₦airaland Forum

Nigeria's Flamingoes on Saturday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta booked their place in the 2012 Fifa Under17 Women's World Cup in Azerbaijan.

Nigeria's ticket came off a well-rounded victory from the nation's campaigners against their Zambian counterparts, Junior She-Polopolo whom they hit 5-0 in the final fixture of the global event.

The coach Peter Dedevbo tutored side completed the routing of the Southern Africans on 7-1 aggregate after first leg ended 2-1 in favour of the Nigerians in Lusaka.

The goal feast was served off by free scoring goal queen, Patience Okaeme followed by Halimatu Ayinde's second which closed the first term.

On resumption of play, the rush for goals continued in a virtually one-sided game.

Chidinma Edeji up the goals to three and later grabbed the fourth through a well taken penalty after an on rushing Zambian player handled the ball in the penalty box.

Mabel Effiom Michael scored the fifth goal to round off the goal harvest.

Coach of the Nigerians, Peter Dedevbo expressed delight at his players' performance while promising a greater outing at the World Cup.

"The scoreline is okay and that showed the better of both sides. We're going to the World Cup to do Nigeria and Africa proud," he told SuperSport.com.

However, his opposite, Beauty Mwamba while she praised her players for a good game, she complained that the Nigerian players are women.

"I am proud of my girls, they've done their part, I'm not disappointed. We presented young girls unlike the Nigerian players who are clearly women," she said.

Ghana joined Nigeria in the Azerbaijan's party remaining one country to complete the Africa's trio.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/flamingoes-book-world-cup-ticket.html

Club Brugge striker Joseph Akpala has revealed he is “pained” that he has been overlooked by Nigeria despite scoring 21 goals this season.

Akpala has scored 14 goals in the Belgian league and he is also credited with seven in the UEFA Europa League.

However, the 25-year-old striker, who was first capped in 2008, has been overlooked most recently by the Super Eagles even though he has proved to be one of the country’s most prolific marksmen in Europe.

“Well, it is painful not getting called up for the Eagles when it is obvious that I am doing well,” said the striker who has scored two goals in seven appearances for Nigeria.

“But I can’t force it. I have not let that weigh me down and that was why I keep doing well. I am sure I will get the chance soonest.

“I have been overlooked in the past but still got the call and I thank God I did not disappoint anytime I am in Eagles. I am optimistic I will get my chance under coach Stephen Keshi soon.”

Akpala also told MTNFootball.com that he has received “a lot” of offers to leave Brugge, but he still has a season left on his contract with the top Belgian club and he will have to wait till the summer to decide on his future.

He equally spoke about his goals this season and his hopes in the Belgian championship playoffs after the regular season ended on Wednesday.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/eagles-snub-pained-joseph-akpala.html

Highly respected Senegalese Fifa women's referee Fadouma Dia will be at the centre during Saturday's 2012 U-17 Women's World Cup African final qualifying match between Nigeria and Zambia, at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

Dia will be supported by compatriots Die Alse Sylla (First Assistant), Adua Issue Cisse (Second Assistant) and Amina Fall (Fourth Official). The Match Commissioner is Hilda Addah from Ghana.

Nigeria's Flamingoes won the first leg 2-1 in Lusaka with second half goals by Patience Okaeme and Halimat Ayinde, to be in pole position for one of Africa's three tickets to this year's World Cup.

In other matches, Gambia will fly to Tunis to take on Tunisia while South Africa, who could only force the Ghanaian Princesses to a 0-0 in Johannesburg, are in for a tough duel in Accra.

Nigeria participated at the only two previous editions of the U-17 Women's World Cup (New Zealand 2008 and Trinidad and Tobago 2010).

Meanwhile, Zambia's 26-person delegation to the match in Abeokuta will fly into Nigeria at noon on Thursday. The delegation will be immediately driven to Abeokuta in a well-secured convoy.


http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3626188544444551898#allposts

TOP EARNERS

1) £27.5m
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

2) £26.2m

David Beckham (LA Galaxy)

3) £24.3m
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

4) £19.4m
Samuel Eto’o (Anzhi)

5) £17.2m
Wayne Rooney (Man United)

6) £15.7m
Sergio Aguero (Man City)

7) £14.7m
Yaya Toure (Man City)

£13.9m
Fernando Torres (Chelsea)

9) £12.9m
Kaka (Real Madrid)

10) £11.9m
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/samuel-etoo-is-africa-highest-paid.html

Argentina's Lionel Messi is the world's highest-paid footballer, followed by David Beckham of England and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, according to France Football magazine.

