₦airaland Forum

Extra-Time: Juju Alert: Iheanacho Is Behind Gabriel Jesus’s Injury, Nigerians On Twitter Suggest

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Gabriel Jesus unfortunate injury in Manchester City 2-0 win over Bournemouth has lead to a twitter take over by Nigerians.


A cross section of comments from Nigerians monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com reveal their joy at his injury as it potentially opens the door for out of favour Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho.


Rated as one of most important player for the senior Nigeria national team, his lack of game time at the Etihad has given Nigerians lot of reasons to be worried.


Iheanacho failed to make the matchday squad of Manchester City in their last five games in all competitions, a situation which many linked to the speed at which Gabriel Jesus has settled down to life in England.


Jesus’s injury got some Nigerians suggesting that the 19 year old, who is from the Eastern part of Nigeria might be behind the injury, although they said so jokingly.

See Tweets:

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owngoalnigeria.com/2017/02/14/extra-time-juju-alert-iheanacho-is-behind-gabriel-jesuss-injury-nigerians-on-twitter-suggest/

Sevilla Director Sound Out Eupen Over Celtic Target Henry Onyekuru

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According to reports in the Spanish press European giants Sevilla have joined the race to sign highly-rated Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru.


Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo claim that the 19-year-old is being lined up by the Sevilla’s sporting director and head of recruitment Monchi as one of a number of targets to improve the first-team squad in the summer.


Onyekuru has 13 goals to his name this season for modest side Eupen despite playing as a left winger, his latest coming in their 1-0 success over Gent last weekend.


Scottish league champions are reportedly leading the race for his signature in the summer, after failing with a bid to land the 19 year old during the recently concluded January transfer window.


Celtic reportedly fell short of Eupen’s £4m valuation of the Nigerian, as they refused to up their initial £1m bid, reports indicate that Sevilla are willing to meet the asking price for Onyekuru.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/02/14/sevilla-director-sound-out-eupen-over-celtic-target-henry-onyekuru/

Revealed: Kelechi Iheanacho Vs Pep Guardiola – Here Is What We Know

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The non listing of Kelechi Iheanacho by manager of Manchester City Pep Guardiola in his matchday squad for City’s last four games has generated a whole lot of talks both in the Nigeria media and the world at large.


However despite reports of a row over agent between the duo, with some suggesting that Guardiola wants his brother Pere Guardiola to represent the 20 year old forward, Owngoalnigeria.com can authoritatively reveal that isn’t the case.


Iheanacho, according to what we gathered first angered Guardiola when the Spaniard discovered during negotiations for a new deal, that he has two agents claiming to be his representative.


Guardiola managed the situation and Iheanacho signed a new deal at the Etihad, but their relationship was strained again when the gaffer discovered that the agent issue is still lingering.


The issue affected Iheanacho’s focus on the pitch, which lead to a confidence crisis as the Nigerian clearly wasn’t at his best even in training, where he usually come top in goal scoring drills.


Already he has lost out on a multi-million pounds deal with a foot wear company due to the issue surrounding who is his bonafide representative, and a court case has also been lined up to settle the issue.


He is presently been left out of the team due to off pitch distractions and not because Guardiola wants his brother to represent him as speculated by some media outlet in Nigeria.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/02/13/revealedkelechi-iheanacho-vs-pep-guardiola-here-is-what-we-know/

Former Chelsea Player & Manager Slams Victor Moses Over Burnley’s Freekick Goal

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Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit has slammed Victor Moses for turning his back in the wall for the free kick goal scored by Burnley in their 1-1 draw over the weekend.


Former Chelsea Player-turned-pundit Gullit focused on Moses’ role in the goal as he turned his back in the Chelsea wall.


“This free-kick is perfect,” Gullit told BBC’s Match of the Day 2.


“In the wall, Moses. Look the ugliest players go into the wall, so the only thing is you put your face there.


“What is Moses doing here? He turns his face away. The free-kick is perfect anyway, but I hate when players turn their backs away.”

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/02/13/former-chelsea-player-manager-slams-victor-moses-over-burnleys-freekick-goal/

Onazi Could Lose Eagles Spot As Rohr Confirms Midfield Role For Ndidi

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In-form Trabzonspor of Turkey midfielder Eddy Onazi is in danger of losing his spot in the national team to Leicester City man Wilfred Ndidi.


Onazi has formed a strong partnership in the midfield with captain John Obi Mikel over the years but the emergence of Ndidi could change all of that.


The impressive Ndidi has five senior caps to his name but mostly as a substitute either in the midfield or defence, and his last start for Nigeria was from an usual position as a right back.


