₦airaland Forum

Superb Falcons hammer Mali


Nigeria handed down a 5-0 hammering to Mali to send out an ominous warning about their intention to reclaim the African Women's Championship title.

Perpetua Nkwocha, ubiquitous as ever, claimed a hat-trick, and was joined on the scoresheet by fellow veteran Stella Mbachu.

Youngster Francisca Ordega, on as a substitute, completed the rout.

Despite coming into the tournament in the unfamiliar position of not being defending champions, the Super Falcons still find themselves installed as favorites to reclaim the title they have win a record five times.

It could have been easy, however, to mistake them for the opposition in the opening five minutes.

That is how long it took for Malian goalkeeper Goundo Samake to get a feel of the ball from a Nigerian attack.

Precious Dede, her opposite number, had already been tested, albeit feebly, at least three times by then.

But the Nigerians gradually took control of the game, and the moment Nkwocha controlled Ulunma Jerome's punt over the top and rounded Samake for Nigeria's opening goal, there was only going to be one result.

That took just 15 minutes. The second followed in short order. Mbachu was the provider, just one minute after the first.

A rapier-quick Nigeria attack saw Mbachu play a short give and go with Nkowcha, and the Sunnana forward weaved a dazzling skein around the Mali defense before zapping into the roof of the net from close range.

She could have got her hat-trick earlier, but missed an easy opportunity. The third did not come until a mi ute before halftime, but it was worth waiting for.

A corner kick fell to the lurking Nkwocha at the far post. She only needed one touch before curling an exquisite ball under pressure past Samake.

Mbachu, whonhad switched to her natural right side, then outstripped her marker to make it four on 70 minutes. Substitute Ordega completed a humiliating day for their fellow West Africans with a peachy fifth. She showed desire to get in ahead of the defence to pounce on a rebound and slam home from four yards.

Nigeria skip to the top of the group ahead of South Africa, whom they face next on Thursday. But on the evidence of Monday afternoon's ruthless dismissal of Mali, and Banyana Banyana's fortunate escape against Tanzania, it would be hard to see past a Falcons triumph.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/18578/nigerias-superb-falcons-hammer-mali.php

lol 5:0

nice start

It's our birthright

Dalby:
No I just wanted to know if we were instructed to do it

Well not everything in the bible has the "thou shall" on it, but there are some we need to do without the "thou shall" on it.

dedicating your newly born to God to me sounds like something that's good to do.

babytoun:
you are our moderator here. na you suppose be our teacher. You tell me the answer to the questions you asked. When was siasia appointed, and how many league matches did he play?

I am actually going somewhere but just answer my question first.

It's not a must i must know how many matches he played, you can check that up yourself, i don't have the time checking how many he played, but i know how many he won in the champions league (only 1 game ), the local league i don't know unless i check, let me help you do the checking, go to supersport website, click on the Nigerian league section, you should see the games there, then start counting from july to date, you'd see how many games he won

honeric01:
He is 17 years old and one of the football-playing sons of former Nigeria international, Moses Kpakor. Coincidentally, the same man, who gave his father the chance to play for the Super Eagles in the early 1990s, Clemens Westerhof, took Kelvin under his guidance at the Kwara Football Academy as a football apprentice. Unlike his father, who played in a more defensive role, Kelvin is an offensive and aggressive footballer with an eye for goal. On August 8, the teenager showed what followers of the Premier League should expect from him in the 2010/2011 season when he chipped Sunshine Stars’ goalkeeper, Afeso Attah, from 35 yards during the Super Four in Ijebu-Ode. Little wonder, former African Coach of the Year award winner, Kadiri Ikhana, did not blink before handing the youngster a full contract for the new season. Kelvin Kpakor is known for his strength, pace and ability to shoot with both feet though he is left-footed player.
[b]

Nice one, i like this part

yousouph:
Moderator Honerico, why don't you take up the responsibility of creating Barca's and or Madrid's match thread for the sake of la liga?

International Club Football is not under where i moderate, i think any of our fans here can pick up the responsibility, you self fit do am

babytoun:
hehehhehee see trouble o I asked you a question. Yes siasia is the coach of heartland , now when was he appointed and when did the 2009 league season start and finish. why did you attach heartland's poor league form to siasia? Hope you understand now?

