₦airaland Forum

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Taye Taiwo: I’m Not Desperate For Super Eagles Recall
[/size]
[img]http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/taiwo-rejects-turkish-offers-eyes-germany-spain/[/img]
Former Super Eagles left-back Taye Taiwo is still disappointed by the decision of Stephen Keshi not to invite him to the national team and ultimately overlooking him when for the 2014 World Cup squad.

Taiwo in this exclusive interview with Comple tesportsnigeria.com's IZUCHUKWU OKOSI also reveals why he chose to sign for HJK Helsinki of Finland.
………………….

You told Comple tesportsnigeria.com that you could leave HJK Helsinki for a new club at the end of the season in Finland. What is the situation of things now?

The club have decided that I continue with them but I've not decided on whether to stay or go. That decision will be taken in January.

Your objective has always been to return to the Super Eagles but with the strong competition for places in the Eagles now, especially with the emergence of players from the Nigeria Professional Football League, do you feel it will be difficult for experienced players like you to get back in the team?

I would love to be back in the national team just like Obafemi Martins has recently been recalled.

But I won't force it. If I get to play again for Nigeria, fine, if not, no problem. I've been doing that for many years. And besides there are new players in the team. They need to also get their chance.

Stephen Keshi cannot tell me that most of the players he took to the 2014 World Cup are better than those of us he shunned. It's not because he didn't invite me. At least Martins who has been invited by Sunday Oliseh was also not invited by Keshi. Keshi stopped Nigeria from progressing further at the World Cup in 2014 because of his biased selection.

That was a big disappointment to me. Most of the players he picked were playing in division three clubs and in obscure leagues. They couldn't even make good passes.

Keshi has made our football drop after we all thought we were back to the good old days with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

The Finnish league is clearly not amongst the most competitive in Europe. Did you not have offers from bigger clubs?

Definitely I had offers from other bigger clubs than HJK Helsinki. Real Betis from Spain offered me a contract. An offer also came from Greece, and some other places but I chose HJK Helsinki because I wanted playing time. As a footballer, you want to play regularly and you have to look at the options carefully; which one is of the best interest to you, that's what important. I have no regrets going to Finland though I don't know what might happen in future.

The 2015 Glo/CAF awards will be held soon in Abuja and Nigerian stars will once again be missing out from the big prize, the African Footballer of the Year award. You were a nominee in 2006, how does that make you feel?

Well, it's unfortunate but hopefully we shall have one or two among the nominees in 2016.

What are your expectations of Nigerian football in 2016?

Next year, the Olympics will hold and the qualifiers to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2018 World Cup, so Insha Allah our teams will qualify for the tournaments and then do well, not just go there and participate.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/taye-taiwo-im-not-desperate-super-eagles-recall/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Haruna Lukman Set For Turkey Switch
[/size]
https://d1bez7r3o7wd77.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lukman-Haruna2.jpg
By Adesanya Taiwo:
Super Eagles midfielder, Haruna Lukman, is set to leave Dynamo Kyiv for Turkey, Comple tesportsnigeria.com can report.

The former Nigeria youth international who has been surplus to requirements at the Ukrainian club has been on loan to Anzhi Makhachkala, but a close confidant to the player said Haruna is seeking to end his relationship with Dynamo Kyiv.

“Although there have been offers from other countries, a move to Turkey is almost certain as the January transfer reopens,” the source said.

“Haruna will end his relationship with Dynamo Kyiv, as he plans on a move to Turkey to continue his career.”

In June 2011, Haruna signed a five-year contract with the former Ukrainian champions.
Later in July 2015, he moved to FC Anzhi Makhachkala on a loan deal from Dynamo Kyiv until the end of 2015. Anzhi decided not to extend the loan after it ended.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/haruna-lukman-set-turkey-switch/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][size=14pt]
AF Nigeria Ligue 1 2015/2016 Monaco
Elderson out for 'couple of weeks'
[/size]
[img]http://africanfootball.com/news/597983/Elderson-out-for-couple-of-weeks[/img]
Monaco's Nigeria full-back Elderson (left)

AS Monaco defender Elderson Echiejile will be sidelined by a hamstring injury for “a couple of weeks”.

The Nigeria defender disclosed that he suffered the injury while training with his French Ligue 1 side and has been told he will out for some weeks.