Barcelona talisman Messi earns some €33 million ($43.5 million) a year with a €10.5-million salary, €1.5 million in bonuses and €21 million in advertising and other contracts.

Former Manchester United midfielder Beckham, now at LA Galaxy, takes home €31.5 million, largely due to his €26 million worth of advertising and endorsement contracts.

Real Madrid's Ronaldo earns €29.2 million, from a €13-million annual salary and €15.5 million from off-the-pitch revenue, France Football said in an article to be published on Tuesday.

Ronaldo's coach at the Camp Nou, Portugal's Jose Mourinho, topped the list of highest-earning managers with €14.8 million a year, followed by Paris Saint-Germain's Carlo Ancelotti (€13.5 million)

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/worlds-highest-paid-footballer.html

A member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Adegboye Onigbinde has raised concerns over the manner of the peaceful resolution in the nation's football.

Onigbinde believes that the peaceful resolution between the nation's football federation and the aggrieved duo of Dr Sam Sam Jaja and Barrister Ray Nnaji is tainted with defects.

The Caf instructor questioned the reason of the football house rewarding both men with positions and compensation as part of the peaceful resolution.

He added that the resolution of compensating Jaja and Nnaji negates the statutes of the world football governing body, Fifa of taking matters of the game to a law court.

"It is good that a move for the peaceful resolution of the crisis that has engulfed our football in the nation has been embraced. But my worry is the way and manner by which they went about resolving it.

"If you say someone has done something wrong by going against the statutes of the game and you resolve your differences by compensating them with positions and cash then something is wrong and we should be worried.

"This is a bad precedence for the game as it is capable of haunting the game in future because we have decided to leave the door open for other aggrieved persons to also come out and do same in order to be compensated," Onigbinde said to SuperSport.com.

On Tuesday, the NFF agreed to make Jaja a honourary member of the nation's football federation as well as reverse his disqualification from the 2010 Nigeria Premier League election.

The football federation also assured it will issue "a letter of unreserved apology" to Jaja for the hurt caused by the disqualification.

On the other hand, Jaja promised to discontinue the enforcement of the court judgement with suit number FHC/ABJ/CBS/170/10 of January 20, 2012 that declared the NFF and NPL illegal bodies on the grounds that the federation keeps its own bargain of the terms of the peaceful resolution.

Nnaji also agreed to end his legal tussle with the football house after the NFF said it will lift his ban from football activities in the country and publicize it.

The NFF also agreed to pay "reasonable compensation" to Nnaji and "pay his outstanding referee allowance, subject to verification."

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/onigbinde-faults-nigeria-peace.html

The world soccer governing body, Fifa on Thursday expressed happiness with the peaceful resolution of the crisis that has rocked Nigerian football in the past months.

A Nigerian delegation was led by the nation's supervising sports minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi to hold talks with top officials of the world football governing body including its president, Sepp Blatter, in Zurich, Switzerland.

Fifa president, Blatter, said during the meeting: “Nigeria is a very important country to us. In fact, one of the most important countries, so what happens in Nigerian football has great significance for us in Fifa.”

Blatter also extolled Abdullahi for his role in resolving the impasse between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Dr Sam Sam Jaja as well as Barrister Ray Nnaji, who instituted court cases against the federation.

The Fifa boss described the sports minister as "a young man with great wisdom."

"We have had this issue on our desk for a long time. Therefore, I cannot thank you enough, Honourable Minister for resolving this problem. Football cannot grow in an atmosphere of instability. We are happy that this is resolved and now we can focus on the business of football development in Nigeria," Blatter said.

However, when informed that the Nigerian government gives the nation's football federation an annual subvention of $20 million, Blatter was stunned and harped on accountability and transparency.

"You guys (NFF) are lucky. We are only not happy when we have reasons to believe that government wants to take control of the NFF that has been duly elected or sacks a federation with fiat," Blatter remarked.

"And even we in FIFA are reviewing our statutes as part of our reform process so as to allow for greater accountability and transparency."

