FIFA U-17 World Cup – the soccer minnows push aside the giants

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anokwale 10 years ago

My position is that the European and South American powerhouses simply do not take the youth tournaments as seriously. They see the youth tournaments as part of a larger developmental program. African nations take the youth ...
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My position is that the European and South American powerhouses simply do not take the youth tournaments as seriously. They see the youth tournaments as part of a larger developmental program. African nations take the youth tournaments as a great opportunity to wind some hardware. There is no organizational cohesion in most African countries from under 17 to under 20 to under 23 the senior team. For instance in Ghana we create some solid under 20 teams but then the under 23 teams tend to underachieve because once accolades have been earned at the under 20 level no one seems to care. I will agree that the World Cup is the biggest stage but an individual can shine at the World Cup even if the team does not do well. I believe that subconciously, some African players are not that interested in the concept of the team and nation doing well at the senior level. I think KPB and Essien might be examples of this. KPB did quite well in 2010 but in 2014 it was obvious he just wanted to be a part of the World Cup. As for Essien, if you ask me, he sort of saw the World Cup in 2014 just as something he wanted on his resume but I would not characterize him as a person who wanted to die for the nation. In sum, the football federation has to create a psychological mindset in which every player wants to be part of the development of the program from youth to senior level and take pride in it.
Joe Turkey 10 years ago

If you use your World Cup appearance monies received from the corrupt FIFA to develop soccer at all levels instead of thinking about Black Star hotels, countries like Ghana can surely be at the finals of the men's World Cup. ...
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If you use your World Cup appearance monies received from the corrupt FIFA to develop soccer at all levels instead of thinking about Black Star hotels, countries like Ghana can surely be at the finals of the men's World Cup. We have the men, we do not have leaders with thinking caps. How much would it take to build decent playing field in each village in the country? And I don't mean Woyome-built stadia.
Kofi-peace 10 years ago

What does this narrow-minded typical Ghanaian cry-baby has to say of Egypt and other African countries who have done so well in CAF but fail so bad at FIFA world cup? So powerful FIFA, that sanctioned sovereign countries will ...
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What does this narrow-minded typical Ghanaian cry-baby has to say of Egypt and other African countries who have done so well in CAF but fail so bad at FIFA world cup? So powerful FIFA, that sanctioned sovereign countries will back down from using age-scanner because you protest morally? They will simply ask you to quit contesting or else, they would have changed the dressing code to fit the Muslim Arab countries.
smoking Columbia 10 years ago

Congrats Anago!!!

Congrats Anago!!!
Kweku Donsuro 10 years ago

There is no logic in bemoaning the poor show of Africans at the senior level because the politics of the game is beyond what you have analysed here. Our football administrators are greedy and short-sighted. We lack long term ...
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There is no logic in bemoaning the poor show of Africans at the senior level because the politics of the game is beyond what you have analysed here. Our football administrators are greedy and short-sighted. We lack long term planning and also because of poverty, we lose our best players playing in the diaspora where they earn big bucks, and when they play for nation, it is half-hearted approach they adopt. We can win the world cup but for our myopic politics and immature leaders who believe in stop-gap measures when it comes to sports.
4rm me to u 10 years ago

To be I believe that why Africans are not doing well in senior level is because once after they win at the junior level next thing that will be in their mind is to play abroad,hence prompting them to start searching for fore ...
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To be I believe that why Africans are not doing well in senior level is because once after they win at the junior level next thing that will be in their mind is to play abroad,hence prompting them to start searching for foreign clubs to play.
Some of them will even go to India,Malaysia, China or even UAE to play,thereby when I gather them to play at the higher level they must have change their style of play.
Because at junior level the coach always throw the camp open for everybody between the age bracket, because if Africa are dominating in junior level ' I think it's just 2 years intervals between u17 to u20,I don't think that a team that did so well 2 years earlier will suddenly gone bad if not because of lack of togetherness,if we can keep our players together atleast 3 years after winning a tournament believe me Africa will rule the world
Becky 10 years ago

really? Is Nigeria a yardstick used to measure Ghana's success in soccer? Stop hating!!!!

really? Is Nigeria a yardstick used to measure Ghana's success in soccer? Stop hating!!!!
Kofi 10 years ago

These so called soccer minnows especially African youth teams cheat. They field over age players that's all

These so called soccer minnows especially African youth teams cheat. They field over age players that's all
Bigbrother# 10 years ago

Congratulate the champions, then u can write ur stupid article later. The management of the game is different at every level and u know it. Ask England while they have not won WC since after 1966! I am sure u will not come o ...
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Congratulate the champions, then u can write ur stupid article later. The management of the game is different at every level and u know it. Ask England while they have not won WC since after 1966! I am sure u will not come out with this piece of garbage if Mali had won. U Hater!!
OSEI 10 years ago

POLITICIANS SEE MONEY THERE AND DO THEIR USUAL WORK STEALING MONEY THERE TOO.