You are only quick to pick on just the league form, okay tell me, when he got appointed in July, how many league matches did he win?

When he took over, how many champions league matches did he win?

hehehehehe, that lady is a player, not watching sha, no local station is showing it

babytoun:
Check your stats before posting.  When was siasia appointed heartland coach?  and when did the 2009 season end? Siasia was appointed in July, now tell me when the league ended, for you to have attached heartland's poor league showing to siasia?

Has keshi coached our under 20 team before? if yes, could you educate us on the outcome?

hehehhehee, where on earth have you been? don't you know Siasia is currently the coach of heartland? you see what i am talking about, Nigerians are sentimental fans, they hardly support teams based on what the thing is, rather they support because others do too.

Go back and learn about Siasia and his coaching carrier, Heartland is the 1st senior team siasia is coaching and we have seen his "performance" with them so far, even if he was employed 2 days ago, didn't he know it was late before picking up the job? why pick up an unsuitable job if you know it's not worth it or there was no time? why pick up a job that's likely to dent your credentials?


Keshi coached the U-20 yes, BUT HOW MANY YEARS AGO?

Nigeria is currently leading with 2 goals to nothing


Nwokocha scored both goals

Onwuachi considers featuring for Greece

Striker Benjamin Onwuachi has declared that he might consider the chance of playing for the national team of Greece after he feels that the selectors of Nigeria’s Super Eagles have snubbed him.

The 26-year-old, who joined Greek club, Kavala, on August 29 this year on a four-year deal, has frowned at the way that players have been called up to the Nigerian team in the past weeks without him being considered.

Onwuachi, who has scored 10 goals in the Greek Super League this season, said he has turned down overtures from Greece in the past since he wants to play for Nigeria but could accept that offer now.

“For some time, Greece wanted me to play for their national team and I have been foot-dragging because I want to represent my country. But seeing how things are going that I am not getting younger, I might just consider that option as I'm getting tired of waiting for a call that is not coming to play for my fatherland.

“When I watch our national team and the way the players that are given opportunities go about playing without commitment, it pains me because I know what competition I am capable of bringing to the team. The way and manner players are called to camp is not the best, I have been consistent in the last three, four years and no one has looked in my way,” he said.

The former Ionikos striker also revealed that he was reduced to tears when the Super Eagles lost to Greece at the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa and explained that he could have made a difference in that game.

“I cried the day we lost to Greece at the World Cup because I know that I would have made the difference even if that was the only game I am allowed to play for my country. I know their players and the goalkeeper is not the best because I have scored against him in the league here (in Greece),” he said.

Prodded further by SuperSport.com that failing to play in more illustrious leagues in Europe such as the Spanish La Liga, the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga or even a big club might be his Achilles’ heel for being snubbed by the Nigerian selectors, Onwuachi responded: “You say it's the league in which I play. Well, the Greek league is the 10th best league in the world and if a player that is consistent and plays in the 10th best league in the world is not good enough for the Nigerian national team, then there is more to it.”

However, the player, who once featured for Juventus in 2003 before he was loaned out to Salernitana a year later, went into rhetoric in trying to find out the yardstick for calling up players to the Nigerian men’s team.

“If being a consistent scorer is not a criteria to get national call up, then what should a player do to get such call up?” he quizzed.

But he pleaded that the Super Eagles’ coaches should look in his way and hand him just a chance to play for Nigeria.

“Let them give me a chance to prove myself. Let all the players be given equal chances. I have paid my dues and I need that one call to prove myself and if I'm not good enough then so be it. But give every good playing Tom, Dick and Harry an equal chance,” said Onwuachi referring to Super Eagles selectors.

© SuperSport.com

Wolves fail to lure Enyimba forward


One of the two big-names on the radar of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side, Warri Wolves, in the off-season transfer window has rejected a move to join the side from titleholders, Enyimba.

The player’s identity like the other being targeted by Warri Wolves has been revealed as Junior Osagie of Enyimba.

General manager of Wolves, Timi Ebikagboro, confirmed that talks with the former Enugu Rangers man had broken down and that the club will no longer be making a move to bring the striker over from Aba to Warri ahead of the new season, which kicks off on November 6.

“Our talks with him (Osagie) did not go through,” Ebikagboro said. “So we have discontinued discussions with him over signing for us before the start of the season.”