“I picked up a hamstring in training on Tuesday and I will be out for a couple of weeks,” Elderson told his official website www.elderson3.com

This season, the 27-year-old Elderson has made 12 appearances in Ligue 1 for Monaco, who are now second on the table behind runaway leaders and defending champions PSG with 32 points from 19 matches.
africanfootball.com/news/597983/Elderson-out-for-couple-of-weeks
[/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
AF Nigeria Nigeria Premier League 2015 FC Taraba
Usman defies agent to head to CHAN
[/size]
https://africanfootball.com/bp_images/2016/01/Samm_8_September_5.jpg
Usman Mohammed (right)

FC Taraba skipper Usman Mohammed will now head to the CHAN in Rwanda after he defied the decision of his agent to shun the tournament for a deal at Norwegian club Lillestrom.

Saturday morning the Super Eagles jetted out of Abuja to Lagos from where they will connect their flight to South Africa with Usman one of the players on the trip.

“Usman is on the flight to South Africa, he did not stay back as we agreed probably because of pressure from some of the officials in the team,” his Amsterdam-based representative disclosed.

“His visa to Norway is to come through on Monday, but as we speak I really don’t know what to believe or even think now because the plan was not for the player to be at CHAN but be in Norway by January 15.”
africanfootball.com/news/597981/Usman-defies-agent-to-head-to-CHAN
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Sunday Oliseh & Gary Neville: From punditry to coaching
[/size]
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/da/84/sunday-oliseh-gary-neville_fiqcfbz6xvdf1w3z1yowi33ea.jpg?t=-1241927743&w=620&h=430[/img]
The ex-players have proved that they can talk the talk, but can they also walk the walk?

By Victor Abimbola
Sunday Oliseh& Gary Nevilleare both very lucky men.

Neville has been appointed as the new coach of Valencia, not based on any spectacular coaching achievement, but rather on his reputation as a player, as a pundit and, allegedly, because of his relationship with Peter Lim.

This is final-thank you to @SkySportsMNFand the team. Special mention to @skysports_edwho is brilliant and @Carra23who's actually alright— Gary Neville (@GNev2) December 3, 2015
It’s arguably the same privilege Oliseh enjoyed when he was appointed Nigeria boss, not on the back of any prior coaching achievements, but because of the in-depth knowledge of the game he demonstrated as a pundit.

Both were former captains at the highest levels of the game and upon retirement, they both forged their reputations as well-respected and articulate men behind the mics. From what we've seen so far, it’s obvious that both men can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk?

In this feature, we explore the parallels between the two men as they step from the studio to the dug-out.
https://static.goal.com/di/D6912C6A3433A80AF4A8C94CEF1186E3.jpg
New faces of new regimes
In both cases, Oliseh and Neville have been appointed by ambitious administrators keen to herald in new eras; Amaju Pinnick with the Super Eagles and Lim with Valencia.

Oliseh, just as Pep Guardiola was the new face of Joan Laporta's reign upon his election as Barcelona president, is the man selected by the NFF board to ‘move on’ from Stephen Keshi’s regime.

At Valencia, Singaporean businessman Lim ousted former president Amadeo Silva and pulled the plug on Nuno Espirito Santo’s time in charge earlier this season.
Long but exciting day that one.

Thank you for all your messages. Thank you to @valenciacffor the opportunity .— Gary Neville (@GNev2) December 3, 2015
Both of the new coaches are replacing managers who achieved something tangible—Keshi winning the Cup of Nations, Espirito Santo steadying the ship after a period of turmoil—but still left hungry fanbases frustrated and wanting more.

The problems of the past, however, and the nature of their appointments, means that the way ahead is rocky for both Oliseh and Neville.

The Nigeria coach is already running into these traps; he inherited an unbalanced squad, short of confidence after failing to qualify for the 2015 Cup of Nations, while Neville has also inherited a squad short of self-belief—as they demonstrated in their Champions League capitulation at the hands of already eliminated Olympique Lyonnais.
https://static.goal.com/di/1A64153386BDE069E16070BD417A38CE.jpg
Big egos to manage
For both Oliseh and Neville, big personalities with big reputations in the media, their ability to manage high-profile players and considerable egos could decide whether they succeed or fail.

In this sense, perhaps the Manchester United legend can learn a thing or two of how not to do it from Oliseh!

The Super Eagles boss has already alienated his best player in Vincent Enyeama, and while Carl Ikeme might seem an able replacement on the short term, he doesn’t have the experience and big-game mentality of someone like Enyeama.

Oliseh’s handling of the Enyeama situation has definitely made Nigeria worse off in the long run.

