₦airaland Forum

Up to date.

Pretty much the outcome is conclusive for 8 of the categories.

CONCLUSIVE COLLATIONS SO FAR (Icons, please compare to yours)

1. Nigerian Player of the Year:
Musa - 6; Iwobi - 6; Ndidi - 5; Ighalo - 2; V. Moses - 1; Mikel - 1

2. Nigerian Home based player of the year:
Lokosa - 6; Utin - 5; Ezenwa - 5; Ojo - 1; Duru - 2; *Eze* - 1; Afelokhai - 1
(awaiting 1 modification but won't change the outcome)

3. Most impactful New Inclusion (2018)
Collins - 6; Kalu - 5; Ajayi - 5; Chukwueze - 1; Nwakali - 1
(Awaiting 3 nominations, but won't change the outcome)

5. Best Defender (Stephen Keshi Award):
Ekong - 7; Balogun - 7; Ebuehi - 4; Omeruo - 3

6. Best Midfielder (Samuel Okwaraji Award):
Mikel - 7; Ndidi - 6; Iwobi - 4; Ogu -1; Etebo - 3

7. Best Attacker (Rashidi Yekini Award):
Musa - 7; Ighalo - 6; Moses - 4; Kalu - 2; Iwobi - 2

10. Super Falcons player of the year:
Oluehi - 7; Ordega - 7; Ebi - 4; Chikwelu - 2; Oshoala -1

11. Super Eagles Goal of the Year:
Musa's 2nd vs Iceland - 6; Musa's 1st vs Iceland - 5; Kalu vs Libya - 4; Ighalo winning goal vs Libya - 3; Musa vs Seychelles - 2; Ekong vs DRC - 1

Cc Icon4s , Chriskels , forgiveness , komekn , tbaba1234 , safarigirl

why should I forget that? First, I am a Super Eagles fan, not a Inter, Torino, Parma, or Chievo fan. I was among those who religiously canvassed for his invitation pre-World Cup, and you want me to forget how he disappointed some of us? All that classiness does not amount to anything. This is 2018.

andrew444:
Forget about the way he has been playing for super eagles.

Joel obi is a classy player

Lewis Jones
@_LJones_

Does QPR starlet Ebere Eze have what it takes to reach the top?

QPR host Norwich on Sky Sports Football on Saturday, live from 5.15pm
Last Updated: 21/09/18 11:57am

https://e1.365dm.com/18/09/768x432/skysports-eze-qpr-championship_4428369.jpg

Ebere Eze is turning heads for QPR in the Sky Bet Championship. How good is he? What's he like to work with? How does he compare to Raheem Sterling? We get the inside track from former assistant manager Marc Bircham...

"He goes past players easier than Raheem Sterling did. Sterling would beat players with pace or do a trick or a chop - it's all dynamic movements, but Ebere Eze just glides past players."

Marc Bircham knows a talent when he sees one.

The former QPR assistant manager and youth team coach was part of the set-up that helped bring Sterling through the ranks in west London. However, Sterling never made a first-team appearance for the R's as Liverpool swooped when he was just 15-years-old. The rest is history.

However, after decades of neglecting the option of youth - in 15 years QPR only produced Richard Langley, Marcus Bean and Sterling - there is a new-found willingness up west to give youth a chance.

And some of the kids are alright.

At the forefront of this crop is Eberechi Eze - a unique playmaking talent that was discarded by Millwall at 18 years old. He was deemed a luxury by the Lions but QPR have embraced his talents.

This is a club that relishes and understands the patience required when watching a maverick at work. Stan Bowles, Rodney Marsh, Roy Wegerle and Adel Taarabt all were indulged at Loftus Road. They sparkled on that stage.

He’s exciting when he gets the ball. As he’s both footed, he can go both ways past people --Bircham on Eze

Eze has the same eye for finding space in the pocket as the four above.

The 20-year-old has started every game for QPR this season, scoring his third goal of the campaign against his former employers Millwall on Wednesday night.

Playing just off the lone striker, Eze was the link man for everything positive QPR conjured up in their comfortable 2-0 victory. He got his goal and produced some inventive passing, including a mesmerising back-heel that sent Massimo Luongo through one-on-one. He's doing the sacred QPR No 10 shirt proud.