But the spokesman of Warri Wolves did not disclose why talks broke down, but it is believed that the player was holding out for a massive pay, which the club baulked at.

However, Ebikagboro said the discussion for the other player, which he refused to name, is still ongoing since the player is keen to Wolves ahead of the coming since he is unsettled at his present side.

The player is one of those invited for the international friendly match against Iran by the Super Eagles' selectors on November 17 and is a playing staff of a southeastern club.

“For the other player, we are still talking to him and we hope that we can seal a deal if everything goes according to plans. But like I said earlier I will not want to give you out his name because we will not want to put a dent on the amount of work we have done in negotiating with him.

“Also, his privacy is of importance to us and we have agreed to keep things under wrap until we broker a deal since he is not yet our player. If we had gone ahead to announce that we were in talks with Osagie I am sure that people would have thought we are just throwing up names to keep ourselves in the news. But talks broke down with him and we must continue as a big club,” he said.

© SuperSport.com

Niger Tornadoes sign 20

The 2010/2011 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season kicks off in a matter of days and the wheeling and dealing by the twenty clubs in the top flight is approaching fever pitch.

The big and not so big clubs are all getting involved and throwing their weight around in the hope of landing the best buys.

Niger Tornadoes on Minna have been one of the most active in the transfer market. The club has just completed the signing of no fewer than twenty players to help them prosecute their campaign in the league and cup in the coming season.

“Twenty players have joined us for the 2010/2011 season,” Manager of the club, Ladan Bosso told SuperSport.com.

“The coming season will be tough and rigorous and we need a big squad to successfully navigate the treacherous waters. These players all share the philosophy of this club and we are positive of achieving great things this season,” he said.

The former flying eagles coach is however keeping the identities the newly signed players tightly under wraps as he feels making that bit of information classified could be a massive boost to his side’s chances in the new season.

“We don’t want to make the names of the new players public yet because we believe the league should be all about surprises. We can’t afford our opponents the luxury of knowing what they will come up against when they play us. I am satisfied with the quality of players we have signed,” he said.

Bosso was however more forthcoming when queried about the players who had departed for the proverbial greener pastures.

“We have lost important players like David Amanyi, Bolaji Mohammed, David Ochieje, Mansur Salami, and Kelvin Njoku, but we will cope without them,” he said.

Tornadoes open their 2010/2011 campaign at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna on November 7 against newly promoted Crown of Oshogbo.

© SuperSport.com

10 to watch in NPL this season

Last term, it was the likes of Godfrey Oboabona, Dele Olorundare, Oke Akpoveta, Austin Kadiri, Ejike Orji, Charles Taylor, Morufu Yusuf, Nasiru Ali, Philemon Daniel, Moses Bunde, James Okwosah, and record scorer, Ahmed Musa, among others who grabbed the headlines for their performances in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) after making unannounced entries to the top-flight.

This season with these players now known quantities and with the departure of Musa to Europe, SuperSport.com scouts out the Premier League for 10 players that could have the league at their feet by the time the 2010/2011 season ends next year. Five of them have featured in the championship last season as understudies in cameo roles while others are new in the top-flight.

Emeka ‘Yobo’ Eze, Enugu Rangers

He is a fantastic midfielder with great work ethic. Yobo as he is fondly called by fellow teammates at Internazionale Enugu joined Enugu Rangers on a two-year loan deal, which will run out in 2012. In the pre-season friendly games he featured for Inter Enugu, the teenager, who turns 18 on December 22, has been outstanding. His father, a referee and staff with the Enugu state sports ministry, has been a big inspiration to the player, who can break up opposition’s play and set up an offensive style in a flash. Eze can also play in a holding role and little wonder the Flying Antelopes’ head coach, Alphonsus Dike, insisted on having the youngster in his group for the new season.

Chris Madaki, JUTH FC

This left wing back was one of the reasons that Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Football Club found their way back to the top-flight in Nigeria after a season in the lower league. Last season, 18-year-old Madaki showed that he has a sweet left foot that can hit the ball with so much power behind it and that earned him the sobriquet of Roberto Carlos. The former Keffi United and Plateau United showed how consistent he can be last season in the Nigeria National League (NNL) also known as the National Division I with his tackles and offensive abilities though those performances were blighted by suspensions and injuries along the way. Madaki is no doubt an important player in the setup of JUTH FC playing personnel. Even the club’s head coach, Tunde Rahman, testified to that saying: “His qualities are very important to us on the pitch because he brings so much for us especially when we are on the offensive.” Last season he scored twice, but fans and opponents should look out for his dead-ball skills and pace on the left flank of The Healers in the new season.