Very constructive meeting with Chelsea & Super Eagles' Victor Moses. The team building continues pic.twitter.com/tSbSNUIr1I— Sunday Oliseh (@SundayOOliseh) August 3, 2015

Similarly, Nigeria's best striker at the 2013 Cup of Nations, Emmanuel Emenike, retired from international football shortly after Enyeama.

If a national hero can be so badly treated, any senior player is surely vulnerable...this won't go down well with egoistical modern day footballers, particularly when the manager is less than a decade older then some of the squad members and his playing career even overlapped with some of them.

Neville potentially has a similar issue with Alvaro Negredo.
The striker has mismanaged by Espirito Santo and has been linked with an exit.

Will the new coach opt to axe a potentially valuable player in order to assert his authority, or will he realise that the value of hotshot Negredo is too good to ignore and attempt to reintegrate him into the team?
.....................
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
..........
[/size]
https://static.goal.com/di/CBEC2926C38DA3DC6C5F5621ACB276B9.jpg
Youth may be more receptive
Perhaps, in fact, there is some logic behind Oliseh’s decision to cut loose some of the squad’s older, more experienced players and focus on establishing a young spine for Nigeria.

Will these younger players—the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Kingsley Madu and Moses Simon—be more receptive to Oliseh, allowing him to mould them in his own style?

The coach—so adept at conveying his tactical ideas in front of a camera—may decide that the younger stars are the best bet moving forward if he is to establish his own style with the Super Eagles and get them playing as he wants.

Oliseh is a brilliant person... Proper analysis of his team, he's insisting the big boys have to be playing at their clubs to get in d team!— ManifestX (@ManiFestX) September 8, 2015

Neville may have a similar decision to make, particularly with the January transfer window looming.

Valencia has a young and promising team, and the likes of Jose Luis Gaya, Paco Alcacer, Rodrigo De Paul, Sofiane Feghouli, Zakkaria Bakkali, Santi Mina, Dani Parejo, Diego Alves & Enzo Perez, offer experience, raw talent and room to improve.

Neville has an opportunity to focus on developing younger players and to take some of those names still learning their trade and finding their way in the game to mould into the kind of contributors he’s looking for.

He’s an expert communicator in front of the camera, and he must find a way to traverse the language barrier and convey his ideas to these starlets as quickly and as effectively as possible.
https://static.goal.com/di/B2EC342633C84A08672E50779527EAE3.jpg
Conclusion
The progression of Oliseh and Nevile will be fascinating to watch over the coming months and, potentially, years.

Both men were fine players and expert pundits, but they have it all to prove as coaches.

These, their first jobs, will prove critical in shaping their future careers, but neither has an easy assignment and both will encounter similar pitfalls.

Putting their reputations aside, Oliseh and Neville have it all to do.
They can talk the talk, but can they also walk the walk?
m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/4079/features/2015/12/31/18495742/sunday-oliseh-gary-neville-from-punditry-to-coaching
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
When is the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year announcement?
[/size]
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/75/8c/nigeria-player-of-the-year-2015-logo_rkmom8hldhnw1xmjoeqlr0d3o.jpg?t=-1609956871&w=620&h=430[/img]
After more than two weeks of voting, the 2015 Goal Nigeria Player of the Year poll ended at 2pm on December 31, 2015.

We saw a pretty impressive and highly competitive poll as all 10 nominees fought for supremacy in the minds of Goal readers.

While the award is not a popularity contest, Goal readers have always been trusted to select their best Nigerian player every year since 2012.

Who will join the heralded company of past winners John Obi Mikel (2012 & 2013) and Vincent Enyeama (2014)?

The winner of the 2015 Goal Nigeria Player of the Year will be announced on January 11, 2016.
https://static.goal.com/di/486B4DCC83EC32F3F94ACDC9B7D8D627.jpg
Past winners Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel: Who will join their illustrious company?
m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/5608/nigeria-player-of-the-year/2016/01/01/18888592/when-is-the-goal-nigeria-player-of-the-year-announcement
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
EXCLUSIVE: Arsene Wenger loves Alex - Chuka Iwobi
[/size]
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/92/14/alex-iwobi-of-arsenal_s1bfqthy9d681qulfyhlvjsig.jpg?t=-389228383&w=620&h=430[/img]
The striker's father was full of praise for the Frenchman for the huge encouragement given to his son and other teenage stars in the team.

Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi would soon break into the starting XI of the Premier League leaders as a result of the huge encouragement manager Arsene Wenger is giving him, according to his father Chuka.

The striker's father was full of praise for the Frenchman for the huge encouragement given to his son and other teenage stars in the team.

