By Yinka Odumakin
“Yakubu is 25 but a Nigerian 25”—Everton Manager, David Moyes in 2008.

“I don’t see Nigerian football getting out of the quagmire, the problem it is in, today, is because corruption is getting deeper and deeper. From time to time we get flashes where we do well in some competitions with overage players and we celebrate.

That was one of the issues I looked at; we can’t keep using overage players. We used over-age players for junior championships, I know that. Why not say it? It’s the truth. We always cheat. It’s a fact. When you cheat, you deprive the young stars that are supposed to play in these competitions their rights.”— NFA Chairman, Anthony Kojo Williams, in 2000.

JULIUS Agwu is one of my favourite comedians in Nigeria .I love his feminine voice,the crispness of his jokes as well as his delivery. Anytime I am boarding a flight and I call my wife,I usually say “abodu ala o”.I picked that from Julius.He cracked the joke about a flight attendant going around the lounge to announce an aircraft boarding   because the public address system was not working during the renovations of the Enugu airport .



he Igbo lady was saying: “A Lagos abodu ala o” There was a passenger billed to fly that plane who did not understand a word in Igbo and therefore sat put while other passengers went to join the queue. About an hour later he went to the A… counter and asked why they had yet to make a boarding call only to be told that the plane had since departed “I went round shouting abodu ala” came from the flight attendant as if every passenger must understand her native tongue.

The team of Nigeria line up before the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup 2015 group A match between Nigeria and USA at Estadio Nacional de Chile on October 17, 2015 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo – FIFA)

But his joke that is relevant to what I am discussing today is the one where he talked about some Nigerian team training for an age-grade competition near his house and how he went to one of the players to ask for his age and the response he got was: “Our coach has not given us our age”.

We have just “conquered” the world again in Chile and the drums are rolling in celebration of our lack of character and integrity as a people. Our infinite capacity to conspire in falsehood and pretend that all is well when the reverse is the case is once more being demonstrated even when we don’t blink in reciting our NATIONAL PLEDGE:

“I pledge to Nigeria my country To be faithful,loyal and HONEST”

We say these and all the other lines(read LIES) even when no one believes in them. We have mastered the art of saying something and doing another because the very foundation of our country is a concrete of lies. Every action we take is built on falsehood because we just can’t do it right. Cheating our ways to corner undeserved advantages has become a national culture because we have not been able to construct a national vision.

After 55 years we still cannot count ourselves because an accurate census would minimise our ability to cheat. Our examinations have become a farce as parents even buy questions for their wards and pay for admissions. We beat traffic rules if there is nobody in sight to enforce them.Our politicians forge certificates to contest elections. Our vote counts conflict with actual vote cast. Judges take bribes to pervert Justice. Priests and Imams negate moral values. The “how “ no longer matter to us and yet we pray that our country should succeed .

We can occasionally have some fake success but not good success because we break all the rules of success as natural cheats. We deploy kids to vote in elections where adults should participate when we want to cheat internally and assemble adults to go and compete with kids globally when we want to cheat internationally. This is why we are celebrating 22 men who went to an unequal competition with only whispers about the actual ages of our boys.

Physical appearance

Mere physical appearances of our boys should tell any honest person that the   suspicion   about true ages of some Nigerian footballers which made FIFA to ban the country  from all international fixtures for two years after finding that the birth dates of three of our   players in the 1988 Olympics were different from ones used by the same players in previous tournaments is still very much with us.

Nigeria has over the years paraded   promising “ youngsters” who mysteriously failed to fulfill their potential   in the senior teams. Phillip Osondu was the best player at the 1987 Under-17 World Cup, after which he was signed on by Anderlecht, only to drift out of the game and into janitorial work after questions were raised about his real age. Femi Opabunmi shone brilliantly when Nigeria played in the finals of the Under-17 competition in 2001 and was officially the third youngest player in the senior team when he featured in the 0-0 game with England during the 2002 World Cup. But by 2005 he had expired doing only part-time soccer in some unrated team in lower rungs of the French league.

Adokiye Amiesimaka questioned the inclusion of   Golden Eaglets captain Fortune Chukwudi during the 2009 Under 17 championship . Amiesimaka in an unusual candor   bared his mind   after Nigeria’s opening 3-3 draw with Germany at the Abuja National Stadium on October 24. “In the 2002/2003 season, I was chairman of Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt. I decided to have a feeder team of fresh school leavers not older than 20 years.