Kelvin Kpakor, Kwara United

He is 17 years old and one of the football-playing sons of former Nigeria international, Moses Kpakor. Coincidentally, the same man, who gave his father the chance to play for the Super Eagles in the early 1990s, Clemens Westerhof, took Kelvin under his guidance at the Kwara Football Academy as a football apprentice. Unlike his father, who played in a more defensive role, Kelvin is an offensive and aggressive footballer with an eye for goal. On August 8, the teenager showed what followers of the Premier League should expect from him in the 2010/2011 season when he chipped Sunshine Stars’ goalkeeper, Afeso Attah, from 35 yards during the Super Four in Ijebu-Ode. Little wonder, former African Coach of the Year award winner, Kadiri Ikhana, did not blink before handing the youngster a full contract for the new season. Kelvin Kpakor is known for his strength, pace and ability to shoot with both feet though he is left-footed player.

Ousmane Pape Sane, Sharks

This Senegalese centre-back last season showed that he is a massive player in the art of defending. His ability to keep attackers at bay was one of the reasons that the Blue Angels miraculously escaped relegation after starting their first 10 games without winning a single match. The 26-year-old former Police FC of Senegal defender has been a subject of transfer to Enugu Rangers but the management of Sharks blocked the move since he is regarded as an important part of the Blue Angels. Sane is a strong centre-back, full of pace and a hard-tackler.

Magnus Iwuoha, Enyimba

Little is known about Magnus Iwuoha. Only recently, a blog writer from Norway, Øivind Henrik von Mehren, who specialises on covering football talents in West Africa, contacted this writer to seek information on the former Jigawa Golden Stars’ striker. Definitely that speaks volume about the talent of the Enyimba man. Iwuoha, 21, had little chance to prove himself last season in the colours of six-time Nigerian champions, Enyimba. Last season, Iwuoha got just a handful of appearances for Enyimba and scored just two goals. But when he got his chance to play in the Super Four against Kano Pillars on August 8 inside the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, he responded with a superb goal after he was played through by Rasheed Olabiyi. The petite striker is fast and is known for cameo role at the Peoples Elephant. Enyimba fans will remember how Iwuoha’s 85th minute strike sealed three points at Lobi Stars last season.

George Akpabio, Plateau United

He is strong and has the ability to shoot with precision. Akpabio also has the qualities of good positioning and the ability to dribble. Just few days ago, he completed 17 years and has been named in the seniors of Plateau United for their Premier League campaign in the new season following his impressive performance in the lower league last term in which he finished as the club’s top scorer with eight goals. The striker was groomed through the youth ranks of Plateau United before he was elevated to seniors of the club. Akpabio is one of the reasons Plateau United have found themselves back in the top-flight after six years in the lower league.

Chinedu Udeh, Heartland

Heartland appear to have pulled off a coup in the transfer market by beating their oriental rivals, Enugu Rangers, in signing one of the biggest goalkeeping talents in the professional league in Nigeria. At age 19, Udeh stands at an intimidating 6 ft 4 with sharp reflexes to cut off crosses. Udeh was initially thought to have joined Enugu Rangers for this season on a year loan deal from Inter Enugu before the Naze Millionaires’ coach, Samson Siasia, snapped him up. Enugu Rangers’ coach, Alphonsus Dike, was impressed with what he had seen of the goalkeeper and said: “He has prospects because he has shown that since he came to us. But in spite of his massive talent between the sticks, Udeh will have to compete with other Heartland goalkeepers.

[flash=200,200]http://Joseph Thompson, Kano Pillars[/flash]

His full name is Joseph Atang Thompson and has often been mistaken to have joined Kano Pillars from Enyimba. But the 21-year-old midfielder moved from Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon to Kano Pillars in 2009 and has played a big role in the middle of the pack for the former Nigerian champions. Thompson plays in the mould of a Mikel John Obi with attributes of shielding, passing and dribbling his way through opponents. He has had little play time in the past, but that might change in the new season with the departure of Solomon Okpako to Panionios, Thompson will be relishing his chance to hit the headlines this season.