Alex has made three substitute appearances in the League this season, chalking up a total of 12 minutes. He also saw five minutes of action in the Champions League.

“Alex has to be patient and continue to work hard. Arsenal as you know is a big team with world class players and very soon Alex would get his chance in the starting XI,” Iwobi told Goal.
“Wenger loves him that is a fact. His time will come, Wenger is gradually developing him.”

Chuka also declared his son's readiness to continue to play for both the Nigeria U23s and the Super Eagles, where he earned 44 minutes during his debut in an October friendly.

"As you know Alex loves Nigeria and will always honour invitations from Nigeria,” Chuka said.
"He has a lot of respect for Samson Siasia and will be delighted to play in the Olympics for Nigeria. He has also enjoyed working with [Sunday] Oliseh.”

He also insisted that his son may still go on loan despite Wenger's insistence that the player will feature in his programmes for the season.

"Wenger has him in his plans for the league and other competitions the club would participate in. The manager may eventually let him go on loan as the season progresses," Iwobi senior said.
m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/4078/exclusives/2015/12/31/18873342/exclusive-arsene-wenger-loves-alex-chuka-iwobi
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Odion Ighalo: Premiership’s New Big Boy
[/size]
https://cdn.akamai.thisdaylive.com/0bef99d6-acf5-4e2c-9779-8fa02ba3fcd4/assets/181015F-Odion-Ighalo.jpg?maxwidth=400&maxheight=540
In spite of an intimidating 20 goals in the English Championship that fetched Watford’s promotion to the English Premier League, not many would bet on Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo, to be in contention for the premiership hot shot after Boxing Day. But that is the story of the former Udinese of Italy striker as he has proven doubters wrong and no doubt the face of Nigerian players in the English Premiership

Odion Ighalo and his Watford side are fast becoming the story of the season after defying all odds from being an expected relegation strugglers to Europe contenders and the striker has been enjoying encomiums week-in, week-out as he has made goals scoring a habit.

“We understand the way we play and after a couple of months in the Premier League, we will understand how the other teams play. I believe we can stay there. It won’t be easy but I believe we can compete," he said before the kickoff of the premiership.

After Boxing Day’s encounter between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge, Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi, has nothing but praise for his national team mate.

During the match, Ighalo scored his 13th goal of the season, to set a new record of becoming the first Watford and indeed Nigerian player to score in five successive Premiership games.

“I am not surprised Odion Ighalo is doing what he is doing. I have chatted with him and played with him in the national team and I can see the talent he has, as even before I have the ball in those games he is already making his run. He is a player who likes to exploit the space behind the defence and is a good finisher around the box. He is someone we need to watch out for,” Mikel said after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Watford.

Also, Newcastle United and England legend, Alan Shearer, has praised Ighalo for carrying his club Watford in the EPL after his brace against Liverpool, “Watford too strong, too quick and too good for Liverpool. Ighalo is superb," Shearer tweeted.

As a boy, Odion Ighalo and his Olodi Warriors team-mates would hit the deck when they heard gun fire during training. The bullets didn’t know the difference between the young footballers and the drug dealers selling their narcotics on a corner of the pitch, which the police were targeting.

Growing up in the Ajegunle ghetto, in the heart of Lagos, life can be like that.

The pitch where he would train and play matches as a child is called the ‘Maracana’ by locals, in the Tolu area of the community. It is one of the most popular places in Ajegunle and has become known as the place that turns filth into gold.

Some houses are even built on top of great mounds. But out of its depths have emerged footballers who would go on to make waves in Europe. Ighalo is one of them.

His mother, Martina, worked day and night selling water and soft drinks to save up for his first pair of boots against his father, Paul’s wish, who wanted his son to go to school and study – so his parents would argue. Ighalo however chose a pair of adidas Copa Mundials, displaying a touch of class, even back then, which he has carried into the Premier League this season.

Goal-scoring has been Ighalo’s primary function as his 28 league strikes in 2015 are greater than anyone in English football’s top four divisions. In the top five European leagues, he is just behind Cristiano Ronaldo (35), Lionel Messi (33), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (29) and alongside Luis Suarez in joint-fourth.

Despite placed seventh on the table at a stage in the league and just a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with place in Europe in sight, Coach Quique Sanchez Flores insists Watford’s top priority for the season remains Premier League survival.

Asked if he has changed his original aim of survival, Flores said: “No. It would be a very big mistake, not clever, no. We have to stick to the ideas of the club, which are very clever. We are just thinking about growing Watford.