Abdullahi briefed the Fifa team in Zurich about plans to work towards the speedy passage of the NFF Bill at the National House of Assembly in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday, the Nigerian sports minister and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim played roles in ending the disagreement between the NFF and Jaja and Nnaji on one hand.

Jaja and Nnaji have agreed to stop their legal battles against the NFF.

However, Nanf president, Harrison Jalla rubbished the peaceful resolution on Wednesday.

Jalla said there is still a court case with suit number FHC/L/CS/49/12 filed at the Federal High Court of Lagos to compel the sports minister and Attorney General of the Federation to give effect to the NFA Act 2004 since the NFF has been declared illegal in a court ruling on January 20.

Nanf, one of the two footballers unions in Nigeria, is not foreclosing enforcing the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja of January 20 that declared the NFF and Nigeria Premier League (NPL) illegal.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/fifa-happy-with-nigeria.html

Super Eagles’ manager, Stephen Keshi has charged the Golden Eaglets coaching crew to give the job their best shot.

Keshi said it is imperative that he rub minds with the coaches because of the importance attached to their assignment.

"I must confess to you that I really like the combination of coaches for the Golden Eaglets because they all played football locally and at the international level.

"It is important that we all work together to help the present poor situation of Nigerian football.

"The Under17 level is the foundation for the national team and having this crop of coaches here means that our young players would be exposed to many things at this level.

"I would equally be involved with the age groups and it is essential that we all work together."

Manu Garba is the Eaglets' head coach while Emmanuel Amuneke, Nduka Ugbade and Emeka Amadi are his assistants.

The former Nigerian captain called on Nigerians to rally round the Golden Eaglets for the good of the game in the country.

"The Under17 level is about development and we should not put the coaches under undue pressure just because we want them to win.

"The main goal is not to win rather, it should be about development.

"I’m quite impressed that they have given everybody equal opportunity during the screening and we should give them maximum support because the work that is given to them is not an easy one," Keshi stated.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/keshi-tasks-eaglets-coaches.html

The ex world and South American champions will play against the Super eagles in an international friendly later this year.

Reports reaching us states that Lagos fans won't see the match live at the Teslim Balogun stadium (TBS) because the playing turf is artificial.

The Brazilians said they would prefer to play on a natural grass. The maintenance culture of stadia in Nigeria hasn't been encouraging and that has made artificial turf popular in the country. The match will be played at the National stadium Abuja.

The Brazilians will get $1.5m for appearance fee, they will be lodged in a 5 star hotel and they will enjoy first class flight.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/brazil-reject-teslim-balogun-stadium.html

Nigeria's Super Eagles will battle five-time Fifa World Cup champions, Brazil in an international friendly in September this year.

The match, SuperSport.com has been informed by an NFF source, will hold at the National Stadium in Abuja.

However, the exact date is yet to be confirmed as the game is expected to hold in one of Fifa's free windows for international matches.

It was also gathered that the match is the annual 'Guinness The Match' tournament.

The NFF source said: "Arrangement for the game is near conclusion for the friendly match between the Super Eagles and Brazil. The match will hold in Abuja in September this year. And the agreement is that the two nations will parade their best players during the match. "The exact date of the friendly is yet to be confirmed but will be made official very soon. The friendly is the annual 'Guinness The Match' tournament where the winner will be handed a trophy."

Last year, the Super Eagles faced Argentina on June 1 in Abuja and defeated the South Americans by 4-1 in a game tagged 'Guinness The Match.'

It is expected that the Brazilians coached by Mano Menezes will hit the Nigerian capital with a strong of Daniel Alves, Ramires, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Ganzo, Neymar and Hulk among others.

Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have kept mum on this development are expected to officially announce the match in a matter of days.

The last time Nigeria played hosts to their Brazilian counterparts was in a friendly game in 2003 and they lost 0-3 in Abuja.

Source

Nigeria’s female U17 team, The Flamingoes, defeated hosts Baby She-Polopolo of Zambia 2-1 in a 2012 FIFA World Cup qualifying first leg match in Lusaka Saturday.


Two-goal heroine from the match against Kenya in Nairobi in the previous round, Patience Okaeme, and dazzling playmaker, Halimat Ayinde, scored for Nigeria early in the second half.

The Zambians, 7-1 winners over Botswana in the earlier round, got a consolation goal through Mukuka Mupela.