Andrew Michael, Ocean Boys

In the title-winning season of his former club, Bayelsa United – now relegated, Michael got a few cameo roles under coach Monday Odigie. But the player, who came through the ranks of the Yenagoa club’s reserves in 2008/2009 season, fell out of the pecking order last season due to the presence of more established players. In the wake of Bayelsa United’s relegation, he moved to city rivals and former champions, Ocean Boys, for the new season. Michael, 19, is strong and pacy on and off the ball and can shoot with both feet. He could finally break the duck at Ocean Boys this season as he is one of those to watch out for this season.

Bright Ejike, Sharks

He was first scouted at the football talent show anchored by John Fashanu before he was reportedly snapped by Enyimba in the 2008/2009 season. He featured prominently in the Super Four of 2009 along with Uche Kalu in attack, as they competed against Bayelsa United, Heartland Football Club and Warri Wolves. But when Okey Emordi joined the Peoples Elephant just before the start of the season, he was surprisingly sent out of loan to Sharks, where he scored seven times and formed a telepathic partnership with Victor Ezeji. The 25-year-old is known for his pace, balance on the ball and dribbles. He can also play from both wings, and is now a setup of the Nigerian Under20s under coach John Obuh, who is also head coach at the Blue Angels. Last season, he is one of the few players that netted a hat-trick. Ejike got a treble against a struggling Zamfara United in the Blue Angels’ five-nil win on April 25, 2010 at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

© SuperSport.com

Tell her biz is going on well but waiting for that guy to pay up

Osagie misses chance of joining Dolphin

An attempt by Enyimba striker, Junior Osagie, to join rival Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side, Dolphin Football Club, failed to materialise after the player approached the club officials late.

SuperSport.com learnt that Osagie, 25, who had been a major target for Warri Wolves in the past days until talks broke down, had called up officials of Dolphin that he is willing to team up with the side for this season.

But the approach of the former Enugu Rangers’ man came two days late, as Dolphin had already sent their list of provisional squad to the Premier League secretariat in Abuja for registration ahead of the new season.

“Do you know Osagie called us that he wanted to join Dolphin?” An official of the Port Harcourt-based side began in rhetoric with SuperSport.com.

“Osagie actually came to us and wanted to play but he was two days late because our secretary had already gone to Abuja for registration (of our team with the NPL). He could have been a Dolphin player by now if he had showed interest earlier.”

However, this is not the first time that Osagie will be making an attempt to join Dolphin.

In 2005, he was close to completing a switch from Enugu Rangers alongside Edward Ofere but the move was blocked by current NPL chairman, Davidson Owumi, who was then in charge of the Flying Antelopes.

© SuperSport.com

babytoun:
Amodu has qualified us for the WC twice , and was sacked  becuase his performance was still not satisfactory. Infact in 2002 when he was sacked, Keshi was his assistant.

Keshi's only claim is that he qualified Togo for the WC, aside that it has been failure galore. Now tell me why you feel  keshi is better than  AMODU , how much more SIA1?

Being an assistant to Amodu does not mean jack, what matters is the fact that he's likely to have the full hand in the job to do what he knows how to do best, Keshi only claim is not qualifying Togo to the world cup, rather he qualified them with excellent results, apart from that he managed the team well until the FA of togo interfered, the problem with African football is that coaches (local) are not allowed to work in a condusive environment without them trying to interfere, when it comes to handling a senior team on the international stage, i give it to Keshi 100%.
Siasia went with the U-20 worldcup and most of his flaws were seen by everyone, even his sub in that match against a 10 man German team was shitty, everyone saw it.

He took over Heartland and gave them the worse result in 2 years, they failed to even finish in the top 5, ended up winning just one game in the caf champions league, that's bloody poor, even Kelechi Emetole got to the finals of the same tourney beating the beatable (convincingly).

babytoun:
Once onigbinde is a member of the commitee, siasia has a very very slim chance.

Why I pity MY-GARRIi is , that he seems not to understand that LULU was sacked by the public after a dismal WC showing and not necessarily by GEJ.

Keshi cannot change anything in SE, it will be business as usual.

