Tunde Liadi
Since Messi was crowned the Most Valuable Player at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in 2005,his career has continue to soar but almost all those that were his Nigerian teammates at both tournaments have either experienced stunted careers or retired from the game. TUNDE LIADI here traces the trajectory of Nigerian players who burst onto the scene at the same time as the legendary Argentine.
Two of Lionel Messi’s successes with Argentina came against Nigeria in 2005 in Holland at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup and three years later at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when the Young Albiceleste defeated Nigeria U23 side 1-0 in the final to win the gold medal for the first time.
The Barcelona star had gone ahead to win the Copa America (2021) and the FIFA World Cup (2022) with Argentina along with several individual and teams’ accolades with Barcelona and PSG including winning the Ballon D’or seven times fuelling his consideration as the Greatest of All Time(GOAT).
Messi was at his best when he led the Young Albiceleste to victory against the Flying Eagles at the FIFA less than 20 World Cup in 2005 and he also inspired his side to clinch the soccer Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Football Tournament.
Incidentally, on both occasions, Messi played against the Nigerian team that had Ambrose Vanzekin, Taye Taiwo, Onyekachi Apam, Chinedu Obasi, John Mikel Obi, Isaac Promise, Daniel Akpeyi, Dele Adeleye, John Owoeri, Sani Kaita, Victor Obinna Nsofor among others.
Since Messi was crowned the Most Valuable Player at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in 2005,his career has continue to soar but almost all those that were his Nigerian teammates at both tournaments have either experienced stunted careers or retired from the game.
We take a cursory look at the Nigerian squad from that FIFA Under 20 World Cup 2005 as well as the Beijing Olympic Games…
GOALKEEPERS
Ambrose Vanzekin: Vanzekin was the first choice in both competitions. He initially attended the Under 17 World Cup in Finland in 2003 before the Under 20 and the Under 23 experiences. The former Warri Wolves, Bendel Insurance and Akwa United goalie never made it to the Super Eagles despite being undisputable first choice at age-graded competitions.
Daniel Akpeyi: Akpeyi has been in search of another club since July this year after the expiration of his contract with Kaizer Chiefs. He seems to be still very active at 36 years old. Having played second fiddle to other goaltenders in his senior team career , meant he has only had 19 caps for the Eagles despite his transition from the Under 20 to the Under 23.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa: Ezenwa has since returned to school to continue his studies. He was with Heartland until about two seasons ago. Katsina United and FC IfeanyiUbah, Enyimba are some of the clubs he also played for. The 34 year old goalie featured at Egypt 2019 AFCON and Russia 2018 World Cup en route to his 19 caps for the senior national team.
Kola Ige: He has become a coach now after his sojourn with Bayelsa United and Shooting Stars. He was only a back-up goalkeeper in the Under 20 squad and never tasted action at all.
DEFENDERS
Kennedy Chinwo: The 36-year-old Chinwo is now among the technical crew of Dolphins FC. He didn’t play beyond the Under 17 and 20 national teams. His previous clubs were Dolphins FC (now defunct), FC Sheriff (Moldova) and Sharks.
Taye Taiwo:Taiwo featured 54 times for the Super Eagles with five goals after his heroics for the Flying Eagles in 2005 where he was named the Adidas Bronze Ball winner because of his explosive performance in Holland. He played for established clubs like AC Milan, Dynamo Kiev, QPR among others. He is now settled in Milan after his football stint.
Onyekachi Apam: Injury proved to be the Achilles heel of Apam who never reached his potentials and was forced to retire in 2014 due to niggling injury. The former Enugu Rangers’ defender played 14 times for the Super Eagles. He would be 36 on December 30th . Rennes, OGC Nice and Seattle were some of the clubs he played for. He is now settled in the United States.
Monday James: James’ last known club was Bayelsa United since January 1st 2014. He also plied his trade for Bendel Insurance and Hammarby IF (Sweden).
Olubayo Adefemi:It was a case of a promising career nipped in the bud by death for Olubayo. He was awesome in defence for Nigeria at the Under 20 and 23 levels and barely three years after his triumphant silver medal in China’s Beijing Olympics he met his untimely demise in a car crash on April 18th , 2011 at 25 while heading to the airport in Greece en route to Nigeria. He only played three times for the Super Eagles.
Chibuzo Okonkwo: It is still a misery why Okonkwo was unable to make it big when he travelled abroad for greener pastures. He is arguably among the best right backs to come out of the Nigerian league. Okonkwo, 34, played for Gabros International, Bayelsa United, Heartland, Enugu Rangers. He had nine caps for Nigeria.
Efe Ambrose: Just like Ezenwa, Ambrose was among the Flying Eagles squad to Canada 2007 World Cup. He had a fantastic competition at the Beijing Olympics. His performance earned him lucrative deal abroad from Kaduna United. He spent couple of seasons at Celtic and a few other Scottish Premiership clubs. He is about quitting the game and he combines that with being a Pastor in a Church. The 34 year old played 47 games with three goals for the Super Eagles.
