₦airaland Forum

LIfe is full of twists. Somehow I had the feeling that this will become a drama.

Meanwhile,
Problems piling up for Osimhen and Napoli
By Football Italia staff

Napoli are refusing to increase the salary already agreed with Victor Osimhen’s previous agent, Lille reportedly reject Adam Ounas as part of the deal and Liverpool dive in with an offer.

Every time Osimhen seems to be close to a deal with the Partenopei, it all falls back into doubt, and today’s developments are just another chapter in the summer saga.

We already reported this morning on the row with Osimhen’s new agent over wages, as Napoli had already agreed €3.5-4m plus up to €2m in bonuses, whereas his latest representative promised to get €5m net per season along with add-ons.

Our sources tell us the issue of image rights have not been resolved either, and anyone with knowledge of Napoli transfer history will realise this is a sticking point that has tanked many a previous deal.

Now L’Equipe maintain that Lille are also not prepared to accept Ounas as part of the transfer fee, demanding the entire €81m in cash, which is frankly unlikely.

Due to the slowdown in negotiations over his salary, Osimhen’s agent also reportedly approached several Premier League clubs to ask if they would like to make a counter-offer.

Il Mattino newspaper point to Manchester United, but Sportitalia, Tuttomercatoweb and French sources maintain Liverpool are more interested.

TheLoneCitizen:
Osimhen has done a Pepe.

MLS IS BACK TOURNEY UPDATE

---

Toronto FC’s Akinola sets two records in Montreal Impact victory
Shina Oludare | @Sportingshina
Last updated 5 hours ago

https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/GOAL/13/e4/ayo-akinola_ywzz2qrtkjfa1nt56j6a18hor.jpg

The striker becomes the first player to net a Canadian classic treble, as well as the second Reds’ man to score at least twice in successive MLS ties
Two records tumbled for hat-trick hero Ayo Akinola as Toronto FC defeated Montreal Impact 4-3 in Thursday’s MLS is Back Tournament clash.

Having scored twice in the Reds’ 2-2 draw with DC United on Monday, the 20-year-old continued from there – finding the net thrice as Thierry Henry’s men were silenced in the seven-goal thriller.

At ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex, Richie Laryea opened the scoring in the eighth minute thanks to Alejandro Pozuelo’s assist.

--goal

Read the whole to understand the point. My last sentence says it all.

barackodam:
If he leave England, he go die??

Why go to championship when there are other countries in Europe?

What happened to the remaining 4 countries?

Or is championship better than them?

What ever happened to Nigeria's motorized stretchers?

This corona period any friendly will do to get the boys together after a long break.

Abusule007:
When will Pinnick give us friendlies with Belgium, Netherland, Portugal, Germany etc?

We need to start playing big matches now so we get used to these big teams before quarter finals and semis of 2022 worldcup because i know we'll meet them.

I don't mind him playing in the championship for a season. Ighalo did the same. Success should too. They just need regular games to get in top shape.

ChrisKels:
Iheanacho should leave Leicester for a mid table, or lower caliber team that is at same level as the likes of Palace, Burnley, NewCastle et al, he might just be doing as good as Jordan Ayew, at such lowly rated EPL clubs

Nigerian legend

daveP:
Just discovered Osaze Odemwingie is the only Nigerian to get 3 EPL Player of the Month and 1st African to do so.


Not Drogba, Yaya, Eto, Mikel, Kanu. okocha, Yakubu, etc


Sadio and Salah are the follow ups.


Hbd to him tho.


Some stats deserve hype.

I remember those Chukwueze vs Marcelo days

lol smh

ChrisKels:
No, you were giving him a Hi5. Come on, that was a great compliment on him.

Yea! JoePig was eulogising Pigmouth Nacho, u know?

maybe he was referring to afobear. I hope he was.

andrewbaba44:
Was thinking Chris quoted afobear ,didn’t know you are the one

Am sure you can’t do that

I no even look well self

so you read that and interpreted it like I was insulting KC? lol

ChrisKels:
You body-shaming a guy who probably should be your younger siblings' age mate? Say whatever you want about his game but insulting his looks was quite stupid of you. You really need to grow up boy

"Pigmouth" in afobear's voice, still dey bench. Wetin Rodgers chop?

I can imagine that last picture is afobear

Afobear:
Algeria that they already waved aside on their bragging to get to the Final sunk A dagger into their Chest. But the very moment that was so joyous to me was that A supposed Mahrez who wasn't Intelligent and will be benched By Henry Onyekuru in ManCity was the one who signed the Death Warrant . Your Aveeeeraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaageeeeeeeeee tears that will flow now can be gathered for me because I need salt in my system


Y'Allah , The Lord's work was done

na d koko be that

ChrisKels:
Did you register through my link or someone else's

lol

Eizzy003:
See as da site even da sef, drag and drop website's better pass this one
I fit even create a full coded site from scratch wer go make sense pass that thing

June belonged to Esiti
During a tough period for the team, Anderson Esiti was the man who received the acclaim of the fans and was voted as the 11888 MVP for June via paokfc.gr and the PAOK FC Official App.

