Some days ago a friend sent me a picture of Jerry (of the iconic “Tom and Jerry” animated series). The lovable mouse was smiling mischievously with the caption “I feel like starting trouble.”
Well, today, like Jerry, I’m in the mood for trouble. I feel like starting trouble – with England. Like so many Nigerians, I love England and I love the Premier League. (I have already written about why I love this exciting football league). But sometimes I find their hyperbolic praise of their players rather amusing and comical. Sportswriters in England are experts at over-hyping their football players – calling even average players “world class.” Something that Nigerian sportswriters have constantly and consistently failed to do. In Nigeria we rarely see anything good in our players – until they start making waves abroad.
Not so with the English press. Wayne Rooney was once touted as the best striker on the planet and Joe Hart the best goalkeeper in the world. In the past two seasons both players have been found out.
Now the focus is on young Marcus Rashford of Manchester United. The 18-year-old striker is indeed an exciting talent and the press has rightly been waxing lyrical about his exploits.
But the same press has been using rather muted tones to showcase Nigerian starlets Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City and Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi. Iheanacho, 20, is proving to be one of the most lethal strikers in Europe. Iwobi, nephew to the magical Jay-Jay Okocha, has been displaying some effervescent performances in the Premier League for Arsenal.
However, the press reserves the biggest plaudits for Rashford. England invented the beautiful game of football and they have won the World Cup once – in 1966. But since then they have won nothing significant in the sport.
Nigeria, on the other hand, has won everything – except the World Cup and Under-21 World Cup. The list includes three African Cup of Nations, one Olympic gold, and a record five Under-17 World Cups.
While Nigerians quickly forget the accomplishments of their players on the field, the English keep wallowing in their monumental but solitary victory, celebrating it every time they have a chance to do so. This year they even marked the 50th anniversary of that 1966 triumph.
Nigeria has met England just once in a football match, the friendly in London shortly after the Super Eagles’ exciting exploits at the 1994 World Cup. England won 1-0 because the Nigerian players initially appeared over-awed at the chance to play at the iconic Wembley Stadium. By the time they got their act together, the match was over. But the English knew they had just faced some football geniuses like Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha, Finidi George, Emmanuel Amuneke, Rashidi Yekini and Daniel Amokachi, among others.
Sadly, since then the Super Eagles have gone on a downward spiral due mostly to inept organization. But the Three Lions of England have not fared any better, in spite of their great organizational skills and the presence of some skillful players.
But from the way they hype their players, one would be forgiven to believe that England is brimming with talent.
Iheanacho has scored 10 goals from just 14 shots on target. That’s an incredible record. He has pace to burn and is supercool in front of goal. In January 2016 he scored his first career hat trick in the FA Cup match against Aston Villa, also setting up the fourth goal for Raheem Sterling.
While there were fears that he may be sold once Pep Guardiola arrived the Etihad, he has instead cemented his place in the Spaniard’s glorious team. When Sergio Aguero bagged a three-match ban, the young Iheanacho stepped excellently into his shoes, ensuring that the Argentine goal machine was not missed.
In 2013, Iheanacho was voted Under-17 World Cup Most Valuable Player and CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year. He has proved that he deserves all the plaudits he can get.
At Arsenal Iwobi is so good that he benched his much-heralded and older English namesake Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Iwobi was imperious in the 4-1 demolition of Hull City a week ago. Against Chelsea on Saturday he was voted man of the match.
This season, the 20-year-old youngster has chalked up three assists in three league games. The last one was a cheeky back-heel flick to Theo Walcott to chip over Hull’s hapless goalkeeper. Ironically, it took the Ox a whole season to record such a feat – and that was four long years ago.
Iwobi plays with a swagger that even older players lack. Did he learn that from his uncle? Last season he was Arsenal’s best player in the Champions League match against mighty Barcelona at the Nou Camp. That is a wonderful testimony. The presence of Lionel Messi, Neymer and Luis Suarez didn’t faze him one bit. In one instance he even flicked the ball past Messi – five-time World Footballer of the Year. That is supreme confidence.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Iwobi plays with a “quality of vision, quality of give and go, of movement. He can break the lines with a pass and individually as well.” Wenger should know. He has an uncanny reputation of discovering raw talent and turning them to superstars.
Small wonder the English FA tried – albeit unsuccessfully – to make Iwobi wear England’s colours. The midfielder, who grew up in England, had played in that country’s youth teams and was qualified to represent them at the senior level. Thankfully, he chose the Super Eagles. Nigeria would have lost yet another gem to England.
It is about time the English press sings the praises of these two Nigerian prodigies the same way they gush endlessly about Rashford’s abilities. I know they have been doing that, but hey, like I said, I just felt like starting trouble.
Iheanacho (image: Metro.co.uk)
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