Siasia is just basking in the euphoria of the media and fans, when the real business starts, he's going to hate himself for not knowing how the mind of an average Nigerian fan works, he should listen to people's view anytime he loses a match, Nigerians are VERY quick to condemn when results fail to show, he should know that an average Nigerian fan cannot be trusted, nor the media.

Last term, it was the likes of Godfrey Oboabona, Dele Olorundare, Oke Akpoveta, Austin Kadiri, Ejike Orji, Charles Taylor, Morufu Yusuf, Nasiru Ali, Philemon Daniel, Moses Bunde, James Okwosah, and record scorer, Ahmed Musa, among others who grabbed the headlines for their performances in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) after making unannounced entries to the top-flight.

This season with these players now known quantities and with the departure of Musa to Europe, SuperSport.com scouts out the Premier League for 10 players that could have the league at their feet by the time the 2010/2011 season ends next year. Five of them have featured in the championship last season as understudies in cameo roles while others are new in the top-flight.

Emeka ‘Yobo’ Eze, Enugu Rangers

He is a fantastic midfielder with great work ethic. Yobo as he is fondly called by fellow teammates at Internazionale Enugu joined Enugu Rangers on a two-year loan deal, which will run out in 2012. In the pre-season friendly games he featured for Inter Enugu, the teenager, who turns 18 on December 22, has been outstanding. His father, a referee and staff with the Enugu state sports ministry, has been a big inspiration to the player, who can break up opposition’s play and set up an offensive style in a flash. Eze can also play in a holding role and little wonder the Flying Antelopes’ head coach, Alphonsus Dike, insisted on having the youngster in his group for the new season.

Chris Madaki, JUTH FC

This left wing back was one of the reasons that Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Football Club found their way back to the top-flight in Nigeria after a season in the lower league. Last season, 18-year-old Madaki showed that he has a sweet left foot that can hit the ball with so much power behind it and that earned him the sobriquet of Roberto Carlos. The former Keffi United and Plateau United showed how consistent he can be last season in the Nigeria National League (NNL) also known as the National Division I with his tackles and offensive abilities though those performances were blighted by suspensions and injuries along the way. Madaki is no doubt an important player in the setup of JUTH FC playing personnel. Even the club’s head coach, Tunde Rahman, testified to that saying: “His qualities are very important to us on the pitch because he brings so much for us especially when we are on the offensive.” Last season he scored twice, but fans and opponents should look out for his dead-ball skills and pace on the left flank of The Healers in the new season.

Kelvin Kpakor, Kwara United

He is 17 years old and one of the football-playing sons of former Nigeria international, Moses Kpakor. Coincidentally, the same man, who gave his father the chance to play for the Super Eagles in the early 1990s, Clemens Westerhof, took Kelvin under his guidance at the Kwara Football Academy as a football apprentice. Unlike his father, who played in a more defensive role, Kelvin is an offensive and aggressive footballer with an eye for goal. On August 8, the teenager showed what followers of the Premier League should expect from him in the 2010/2011 season when he chipped Sunshine Stars’ goalkeeper, Afeso Attah, from 35 yards during the Super Four in Ijebu-Ode. Little wonder, former African Coach of the Year award winner, Kadiri Ikhana, did not blink before handing the youngster a full contract for the new season. Kelvin Kpakor is known for his strength, pace and ability to shoot with both feet though he is left-footed player.

Ousmane Pape Sane, Sharks

This Senegalese centre-back last season showed that he is a massive player in the art of defending. His ability to keep attackers at bay was one of the reasons that the Blue Angels miraculously escaped relegation after starting their first 10 games without winning a single match. The 26-year-old former Police FC of Senegal defender has been a subject of transfer to Enugu Rangers but the management of Sharks blocked the move since he is regarded as an important part of the Blue Angels. Sane is a strong centre-back, full of pace and a hard-tackler.

Magnus Iwuoha, Enyimba

Little is known about Magnus Iwuoha. Only recently, a blog writer from Norway, Øivind Henrik von Mehren, who specialises on covering football talents in West Africa, contacted this writer to seek information on the former Jigawa Golden Stars’ striker. Definitely that speaks volume about the talent of the Enyimba man. Iwuoha, 21, had little chance to prove himself last season in the colours of six-time Nigerian champions, Enyimba. Last season, Iwuoha got just a handful of appearances for Enyimba and scored just two goals. But when he got his chance to play in the Super Four against Kano Pillars on August 8 inside the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, he responded with a superb goal after he was played through by Rasheed Olabiyi. The petite striker is fast and is known for cameo role at the Peoples Elephant. Enyimba fans will remember how Iwuoha’s 85th minute strike sealed three points at Lobi Stars last season.