The Flamingoes dominated this clash at the Nkoloma Stadium despite a scoreless first half after the game suffered a 30 minute kick-off delay due to a heavy downpour.

Baby Shepolopolo were lucky not to have been 2-0 down before the first half hour when goalkeeper Susan Nalwamba kept out two certain goals from Chidima Ledfyi in the 20th and 29th minutes.

Head coach Peter Dedevbo said at the end: “Yes, I am happy that we won, but it could have been by a much bigger margin. All the same, we savour the victory and now look ahead to the second leg in Nigeria.”

The win ensures the Nigerian girls put one leg firmly in Azerbaijan for their third consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals, with earlier outings in New Zealand 2008 and Trinidad and Tobago 2010.

The return leg comes up at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Saturday, March 24.

SOURCE

Former Nigeria international Kadiri Ikhana is to earn 2.5 million Naira (about $16,000) a month as new coach of the country’s women’s team.

The former Kano Pillars and Kwara United coach agreed this pay with the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at his interview Thursday in Abuja.

The board of the NFF are expected to announce Ikhana's appointment next week.

MTNFootball.com specially gathered that the salary was improved from an earlier offer of 2 million Naira.

Ikhana has not handled a female team, but he insisted that this would not be a drawback in his new challenge because it is still football.

“There is no special skill in coaching a female team,” Ikhana told MTNFootball.com

“There is really not much difference in male and female football because they operate on the same rules and regulations.

“All I have got to do is instil discipline in the team and ensure they are fit and play according to instructions.”

The likes of Paul Hamilton and Godwin Izilien made a success of their stints with the female national team despite lacking previous experience in women's football.

The experienced coach also promised that the Falcons will resume their dominance of African football after the recent slips to Ghana and Cameroon.

“I can assure you that the Falcons will be back dominating African football as was the case before,” he said.

The African champions are set to defend their crown at the African Women’s Championship in Equatorial Guinea later this year.

Source

Former Nigeria World Cup skipper Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has cast doubts on a comeback in a new lucrative league in India.

The 38-year-old midfielder has been lined up as one of the top stars in the I-League, but he has now said he will have to consider his family and business commitments before he decides on whether he will lace his boots again.

“My going back to India depends on my health because I'm not growing any younger, I have to consider my family and businesses as well,” Okocha said in Abuja.

“But I'm not ruling out the possibilities of playing in India again.”

Okocha has featured for several top European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Fenerbache and Bolton Wanderers.

He last starred for Hull City in England in 2008.

‘Jay Jay’ is to earn about $550,000 for two months of work in India, reports said.

He has been listed under the club Durgapur and will work with former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia.

However, the proposed league, which will also draw other top football stars like Hernan Crespo, Fabio Cannavaro and Robert Pires has suffered several postponements and hitches.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/jay-jay-casts-doubts-on-india-comeback.html

Former Nigeria youth international Uche Nwofor has revealed he is looking forward to feature in the glamorous UEFA Champions League.


The ex-Rangers striker, who was the top scorer at last year’s Africa U20 Championship, said he was excited watching his former team mate at VVV Venlo Ahmed Musa in action for CSKA Moscow in the Champions League against Real Madrid and now craves for such soon.

“I was breathless watching on television, and thought 'I want that too'. I can get to that level. I just need to work hard and then the clubs themselves will come,” Nwofor told Voetbal International Magazine.

The VVV Venlo ace is reported to now be courted by the Russian army team, but he said one of his biggest wishes is to play for Chelsea even though he is a Manchester United fan.

“My favourite club is Manchester United, but many great black players have played for Chelsea. I want to follow their footsteps,” said the 20-year-old striker, who has scored three goals this season for his struggling Dutch club.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/uche-nwofor-dreams-champions-league.html

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may well settle for former Kwara United coach Kadiri Ikhana as the new coach of the country’s female team because they do not have the cash to pay a foreign coach.

The NFF technical committee have recommended former France and China coach Elizabeth Loisel for the Falcons top post, but top officials have now informed MTNFootball.com the federation cannot meet her financial demands.

The French woman has been recommended to take charge of the Falcons, who are getting set to begin the defence of the African Women’s Championship soon.

This year’s AWC will be staged in Equatorial Guinea.