However his form for Belgian side Genk, where he excelled as a midfielder before heading to Leicester City has prompt a change of mind from coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr.


” Ndidi has the potential to do more for our team if he plays in the midfield. He has the energy most teams like to see in a defensive midfielder. We have players in his position but our job is to pick the best for every position and for now he is among our best options”, Rohr said.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/02/13/onazi-could-lose-eagles-spot-as-rohr-confirms-midfield-role-for-ndidi/

Wonderkid Osimhen Close In On Wolfsburg Debut After Dazzling In Training

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Victor Osimhen is in line for his first team debut with German side Wolfsburg after shaking off the injury that has kept him out for three weeks.


The 18 year old Nigerian is slowly working his way back to full fitness following his return to training after the injury set back he suffered at the end of the year.


Osimhen returned to training last week and made an instant impact on teammate Joshua Guilavogui who commended his display in training.


” He (Osimhen) is a strong lad, very good on the ball and hard to take the ball off him. I love what have seen about him in training”, Guilavogui posted on his social media account.


His return from injury will no doubt brighten his chances of making the Super Eagles squad for the proposed friendly games in March.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/02/13/wonderkid-osimhen-close-in-on-wolfsburg-debut-after-dazzling-in-training/

Mikel continues bad run with Chinese club

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Nigeria captain, Mikel Obi, has again been hit with another defeat at his Chinese club,Tianjin TEDA.


Still without a win of any shade since his high-profile move from London to the Far East, Mikel and his teammates at Tianjin Teda crashed to another defeat on Monday; losing 2-1 to South Korean amateur team Gyeongju Citizens.


This latest defeat is the eighth consecutive loss in pre-season for Mikel and his teammates ahead of the Chinese Super League opener against Shandong Luneng on March 4.


During their training camp in Marbella, Tianjin Teda lost all their four games to Borussia Mönchengladbach U23s, St. Pauli, Dinamo Bucureşti and Dynamo Kiev.


They suffered more losses against Gyeongnam FC, Busan, and Ulsan Hyundai. The side has now shipped in 24 goals in total, an average of three goals per game.
Mikel, last month, signed a three-year contract with Tianjin Teda which made him one of the country's top earners.


Though he is getting the playing time he craved for, the losing streak could be demoralising.

www.soccernet.com.ng/2017/02/mikel-continues-bad-run-with-chinese.html

Ronaldinho believes Gabriel Jesus is the player that will replace Messi as world's best
Author: Ibitoye Shittu

Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has stated that fellow country man Gabriel Jesus has the potentials to replace Lionel Messi as the world's best footballer.

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Barcelona legend Ronaldinho

But Ronaldinho who was known for his superb dribbling styles during his playing days must be reminded that Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is the current world's best player.


Gabriel Jesus has rightly won plenty of plaudits since taking the Premier League by storm this season scoring three goals in three League games and Ronaldinho has become the latest man to sing his praises.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/4863803_20170213180559_jpeg344064d73656ad8d3aa2d8d45fe2a9a4
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus''

Jesus can be the best in the future, and I want to support him to achieve that to happen in his career.



''At the moment it is Messi. I have always said I think one day it will be Neymar.
''But at 19, in the future, it can be Gabriel. He has all the abilities to make that happen, ''He explained Jesus and his City team-mates face Bournemouth on Monday, February, 13, 2017 in the League and a win will make them maintain the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea.

https://sports.naij.com/1088009-ronaldinho-believes-gabriel-jesus-player-replace-messi-worlds-best.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C6858945595

TheGoodJoe:
Abacha's government remains a mystery with his PTF and FSP projects. The FSP school in Port Harcourt, the School fees, Uniforms, Books free. The school was also beautiful.

President Abacha tried for a man who sold Crude at about $12 a Barrel. Increased our foreign reserves and paid some of our foreign debts.

Compared to GEJ who sold Crude at $100 a barrel, foreign reserves went down, foreign debt increased and no direct effect of his SURE-P.

You can say Abacha looted but you can not compare his economic impact to the economy wrecker GEJ.

I am surprised you missed the guy's point

Nigeria to face Togo or Benin in 2018 African Nations Championship qualifier

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The Super Eagles will battle it out with Hawks or Squirrels to book a ticket for Kenya according to according to the draw conducted on Friday.


Nigeria will face either Togo or Benin Republic in the 2018 African Nations Championship according to the draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football on Friday.


The draw was done according to the zonal representation of the national associations affiliated to the Caf, with the teams divided into six zones; Northern, West A, West B, Central, Central-East, and Southern.