Dele Adeleye:Adeleye was also not fortunate with injuries with just eight caps for Nigeria. The 34 year old defender had his best period at Sparta Rotterdam, Mettallurg Donesk, and Ergotelis. He is reportedly in the United States now.
MIDFIELDERS
Adeyinka Adedeji: Adedeji is presently in the United States studying to become a nurse. He retired in 2015 after stints with Sharks, Shooting Stars, Pyunik Yerevan (Armenia) among others. The 37-year-old was at the Under 20 World Cup but injury prevented him from attending the 2008 Olympics 23.
Daddy Bazuaye: Daddy came from the revered Bazuaye family that included Willy and Baldwin Bazuaye. He was just a squad member in Holland and didn’t have another opportunity to play for the national team after the Flying Eagles chance. He had stints with Shooting Stars, Warri Wolves, Enyimba before a brief stint with FC Cape Town of South Africa.
John Mikel Obi: Mikel Obi retired from football on September 27th 2022 after a glittering career filled with lots of titles. He won the Adidas Silver Boot at the Under 20 World Cup. The former Lyn- Oslo midfielder missed the 2010 World Cup due to injury but attended the 2014 and 2018 editions in Brazil and Russia. The 35 year old scored six goals from 89 games for the Super Eagles. He featured in all age grade competitions for Nigeria when he was in Samson Siasia Under 23 squad to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. He spent most of his playing career at Chelsea and he is currently overseeing his chains of businesses.
Isaac Promise: Promise was the skipper of the both the 2005 Flying Eagles and 2008 Olympic team. He sadly didn’t make it to the Super Eagles before his death in Austin Texas , United States on October 2nd 2019 at 31 years old. He was a player of Austin Bold FC at the time of his death. He played most of his game in Turkey where he scored 77 club goals and played for the Under 17, 20 and 23 teams.
David Solomon Abwo: Abwo didn’t get to play for the Super Eagles nor was he picked for the Under 23 team at the Olympics in 2008. He has since stopped playing.
oga Sambo:Sambo didn’t go beyond the Under 17 and 20 teams. Mamelodi Sundowns, ASEC Mimosas, Kwara United, Tornadoes, and Sunshine Stars were some of the teams he previously played for.
Sani Kaita:He played 22 games for the Super Eagles after his modest display for the Flying Eagles and the Dream Team in 2005 and 2008. He retired in 2018 after playing for Sparta Rotterdam, Alania Vladikavkaz, AS Monaco, Olympiacos, Enyimba and so on.
John Owoeri: Despite his immense talent, Owoeri didn’t live up to expectations. He played his best game at the Under 20 World Cup in Holland. He was a dynamic winger and his crisp dribbling and timely passes helped the Flying Eagles to surmount their rivals. It was his persistence that produced the pull-out for Chinedu Obasi’s goal in the final against Argentina. He only had seven caps for the senior national team with four goals. He is not with any known club at present.
Femi Ajilore: The former Midtjylland product also played at Brondby and Dutch club, Groningen after his breakthrough from FC Ebedei. The 37 year old midfielder got seven caps for Nigeria in addition to the silver medal he won at the 2008 Olympics. He has also retired for good.
Emmanuel Ekpo: Ekpo was used sparingly as substitute in Beijing Olympics. He managed to have a cap for Nigeria. He is currently in the United States. Enyimba, Akwa United, Haugesund, Molde and Columbus Crew are some of the club he represented.
FORWARDS
Chinedu Obasi :The 36-year-old has been without a club since July 1st last year. Obasi notched three goals to help the Flying Eagles to the silver medal in Holland. He played for all the age graded teams before graduating to the Super Eagles whom he featured for 21 times with two goals. He once played for Schalke 04 and Hoffenheim and others. He attended Angola 2010 AFCON and the World Cup in South Africa same year.
Solomon Okoronkwo: Solomon last played for Oberliga side, CFC Hertha 06. He was a household name at Hertha Berlin. He only had two caps for the Super Eagles despite featuring for all the age grade teams. Injuries were his worst nightmares. He was in the Olympic Eagles team in 2008.
Gift Atulewa: Gift retired for good in 2016 after playing for Warri Wolves, Ocean Boys, Bayelsa United. He was a squad player in Holland at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in 2005.
Kola Anubi: The former Bendel Insurance and Sharks player is now coaching an academy in Abuja. He played for the Under 17 and 20 but it didn’t go beyond that.
Victor Obinna Nsofor:Nsofor retired on February 5th , 2018. He played for Enyimba, MSV Duisburg, Chievo Verona, Inter Milan, Darmstadt, and Cape Town City FC. His productive spell at the Olympic Eagles in Beijing later earned him 48 caps for the Super Eagles with 12 goals. He is now based in Milan, Italy.
Victor Anichebe: The English raised Anichebe snubbed England to play for Nigeria at the Beijing Olympics and contributed his quota to the silver medal won by the Under 23 team. He retired on July 1st 2018 after playing for Sunderland, West Brom, Everton and others. He bagged 11 caps for the Super Eagles with a goal scored on March 29th 2011 in a 3-0 win over Kenya. Not much has been heard of the 34-year-old in recent years.
Source: Leadership Newspaper