The executive committee of the NFF are to meet next week to appoint a technical director for the country as well as coach for the Falcons.

“We just have to wait and see how the board will tackle this issue because the foreign coach is asking for a lot of money and presently the NFF are not in a position to guarantee such a contract,” an official said.

In the meantime, former international Kadiri Ikhana is the latest name to be linked with the Falcons top post.

“The new name being linked with the Falcons job is Kadiri Ikhana,” another top official disclosed.

“He is known to be a very strict disciplinarian even though he has yet to handle a women’s team.”

The outspoken former Nigeria international guided Kano Pillars to win the 2008 Nigeria Premier League crown.

He quit coaching in the NPL at the end of last season.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/nff-to-name-ikhana-as-falcons-coach.html

Former Shooting Stars coach Fatai Amoo is set to be named the new coach of Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles.

MTNFootball.com has specially gathered that the former Super Eagles assistant coach is heavily favoured to take over from John Sam Obuh, who guided the team to win the 2011 African Youth Championship in South Africa.

The executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will meet next week in Abuja to announce Amoo’s appointment.

Amoo has worked at several top Nigerian clubs including First Bank FC of Lagos, Enyimba and Sunshine Stars.

He has a penchant for discovering and working with young players like Gbolahan Salami, who he spotted playing for a Lagos secondary school.

This season, ‘Arsena’ was replaced at 3SC by Festus Allen after he refused a reduced offer by the Ibadan club.

His immediate assignment would be in July, when he battles the overall winners of the AYC match-up between Sudan and Tanzania for the right to advance in the qualifying series for the biennial competition to be staged next year in Algeria.

The FIFA U20 World Cup will be hosted by Turkey from June 2013.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/fatai-amoo-takes-over-feagles.html

The Nigerians go through to the next round of the Caf Champions League
The Nigeria champions hammer the Equatorial Guinea side in Port Harcourt to book a place in the latter stages of Africa’s elite football competition


Players of Nigeria Premier League champions Dolphins defeated Sony de Ela Nguema 3-0 in the second leg of the African Champions League preliminary round to edge the tie 6-0 on aggregate.

Coach Stanley Eguma did not take chances as he fielded a strong team, even after beating the Equatorial Guinea side with the same score line as in the first leg in Malabo.

As early as the second minute of the match, Isiaka Olawale scored the first goal after a good combination with Ifeanyi Egwim and Chidi Osuchukwu.

Egwim would thereafter score the second goal in the 35th minute when defenders of Nguema could not cope with his mazy runs.

Osuchukwu sealed the game for Dolphins in the 67th minute to take the Port-Harcourt side into the next round of the Champions League.

Eguma said after the game that they will start preparation for the next match of the competition.

"I am excited with the victory, but preparation for the next game starts immediately," Eguma told

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/dolphins-defeat-sony-ela-nguema-3-0-in.html

Golden Eaglets’ assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has said that team would be ready to take on Niger Republic in the first round fixture of the 10th African Under17 Championship to be held in Morocco in 2013.

SuperSport.com learnt that Caf released fixtures of the tournament Saturday with the Golden Eaglets going for the away game on the weekend of September 7 and 9, 2012 while the reverse home fixture comes up at the weekend of September 21 and 23.

"It is an interesting fixture for us because Niger are our neighbours and they have shown in recent times that they are a force to be reckoned with but we are going to be ready for them.

"This indeed is an interesting fixture giving the fact that both Nigeria and Niger failed to qualify for the last two editions of the African Under17 Championship," Amuneke said.

Amuneke reckons that the work of the Eaglets’ coaching crew is already cut out.

While the Eaglets were eliminated from the 2009 Championship held in Algeria and were taken out of the 2011 by Congo following a 1-3 aggregate loss, Niger met their end in 2011 when they were disqualified from the tournament in Rwanda for fielding an over-aged player.

"We have to respect Niger because every team wants to appear at a tournament and playing against us would fire them up but we will be ready for them.

"Our philosophy is that we are going to take one game at a time.

"Our first priority is to raise a very good team and that is why we are taking a painstaking effort in screening of the players.

"We have seen some good players but football is not played on the pages of newspapers, it is instructive that we prepare our boys very well because this is the first time they would be having the opportunity to play an international match.