Super Eagles were sent home after the preliminary round in the 2016 edition staged in Rwanda, and will have a chance to move a step further should they over make it to Kenya.


We have been drawn to face winner of Togo vs Benin Rep for place in Kenya 2018 CHAN. 2 legged qualifiers to hold between August 11-20, 2017.

pic.twitter.com/JJ4UDqHKbq— Nigeria Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) February 3, 2017

West A zone has been allotted two teams in the final competition, while three teams will advance from West B zone.


Qualification will be done over two rounds in these two zones, with the first round in July 2017 and the second round in August.


The fifth edition of the tournament will be held in Kenya between January 11 and February 2, 2018.

FIXTURES
Northern Zone

Egypt vs Morocco
Algeria vs Libya


West A Zone
Round 1:

Sierra Leon vs Senegal
Guinea vs Guinea Bissau
Liberia vs Mauritania
Gambia vs Mali


West B Zone
Round 1:
Togo vs Benin
Round 2:
Winner between Togo and Benin vs Nigeria,
Niger vs Ivory Coast
Burkina Faso vs Ghana.


Central Zone
Equatorial-Guinea vs Gabon
Congo vs DR Congo
São Tomé E Principe vs Cameroon


Central East Zone
Round 1:
Somalia vs South Sudan
Round 2:
Winner of Somalia and South Sudan vs Uganda
Tanzania vs Rwanda
Djibouti vs Ethiopia
Burundi vs Sudan


Southern Zone
Round 1:
Madagascar vs Malawi
Mauritius vs Seychelles


Round 2:
Winner of Madagascar vs Malawi vs Mozambique
Winner of Mauritius vs Seychelles vs Angola
Comoros vs Lesotho
Namibia vs Zimbabwe
Botswana vs South Africa
Swaziland vs Zambia

m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/17252/super-eagles/2017/02/04/32297102/nigeria-to-face-togo-or-benin-in-2018-african-nations

Wenger eyes midfield role for Iwobi ahead of Chelsea clash

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With the Gunners short of options in the middle, the Nigerian could drop back into the position which he has filled severally.


Alex Iwobi could be restored to a midfield role in Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Chelseaas Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks to beef up his team.


With Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla injured, Granit Xhaka suspended plus Mohammed Elneny at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Gunners are a bit short in the middle for the Stamford Bridge cracker.


And the Frenchman feels the Nigerian who was on target against Watford could fill the void as they hope to halt the Blues’ juggernaut.


‘’Yes, we are a bit short [in midfield] at the moment but I think we have young players who can do well in there,’’ Wenger told club website.


‘’We have Jeff Reine-Adelaide, we have of course Ainsley Maitland-Niles, we have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.


‘’Alex Iwobi can play in there. Elneny will come back after Sunday, so I still have some strengths.’’


The Emirates Stadium giants are third on the English Premier League log with 47 points – nine points behind Antonio Conte’s men.

m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/4110/nigerians-abroad/2017/02/03/32295492/wenger-eyes-midfield-role-for-iwobi-ahead-of-chelsea-clash

Row Between Agents Stops City Striker Iheanacho From Signing N120 Million Deal With Nike

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Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has missed out on an endorsement deal with American sportswear giants Nike that would have seen him net a contract worth £200,000 (approximately N120 million).


The kit manufacturers pulled out of the deal because of uncertainty over the identity of his bonafide intermediary, with American-basedFirst Eleven Managementand Stellar Group claiming to be his representative at the same time.


“When Kelechi turned 19, Nike were in the United Kingdom to negotiate a fresh contract with him that would have paid him over 100,000 pounds and another 100,000 pounds in kits and products,” a Nigeria Football Federation insider told
allnigeriasoccer.com.


“Nike set up a meeting but he didn’t attend, so they had to pull out of the deal when they discovered that he breached the contract with his American agent.”


While Iheanacho has claimed that he was introduced to Stellar Group by City teammate Patrick Roberts, who is on loan at Celtic, it is known that some English-based Nigerian agents were the ones that convinced him to tear up his contract withFirst Eleven Management.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=21735

( See Picture) – Ex Chelsea Star Mikel Handed Captain Armband, Attacking Role & Iconic Number 10 Jersey By Tianjin Teda

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John Obi Mikel is having a good start to his career in China for his new side Tianjin Teda after 11 trophy laden years at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea.


Tianjin Teda have retired their number 12 jersey, the shirt number Mikel wore during his 11 years stay at Stamford Bridge, and the 29 year old jumped at the chance of once again wearing the number 10 jersey he has always love since his days as a youth international for Nigeria.