One of my key players then is the current captain of our so-called Under-17 Golden Eaglets. By his own admission at that time, that is seven years ago, he was 18 years old…If we are not utterly irresponsible, how can he be eligible for this tournament when he is not less than 25 years old now?” Amiesimaka wrote in the Punch newspaper. Chukwudi played till the Eaglets final match and fizzled out thereafter. But since corruption is official in Nigeria,there was no whimper from our officials .

I read on The Cable in June this year of how Taye Taiwo’s   twin sister allegedly celebrated her 39th birthday the day Taiwo was doing his own 27th.There was also the story of Samson Siasia cutting the cake of his 30th wedding anniversary at the age of 47!

About the most hilarious was that of Dele Ajiboye who exposed the lie over his age when he featured in the Under-17 tournament in 2007″.In    the chat(with Soccer Star) the Golden Eaglets gold medal-winning goalkeeper in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2007 inadvertently revealed he was older than he claimed eight years earlier. When asked about his role model as a professional goalkeeper, the Kwara United keeper revealed the person without much fuss. “I have many role models.

Anyone I learn from is my role model,” he said.  “I could remember when I was still a young boy, I do watch Peter Rufai and I learnt a lot from him.” Ajiboye is 25 now and 17 in 2007, but we doubt he was referring to the Peter Rufai of 1998 World Cup. Nobody learnt anything fruitful and meaningful from Rufai of 1998. Even Ajiboye at age eight couldn’t have learnt anything worthy from the fumbling Dodo Mayana except, of course, how to make cheap goals look spectacular. Then, we are assuming Ajiboye was referring to the Rufai of 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup. But in 1994, Ajiboye was four!”

James Spencer in an article traced age fraud in the Premier League to African players: “Age fraud came to prominence in the Premier League from the mid-1990s onwards, as clubs began looking more and more at emerging African players. Several former Premier League players from Nigeria alone have been suspected of such misrepresentation.

Nwankwo Kanu is a legend of African football and became a cult hero in England playing for clubs like Arsenal and Portsmouth. The tall forward won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995, but was always suspected to be as much as nine years older than his stated age. Speaking in 2010, Harry Redknapp jokingly exaggerated that Kanu was 49, though given how he described ever increasing ailments and the need for treatment, there seemed to be a shred of authenticity to his words.

Former Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins was also at the centre of an age row. The player had spectacularly burst onto the scene with Inter Milan as a youngster, but failed to make the most of his talent, suggesting he could already have been much older than stated. In 2005, while Martins was still in Italy, the Nigerian Football Federation claimed he was actually born in 1978, though his player registration stated it was 1984.

National failure

Similar stories also exist for both Jay-Jay Okocha and Taribo West who plied their trade in the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers and Derby County, respectively. Throughout his career, Okocha was rumoured to be 10 years older than his official age. Following his departure from Derby in 2001, West allegedly told Partizan Belgrade that he was only 28, though given the state of his body the club had strong suspicions that he was 40.

It may not occur to us that our national failure is the sum total of all these little acts of dishonesty .I recall a Dutch-journalist friend of mine who I was driving along the Airport Road in 1998 and saw a fellow peeing on the road. He looked at the guy and said to me: “If that man cannot see anything wrong urinating on the roadside,he would do other 1000 things that are not right and would not see nothing wrong”.

We shall engage in this hollow rituals of celebrating our “victory” but we know in the inner recesses of our minds that is all a fluke because we didn’t do it right. Scoundrels posing as patriots would even abuse this writer for writing the truth. That majority is wrong should not desist the minority that is right from saying it as it is.

The truth must be told even if heavens fall: It is only righteousness that exalts a nation.

Source: www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/papa-eaglets-and-our-cheating-culture/

That's why I don't celebrate these U-17, U-20 and Olympic triumphs. They don't translate into the World Cup.
Just remember, we once thought Obi Mikel and Messi would be the next stars. Mikel is a bench star today at Chelsea. We need to stop deceiving ourselves man.

We all know that falsification happens in every facet of our society, from football, to marriage to beauty peagents, which shows there's something wrong with the citizens.
From the write up, I was looking for more recent dates, which I didn't see, it shows we've deviated a bit from the norm, and I think we would get there, IMO, the "boys" we fielded for the last tournament look young.

I neva watched any of d u-17 matches cos I knw we were cheating.

Even today wen I watched d atlanta 1996 Olympics, I marvel cos I see men playing soccer wit kids.

We use kids to cheat nationally during elections n use men to cheat internationally. Dis is classic.