It was his second man-of-the-match display in four days following on from his classy showing in the 2-1 win at Bolton, where he netted a fine left-footed strike.

He'll be looking to make it three-from-three when QPR host Norwich on Saturday, live on Sky Sports at 5.15pm.

After a shaky start to the campaign, which included a 7-1 drubbing at West Brom, QPR have taken seven points from their last three games. With excitement around Eze's development, the buzz is back at Loftus Road after a murky pre-season picture with the somewhat harsh removal of Ian Holloway and appointment of Steve McClaren as boss.

Bircham was Holloway's assistant during their 18-month spell and took the tough decision - being a QPR man through and through - to walk away from a role at the club in order to allow McClaren a fresh start with his staff.

Bircham worked closely with Eze, whose talent in training caught the eye of Holloway within the first few weeks of him taking the job.

Just two months later, Eze was handed his full debut against Blackburn in the FA Cup in January, but sustained an injury after just 15 minutes.

A spell on the sidelines followed but an impressive period on loan at Wycombe made him more streetwise and he returned to QPR in the second half of last season, making 14 appearances and showing glimpses of his natural talent with the ball at his feet.

"In terms of his natural ability, he's up there with one of the best I've seen," Bircham told Sky Sports.

"He's exciting when he gets the ball. As he's both footed, he can go both ways past people. He gets you off your seat. If he keeps getting the ball in dangerous areas, something will happen."

Possessing the required talent to burst into a Sky Bet Championship first-team is all well and good but for longevity, players need to show mental steel, especially under the watch of Holloway and Bircham - two former pros that built their careers on hard work, graft and never backing down.

Bircham is keen on developing players' characteristics off the field to provide them with the best opportunity to make it as a professional footballer in what is a ruthless industry. He admits many young players possess the ability but lack the required attitude.

Eze isn't one of them.

https://e2.365dm.com/18/09/768x432/skysports-ebere-eze-qpr-football_4426941.jpg

"Everyone can play well when confidence is flowing, but it's about being brave when things aren't going your way," Bircham says, before explaining why he thinks Eze has the tools to reach the top.

"We played Brentford in the Carabao Cup and we made loads of changes.

"I think Eze felt he deserved to play but Ollie [Ian Holloway] dropped him as in previous appearances he wasn't showing what he could do and producing the required end product. He was disappointed.

"The next day the U23s played a very good Southampton team away from home. I went down to watch him, purely to take a look at his attitude. Most youngsters in that scenario would sulk and play as if that game was beneath them.

"Not Eze - it was probably the best game I've seen him play.

"He was outstanding - the best player on the pitch, head and shoulders above all of the Premier League academy lads playing for Southampton.

"Once I saw how he reacted after that disappointment, I went back to Ollie and said, 'He's got a great chance of making it at the highest level'."

So, you can put a big tick in the box for talent and mental toughness - but what else does Bircham think makes Eze stand out from the crowd?

One word crops up a lot in our conversation: 'Coachability'.

"He's a very intelligent lad - he can actually talk, which is nice. Most young lads are just texting and WhatsApping," Bircham admits.

"It's sad to say but just being able to talk to people is an art-form these days for a young player. Eze can go as far as he wants if he keeps talking, listening and learning."

Bircham recalls another example of Eze's capabilities to listen and learn.

After a sticky run of results, he called Eze and another young QPR talent Bright Osayi-Samuel into his office after they both flattered to deceive in a couple of substitute appearances against Bristol City and Sheffield United.

He said: "I looked at the stats after the game and they had one cross between them and no shots. They were playing sideways and backwards. I said: 'Why are you playing like a central midfielder? You had no shots or crosses, I could have done that'.

"I wanted to really get into them, but shouting at youngsters these days doesn't work. So, I gave them the disappointed dad telling off.

"I think my words helped. The next time he came off the bench, the first thing he did was have a shot. That showed me he can take information on board. If I had his talent, I'd never pass it!"

Eze is certainly shooting this season.

Bircham - still a regular visitor to Loftus Road - wants to see the youngster maintain the levels he has hit over the past month. Flamboyant performances and moments of brilliance no doubt keep the social media team happy at QPR but goals and assists are what will define Eze - his scruffy finish against Millwall certainly shows signs of life in that department.

