Former Nigerian international Sam Sodje says Celestine Babayaro is the greatest Nigerian to ever played in the English Premier league league.
On this day 26 years ago, Wilson Oruma, Kanu Nwankwo and Celestine Babayaro inspired Nigeria to a second U17 World Cup title, in Japan, to win a second title.
Former Super Eagles left back, Celestine Babayaro has tated that the current Super Eagles squad under Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr are title favourites ahead of AFCON in Egypt.
Babayaro in a chat with brila.net revealed how Victor Ikpeba’s missed chance led to his set’s inability to win the tournament when Nigeria co-hosted in the year 2000.
The former Chelsea defender stressed that the current Super Eagles players representing the country in Egypt have a chance to win the AFCON competition.
”I don’t see any reasons why the Super Eagles will win the nation’s cup because they have won it before and I think they can do it again ”
The Super Eagles are now set to kick off their 2019 African Cup of Nations campaign after arriving the Alexander base from Ismailia, Egypt.
Former Nigeria left back player, Celestine Babayaro has revealed the difference between the foreign coaches and the local coaches is a refusal of the local coaches to update themselves on the laws of the game as it evolves per time.
Former Super Eagles defender Celestine Babayaro believes John Mikel Obi’s experience would come handy to the team as they hunt for their fourth African Cup of Nations title which will kick off in Egypt in June.
Former Super Eagles Left back Celestine Babayaro has backed Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr’s decision to recall John Mikel Obi back into the Super Eagles ahead of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Egypt later this year.
Mikel missed the whole qualifying games for the tournament and has not featured for the Super Eagles since Russia 2018 World Cup.
However Rohr included the experience midfielder in his list of 25 man provisional squad to begin camping in Asaba for the tournament.
Babayaro who won gold medal for Nigeria back in Atlanta 96 has no problems with Obi Mikel’s return to the national team as long as the midfielder is in good form.
”John Obi Mikel has done well for the national team and the man is an experienced midfield player.
”If you look at what Gareth Southgate is doing with the English national team, the man blends young with old.
”He doesn’t just move the old ones immediately, he likes to blend for example Raheem Sterling and Harry Maguire at the back.
”If the national team coach has looked at Mikel who plays at Middlesbrough, if he has watched him play and he’s in-form, why not. If he’s in-form and has played well, I cannot see any reason why he can’t be invited.
”If you have been doing well and playing regularly, I am up for it. If you look at his CV, he has won the Champions League, FA Cup, all kinds of cups. He has done well for himself”. He concluded.
Former Nigeria international Celestine Babayaro is set to return to Chelsea in June 2019, more than thirteen years after he bid farewell to the London club.
Former Super Eagles defender Celestine Babayaro has voiced his opinion on the omission of Nigeria players from the recent CAF’s Africa best 11 players saying Wilfred Ndidi doesn’t deserve a place on the list.
Celestine Babayaro has highlighted an area Super Eagles defender Jamilu Collins need to work on in his game as it will help him become an accomplished player in his role.
Super Eagles Chief Scout, Victor Okechukwu Agali has recalled the heartbreak he suffered during the Tunisia 2004 African Cup of Nations.
The 39-year old Agali alongside two other teammates, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Celestine Babayaro was sent home from the Eagles’ camp for breaking camp rules.
Agali recalled the sad situation while answering questions on Brila FM alongside a former Teammate Ifeanyi Udeze who insisted that Victor clears the air on the situation.
The former Striker was, however, reluctant to discuss the situation but from his body language and use of words, it is evident that Agali was disappointed with the 2004 event.
The team handlers in 2004 had announced that Agali alongside two others broke camp rules by sneaking out into Nightclubs while the AFCON was underway in Tunisia.
“I don’t even play music in my Festac house” Agali stated
“And I’m very sure no one has ever seen me in a Lagos Nightclub”
Former WBA defender, Ifeanyi Udeze attested to Agali’s claims.
“The 6ft 4in former striker also attributed the sad event to bad leadership.
“If anyone, especially a superior wants you out in any environment, It is easy to accuse you falsely of any issue”
“The 2004 issue is passed, and I don’t want to dwell so much on bygones. Even though it affected my career, as I was running out of Contract at my German Club at that time.
“AS Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen were knocking on my doors before the tournament, but with the sad situation, I couldn’t achieve the move which could have been huge for my career.
The then Super Eagles Coach Christain Chukwu, however, recalled the trio after the first Group game against the Benin Republic where the Eagles struggled.
But none of the lads responded to his call as against the NFA Secretary General, Taiwo Ogunjobi’s position.
Agali is currently the Chief Scout of the Nigeria National team under Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr.
Newer Posts