15.07.2020
His arrival at the club started in impressive fashion. During the early stages of the season he won a place in the starting XI, but as the season wore on he lost his place. He did not give up the ghost, however, worked hard in training, and proved that when he was needed, the team could count on him.The absence of the injured Josip Misic created a huge gap in the midfield. Abel Ferreira put his faith in The Tank, and the midfielder made sure to vindicate that trust and support his teammates.He brought intensity and passion on the pitch, was impeccable in protecting the defence, and produced several key interventions at critical points.And so, in the vote for the 11888 MVP for June, Esitir received 59,68% of the votes to win his first individual award in a PAOK shirt.In second place was Dimitris Giannoulis , who returned to active service in style by reaching the high standards of the first half of the season, while in third place was Fernando Varela , who offered solutions for the team in both defence and in attack.

More on the interview with Pinnick

---

“This financial support is for them to get their campaigns off the ground for the new season that we have set for September/October, depending on what signals we get from the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force on the COVID-19 and other relevant organs. We are also going to support the league organizing bodies financially.” Although he added that the football body has written to the Government to also support the cause, he admitted that the Government is presently burdened by so many challenges wrought by the COVID-19 and it could be a tall order.

On the issue of the Points-Per-Game (PPG) formula adopted to bring the beleaguered 2019/2020 Season to a close, the NFF supremo reiterated that it was the decision of the vast majority of the Clubs in the NPFL, which was also subjected to careful analyses and consultations.

“We did not just sit down and make a decision; we consulted widely even after the Clubs opted for PPG following the work of the NFF Football Committee. The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development was also brought into the picture.”

Pinnick assured that the NFF would prioritize, for now, the qualification of the U17 and U20 women national teams for their various FIFA World Cup competitions, as well as getting top-grade friendly matches for the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons.

“CAF has written to inform us that the qualifiers for the U17 and U20 FIFA Women World Cups will hold in September and October. We are determined to prepare our girls well to qualify for both championships. At the same time, we are working assiduously to see that the Super Eagles and Super Falcons get quality opponents for friendly matches within the next few months. For the Super Eagles, we have an African team and a South American team on the cards.

“First and foremost, we have to get the Super Falcons a Head Coach of the highest quality possible. We are working on that, as our consultants are already on it, and also working on the appointment of coaches for some other National Teams. On our part, we have ringfenced a sum of money to pay the Head Coach of the Super Falcons for a number of years to come, so that challenge is taken care of.”

On the issue of continuous trailing of players of dual nationality with a view to getting them to represent Nigeria, Pinnick stated clearly that only players with the keen interest and resolve would be encouraged, as Nigeria would not beg any player to represent her. “It is about ardour and fervour. If a player has decided for Nigeria and only want to be assured that he would be much welcome, we will come in and provide that assurance.”

Pinnick said this year’s NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Championship, which was already at the zonal stage before the disruption occasioned by COVID-19, would have to start all over again. “We have no choice. It is a programme so close to our hearts, knowing that it serves the important purpose of providing true youngsters for the National Teams. The pandemic has disrupted and certainly, some of the players would no longer be of the age that they were before the disruption. So, we have to start all over again.”

On a final note, the NFF President appealed to the media and other stakeholders of the game to shun the allure of negative sensation, with some misguided and mischievous members of the football family always bandying around fictitious and outlandish figures as having been misappropriated by the football body.

“I keep saying that you may not like Amaju Pinnick, but the bigger picture is Nigerian Football and its future. Negative stories about the game have a damaging impact on the brand and even when Pinnick leaves, the problem of the damaged brand will still be there.

“Those of us at the helm of the NFF presently are there because we have the passion to develop the game, do things differently, and take the Nigeria game to new heights. We came into office and brought gilt-edged corporations like PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Financial Derivatives Company on board because we are totally committed to transparency and accountability. There are legitimate claims that we forgo simply because we did not come into the Federation for the money. I appeal to everyone to consider the interests of Nigeria football and continue to shun the purveyors of half-truths and outright fiction.”

ScoreNigeria reports that Super Eagles to play 2 friendlies in September:

According to NFF president Amaju Pinnick, the opponents will most likely be from South America and Africa.

“The arrangement is 70% confirmed,” he said during an Instagram interview on the NFF official account.

“We hope to make use of the FIFA windows in both September and October.”