Mikel captained the team in their 2-6 friendly loss to German side St. Pauli, and in same game he found the back of the net for his new side in the iconic number 10 shirt and in his favourite role as an attacking midfielder.


The captain of the Super Eagles now plays just behind the main striker for his team, same role he plays for Nigeria in international games as opposed to the defensive midfield role he played during his time at Chelsea.


Already he has won over the coach of the Chinese side and the fans with his humble attitude despite his status as the biggest star in the team.

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owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/15/see-picture-ex-chelsea-star-mikel-handed-captain-armband-attacking-role-iconic-number-10-jersey-by-tianjin-teda/

Nigeria Football Chief Rule Out Approaching Everton Rave Of The Moment Lookman – We Don’t Stand A Chance

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The Nigeria Football Federation have ruled out any immediate approach or plans to meet with Everton highly rated wonderkid Ademola Lookman.


Lookman is born in England to Nigerian parents, making him eligible to represent Nigeria even though he has represented England at various youth levels.


Nigeria have been scouting players with dual nationality for possible call up to the national team as they aim to retain top spot in their World Cup 2018 qualifiers group.


The new Everton man announced himself on the big stage with a goal on his debut against Manchester City to round up a 4-0 victory for his new side.


” We don’t have a chance, so we won’t go on a wild goose chase. Lookman is on the rise and after coming through the youth system in England, he will most likely want to break into the main team”, NFF vice President Seyi Akinwunmi told Owngoalnigeria.com.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/16/nigeria-football-chief-rule-out-approaching-everton-rave-of-the-moment-lookman-we-dont-stand-a-chance/

Official: Ex Ac-Milan Prospect Henty Ezekiel Leaves Lokomotive Moscow For UAE Side Baniyas

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11 months after his big money move to Russia, 23 year old Nigerian forward Henty Ezekiel has left Russian side Lokomotive Moscow for Baniyas of the UAE.


Ezekiel joined the Russian side in February 2016 for a princely sum of €5m from Olimpija, in what was a record sale for any club in Slovenia, but he failed to settle down in Russia.


He made just 17 league appearance in over a year with just a goal to his name, a record not helped by his failure to command a regular shirt in the team despite the hype that surrounded his arrival.


Baniyas announced his capture on their social media handle, but were not specific if it was a full deal or a loan deal.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/16/official-ex-ac-milan-prospect-henty-ezekiel-leaves-lokomotive-moscow-for-uae-side-baniyas/

Ranieri Pleased With Ndidi Despite Loss – He Did Well As A Midfielder Even In Central Defence

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Coach of Leicester City Claudio Ranieri has praised the performance of Nigeria defender cum midfielder Wilfred Ndidi for his performance despite their 0-3 loss to Chelsea.


Ndidi was handed his Premier League debut by the manager who signed him for £15 million from Belgian side Genk, after introducing him to English football in the FA Cup tie against Everton.


The Nigerian lasted the entire duration of the game but couldn’t stop his side from suffering a devastating loss to the league leaders Chelsea.


”Am happy with Ndidi, he showed us his other side today, playing in midfield and later in central defence. He did well in both areas”, Ranieri told Premier League TV.


”He (Ndidi) did well but not very well just like everybody didn’t play to their potential against Chelsea. We failed to take control of the game and we were punished”.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/15/ranieri-pleased-with-ndidi-despite-loss-he-did-well-as-a-midfielder-even-in-central-defence/

It’s Hard To Drop Alex Iwobi Now, He Has Added Goal Scoring To His Game – Wenger

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Manager of Arsenal Arsene Wenger has once again ruled out dropping forward Alex Iwobi from the starting line up, claiming the youngster has come off age by adding goals to his game.


Despite calls to the contrary from supporters of the team, the Nigeria international has retained his spot in the starting line up for Arsenal ahead of some established stars like Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and new signing Lucas Perez.


Iwobi forced Jack Cork and Kyle Naughton into scoring own goals in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Swansea City and his manager believes his quality in the box lead to the own goals scored by the defenders.


“Alex Iwobi has started to score goals and that is a good sign for us.


“Overall, I am convinced that when you are always in the box (and) when you force your opponents to dive at your shots, sometimes it goes for you and sometimes not.


“Today (on Saturday), it went for us,” Wenger told Premier League TV after the game at the Liberty Stadium.


Iwobi has scored twice in 17 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/15/its-hard-to-drop-alex-iwobi-now-he-has-added-goal-scoring-to-his-game-wenger/

Expert Opinion & Stat -Iwobi Unfairly Living In The Shadows Of Rashford & Iheanacho

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Arsenal recorded a routine 4-0 win against Swansea with one player in particular standing out.