This age falsification has eaten deep into us.

Someone I know celebrated her 40th birthday few months ago. She held a big party in one of the community centres here. I asked if anyone came from her workplace, she said no, because her official age at work is 32, so she couldn't have invited them for her 40th birthday.

I was left speechless.

jumobi1:
That's why I don't celebrate these U-17, U-20 and Olympic triumphs. They don't translate into the World Cup.
Just remember, we once thought Obi Mikel and Messi would be the next stars. Mikel is a bench star today at Chelsea. We need to stop deceiving ourselves man.

while I agree with the writer, your example of Mikel/Messi is inappropriate. Mikel and iheanacho of Man city are actually among the few honest ones, we saw a skinny Mikel and Kelechi grow from the 14/15/16 yr old stature into what the are unlike the other guys who already attained full maturity by age 11 and below.
Until we tackle age cheats in age group competitions we will continue to unknowingly assemble a super eagles that averages 30-something and that's 'un-improvable'.

We are useless to this world even to ourselves. An utterly useless race we Africans have become.

ibedun:
We are useless to this world even to ourselves. An utterly useless race we Africans have become.

I am not useless, stop the generalization biko.

really took my time to read. wonderful article and a wonderful writer!

There was also the story of Samson Siasia cutting the cake of his 30th wedding anniversary at the age of 47!

Shame of a nation. Our value system need to be checked.

Zoo itself is a fraud by Lugard and concubine, so?

Henrypraise:
I neva watched any of d u-17 matches cos I knw we were cheating.

Even today wen I watched d atlanta 1996 Olympics, I marvel cos I see men playing soccer wit kids.

We use kids to cheat nationally during elections n use men to cheat internationally. Dis is classic.

Exactly my reason too. Something inside of me would just not allow me to be part of that national lie

Hmn. Nigeria is in deep shiit! Cheating flows in our bloods like a revered virtue. Cheating here, cheating there, in fact cheating is adored in Nigeria.

"I pledge to Nigeria my country, to be faithful, loyal and honest" Yet we do the opposite. Deceitful generation!

opeaceo:
We all know that falsification happens in every facet of our society, from football, to marriage to beauty peagents, which shows there's something wrong with the citizens.
From the write up, I was looking for more recent dates, which I didn't see, it shows we've deviated a bit from the norm, and I think we would get there, IMO, the "boys" we fielded for the last tournament look young.

This time around our players look under 20. So I guess the writer is only seeking unnecessary attention.

Abagworo:


This time around our players look under 20. So I guess the writer is only seeking unnecessary attention.

Exactly, some maybe 17, but the point is, they look younger than others who have played under the same group age.

EasternPride:
Zoo itself is a fraud by Lugard and concubine, so?

The football team is populated by people from your side of the country so obviously it will be fraud-ridden.
Or wasnt it peeps like you who were celebrating that the national team is filled with biafrans?

@Post, I still remember the fuss that was made about Chrisanthus Macaulay but where is the bobo now?
The only people who are hyped about these tournaments are those who don't understand football. Even FIFA does not take these age-grade competitions serious.
We think we are cheating the world, we are only cheating ourselves cos when it comes to events that matters, we go and make a laughing stock of ourselves.

Standing5:
while I agree with the writer, your example of Mikel/Messi is inappropriate. Mikel and iheanacho of Man city are actually among the few honest ones, we saw a skinny Mikel and Kelechi grow from the 14/15/16 yr old stature into what the are unlike the other guys who already attained full maturity by age 11 and below.
Until we tackle age cheats in age group competitions we will continue to unknowingly assemble a super eagles that averages 30-something and that's 'un-improvable'.

Lol Mikel and Inchenacho honest?

No Nigerian footballer is Honest even Odewingwe that was born in Europe. FACT!

Abagworo:


This time around our players look under 20. So I guess the writer is only seeking unnecessary attention.

Looking under 20 is different frm being under 20. I have a 30 year old cousin who looks 17... If we was into sports, som1 like you wud agree dat he is under 17.

Most of dis players look young nd under age because they com frm poor homes nd can hardly feed well but wen dey go abroad and their clubs start giving dem d right balance of food Their true body weight comes out and within few seasons they become too old.

The case of Mikel coms to mind... Most pple don't understand why a "young" mikel was converted to a defensive midfielder by Jose Mourinho.

I can bet wt any1 dat none of dis our 2015 u17 eaglets is less than 25 years old.