So Amaju Pinnick tells Brila that they don't want to make the same mistake with Ejaria as they did with Tammy. This guy is clueless. Even before you make a move for Ejaria, you should already know he is in the bag. Tammy's case, he relied solely on his relationship with the father. If you have to speak to a player's father/mother over their son's international future, you may have a problem. Ejaria has always been a no-brainer.

the moment I clicked on the link I already knew it was scam.

Edopesin:
lols the website is less than 4 months old and it is carbon copy of 2020 .xyz that is already verified to be scam

I make researchs before I waste my time in things like this

Chriskels have made money using it. oya sir give us your own review

Edopesin:
SCAM

Looking out for your bro.. good one Pogba

elunico:
Nnamdi, what's up man? It's your boy PP. I had about you. I just want to congratulate you on your promotion to Championship. I heard about your long journey in football and outside football . For sure, it is not easy, it is very difficult, but indeed, I just want to wish you the best, carry on, keep it up, keep doing what you are doing man. I am going to be looking after you and looking what you ....and tell until get to Premier League. Keep it up my G, we are together, peace man!"

Paul Pogba to Oforboh.

not official yet from this report.

TheLoneCitizen:
CONFIRMED!!! OSIMHEN TO LILLE CONFIRMED!!!

Marc Ingla, general manager of Lille,


““I think we are in the last stage of the transfer of OSIMHEN (to Napoli) , even if there is interest from other clubs. The player has made his choice and we are in the last step of the transfer,”

“It is a regret to see him leave but it is the market. It makes sense for all but one French club. It is not only a question of transfer price but also of salary (…) He only stayed one year but that’s life.”

"We don't hide our economic model. We have to consider not only the value of the transfer, but also the salary paid to the player. We are not the final destination. With us players thrive, they use their talent. But we also build their careers for them. It is the life of the club. For him and his family, this can be a tremendous opportunity ",

na that last paragraph I mean to highlight..lol
He must have really been following SE considering we always had players (especially the short ones) in the past with poorly fit jerseys.

BascoVanVeli:
funny ending

The first paragraph weak me. You can google it to read the entire piece from Independent

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Meet Samu Chukwueze, Villarreal and Nigeria’s bright star destined for the Premier League
Tom Kershaw | @trlkershaw | 3 hours ago

To understand the improbability of Samu Chukwueze’s rise, it’s easiest to start at the point where his career almost went up in flames. It wasn’t the lack of clean water in Umuahia, an area of dereliction, poverty and little hope: “not a ghetto in the Nigerian context, but a rough neighbourhood”. Nor was it his understated character, brimming with talent but unmistakably introverted, leading to him living in the Villarreal academy’s shared flats long after becoming an established member of the first team. The tipping point came somewhere in between, when Chukwueze’s mother and uncle piled up his football boots and training kit and set them ablaze, insisting he avoid needless distractions and focus on his education. For a while, one of the most exciting wingers in world football simply stopped playing at all.

Which serious football news site does not put out an opinion/news for almost 7 days already? OGN

Adebayo Akinfenwa's passion for Nigeria is as strong as it is for Liverpool
Ed Dove | ESPN

Wycombe Wanderers hero Adebayo Akinfenwa may be famous being the strongest player on FIFA, and for his joshing with Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, but few people are familiar with the striker's passion and enduring love for the Nigeria Super Eagles.

Born in London of Nigerian descent, Akinfenwa's relationship with the Super Eagles stretches back to their debut World Cup appearance in 1994, when the team's performance helped the now-38-year-old understand the value of embracing the culture of his ancestry.

Akinfenwa is unequivocal about the influence that football can have for the Nigerian diaspora, and for the expression of individual identity for Nigerians outside of their land of origin today.

"I remember the 1994 World Cup, the Super Eagles with [Daniel] Amokachi, Jay-Jay Okocha and [Rashidi] Yekini like it was yesterday," he told ESPN. "It was such an immense feeling, coming up against Argentina, and I can remember that World Cup being amazing for Nigeria.

"It leaves an impression, and what I loved the most was the fact that you saw our culture, when they scored; and those celebrations, you saw the colours.

"So as a Nigerian [I saw to] never be afraid to embrace your culture, to let people know what your culture is, and I don't shy away from who I am. Everything I do, I let [people] see who I am and I don't shy away from being me; that's what I take away from 1994 and 1998.

"That was what I got from it, as a youngster, going into manhood; that was what I was able to take from watching the Super Eagles."

For Akinfenwa, the Super Eagles' representation of Nigeria in international football and on the global stage has been a vehicle for a visible modern Nigerian identity to blossom among the nation's diaspora in Europe and beyond.

He also hailed Everton and Nigeria attacker Alex Iwobi, a Super Eagles international raised in London, as being representative of this current expression of modern global Nigerian identity.

Akinfenwa added: "There are changing times, different generations, different mindsets, and from the Amokachis, the Yekinis, the Jay-Jay Okochas, cultural representation has changed now, to the way you're looking at Iwobi, and it's the new-age generation, the new-age culture.