But something else happened in this 4-0 win at the Liberty Stadium, or rather, something else continued to happen. Arsenal scored four goals and one player was involved in three of them.


One player who has gone and continues to go under the radar: Alex Iwobi.


On a night when Olivier Giroud scored a tap-in to take his form to five goals in his last five games, and Alexis Sánchez pounced to slap home the fourth and move joint-top of the Premier League golden boot standings with 14 league goals, and Mesut Özil’s made his return from illness, it was the young Nigerian who was at the heart of everything.


Played ostensibly as a No.10 but in reality part of a fluid trio of players behind Giroud as a striker, Iwobi was busy from the first whistle to the last. He moved and darted between Swansea players as though they weren’t even there.


And obviously Swansea aren’t very good – they’re second from bottom in the league for a reason, but Iwobi made them look genuinely terrible. He sliced and diced with ease, continuing what is now becoming an established pattern of play.


His rise into the first team at Arsenal has been lost among the hype of Marcus Rashford, Kelechi Iheanacho and Anthony Martial.


And true enough, his has been a less spectacular emergence than those players, but it has been no less impressive.


Coming into an attacking midfield unit that includes bonafide world-class stars like Alexis and Mesut Özil and not only looking confident enough to not turn into a timid sideways passing machine, but dribbling, surging forward and scoring goals? That is incredible.


This afternoon against Swansea, Iwobi was fantastic. His vision was a key part of the long passing sequence that Arsenal strung together before Olivier Giroud slammed home the opening goal.


With a brilliant pass completion of 89% despite being a dribbling attacker.


In the second half, however, he really went to work. Arsenal were struggling to put the Swans away despite an obvious dominance. 0-1 is a tricky score, especially away from home. But Iwobi made sure Arsenal had nothing to fear.


Finding himself in a wide position on the right, the Nigerian quickly capitalised on a bobbling ball to rifle it at goal.


The ball struck Jack Cork and ballooned over the hapless Lukas Fabianski. A lucky deflection? Sure. But Iwobi’s run was intelligent, staying wide and onside, and his shot was decisive. He didn’t ponder, he hit it hard and low across the face of goal. He made his own luck.


The third goal was again all down to him. Picking the ball up on the left this time, he advanced into the box and squared up to Federico Fernandez. What followed was a couple of stepovers, keeping the Argentine defender at bay, and then blowing by him enough to get half an inch of space.


He then fired the ball across goal with his left, where Kyle Naughton deflected it into his own goal.


Again, another own goal, but again it was Iwobi’s sense of purpose that made the difference.
His more lauded team-mates were dawdling, but he was decisive.


But Iwobi wasn’t done. Coming in off the left flank, Iwobi was being marked tightly by Naughton who apparently hadn’t had enough humiliation for one day. Iwobi shrugged Naughton off like he was a needy fan trying to grab hold of his jersey as he runs through the mixed-zone.


He then picked a gorgeous pass, threading it in behind Fernandez and allowing Oxlade-Chamberlain to run onto it. He crossed and the ball eventually found its way to Alexis who finished comfortably (and sulked mightily when he was taken off).
4-0. A much needed routine win.


After the Bournemouth debacle this was the perfect tonic for Arsenal. The Gunners got back in the saddle and it was all down to the unheralded brilliance of their young Nigerian superstar in the making.


Iwobi was immense, being part of the first goal from the centre, creating the second goal from the right, the third and fourth from the left. Versatility, creativity and above all else: a decisive will to win. Iwobi is under the radar but his quality is bursting over the top.

*Culled from Squakwa


owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/15/expert-opinion-stat-iwobi-unfairly-living-in-the-shadows-of-rashford-iheanacho/

Step Aside Etebo, Vitoria Setubal Midfielder Mikel Agu Is King Of Nigerian Players In Portugal

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Much have been said about the qualities and abilities of Super Eagles central midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo, but base on fact and form it’s fair to say that on current form he isn’t the best Nigerian player in the Portuguese league.


Although he has been ever present for CD Feirense and reports indicate that he has been watched severally by scouts of top European sides, Mikel Agu is one player whose performances for Vitoria Setubal has gone unnoticed by the media in Nigeria.


After years of not going beyond the potential level, the FC Porto loanee is slowly showing the reason why Porto refused to release him despite his countless battles with injuries, fitness and poor form.


So far the defensive midfielder has made the team of the week in Portugal three times while Etebo is yet to be considered. Last night while Etebo was substituted in Feirense 0-0 draw against Vitoria da Guimaraes , Agu lasted the entire duration of his team 1-0 win over Nacional.