With that in mind, inevitably, our chat turns to whether QPR can keep hold of their shining light.

QPR played a bit of a blinder to convince Eze, who was subject of strong interest from elsewhere, to put pen to paper on a new contract, keeping him at Loftus Road until 2021.

James Maddison - starring in a similar role for Norwich last season - fetched £24m in the summer while £30m was touted for playmaker Jack Grealish amid serious intent to buy from Tottenham. With the market as it is, QPR, who are of course under significant financial restraints after being hit by a settlement of almost £42m for breaching Financial Fair Play rules, could have a golden ticket on their hands.

Bircham admits the vultures have already been circling.

"Premier League clubs were looking at him, they'd ring me up to get references about him and to see what his personality was like," he says.

"He hasn't got a chip on his shoulder. He loves his football and wants to get better."

The Loftus Road locals were robbed of the opportunity to see Sterling progress up close - but they may just have another star on their hands.

Instead of watching from afar, they can enjoy the ride with this one.

--SkySports

Swedish League: Ogbu, Obasi on target in IK Sirius’ 4-2 win
By Abdulquadir Adedapo - October 6, 2018 12

https://aoifootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Screen-Shot-2018-10-06-at-11.03.42-PM.png

It was an entertaining afternoon in the Swedish Allsvenskan as both Moses Ogbu and Chinedu Obasi went head to head in a game involving IK Sirius and IF Elfsborg, AOIFootball.com reports.

In what was a competitive first half display, the away side raced into a two-goal lead from an own goal caused by Tim Bjorkstrom in the 11th minute before Obasi scored his third goal of the season from twelve yards to double his side’s lead.

However, Moses Ogbu’s individual effort after 34 minutes halved the deficit before Chester Gustafson equalised for Sirius just on the dot of half time.

The second half was, however, a one-man show as Nigeria’s Ogbu stole the moment, first setting up Mohammed Saeid two minutes after the hour mark to put the hosts in front before completing the turnaround 10 minutes later when he scored his second and Sirius’ 4th to record a resounding 4-2 victory.

Ogbu was substituted afterward to a standing aviation and he received the man of the match award with a game rating of 8.6, completed 74% of his passes and winning 3 duels.

Chinedu Obasi, on the other hand, had a game rating of 7.4, completing 80% of his passes, winning 5 of his 9 duels and completing 100% of his tackles.

--AoiFOOTBALL

who be we?.. some celebrate England based players who are also fully Nigerians. Abi komekn etc no follow for the family here? is there an exclusive club I don't know about?

modified
well then I have to say there are several families here.

safarigirl:
I know this is hard for many of you to take in, but in every family, there will ALWAYS be the favorite child, just like there will always be a favorite player for most people and if it is not the person you would rather have, too bad then.

Also, we celebrate Osimhen because he is a baby and just like every parent who gets excited when their baby takes his first steps, Osimhen's goal was celebrated as his baby steps in football.


Ighalo is that older kid who the family rarely celebrates, mostly because, he is only a philanthropist to outsiders and rarely contributes anything for the good of the family.


Welcome to this thread, it is shaped a lot like a family

Let me enjoy my 11 minutes of Cinderella jor


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hMYD3xUATs

zoboizee:
Ejaria & Eze plays cinderella football more like showboating. The only addition Eagles deserve for now is Ademola Lookman as far as England is concerned. The options we have are far more mature with their games than them.

Can he bring back his old days to the SE? That's the pertinent question.

gamaliel9:
Go back and watch his days at Inter before the devil of injuries set in...now injuries has DECIMATED him....he cannot meet up. For God`s sake this guy won CHAMPION S LEAGUE WITH INTER...

Ovie Ejaria compares Rangers loan to Sunderland spell
1 day ago

Ejaria starred in Rangers win over Rapid Vienna on Thursday night.
https://cdn.hitc-s.com/i/1127/ovie_ejaria_of_rangers_battles_for_possession_with_thomas_murg_o_932239.jpg

Ovie Ejaria was key in Rangers win over Rapid Vienna on Thursday night as the Gers pushed themselves back to the top of Group G in the Europa League - and he believes his loan at Rangers is better than that at Sunderland last term.

The 20-year-old played the entire 90 minutes as Rangers came from behind to win 3-1 over their Austrian opponents, thanks to an Alfredo Morelos brace and a James Tavernier penalty.

