Last week I was in Abuja, and I saw the Under 17s play to a 2-2 draw against the U23s. Playing a starring role in that game was new wonderkid Rabiu Ibrahim, who has just signed for Sporting Lisbon.
To say Ibrahim was impressive is stating the obvious, so let me state the unobvious. I noticed the beginnings of something I hope can be nipped in the bud right here and now: Its the start of what I call 'The Brat factor'.
A player, especially one that young who knows he is good, tends to do different things to impress, on and off the pitch. But it's left to the coaches to stop it before it goes too far.
Simplicity, in writing and playing football is always a winner. Showboating sgould come at intervals. That is what makes it so alluring. The unpredictability.
I noticed that Rabiu was doing no-look passes almost all the time. He tried to dwell on tha ball every opportunity, and he walked with an arrogant bounce to his step.
Now that is an attitude that cannot be encouraged. Unfortunately, the coaches either did not notice it, or appeared to have got used to it.
My advice is that while a young player can be allowed a certain degree of 'feeling', he should be brought back down to earth and reminded that he has not won anything yet, has not proven anything at international level and still has a ways to go before he can be listed as a genuine star.
Otherwise, we stand the risk of having another brat on our hands.
I have nothing against Rabiu, but I believe that he is a young kid who needs to be guided so he doesnt go the wrong route. Properly managed, this kid can be a huge thing in Nigerian football. I dont want to see him going down the wrong route.
Having said that, I must admit that the kid can ball. His short game is good, his long game even better.
He is an archetypical playmaker with the strength to hold his own in an area of the park where folks take no prisoners.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
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3 comments:
Oga risky,
its always nice reading from the back sans comments, but on this one i intend to add somthing, i can not help but wonder if it will ever end with just rabiu, there are lots of them but i prefer not to name names lol, but its sad, that some of our footballers has come to this, although i am impressed with our under17 team how far they've come and hope the keep up the good work makin it to the semi finals,and the last match with argentina 2.0 to nig was hot slam!!! dont u just love it,,,
ehe!! back to ma story, rabiu's a lanky fello i saw one his march, i think he is a midfielder and quiet talented, showing off his backheels, ball juggling and more.., during the the youth tournament got signed on for the sporting Lisbon , i heard he wants to be like okocha, but it takes more than skills to make it , u need humility and patience, else he would be one of "those too much too soon stories", i hope other would learn take things easy ,Admittedly the youngster has a few mountains to climb before he reaches the heights achieved by his celebrated predecessor, but his performances in the national shirt would suggest he has a glowing future ahead of him.
This happens to every kid not just Rabiu,all he needs is somebody to teach the true meaning of Humility.He is indeed a talent but I think the very outstanding Mid-fielder is the captain Lukman Haruna.
This happens to every kid not just Rabiu,all he needs is somebody to teach him the true meaning of Humility.He is indeed a talent but I think the very outstanding Mid-fielder is the captain Lukman Haruna.
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