The 23 year old has made 14 appearances this summer, which makes it bewildering that he is not been considered for a call up to the national team while players with inferior statistic and in a lesser league are tipped for a call up to the Super Eagles.


Coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr is known as a coach who rewards players with national team call up base on their club form. That said it’s now a matter of when not if Agu will be called up but he has to maintain his current form or even improve on it to further stake his claims.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/15/step-aside-etebo-vitoria-setubal-midfielder-mikel-agu-is-king-of-nigerian-players-in-portugal/

Super Eagles Coach Rohr Caught On Camera Taking Notes During Cameroon Clash Against Burkina Faso

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Coach of the Nigeria national team Gernot Rohr has started his scouting mission in Gabon at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, which Nigeria missed out after failing to qualify for the tournament before Rohr took over.


Rohr is working as a pundit at the games but he has also mentioned before hand that he will do a check on Nigeria’s World Cup 2018 group rivals during the tournament.


Yesterday during Cameroon’s 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso, the Franco-German coach of the Super Eagles was caught on camera taking notes during the game as Cameroon are Nigeria’s next opponent in the World Cup 2018 qualifiers.


Cameroon who are scheduled to face the Eagles in back to back games were very poor in the game, a sign which will gladden Rohr especially if they fail to improve before September when they clash against Nigeria.


The Super Eagles are presently top of their World Cup qualifiers group, four points ahead of Cameroon after two victories in their opening games, with Algeria and Zambia stuck in the bottom of the group.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/15/picture-super-eagles-coach-rohr-caught-on-camera-taking-notes-during-cameroon-clash-against-burkina-faso/

I’ll end my career in China - Mikel

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Super Eaglescaptain John Obi Mikel has hinted that Tianjin Teda will be his final bus stop in football, if all things go on well with him in China.


Mikel signed a three-year deal with the Chinese Super League club currently training in Malaga, Spain after being frozen out at Chelsea, where he spent close to eleven years winning titles.


“Of course, I want to stay in a team for a long time, I left Chelsea after eleven years, I hope to stay in TEDA for a long time, not one or two seasons, “ Mikel was quoted as saying by Netease Sports.


“If the club will not let me go, I hope to stay until the end of my career, TEDA will be my last stop.”


Mikel scored his first goal for his new club in their 6-2 loss to German side St. Pauli yesterday.


His goal came off a header from a well delivered free kick, which left the goalkepper of St. Pauli stranded in goal as the ball flew into the net.

www.soccernet.com.ng/2017/01/ill-end-my-career-in-china-mikel.html

Chinese 'Yanga'


Chinese FA confirms limit on foreign players for Super League clubs

Michael Church

Chinese Super League clubs' player recruitment plans for the coming season were thrown into disarray on Monday morning as the Chinese Football Association confirmed last week's reports it would limit the number of foreign players permitted to play in the 2017 season.


In a statement published on the federation's website, the CFA announced clubs would be permitted to field a maximum of three foreign players per game, with that quota including players from within the area governed by the Asian Football Confederation.


Previously, teams were allowed to field an Asian player in addition to three non-Asian foreigners, but that spot in the starting line-up will now be taken by a Chinese player under the age of 23. Clubs must also include a second Chinese player under 23 in their matchday squads.


"In order to realise 'The General Plan of Chinese Football Reform and Development' and to benefit the overall development of Chinese football and Chinese local players, to enhance the quality of the national team and to keep the professional league on a healthy, stable and consistent track, the CFA has adjusted the regulations of the 2017 Chinese Super League and the China League," the statement said.


The new regulations were drawn up during a meeting of the CFA's Professional Leagues Committee in Wuhan on Sunday before clubs were informed of the ruling. The current transfer window opened on Jan. 1 and many of the 16 Chinese Super League clubs have already signed their full quota of foreign players ahead of the league's opening round on March 4.


A number of transfers in the works, including Liaoning Whowin's move for Australia international James Holland, have been thrown into limbo following the announcement.


The statement warned that the federation will continue to monitor the transfer activities of Chinese clubs following a period that has seen the Asian transfer record smashed on five occasions over the last 12 months, with Oscar's £60 million move from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG setting a new benchman last month.


"The CFA will continue to release new rules and policies to regulate the irrational expense of the Chinese Super League and the China League, including the overpaying of domestic and international transfer fees and salaries in order to professionalise clubs' operations and management," said the statement.


The national association also stressed it would be drawing up new regulations relating to youth development as well as more closely overseeing the governance of clubs.