On loan from Liverpool, Ejaria was instrumental in Rangers build up play and his quick feet and inch-perfect pass allowed Morelos to get to the ball first before being brought down for the Gers' penalty in the 84th minute.

Diego Simeone's First 7 Atletico Madrid Signings: Where Are They Now?
Ejaria, who spent time on loan at Sunderland last season in England's Championship, reckons his loan spell at Rangers is proving beneficial - more so than it did at Sunderland.

"Yeah, you could say so [that it is a step up from Sunderland]," Ejaria told Rangers' Youtube Channel. "You're playing in Europe, in the Europa League which is a very high level so I'm really happy with the way it's going at the moment."

Ejaria went on loan to the Wearside club during the second half of the 2017-18 campaign, where he made just 11 Championship appearances and scored one goal. He has made eight appearances for Liverpool's first team.

--HITC

Owambe for Eagles square... sweating for PH.

Beauty to watch? Please he has been in the SE fold pre WC and even at the WC. How is his situation different from Ighalo? At least Ighalo has one or two things to show for his recent invites. Joel Obi, none! Present continuous form please. And let it translate to the national team.

gamaliel9:
Bar injury...Obi has been beauty to watch....playing in Serie A is week in week out for top and mid table teams is no mean feat ..Serie A.... the most tactical league in the world

Joel Obi? on the back of what performance?

gamaliel9:
Well,,,,he stepped up...but still a little above the Nwakalis and miles below ObI
Ejaria has a long way to go...still playing like school boy

whoever came up with that saying needs a national award

Icon4s:
Omo there is a difference between Plantain chips and ''Kpekere''

Nwankwo Scores for Crotone; Balogun Benched In Brighton Draw; Onazi, Nwakaeme Lose With Trabzonspor
By Johnny Edward

https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Simeon-Nwankwo-Crotone.jpeg

Nigerian striker, Simeon Nwankwo was the match winner for Crotone who defeated Livorno 1-0 in Monday’s Italian Serie B clash reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Nwankwo came off the substitute’s bench in the 78th minute for Ante Budimir and got the win for his side six minutes from time.

The strike was Nwankwo’s first Serie B goal of the season for Crotone in three appearances.

Crotone are now third in the Serie B table with six points from three games. They will host Verona on Saturday in their next Serie B game.

At the Saint Marys stadium in Southampton, Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun watched from the substitute’s bench for the second time in a row as Brighton snatched a late 2-2 draw away to Southampton on Monday.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gave Southampton the lead after 35 minutes firing in a low drive from the edge of the box before Danny Ings made it 2-0 after he slotted the ball into the bottom left corner from the

penalty after Gaetan Bong was adjudged to have clipped the heels of clipped the heels of the Liverpool loanee (Ings) in the box.

Shane Duffy halved the deficit heading in Anthony Knockaert’s curling free-kick two minutes later. The goal was his third goal this term. Glenn Murray tucked in a penalty in the 90th minute after Duffy was shoved in the box by Ward-Prowse.

Brighton pressed hard for an equaliser after Chris Hughton introduced Alireza Jahanbakhsh for Solly March in the 71st minute and Jurgen Locadia for Yves Bissouma in the 77th minute of the game but both players could not salvage a point for the Seagulls who suffered their third defeat of the season.

Balogun has made only two appearances for Brighton in the EPL since his arrival on a free. Brighton have taken four points from their first four EPL matches will host Tottenham in their next EPL game on Saturday.

In Turkey, Super Eagles pair of Anthony Nwakaeme and Ogenyi Onazi were subbed off in Trabzonspor’s 1-0 away loss to Alanyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig encounter played at the Bahcesehir Okullari Arena in Alanya.

Merih Demiral fourth minute goal sealed maximum points for Alanyaspor who secured their consecutive win of the season. For Trabzonspor, it was their second defeat of the season.

Nwakaeme has made three League appearances for Trabzonspor scoring twice while Onazi has played five games scoring once.

--CSN

If we must go for Akpoguma, then we should go for Tammy Abraham. For me, they are in the same boat.. red carpet guys... abi na green carpet we wan spread this time?