George Akpabio, Plateau United

He is strong and has the ability to shoot with precision. Akpabio also has the qualities of good positioning and the ability to dribble. Just few days ago, he completed 17 years and has been named in the seniors of Plateau United for their Premier League campaign in the new season following his impressive performance in the lower league last term in which he finished as the club’s top scorer with eight goals. The striker was groomed through the youth ranks of Plateau United before he was elevated to seniors of the club. Akpabio is one of the reasons Plateau United have found themselves back in the top-flight after six years in the lower league.

Chinedu Udeh, Heartland

Heartland appear to have pulled off a coup in the transfer market by beating their oriental rivals, Enugu Rangers, in signing one of the biggest goalkeeping talents in the professional league in Nigeria. At age 19, Udeh stands at an intimidating 6 ft 4 with sharp reflexes to cut off crosses. Udeh was initially thought to have joined Enugu Rangers for this season on a year loan deal from Inter Enugu before the Naze Millionaires’ coach, Samson Siasia, snapped him up. Enugu Rangers’ coach, Alphonsus Dike, was impressed with what he had seen of the goalkeeper and said: “He has prospects because he has shown that since he came to us. But in spite of his massive talent between the sticks, Udeh will have to compete with other Heartland goalkeepers.

Joseph Thompson, Kano Pillars

His full name is Joseph Atang Thompson and has often been mistaken to have joined Kano Pillars from Enyimba. But the 21-year-old midfielder moved from Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon to Kano Pillars in 2009 and has played a big role in the middle of the pack for the former Nigerian champions. Thompson plays in the mould of a Mikel John Obi with attributes of shielding, passing and dribbling his way through opponents. He has had little play time in the past, but that might change in the new season with the departure of Solomon Okpako to Panionios, Thompson will be relishing his chance to hit the headlines this season.

Andrew Michael, Ocean Boys

In the title-winning season of his former club, Bayelsa United – now relegated, Michael got a few cameo roles under coach Monday Odigie. But the player, who came through the ranks of the Yenagoa club’s reserves in 2008/2009 season, fell out of the pecking order last season due to the presence of more established players. In the wake of Bayelsa United’s relegation, he moved to city rivals and former champions, Ocean Boys, for the new season. Michael, 19, is strong and pacy on and off the ball and can shoot with both feet. He could finally break the duck at Ocean Boys this season as he is one of those to watch out for this season.

Bright Ejike, Sharks

He was first scouted at the football talent show anchored by John Fashanu before he was reportedly snapped by Enyimba in the 2008/2009 season. He featured prominently in the Super Four of 2009 along with Uche Kalu in attack, as they competed against Bayelsa United, Heartland Football Club and Warri Wolves. But when Okey Emordi joined the Peoples Elephant just before the start of the season, he was surprisingly sent out of loan to Sharks, where he scored seven times and formed a telepathic partnership with Victor Ezeji. The 25-year-old is known for his pace, balance on the ball and dribbles. He can also play from both wings, and is now a setup of the Nigerian Under20s under coach John Obuh, who is also head coach at the Blue Angels. Last season, he is one of the few players that netted a hat-trick. Ejike got a treble against a struggling Zamfara United in the Blue Angels’ five-nil win on April 25, 2010 at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

© SuperSport.com

Odunnu:
Plant a kiss on his lipz. . . Mmmuuuaaah

give her a clean licking to the core!~

@topic

play scrabble with him

^^^^

shame no dey catch enyimba fans abi? Kaduna united beat you people 3 times in a roll lol, una come win just one through penalty, u come dey make mouth

alldone:
Both of them are good[b], but achievement[/b] i prefer siasia. dont forget that he normally bring in a white guy that help him out.
Give him a chance and he will do well over a period of time.

Achievement? what do you mean by that? this is the national team, not an age grade tournament, please remember that.

let him know that the hon stands for something else and not Hot

Ask him if he can play scrabble