Hmmmmmm

The many faces of our nation!
Rampant cheating in age grade competitions started with the 1987 squads when the full import of the rewards associated with winning in age grade competitions dawn on Nigerian football managers.

The 1981 U-20 squad of Stephen Keshi and Henry Nwosu were truly representative of their age. Both of them came back to write WAEC after participating in the 1980 nations cup.

The catalyst for cheating is the avariciousness of our officials. And, of of course, our players become willing accomplices for same reason.

Anyone who understands football in Nigeria will know we don't have any under 17s playing for Nigeria...

1) Most under 17s should be in secondary schools or just graduated... (Most of these players are from poor homes who can't graduate from secondary school @17 biko)

2) That's why you'll notice we don't use tall players in these competitions, we use short old players which is so hard to easily identify their true age..

3) We don't encourage All secondary school competitions in Nigeria, so how were these players selected from at this young age..

4) Some of them play for a Nigeria league club or its academy (17 years old in Nigeria can't even go to a Nigeria stadium talk more of playing for them or their academy.)

5) How can we become four times champions in these world cup and then struggle to qualify from a senior world cup..(something is not right)

opeaceo:
We all know that falsification happens in every facet of our society, from football, to marriage to beauty peagents, which shows there's something wrong with the citizens.
From the write up, I was looking for more recent dates, which I didn't see, it shows we've deviated a bit from the norm, and I think we would get there, IMO, the "boys" we fielded for the last tournament look young.

"Look Young" indeed. How many of them are still in High School since they're supposed to be 16yrs old.

Standing5:
while I agree with the writer, your example of Mikel/Messi is inappropriate. Mikel and iheanacho of Man city are actually among the few honest ones, we saw a skinny Mikel and Kelechi grow from the 14/15/16 yr old stature into what the are unlike the other guys who already attained full maturity by age 11 and below.
Until we tackle age cheats in age group competitions we will continue to unknowingly assemble a super eagles that averages 30-something and that's 'un-improvable'.

Obi and Ihenacho were in what grades in high school when they played for Nigeria? Keep on deceiving yourselves.

opeaceo:

Exactly, some maybe 17, but the point is, they look younger than others who have played under the same group age.

The point is they are supposed to be "under 17". Full translation? They are supposed to be no more than 16yrs old! Not 20yrs old. Not "they look young". 16yrs old and below! Nobody is supposed to be up to 17yrs old in that competiton. Do you get it now?

Missy89:



Lol Mikel and Inchenacho honest?

No Nigerian footballer is Honest even Odewingwe that was born in Europe. FACT!

Odemwingie has no choice: His birth was registered immediately he got out of his mother's womb. That's why he has enjoyed a somewhat successful career in comparison with his age. If he was born in Nigeria he'd probably be celebrating his 23rd birthday for the 6th time next year.

if our under 17 suppose to b in school then why is it name under 17,and other countries participating? this new boys look younger sef.CHeck other U-17 countries.

ISpiksDaTroof:
The point is they are supposed to be "under 17". Full translation? They are supposed to be no more than 16yrs old! Not 20yrs old. Not "they look young". 16yrs old and below! Nobody is supposed to be up to 17yrs old in that competiton. Do you get it now?

Can you name 5 players that are above that age group by merely looking at their faces??

ISpiksDaTroof:
"Look Young" indeed. How many of them are still in High School since they're supposed to be 16yrs old.

how many of them do you know that are in high school?

I have never been a fan of age grade competitions, it is unrealistic to expect an actual 16 year old Nigerian (or sub-saharan African) to compete with a 16 year old European or north American. It would be an unfair competition. A 16 year old Dutch, German, US, or Canadian is fully developed physically, while an average 16 year old Nigerian is still underdevelop. The disparity between girls are even worse, an average 12 year American is as fully developed physically as an average 17 year old Nigerian girl.

In order to even the physical handicap of African, we field over age players (though we tend to over do it). If we field 19 to 20 year olds, no one would notice, but fielding 25 or 26 year old men to represent 16 year olds is an over kill.

If the government wants to play age grade competitions with players within age limits, they have to start a program of catching very young kids, less than 10 years old, and feeding them on a special diet to make them develop physically by age 16.

As it is the Europeans are just using our "men" to train their kids.

opeaceo:

I am not useless, stop the generalization biko.

byrron:

That made me laugh...

opeaceo:

Can you name 5 players that are above that age group by merely looking at their faces??

From Nigeria? THE WHOLE TEAM.

Tell me, which of your players is still in High School? Name the school and tell us what grade he's in.