ChrisKels:
I dont care how they do it, they just have to do it like they did Ademola's. Akpoguma especially has been somewhat a personanongrata for Germany, and sadly for hoffeinhem too. Dude is playing second fiddle to newly acquired Ghanaman Kasim Nuhu though the Nuhu guy is crocked now, Akpoguma is still finding it tough to get reasonable minutes under his belt. Getting him wont be that hard anymore but the qstn is, "is he good enough?"

haha.. i'm just attacking the reason you gave. For me, I think we have so much wingers at our disposal now. Let's try to figure out the best four, then we can go from there, else, we'll get really confused with too much personnel.

ChrisKels:
Now u are contradicting ur earlier stance. Do u want him or not? U kinda rigmarole bro. U just dey dribble me about

We've not clinched the ticket yet. Let's keep building so we can pick one of the slots if not as African champs. The boys will be ready for the world by then.

tbaba1234:
Our golden eaglets. I think there is still a lot of work to be done if they are going to be world beaters.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnLYsDjX0AAdDHk.jpg

Okay but he featured as a RB against Seychelles, right? You said he is a great addition. Have you seen him play as a CB in the GWG? I hope say no be that Liberia match u wan refer to?

tbaba1234:
Semi is not a right back though.

He plays mainly as CB or DM.

Ask COLLINS Udoh

Icon4s:
Kanu was a supporting striker and not a CF. Comparing his goals ratio with that of Ighalo is totally baseless. We saw the number of chances Kanu created for the team, we scored goals from free-kicks and penalties won by Kanu.

And then Osaze played in the same era as Kanu, Martins and Yakubu who were all very highly rated .Osaze never played as a CF. He was played from the wings.

So if anyone wants to compare goals ratio of Ighalo with those of other CF it should be against those of likes of Martins, Yakubu, Ike Uche, Aghahowa and Emenike.

or better yet he would feature for SE in a testimonial match.

Humility017:
good one....I wish him success in his quest to get 3 lions call up soon.
all the best bro

I had to entertain Beyreuther. Shehu is a cover for Aina at RB if fully fit. Else, Semi Ajayi for Shehu.

tbaba1234:
No Semi Ajayi? I think he is a great addition

Tiago Ilori is 25. He is nowhere near the English senior team or Portugal. We should inquire about him.

why did VAR overturn it? Was there ball handling or?

BascoVanVeli:
The referee gave it as a goal but VAR overturned it.

MY SE LIST FOR THE LIBYA DOUBLE HEADER

1.UZOHO Francis
2. NWOKOLOR David
3. OSIGWE Sabastian

4. AWAZIEM Chidozie
5. BALOGUN Leon
6. TROOST-EKONG William
7. OMERUO Kenneth
8. BEYREUTHER Deji
9. COLLINS Jamilu
10. AINA Ola

11. IWOBI Alex
12. OBI Mikel
13. NDIDI Wilfred
14. OGU John
15. ONAZI Ogenyi
16. EZE Ebere
17. SHEHU Abdullahi

18. ONYEKURU Henry
19. KALU Samuel
20. MUSA Ahmed
21. IHEANACHO Kelechi
22. SUCCESS Isaac
23. SIMON Moses
24. NWANKWO Simeon
25. IGHALO Odion

Super Eagle wannabe Nedum Onuaha refuses to extend contract with QPR, joins fellow Nigerian, Sunday Stephen at MLS side, Real Salt Lake City.

Godfrey Oboabona joins Croatian first tier side, HNK Gorica

FLASH BACK

Ighalo handed shot at Super Eagles redemption by Rohr

25 Aug, 2018
Colin Udoh
Football Editor, KweséESPN


Peals of derisive laughter rang through the hall as Gernot Rohr named Odion Ighalo in his list of strikers for the September 7 Africa Cup of Nations Cup qualifier against Seychelles.

The Nigeria coach was forced to explain his choice, with a little chuckle of his own

"I want to give him the opportunity to prove to the fans that he can still score the goals," the German coach began. "He was scored a lot of goals in China and he scored again last week."

He was being factual; last season, Ighlao scored 15 goals in 27 league appearances.

Since returning from the World Cup, he has hit eight goals in as many appearances, but his club form is not the problem. It is his international-goal return that has proven to be the foundation for the withering albatross around his neck.