"The CFA will give clear and specific plans regarding the club youth system and infrastructure, will fight against fake contracts, signing fees and other illegal activities," the statement said.


"In order to create a stable and healthy long-term football environment, clubs -- based on their geographical background -- will have to develop a diverse shareholder structure and have a neutral club name; regulate their own financial systems; allow third party audits; form a standard financial protocol; form a healthy and independent operating system and develop self-regulation and management quality."

m.espn.com/soccer/story?storyId=3039771&top&wjb=

Granada’s Uche Agbo sent-off in Osasuna draw

www.nairaland.com/attachments/4747505_agbouche_jpeg5d39c6a666bde7b4eaccd158fc79ee17

The 21-year-old defender didn’t complete the La Liga encounter against Petar Vasiljević's side as he was dismissed for a serious foul play


Uche Agbo was sent off after 73 minutes as Granada were forced to a 1-1 draw by Osasuna in Sunday’s Spanish topflight encounter.


The Nigerian was given the marching order by referee Daniel Trujillo two minutes after Artem Kravets had cancelled Oriol Riera’s first half opener for the visitors.


Granada are down to 10 men after Uche is sent off (72). #GranadaOsasuna— LaLiga

(@LaLigaEN) January 15, 2017
Things got worse for the Nasrids on the stroke of 90 minutes as Granada were reduced to nine men after Ezekiel Ponce was dismissed for a second caution.


The dismissal at Los Cármenes was Agbo’s third in his professional career. He has made 14 appearances for Lucas Alcaraz’s men this season.


Granada are placed 19th on the Spanish elite division log with 10 points from 19 games. They face Espanyol in their next outing on Saturday.

m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/4110/nigerians-abroad/2017/01/16/31591412/granadas-uche-agbo-sent-off-in-osasuna-draw

Nigeria/Gabon: Gabon 2017 Kicks Off Without Super Eagles

By David Ngobua

The 31st edition of the biggest football event on the continent of Africa, the Total Africa Cup of Nations, Gabon 2017 will commence this afternoon in Libreville as the host nation Gabon take on Guinea Bissau at the Stade de I'Amitie, Libreville.


Unfortunately the green white green flag of Nigeria will be conspicuously missing at the prestigious football tournament, after the Super Eagles lost the sole group ticket to the Pharaohs of Egypt.


As if jinxed, the Super Eagles had failed to qualify for the 2012 edition which Gabon co-hosted with Equatorial Guinea. As if that was not bad enough they again failed to qualify when Equatorial Guinea hosted the championship in 2015.


The failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for Gabon 2017 makes it six times the three time Africa Champions have failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. They did not qualify for the tournament in 1968, 1972, 1986, 2012, 2015 and now 2017.


The downward movement of the national team did not start today but it took a turn for the worse when the present leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation took over the glasshouse. For critics of the Amaju Pinnic led NFF board, missing the AFCON back to back at a time the Eagles should be on the ascendency is unpardonable.


Beginning from the late eighties, the Eagles appeared more regularly in the Africa Cup of Nations and often times ended up among the last four teams.


Before they won their second title in 1994, the Eagles were runners up in 1984, 1988 and 1990. They were again runners up in 2000 when Nigeria hosted the championship for the second time but lost in the finals to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. The Eagles came third in 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010 in Angola.


A look at the performance of the Super Eagles shows consistence in appearance and performance until in 2012 when the team again failed to qualify for Gabon-Equatorial Guinea. Even as the Eagles bounced back strongly to win their third title in 2013 under late coach Stephen Keshi, they failed to build on the success, thereby missing out in 2015 and 2017.


Consequently, teeming football fans in Nigeria will be left with no option but to watch other African football stars exhibit their skills on the big stage without their darling Super Eagles.


For emerging stars like Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebor, Simon Moses and Leon Balogun, the failure of the Super Eagles to be in Gabon is a huge disappointment because they have been denied the chance to have a feel of the AFCON and also show their football skills on such a big stage.


In addition, the tournament in Gabon would have helped the Super Eagles prepare for the remaining matches of the 2018 World Cup to be staged in Russia. The new Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr needs every opportunity to imbibe his football philosophy into his players. Gabon 2017 would have been an ideal setting for him to assess his troops in a competitive setting. That too has been lost by the failure of the team to qualify.


While the Super Eagles are left to count their losses, other powerhouses in African football would be aiming to improve on their past performances in the championship.


Indeed, the absence of the Super Eagles has reduced the pressure on the Lions, the Foxes, the Elephants, the Black Stars, the Sparrowhawks, the Pharaohs, the Brave Warriors, the Eagles, the Panthers, the Teranga Lions, the Carthage Eagles, the Stallions, the Cranes and the Leopards from DR Congo.