"The truth is that many of the countries that so many people no longer considered to be strong are creating waves across the continent.

"The fact that Niger were at the last African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea is an indication that we have to take them seriously.

"We would do our best and pray that God bless all our collective efforts,” added Amuneke, the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.

Meanwhile, Caf has already drawn Guinea bye to the second round to meet the winner of the first round fixture between Nigeria and Niger.

The tournament would be rounded off with the third round fixtures in December.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/eaglets-ready-to-soar-amuneke.html

Saturday’s NPL match between Kwara United and Sunshine Stars at the Ilorin Township Stadium was abandoned with a couple minutes left on the clock.

The match was still at 1-1 when the pandemonium broke down after Sunshine team manager allegedly ran on to the pitch and accused the Ilorin fans of attacking him.

Narrating the ordeal, Kwara media officer, Olusola Ajide told MTNFootball.com that ‘The Afonja Warriors’ suspected foul play when the centre referee was changed from Rev.Eze to Sani Mohammed form Kaduna.

Ajide said the referee was biased form the beginning of the match which makes them believe that he was brought for a mission in Ilorin.

He said the referee should be held responsible for the pandemonium that brought the game to an abrupt end when he gave Bolaji Shakin a yellow card when he was hacked down by Sunshine Stars defender in the 18-yard box instead of awarding a penalty.

“Our match with Sunshine was inconclusive, and I can tell you categorically that the centre referee Sani Mohammed from Kaduna caused it all,” charged Ajide,


http://kdksports..com/2012/03/troubles-at-ilorin-township-stadium.html

Nigeria international striker Ekigho Ehiosun scored his seventh goal as his Turkish club staged a late fight to avoid relegation.

However, Samsunspor remain second from bottom on the Turkish league table with 29 points from 29 matches.

Ehiosun scored Samsunspor’s second goal in a 2-0 victory away to Antalyaspor.

The forward, who is on loan from Warri Wolves, struck in the 88th minute to take his goals’ haul to seven.

He said they will keep doing their best to see that the rigour out of the drop zone.

“It was a sweet victory for us, we needed it after losing home fixture last week, I thank God I scored to contribute to the victory,” Ehiosun told MTNFootball.com

“We have to keep doing our best to see that we move away from our current position. It is very hard but it is very possible to escape the drop. The result is not about me but the team. I hope we keep up this performance.”

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/ekigho-ehiosun-shines-in-turkey.html

Nigeria international Ahmed Musa salvaged a 2-2 draw for CSKA Moscow in a Russian championship playoff against Zenith Saint Petersburg Saturday.

Ahmed Musa, who featured for Nigeria in a goalless draw with Rwanda in a 2013 AFCON qualifier Wednesday, hit the target for the army team in the 68th minute to end the match 2-2 with his team trailing 2-1.

He is delighted to get his first goal in the Russian league and promised to score more for his club in their quest to win the championship.

"I am happy that I scored the equaliser. We did our best as a team to win this very tough match. I am looking forward to scoring more goals for CSKA in our quest to win the championship," said the former Kano Pillars star.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/ahmed-musa-rescues-cska-moscow.html

Head Coach of the Under-20 Women national team Edwin Okon has called to camp 29 players for the second round of the African qualifying series for 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup against the winner of the fixture between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The Falconets, who scaled through to the second round without kicking a ball following the withdrawal of Sierra Leone, will host the first leg of the second round fixture in Nigeria on March 31.

Zimbabwe thrashed the largely inexperienced Mozambique side 4-0 in the first leg in Harare and is tipped to complete the demolition job when the two teams clash in Maputo next week.

Nigeria has participated in every edition of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup since the inaugural event in Canada in 2002. At the last championship in Germany, the Falconets stunned the world by reaching the Final, where they lost 2-0 to hosts Germany.