Four goals in 21 appearances is a disappointing record for a striker at this level, that's an average of 0.19 goal per game or, to be more picturesque, one goal every 5.25 games.

By contrast, Kelechi Iheanacho hits a goal every 2.5 games for Nigeria, although, to put some perspective to the numbers, both Osaze Odemwingie and Nwankwo Kanu posted worse games per goal ratios than Ighalo.

Odemwingie's was a goal every 6.3 games and Kanu scored every 7.3 games.

So why do fans have an issue with Ighalo?

The following might explain it.

He managed just one goal in World Cup qualifying, and zero at the World Cup proper.

Of his other three goals, only one other came in a competitive game, the penalty against Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier which was eventually annulled after the Chadians pulled out of the series.

In other words, when the Super Eagles have needed a striker to fire for them, Ighalo has not been the man, except for that one time against Cameroon.

Beyond the lack of goals, the manner of his spurning the chances that came his way in Russia proved particularly galling for many a Nigeria fan.

Ighalo will not be the first to suffer such recrimination.

Yakubu Ayegbeni sidefooted his way into the hall of infamy for THAT miss against South Korea at the 2010 World Cup. Few remember that he stepped up to score a penalty later in the same game.

Before Yakubu, Godwin Odiye's career is forever remembered for scoring the own goal that cost Nigeria a place at the 1978 World Cup.

Neither of those two had a chance to change their narratives.

Odiye won the Nations Cup three years after with Nigeria but the stain remained, while Yakubu was immortalised in a song by Nigerian rapper MI Abaga.

For Ighalo, one moment, okay make that two moments, against Argentina could have made him a national hero forever. All he had to do was find the net.

He did not, and so fine are the margins, that he is now a villain.

However, he now has a chance to flip that script, starting with this game against Seychelles.

If he can carry over his club form to the Super Eagles and score the goals that take Nigeria to the Nations Cup, his 'sins' will be forgiven.

After the press conference, Rohr expanded on his decision to not ostracise the forward


"I want to give him the opportunity to show to all his critics, that he is still able to do well with us and to score the goals," Rohr explained.

"Perhaps in Seychelles he will be very, very motivated to show them that he can score the goals."

Ighalo has the tools to do just that.

For one, he has the assured confidence and reputation of a player who has played at the top level of club football in Europe after successful stints in Spain and England.

Beyond that, he has the bruising strength of an ox, the smarts to link-up play excellently, and the ability to get himself into goalscoring positions borne of experience.

He just needs all of it to come together for the fans to get behind him again.

The Highly-Rated Nigerian Teenager Chosen To Train With Arsenal First Team On Wednesday
Published: September 05, 2018

The Highly-Rated Nigerian Teenager Chosen To Train With Arsenal First Team On Wednesday
Arsenal's Nigerian left-back, Tolaji Bola has trained with the club's first team as a break for a senior appearance beckons in no distant time.

The talented youngster was part of the first team players who went through a training session at London Colney today, with a host of absentees conspicuously missing out due to international commitments.

The likes of Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Matteo Guendouzi, Rob Holding, Mesut Ozil and Alex Lacazette were joined in the turf by the 19-year-old defender who has long been touted to make his senior team appearance having progressed nicely through the youth ranks at the club's Hale End.

Bola has missed just one of the four games the Gunners reserve team has played in the Premier League 2 this term, laying on one of the goals in the 6-5 thriller with Manchester City on matchday 1.

Described as physical, marauding and a ball-playing defender, manager Unai Emery may hand a debut to the Nigerian in the League Cup or the Europa League.

Though he has already been capped at U-18 level by England, he remains eligible to represent any of the Nigerian teams through his parentage roots.

Emmanuel Chinaza

--ANS

CD Primeiro De Agosto Emerge Angolan Premier League Winner
By Editor - September 3, 20180104

https://footballlive.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rasak-Adegbite-Yinka-Anifowoshe-Ibukun-Akinfewa.jpg

CD Primeiro De Agosto who boast three Nigerians Rasak Adegbite, Yinka Anifowoshe, Ibukun Akinfewa on their pay roll have been crowned the 2018 Angolan League Champions.


Rasak Adegbite who spoke exclusively to www.footballive.ng immediately after the match said, “We are in a jubilation mood now as it feels quite good winning the Angolan League especially as it only my first season in the club and I give all glory to God.”