Although there are no more minnows in African football, football pundits have since concluded that the contest for the title in Gabon will be among the superpowers namely Egypt, seven time winners of the championship, Cameroon and Ghana with four titles each not leaving out former champions like Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and DR Congo.


Guinea Bissau are the only team that will be debuting at this tournament but countries like the host nation Gabon, Zimbabwe, Mali, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Togo who are yet to win any title also have another opportunity to make history.


Even as the absence of nations like Nigeria, Zambia, Angola, Benin Republic, South Africa, Guinea, Mozambique and Namibia has denied football fans the opportunity to savour the talents they would have brought to the party, there would be no dull moment as far as quality football is concerned.


So for the next three weeks, the world will be treated to exquisite and breath-taking football to be cooked and served by some of the most talented football players on the continent of Africa.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201701140088.html

Liverpool Striker Awoniyi Expected To Remain At NEC Nijmegen

https://allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/10917Awoniyi.jpg

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been informed that English Premier League side Liverpool will not recall Taiwo Awoniyi from his loan spell at NEC Nijmegen before the close of the January transfer window.


The Nigeria U23 international was loaned out by The Reds to enable him play regularly after he was not granted a work permit for the second consecutive season.

The promising 19-year-old has recorded ten league appearances for NEC Nijmegen, totaling 542 minutes.


Taiwo Awoniyi, who has netted four times for the Reserves this term, was farmed out on loan to FSV Frankfurt during the 2015-2016 campaign.


He was one of the four players included in the Nigerian U23 National Team alternate roster at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=21713

Nigeria U23 Star Nathan Oduwa Produces Dazzling Display Against Manchester City

https://allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/66944ODUWA.jpg

Nigeria U23 international Nathan Oduwa has continued to impress for Tottenham Hotspur U23s after the end of his loan spell with League One side Peterborough United.


His impressive form started when he notched an assist in Spurs 2-2 draw with Chelsea a week ago, proved a handful for the Blues defense and teed up the home team’s equalizer in the first half.


Oduwa engineered Spurs’ dramatic comeback against Manchester City tonight in a Premier League 2 clash, scoring in the 76th minute to bring the scoreline to 2-1, before providing the assist for his team’s second goal.


The winger and Tosin Adarabioyo made the starting line-up for their respective teams and both lasted the distance at the Academy Stadium.

While on loan at Peterborough United, he was involved in six matches in the league.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=21712

Breaking : (Photo) Liverpool Nigerian Defender Agrees Three-And-A-Half Year Deal

https://allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/42943Ilori.jpg
Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Championship side Reading FC are on the brink of announcing the capture of Liverpool’s Nigerian defender Tiago Ilori.


Following a successful medical, the ex-Portugal U21 international has already agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract with The Royals, and might be unveiled as from Monday, January 16.

The deal hasn’t been fully finalized yet because of some minor clauses between clubs and his previous club.


London-born Ilori joined Liverpool from Sporting Lisbon in September 2013, and made three appearances in total for the Reds before Reading came calling.

He had loan spells with Granada, Bordeaux and Aston Villa.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=21705

TheGoodJoe:
I do not know why people on this thread like tempting me. After people will say I have a hot temper. For your safety, remove that PEP.

One, Two...

U Wan killam

Iwobi bound to score more goals - Wenger

https://mtnfootball.com//bp_images/2017/01/1hgjim8bw6e3u1l6po2plroqdh.jpg
Arsenal attacker Alex Iwobi

by goal feed

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident Alex Iwobi will start scoring on a more regular basis after he netted only his second Premier League goal of the season in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

The Nigeria international has struggled somewhat in front of goal this campaign and some have questioned his finishing skills.


Nevertheless, Wenger has offered Iwobi words of encouragement in the wake of Sunday's victory and stressed that he already saw the versatile attacker's goal coming on the training pitch.


"There are always signs when a guy starts to score goals in training that they will come in games, and he has that. Now in training he starts to score goals. I am sure he will score as well in the games," Wenger stated at a news conference.


"I believe he is always available, quick in his movement, wants the ball, can hold people off. On top of that, now he starts to score goals. People forget he is 20 years old. I think he had a very good game.


"His quality of pass, of availability, is exceptional for a young boy. He lacked a bit of quality of [receptiveness] in dangerous areas and I hope that these goals he scores now will give him the taste as well to go where he can finish it off."

https://mtnfootball.com/news/675215/Iwobi-bound-to-score-more-goals-Wenger