"To be fair, it's always been there, but now there's a vehicle and an avenue where it all gets put together, and you get to see it.

"[Nigerian musicians] Burna Boy and Davido come down and you see the young Nigerian boys in their concerts, you see them watching them and then you see them watching the games, and it's all now moving together."

Already recognised beyond the English lower leagues for his FIFA fame, Akinfenwa made headlines again when he was part of the Wycombe side that defeated Oxford United 2-1 in the League One playoff final on Monday.

In a cheeky post-match interview, the forward invited Klopp to contact him to celebrate the Chairboys' success, and the Premier League-winning coach duly obliged, sending Akinfenwa a congratulatory WhatsApp message.

While Akinfenwa can now look forward to playing in the Championship, at 38, the prospect of an international career may be beyond him.

However, the imposing frontman notes that he was aware of one campaign to get him a maiden Super Eagles cap.

"I had [interest] when I was young," he told ESPN.

"I was 21 when I hooked up with [former England striker of Nigerian origin] John Fashanu; there was talk then, but Nigeria are always blessed with great strikers so it was harder for me.

"I know there was a campaign one time to try and get me out there, but they weren't really feeling me and that... maybe they haven't got a kit that can fit me."

FOOTBALLJuly 15, 2020
Naples, Giuntoli: “Osimhen? Difficult negotiation: he changed the agent, let's start from scratch "
by Alessandro Amoruso 1minute ago


“We are working on many fronts, not only on Osimhen. He changed his agent and therefore everything will start from scratch, a complex and difficult negotiation “. To say it is Cristiano Giuntoli , sporting director of Napoli who spoke to DAZN microphones a few minutes after the whistle for the start against Bologna. Almost a contradiction with what De Laurentiis said, who said that tomorrow he would announce something: “Maybe he will go away from Capri to continue his holiday elsewhere. Seriously, I don't know. " There is also talk of the outgoing market, in particular of Allan and Callejon , profiles that seem destined to go away:" It seems, in fact. It is still premature, the market will last a long time. We will have to wait, we will try to keep the players who want to be part of this project ".

--sportface

Ayo Akinola scores brace as Toronto FC hold 10-man DC United
Shina Oludare | @Sportingshina

https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/GOAL/88/f8/ayo-akinola-usa-u-20-concacaf-championships2018_5obxqi8z4wh51cvgmurg2u63g.jpg

The Reds could not get past Ben Olsen’s men despite racing into a two-goal lead courtesy of the Nigerian prospect
Toronto FC played out a 2-2 draw with DC United in their opening game of the MLS is Back Tournament played inside ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex

Ayo Akinola’s double powered Greg Vanney’s men to a 2-0 lead in the first half, but DC United levelled the scores in the last 45 minutes despite having one of their players sent off.

Akinola put the Reds ahead after 12 minutes with a screamer after receiving the ball from Alejandro Pozuelo, the 20-year-old unleashed a powerful shot past goalkeeper Bill Hamid.

A minute before the half-time break, he completed his brace with Pozuelo providing the assist again. Pozuelo won possession in the attacking third with a high press before racing towards the back post where Akinola was wide open for the simplest of finishes.

DC United looked to be dead and buried before the half-time whistle after Junior Moreno was sent off by referee Fotis Bazakos for a second caution.

Nevertheless, that did not deter Ben Olsen’s side as they braved the odds in the second-half to ensure that the game ended on a no winner, no vanquished note.

Debutant Federico Higuain pulled one back for the Black and Red in the 84th minute – four minutes after replacing Ulises Segura.

He wasted no time making an impression, scoring a delightful chip before Frederic Brilliant headed home the equaliser past goalkeeper Quentin Westberg in the 91st minute.

Akinola could have sealed the winner for Vanney’s team but Hamid deflected away his header – which also robbed him of the chance of completing a hat-trick.

Toronto FC come up against Montreal Impact, who bowed 1-0 to New England Revolution, in their next game on July 16.

Born to Nigerian parents in Detroit, the forward - who has represented the United States at the U15, U17 and U20level - is eligible to play for the Americans, Canada and Nigeria at senior level.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had reached out to him to switch his allegiance to his fatherland, however, Akinola’s response was that he would make his choice at a later stage.

The MLS is Back Tournament is a month-long World Cup-style championship launched by Major Soccer League to mark the league's return to action after being shut down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

--goal

Did you watch the first half?

ChrisKels:
Blueelf, how far nah?

U no go ever watch ball, na to dey base ur judgment on hearsay

I go watch the second half

komekn:
Cavalero coming off hamstring problem it seems.

Tega has put in a huge amount of tackles he plays defensive midfield and CM he is undoubted quality. He has a real diesel engine.

Fulham nearly scored cleared off the line.

Zaidu is highest rated at HT