Describing the final match that won the team the title, he said, “It was a difficult match but at the end of the day we gave a good fight and we emerged victorious in front of our fans which called for celebration because we had worked so hard from the beginning of the season.”

The former Rangers International Star went on to say his fervent prayer is to see the Angolan do a double by winning the CAF Champions League in addition to the already conquered league after they made it to the quarterfinals of the competition.

He however mentioned that he and his teammates would be taking the competition step by step starting with the quarterfinals as they are very determined to win a double in 2018.

Rasak Adegbite concluded by dedicating the Angolan Premier League Win to God while also giving glory to God for the won race.

--FootballLIVEng

READ | Ajayi joins up with Super Eagles squad
2 Hours ago

https://www.themillers.co.uk/siteassets/image/first-team/players/semi-ajayi/18-19/nigeria-call-up-ajayi-website.jpg

Semi Ajayi talks to www.themillers.co.uk...

Rotherham United defender Semi Ajayi has joined up with his Nigeria teammates ahead of their 2019 AFCON Qualifier fixture against Seychelles.

The 24-year-old, who received his first call-up to the Super Eagles squad recently, joined UK based teammates on a flight out to Seychelles, where they will play on Saturday 8th September.

With a long day of travelling behind them, the players spent the majority of the first day recuperating ahead of the weekend’s match before a training session today and Ajayi says he is enjoying life with his national team.

“Day One was mainly a recovery day from all of the travelling, but it has already been a really good experience so far,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.

“We went out and stretched our legs with a light stroll and some head tennis on the beach.

“After that it was a case of going back for a gym session which mainly consisted of stretching.

“Today we trained in the morning and again, went back in the afternoon for some more work in the gym.”

Ajayi has represented Nigeria at youth level but could make his senior debut as the Super Eagles take on Seychelles this weekend and the former Arsenal trainee is relishing the prospect of being involved.

“I’m just delighted to be out here because it’s such an honour to be called-up to represent your country,” he continued.

“It will be a different experience and one that can only make me better as a player, so I’m already looking forward to the weekend.

“I think we’ll step up preparations in training again tomorrow and then it will be match preparation on Friday, so hopefully I can impress and be involved in the game."

--TheMillers

That has been my point.

Icon4s:
I am not saying scrapping any step. Promote them to go compete at the U20. If they have the exceptional abilities they will still excel. No automatic shirts.

U17 is the baseline but we should not sleep on that and keep promoting players to Super Eagles based on U17 Performances. They need to prove their worth also at U20.

For us to have regular supplies of players for the Super Eagles we need to take the U20 more seriously. That is my point.

Jamilu Collins Downplays Injury Fears
By Editor - September 3, 20180151

https://footballlive.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jamilu-collins-paderborn_bnm2fw2opii11ihvwsbwk980y.jpg

SC Paderborn of Germany defender, Jamilu Collins has downplayed fears raised over an injury blight, as he says he only had a knock last weekend, but insists it is nothing serious.

Speaking in the wake of his going off against VfL Bochum in the German second division, the Super Eagles’ new invitee waved aside fitness worries and stressed that he will report to the Nigerian camp in Victoria, Seychelles.

Collins dispelled fears that any injury could deny him his Eagles’ debut in Seychelles, as he is already focused on the AFCON 2019 qualifier on Saturday.

The 24-year-old former Flying Eagles left-back was hauled off by Paderborn after 84 minutes against Bochum, thereby raising worries that he may have suffered an injury.

However, Collins stated: “I’m focused coming from my club – to go to Seychelles and win. We hope to play good football and win the match.”

--footballLiveNg

Oh really? I thought it was just 1 slot..

Are there two mini qualification tournaments for WAFU?

Icon4s:
Mali, Guinea, Senegal and co will battle for the other WAFU ticket.

This is a tournament that most times all the 4 African tickets are taken by teams from West Africa. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, CIV, B.Faso, and Guinea have been known to produce the best teams from Africa at this age level.

Now the useless CAF has limited the number of ticket from WA to African U17 to 2.

This is a big scam and totally unacceptable. They are trying to favor countries for South and East Africa at the detriment of producing quality teams to represent Africa. What a shame.