the fans' appetite by releasing a video compilation of live material from the US ) - a promise he never fulfilled; and to the best of my knowledge no credible excuse or even an apology was given.

It would appear that 'a lot of water has passed through the bridge' as my people would say, since then. Majek Fashek has been in Nigeria since last November, but from available reports, not at the instance of November Records (Novia's company).More significantly, from the moment he landed in Nigeria, according to press reports, Majek has been dissociating himself from the planned film on his life by Novia.Novia has also consistently responded by affirming that all is well between the two of them and that the film will go on as planned.Well and good.

My interest and concern on the matter was however aroused when I read an article on Majek by Charles Novia on saturday. Now, I do not know what Charles intended to achieve with that article: promote Majek or destroy him ? However I think articles like that do more damage than good to Majek's already severely battered image.

Let's put this in it's proper perspective: In the 1980s when Majek burst into the scene as a very lively twenty-something year old with the rest of his ghetto-bred hommies like Victor Essiet and Ras Kimono,he was obviously the most handsome and photogenic.Like Kris Okotie before him,it was difficult to assertain what really drew the large turnout of ladies to his shows - the music or the look ? Today, almost 30 years later, things have changed and Majek is a lot leaner with the wrinkles of age now very obvious. But so what ?

The legendary Fela went through exactly the same physical transformation, but that did not stop him from creating the best music of his life. Another superstar, Sunny Okosuns who dedicated his latter years to propagating the Gospel also had a similar experience. What then is the point in flogging this issue of Majek's 'new look'. Majek Fashek made his name as a musician, not some corporate exec. or model. So the question is; does he still have the music in him ? Can he still perform ?

Little Patience, a great work by all standards, showed clearly that Majek still has the music in abundance, while his recent one-man performance to honour Fela at the shrine,plus November Records' video release also proved that his thrilling stage presence is still intact. However,and most dissappointingly, Majek has been in the country for three months now, yet no major shows have been organised for him, and millions of his fans - both old and young - across the country. All we see are unnecessary write-ups like Novia's, alluding to drinking problems,spiritual problems, 'substances',olokun deity, and what have you. If this is what Novia's Majek film is going to be all about, then I'll advise that he drops the idea, otherwise Majek's kids will sue the life out of him !

And for the records, Majek Fashek has, despite his weaknesses been one of the best role-models among Nigerian artistes, or in fact Nigerian men as a whole. First he has extremely strong family value.His life has always revolved around his family : From his late mum to his wife and kids.I cannot remember ever reading or hearing any tale of Majek being involved in extramarital issues of any kind. Second, his music is entirely devoid of vulgar language or themes, but always addressing positive issues ,and from a very honest and frank position. Tracks like Jobe Lamentation and I'm Not Tired contain very deep philosophy that can only come out of a very perceptive mind.

What the likes of Charles Novia should realise is that the music of iconic artistes like Fela, Majek ,Bob Marley and Jimi Hendricks, amongst others transcend the physical and is deeply rooted in the spiritual. Except you are like them you cannot really understand what they go through emotionally - which of course sometimes manifests in wierd outward behaviour of one form or the other.Majek was born a Dada. Although he took after Bob Marley's music he is not a rastafarian: His Christian faith is easily discernible in all his albums. But there always has been something mystical about him. He is not called 'rainmaker' for nothing.In those days,when he performed Send Down The Rain, the skies obliged.This is no fiction.

But who cares really ? So long as the music continues to flow , and as sweet as the song I Am Not Afraid. The real challenge for Charles Novia and concert promoters across Nigeria is to get Majek back on stage; at Lekki beach, Ogbe Stadium , Abuja, Polo Club, wherever. Put the red gown on his back,the handcuffs, the bell........Let loose the Prisoner of Conscience ! Let the rain fall !