POLITICIANS SEE MONEY THERE AND DO THEIR USUAL WORK STEALING MONEY THERE TOO.
Abah-Fada 10 years ago

Naija is the current world champion in U-17. CONGRATULATIONS GOLDEN EAGLET OF NAIJA. haters can go to hell for all we cares, Ghana was disqualify for this same competition in Niger Republic when the fielded an over age player ...
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Naija is the current world champion in U-17. CONGRATULATIONS GOLDEN EAGLET OF NAIJA. haters can go to hell for all we cares, Ghana was disqualify for this same competition in Niger Republic when the fielded an over age player in the African championship which Mali won and the Golden Eaglet managed to qualify as the fourth place team, beating by both South Africa and Guinea 1-0 and 3-1 respectively. Naija went on to do some home work while others where still celebrating their victory over us. we have won 4 of our previous title in Asian soil which we term the fertile ground for our U-17. this present team is the first generation to have won this cup outside Asian soil. which we term the miracle team. Buhari was the Head of State when Naija won this cup in China 1985 when it was first hosted by fifa for under age category. with 5 title, Naija is truly the world champion. we have made good progress in our under teams compared to any African country Ghana inclusive, because the 1993 U-17 team went on to win Gold in the mens football in Atlanta USA 1996 which Kanu Nwnankwo was part of the team, the 2003 U-17 lost to Argentina in 2005 which Mikel was part of that squad. the report lied when he said Ghana is the only team that has reached the quarter final in world cup, pls Cameroon was the first in 1990. the problem why Africa is find it difficult to transfer this success to the National team is do to many factors which are ranging from (1) Bad football policies, (2) Lack of good football development for all levels (age grade)(3) lack of good Sport facilities,(4) Coaching Schools, (5) corruption. (6)poor Administration of the game in Africa (7) putting the wrong people to head sport matters. (8)poor attitude and commitment to the game in the national level in Africa where money is the sole reasons football is played and not for passion and glory to the nation. I think I will end here for others to contributed or build on what I have listed down
Kofi Amenyo 10 years ago

Take note that the article says that Ghana is the only African country that has won FIFA youth tournaments and also gone to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. It does not say that Ghana is the only African country to have r ...
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Take note that the article says that Ghana is the only African country that has won FIFA youth tournaments and also gone to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. It does not say that Ghana is the only African country to have reached WC quarterfinal. Cameroon did it first in Italy (1990) and then Senegal in Japan (2002) but Cameroon and Senegal have never won any FIFA youth tournaments. Only Nigeria and Ghana have.

Take note too that the article is about why African countries do well at youth tournaments but not at the World Cup. It did not mention the Olympics football since that is not strictly speaking a FIFA youth tournament.

You mentioned some of the reasons why African countries are finding it difficult to transfer successes at youth level to the senior level. That is the real concern of the article which you should have discussed further.

There is no need for you to say somebody hates Nigeria because they won the U-17 title. My article wants BOTH Nigeria and Ghana (and other African countries) to go beyond the youth victories to successes at the World Cup. Note that I put Ghana and Nigeria together in this wish.

I live in Europe and when it comes to the World Cup, we Africans support all the African teams. Any African team that does well in the World Cup makes us Africans in Europe proud. It doesn't matter whether it is Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal or Ghana. If you know what it is to be a black man in Europe you will understand this.

Please, don't talk about hatred. This article is not accusing Nigeria of anything. What I said of Nigeria, I said of Ghana too. I expect more of BOTH countries at the senior level, given their successes at the junior level. I wrote that Ghana reached the WC quarterfinal but it is not good enough. I wrote that Ghana won the U-20 but their play in the final wasn't good enough to be remembered.