THE FULL LIST:

Ugochi Okafor (Pelican Stars), Ebubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels), Stella Henry (Pelican Stars), Eucharia Okafor (Delta Queens), Lola Phillips (Confluence Queens), Gloria Ofoegbu (Rivers Angels), Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels), Fasilat Adeyemo (Confluence Queens), Rose Usman (Osun Babes), Francesca Ordega (Rivers Angels), Asisat Olushola (FC Robo), Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels), (Uchechi Sunday (Rivers Angels), Ebere Orji (Rivers Angels), Charity Adule (Bayelsa Queens), Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons), Cecilia Nku (Bayelsa Queens), Foluke Osundele (Sunshine Queens), Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars), Eno Umoh (Ibom Queens), Aminat Yakubu (FC Robo), Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens), Esther Sunday (Sunshine Queens), Damilola Akano (Sunshine Queens), Jane David (Delta Queens), Desire Oparanozie (Delta Queens), Blessing Echelpu (Benue Queens), Chioma Nwankwo (Nasarawa Amazons), Akhere Idemudia (Inneh Queens).


http://kdksports..com/2012/03/edwin-okon-invites-29-falconets.html

Peter Odemwingie is the player of the month

West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie has won the Premier League player of the month award.
The Nigerian scored five goals in February, including a hat-trick in the 5-1 Black Country derby win over Wolves at Molineux.
Odemwingie added two more in last weekend's 4-0 win over Sunderland to win the prize for the third time.
After 15 Premier League goals last term, Odemwingie made a slow start this season, scoring five times in 21 games.

But he has doubled that tally in the space of just two matches.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17231260

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/osaze-odemwingie-win-epl-player-of.html

Chief Adegboye Onigbinde has resigned his membership of the NFF .

Apparently irked by the happenings in the committee, Onigbinde told SuperSport.com that he has decided to opt out of the committee to protect his hard earned name.

"Unfortunately, I am supposed to be close to the committee but I have realised that I am not fully part of them.

"When you are not conversant with events in a committee you belong to you consider pulling out.

"Now you discover that the technical committee is run through the internet.

"When there was speculation that I was quitting, the committee chairman said I should send my resignation letter.

"It clearly showed that you are unwanted. So I want to confirm authoritatively to you now that I am pulling out from the committee. I'm quitting the committee.

<>"Let me save the little respect I still command in the minds of some people," Onigbinde told SuperSport.com.
On the alleged plan to blacklist some foreign-based professionals from the national team due to their below par performance against Rwanda in the 2013 Afcon qualifier, the former Nigerian manager asked whether those players forced themselves on us.

"I'm not aware of such a move and I may not know because some of us will not be allowed to know.

"I know it is our practice to look for scapegoats. I know some people would be singled out for blame over the draw against Rwanda in Kigali.

"But did the Europe-based professionals force themselves on us?

"We need a team in football to excel not individuals. What do you make of players coming to camp at the day of departure to a major competition, how are they going to blend?

"Our problem is administrative not technical or the material.

"We have abundant players, grassroots development is the way out and Zambia have shown the way," said the Caf and Fifa technical committee member.

http://kdksports..com/2012/03/onigbinde-quits-nff-committee.html

Nigerian players moved the most within Africa in 2011, a report released by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) said on Thursday.

The report, titled “Global Market Transfer in 2011”, also showed that 13 percent of all transfers globally involved Brazilians, with Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia also featured in the top 10.

French players were the most transferred in Europe.

According to FIFA, over $3 billion was spent in 2011 on international football transfers worldwide, with over 11,500 moves registered on its Transfer Matching System between January 1 and December 31, 2011, with peaks during the transfer windows in January, July and August.

August 31 was, however, the busiest transfer day in 2011 with 317 switches made from one country to another.

The average transfer fee across all international deals was placed at $1.5 million, while the average salary in a selection of 10 countries worldwide was $244,000.

In terms of demand, Brazilian players were the most sought after, followed by Argentine and French respectively.

FIFA’s Transfer Matching System became mandatory on October 1, 2010, and was used last year for the first time by all 208 FIFA member associations, as well as more than 5,000 clubs. It excludes transfers within a country.


http://kdksports..com/2012/03/nigerian-players-are-most-transferred.html

Super Eagles’ head coach, Stephen Keshi has expressed confidence in his troops ahead of Wednesday’s Africa Cup of nations qualifier against Rwanda.

Keshi says he believes Nigeria can record a positive result against a side ranked 26th in Africa and 108th in the world.

“Obviously, we hope we get a good result against Rwanda because this is a crucial game. I have confidence in the players that I have selected and I am positive we will get a good result in Kigali,” he said.