We have been strong in the past few years, but we need to establish ourselves in the Premier League. This is what the fans need, and Watford needs. To lose the perspective would be a very, very bad thing for us.”

However, Ighalo’s form could see the 26-year-old targeted by bigger clubs in the January transfer window, but Flores is confident the striker will see out the season with Watford.

“He is very clever, he chose five months ago the option to come here because he imagined something special for him,” said Flores. “He is clever; he knows the best option for him. I hope and believe he will finish the season with Watford. After that who knows.”
.........
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
...........
[/size]
https://cdn.akamai.thisdaylive.com/0bef99d6-acf5-4e2c-9779-8fa02ba3fcd4/assets/181015F-Odion-Ighalo.jpg?maxwidth=400&maxheight=540
Ighalo is already a £12m target fo Atletico Madrid as his impressive start to the campaign caught the eye of Atletico scouts.

Atletico are looking for a new striker this summer as Jackson Martinez has been a huge flop since his £25m move from Porto in the summer and has even been linked with a loan move to Tottenham and Chelsea with Atletico keen to offload the 29-year-old.

The Spanish club has a good relationship with Udinese who are also owned by the Pozzo family who have bankrolled Watford’s remarkable rise and Atletico are confident that they could land Ighalo after making enquiries to his representatives and they are hopeful of doing a £12m deal in the summer.

Watford will be determined not to sell as Ighalo has formed a lethal partnership with Troy Deeney.

In the same vein, Roma are also said to be monitoring Ighalo.
The 26-year-old is the second-highest top-scorer in the League with 14 goals behind Jamie Vardy on 15.

However, Odion is yet to establish himself in his country’s colours the way he is doing with Watford. He was indeed left out by Super Eagles Chief Coach Sunday Oliseh, in his first assignment as the national team’s manager, in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in Dar es Salam, which though attracted some eyebrows, considering the striker’s performance for his club.

He however got his chance against Cameroun and he took it.
“I’m happy to get a goal but most important the win has doused a lot of tension and you can see from the way the team celebrated every goal shows that with peace in camp, we can conquer. There’s still more work to be done to sustain the tempo which coach Sunday Oliseh demands from the team. We have more work to do because the coach’s style involves you staying mentally alert for quick reactions. We know what is at stake and I believe everybody wants to be at the World Cup so that’s a motivation on its own,” Ighalo said.

When Ighalo came off the bench to earn for the Hornets a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park in their first match back in the Premier League back in August, Oliseh was quick to say how much he was impressed with the striker’s performance.

"I am thrilled by Ighalo's goal. It was classy and I am happy he made his presence felt when he came in as a late second half substitute. That kind of performance is what I expect from my players week in week out.

With that kind of outing, he will either start the next game or be used as an impact substitute. I want to see all Super Eagles players in action every week and not as bench warmers," Oliseh said.

With 14 goals in the kitty already with the league just midway, Odion surely looks good to surpass former Nigerian international, Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s record of 16 goals while playing for Portsmouth in the 2003/2004 season.

The closest before now was the 15 goals scored by Osaze Odemwingie for West Brom in the 2010/2011 season.

Ighalo was born on June 16, 1989 in Lagos. He played for Prime FC of Oshogbo and Julius Berger of Lagos from where he was discovered by FIFA agent, Marcelo Houseman, who recommended him to Atta Aneke, and was subsequently taken on trial by Norway's Lyn Football.

On July 30, 2008 Ighalo signed for Udinese in Italy and agreed to a five-year contract. He was later loaned to Granada FC in the 2009 summer, as part of the partnership agreement between Udinese and the Spaniards. He scored 17 times in his first year and five in the second, as both seasons ended in promotion; this was interspersed with a brief loan stint back in Italy with A.C. Cesena.

Ighalo sends a chunk of his wages back to family in Nigeria and charities who help kids, schools and widows. He plans to open up an orphanage this year.
www.thisdaylive.com/articles/odion-ighalo-premiership-s-new-big-boy/229333/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
CHAN 2016: Assistant coach assures Nigerians of Super Eagles’ readiness
[/size]
https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_20151114_171025-450x336.jpg
Super Eagles training in Port Harcourt

Super Eagles’ assistant coach Jean Losciuto on Friday in Abuja assured of the home-based team’s readiness for the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Losciuto, however, told newsmen at the team’s occasional interactive session with the media that the team’s handlers were presently faced with the challenge of players’ selection.

“There are presently 25 players with us in camp, but we need to go with 23 players. So, we are faced with this challenge because all the players are good.