There is no need for any of you think a Ghanaian who mentions Nigeria in an article does so because he hates Nigeria. I have lived 6 years of my life in Nigeria. I have no reason to hate the country or its peoples. If you can read my other articles about/on Nigeria, you can see that.
Abah-Fada 10 years ago

well thanks for the enlightenment, now you just made me to understand that you are not that sentimental as it sounded in your article. big up to you, the world stage at senior level is different from what is been obtainable i ...
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well thanks for the enlightenment, now you just made me to understand that you are not that sentimental as it sounded in your article. big up to you, the world stage at senior level is different from what is been obtainable in the junior category of the U-17 world cup. age cheating for this grade competition is a thing of the past especially in Naija. the win at all cost syndrome has long gone. we have a good sport programme for youth in Naija, from U-13, U-15 and U-17 competition going on every year where this kid progress are monitored at tender age. the last U-17 that won the tournament in UAE are currently doing well in their respective clubs. although some are still in club academy. others have started playing for their first team like Kelechi Eheanacho in man city, Musa Yahaya, Isaac Success, chidebere just to mention a few. if the Naija government can invest more in sport, and make provisions for other grade competition for both the U-20 and U-23 just like what is obtainable for U-13, U-15, and U-17. then i see Naija robbing shoulders with the best footballing nation of the world with the likes of Brazil, Germany, etc. both until then the best we can achieve for now with our level of sport development is to win the U-17 and U-20, for this is the only age grade competitions we have won medals. for Naija to win the world cup it means we must start looking beyond the U-17 and U-20, and begin a good programmes, long term planning for our senior national teams, by developing our league to standard, players welfare, good salary, courses for our coaches here in Naija with the best materials obtainable else where in the world. monitor our players to protect them from leaving the country with out been documented. ect
YAW KORKOR 10 years ago

Your article does not match the current mood
Remember Currently Ghana is the only country caught of using overage player. Settle your problem in Ghana and leave Naija alone. Ashe no!Up Golden eaglets up Nigeria.

Your article does not match the current mood
Remember Currently Ghana is the only country caught of using overage player. Settle your problem in Ghana and leave Naija alone. Ashe no!Up Golden eaglets up Nigeria.
Tolu 10 years ago

I knew right from the beginning of this article that the writer is a typical Ghanaian. I think it's high time we appreciated and rejoiced with each other and not the other way round. Ghana were not good enough that was why th ...
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I knew right from the beginning of this article that the writer is a typical Ghanaian. I think it's high time we appreciated and rejoiced with each other and not the other way round. Ghana were not good enough that was why they did not qualify and not because you guys are faithful with your ages. If you say Nigeria are cheat and we used over ages players I think is none of your business. When you guys won the U20 World Cup with mostly married men, no one criticised you, we rather celebrated and rejoiced with you guys as African neighbours. You also claimed Nigeria hasn't made any impart at the U20 level, but remember, we've been to the final twice even before you guys won your U20. Wasn't that an impart? Do you understand to make an impart at all? The issue of age cheating can never be fully eradicated in Africa. If I tell you I don't know my true D.O.B you won't believe me. Yes, because I didn't grow up to know my parents and whenever I ask my grand ma that brought me up, she would be comparing me with another distant child that we were born in the same year but not sure of the day and month. And up till today, all my D.O.B in my documents has been an assumption. Fifa have tried her best to dectect the true ages of those lads, if you have a better idea I think you can let the world know sir and stop this unnecessary hatred and jealousy.
Yaw 10 years ago

I see nothing here than hatred and jealousy, can't we Ghanaians for once rejoice with other African country when something good happens? Who and who is questioning the age of the Nigerians? I wonder what you will write if Gha ...
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I see nothing here than hatred and jealousy, can't we Ghanaians for once rejoice with other African country when something good happens? Who and who is questioning the age of the Nigerians? I wonder what you will write if Ghana had won it? Kwasiasemakwakwa!
yaw 10 years ago

Eeee!! Ghana can be jealous papa! What??? Alata, Anago welldone! If Ghana had won it I don't know what would have been written.

Eeee!! Ghana can be jealous papa! What??? Alata, Anago welldone! If Ghana had won it I don't know what would have been written.
Barima owusu akyem, thmm mmenten agye 10 years ago

Ghana was once a household name in such tournament years back. With this clueless and corrupt government nothing better comes to Ghana anymore.