The Nigerian coach also launched an astonishing tirade at the Nigerian media for their ‘lack of support’ toward him ahead of Wednesday’s 2013 Afcon qualifier against Rwanda’s Amavubi, http://kdksports..com/2012/02/stephen-keshi-confident-to-squash-wasps.html

Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo is on the verge of setting a new all-time appearance record for his nation's team.

Yobo has won 86 caps for the Super Eagles and has equalled the all-time appearance record held by Late Mudashiru Lawal and former captain, Nwankwo Kanu.

The 86th cap of the former Olympique Marseille man came in the Eagles 2-0 win over Zambia in Kaduna on November 15, 2011.

Now the Fenerbahce centre-back is in line to make his 87th appearance for Nigeria when they face Rwanda in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying at the Stade Regionale de Nyamirambo this Wednesday.

The game will also mark Yobo's 11th year in the Nigerian men's national team since he made his debut in 2001.

However, Yobo faces a battle for a first-team place in the heart of Nigeria's defence against Rwanda from two Nigeria Premier League (NPL) stars, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Papa Idris.

http://kdksports..com/2012/02/joseph-yobo-to-set-nigerian-record.html

Wigan Athletic winger Victor Moses was among eight Europe-based pros who trained with the Nigeria Super Eagles Monday morning ahead of a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda.

Moses’ appearance has thus doused any speculations that he has developed cold feet over his decision to feature for Nigeria ahead of England.

He said he is “super excited” to be part of the Eagles.

The Wigan star is expected to make his long-awaited Eagles debut on Wednesday in Kigali.

Also, midfielder Sani Kaita trained fully with the Eagles in Abuja to finally dispel rumours he is nursing an injury.

Other overseas stars at the training were the England quartet of Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Blackburn Rovers), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), Osaze Odemwingie (West Bromwich Albion) and Taye Taiwo (QPR).

Three players, Vincent Enyeama, Joel Obi and Ikechukwu Uche, have been permitted by coach Stephen Keshi join the squad later Monday as they were involved with their European clubs Sunday.

Monday’s morning workout was exciting as the 11 players from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) battled to assert themselves on the pitch.

The other interesting aspect of the training was that all the players sported newly designed training kits delivered by kit sponsors adidas.

The team will depart for Rwanda Monday night on a chartered flight.

http://kdksports..com/2012/02/victor-moses-trains-with-eagles.html

SuperSport.com can confirm that eight of the 11 foreign-based stars arrived at the Bolton White Hotel lodgings of the Super Eagles.

Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi confirmed to SuperSport.com that the eight players arrived in the team's Abuja camp between Sunday and Monday.

Dickson Etuhu was the first foreign-based player to arrive camp on Sunday afternoon.

The latest arrivals in the Nigerian team are Taye Taiwo, Joseph Yobo, Victor Moses, Sani Kaita, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Ahmed Musa.

Three players, Vincent Enyeama, Joel Obi and Ikechukwu Uche are still being expected to arrive on Monday and Keshi said the trio was excused on grounds of their clubs playing on Sunday.

"Right now there are eight foreign-based players plus the 11 local-based players we have here. So in total we have 18 players, which is almost a full house. We are expecting three more players later today (Monday).

"Vincent (Enyeama), Ike Uche and Joel Obi should be here before we leave for Kigali, as their clubs had games last night in their different leagues," the 50-year-old Nigerian coach said.

The Super Eagles are expected to leave the shores of Nigeria for Kigali, Rwanda from 11pm to face the Amavubi in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this Wednesday.

SuperSport.com

Nigeria's Super Eagles are expected to play two international friendly matches before the end of June this year.

The first of the tune-up games will be against South Americans, Peru in May.

In June, the Super Eagles will play hosts to Namibia at the National Stadium in Abuja.

Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu confirmed the warm-up games are in line for the nation's national team.

He added that the Peru game is however "outside of the Fifa international window" and will have a team of local-based players representing Nigeria.

"The Super Eagles made up of home-based players will play Peru in a friendly match in May. The match is outside of the Fifa international window and that's why the home-based will be used to prosecute that game.

"Some of the home-based players will also be part of the friendly against Namibia for Abuja in June, as the team prepare for the second leg of the (2013) Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda," he said.

The Nigerians are scheduled to face their Rwandan counterparts in a first leg game of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification in Kigali on Wednesday.

http://kdksports..com/2012/02/nigeria-super-eagles-to-play-peru.html