Ghana was once a household name in such tournament years back. With this clueless and corrupt government nothing better comes to Ghana anymore.
EDUARDO DOMINGO 10 years ago

THIS YOUR BRING HIM DOWN EXPOSES ARE DESPICABLE! PEOPLE LIKE NWANKWO KANU WHO PLAYED WITH THE LIKES OF DAN ADO ETC. PLAYED FOR SO LONG IT DEFEATS YOUR CLAIM OF OLD AGE! YOU ARE NEVER IN SUPPORT OF YOUR SELVES HERE IN , GHANA ...
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THIS YOUR BRING HIM DOWN EXPOSES ARE DESPICABLE! PEOPLE LIKE NWANKWO KANU WHO PLAYED WITH THE LIKES OF DAN ADO ETC. PLAYED FOR SO LONG IT DEFEATS YOUR CLAIM OF OLD AGE! YOU ARE NEVER IN SUPPORT OF YOUR SELVES HERE IN , GHANA JEALOUSY IS THE MAIN DISEASE HERE! YVONNE NELSON JUST POINTED IN OTHER SPHERES OF LIFE IN GHANA HERE.LOOK AT WHAT A MUSICIAN TRIED TO DO TO SHORTEN THE CAREER OF ASAMOAH GYAN? WELL STOP THIS AND THINGS MAY IMPROVE ALL ROUND!!
YAW KORKOR 10 years ago

Why can't you focus your cheating and using of over aged player to Ghana. Ghana was disqualified out of the qualification to this tournaments due to using over age against Cameroon.Leave Nigeria alone. You like it or not they ...
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Why can't you focus your cheating and using of over aged player to Ghana. Ghana was disqualified out of the qualification to this tournaments due to using over age against Cameroon.Leave Nigeria alone. You like it or not they are good more than Ghana. Is Nigeria using overage playetbin women soccer too that Ghana have never one just one? Nigeria is better than Ghana. period
segun 10 years ago

When will Ghanaians change this attitude of jealousy against the Nigerians?What are u talking about? Ghana 99 under 20. Owusu afriyie played in Ghana team as 20years when he was 30 plus. at least I know him we lived in same p ...
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When will Ghanaians change this attitude of jealousy against the Nigerians?What are u talking about? Ghana 99 under 20. Owusu afriyie played in Ghana team as 20years when he was 30 plus. at least I know him we lived in same place. Did u ever mention that? I beg stop this jealousy.
ADE NENE 10 years ago

NICE WRITE UP YOU DID NOT TALK OF THE OLYPIC GOLD NIGERIA WON AT ALTANTA OLYPICS IN I996 WHICH IS FAR BETTER THAN THE U 21 GHANA WON AT EGYPT 2009. MORESO NIGERIA PLAYED IN THE OLYMPIC FINAL IN CHINA 2008. GHANA IS YET TO PLA ...
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NICE WRITE UP YOU DID NOT TALK OF THE OLYPIC GOLD NIGERIA WON AT ALTANTA OLYPICS IN I996 WHICH IS FAR BETTER THAN THE U 21 GHANA WON AT EGYPT 2009. MORESO NIGERIA PLAYED IN THE OLYMPIC FINAL IN CHINA 2008. GHANA IS YET TO PLAY AN OLYMPIC FINAL. IN 1994 NIGERIA REACHED FIFA RANKING OF NO 4. YET TO BE REACHED BY ANY OTHER AFRICAN. AS PER THE AGE CHEAT BOTH GHANA AND NIGERIA ARE BOTH GULITY
Kofi Amenyo 10 years ago

Thanks, Ade. The article is not a comparison between Ghana and Nigeria to see which is better. I am too old to be making such childish comparisons. I only presented both country's statistics in FIFA tournaments.

The articl ...
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Thanks, Ade. The article is not a comparison between Ghana and Nigeria to see which is better. I am too old to be making such childish comparisons. I only presented both country's statistics in FIFA tournaments.

The article is about how Africa as a whole can do better in the senior World Cup which is the only competition that Europe respects. I mentioned Nigeria a lot and Ghana too because these are the African countries with the potential of reaching the World Cup semi-final if not winning it. And they are the countries that won FIFA youth tournaments and should go on to win the senior one too. That is what the piece is about but people are only talking about age age age even though I discussed many other reasons why Africa is not doing well at the World Cup.

Yes, Nigeria reaching FIFA ranking 4 is very great but this is not an article about which country is best in Africa. No.

And yes, Ghana and Nigeria are both guilty of age cheating. I think I said that too.
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FIFA U-17 World Cup – the soccer minnows push aside the giants

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