“However, the final 23-man list is not ready yet, and we need to do the selection before our departure to South Africa in preparation for the 2016 CHAN,” he said.

The Belgian said the players were in good shape and physically fit for the championship.

He also assured that he was in constant contact with the team’s Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, on the team’s preparation for the event scheduled for later this month.

NAN reports that the 2016 CHAN, which is the fourth edition and is for players featuring in the domestic leagues in Africa, holds from Jan. 16 to February 7
www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/01/02/chan-2016-assistant-coach-assures-nigerians-of-super-eagles-readiness/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Angola Confirm Guinea and Nigeria Friendlies.
[/size]
https://images.365.co.za/2015/11/247x247/1024x534.7096774193549__origin__0x62_GettyImages-494202918.jpg
The Angola national team will play friendlies against Nigeria, Guinea and Mali as part of their preparations for the 2016 African Nations Championships (CHAN).

The Sable Antelopes are currently on a training camp in South Africa and their first match will be against Nigeria on January 6 with the Guinea game scheduled for January 10 before they are expected to wrap things up against Mali on January 13.

There is talk of a fourth friendly against Lesotho, which could take place before the Nigeria match.

CHAN kicks off on January 16 in Rwanda and Angola's first game will be against Cameroon at Stade Huye in Butare a day later while they will also face Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia in Group B.

Training squad in South Africa:
Fabricio, JB, Moco (Interclube), Miguel, Gomito II (Benfica de Luanda), Yano (Progresso), Danilson Traça (Desportivo da Huila), Dany, Natael, Eddie, Landu (Recreativo do Libolo), Manguxi, Mateus (Petro de Luanda), Ary Papel, Dominique, Manucho Dinis, Bua, Gelson, Isaac, Ekundi Sargento, Mingo Bile (1º de Agosto), and Mario Silva (Kabuscorp do Palanca), Silva (ASA).
www.football411.com/story/0,22162,14340_113328,00.html
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Ezenwa, Chikatara Top 23-Man Home Eagles CHAN List
[/size]
https://d1bez7r3o7wd77.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/home-eagles.jpg
By Adeboye Amosu:
Nigeria has released a 23-man list that will compete for honours at the African Nations Championship, reports Comple tesportsnigeria.com.

Two players, David Obiozor and Julius Ubido both of Heartland Football Club of Owerri were dropped from the final squad.

Regular stars like Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Chisom Chikatara, Chima Akas, Austin Obaroakpo, Paul Onobi, Ezekiel Bassey and Tunde Adeniji made the list.

Three players who did not participate in the qualifier will also be in Rwanda. They are defender, Chris Madaki, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and Ibrahim Salawu Attah.

The Eagles left for Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday morning where they will play two friendly games against Angola and Cote d'lvoire before heading to Rwanda for the competition.

Their first game is against Niger on January 18 at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo.

Sunday Oliseh's men came third at the last edition in South Africa.

THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Femi Thomas, Okiemute Odah

Defenders
Austin Obaroakpo, Chima Akas, Kalu Orji, Jamiu Alimi, Stephen Eze, Samson Gbadebo, Chris Madaki, Etim Matthew

Midfielders
Paul Onobi, Usman Mohammed, Bature Yaro, Ifeanyi Matthew, Ibrahim Salawu Attah, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Osas Okoro

Forwards
Tunde Adeniji, Chisom Chikatara, Ezekiel Bassey, Prince Aggreh, Bright Onyedikachi
www.completesportsnigeria.com/ezenwa-chikatara-top-23-man-home-eagles-chan-list/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
CHAN: Home Eagles Jet Out To South Africa Camp
[/size]
https://d1bez7r3o7wd77.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/chan3.jpg
By Adeboye Amosu:
Photo by Ganiyu Yusuf:

The home-based Super Eagles have left for South Africa to intensify preparations ahead of the African Nations Championship in Rwanda, reports Comple tesportsnigeria.com.

Twenty two players alongside assistant coaches Jean Francois Loscuito, Salisu Yusuf and Alloy Agu and other back room staff left for South Africa aboard a chartered Arik Air flight on Saturday.

The team is expected to land at the Oliver Thambo International Airport, Johannesburg by 6pm fromwhere they will head to their training base in Pretoria.

Samson Gbadebo, the only player who couldn't make the trip due to visa issues, will link up with the rest of the squad next week.

They are expected to play two friendly games against Angola and Cote d'lvoire on January 6 and January 10respectively.

Nigeria came third at the last edition of the competition in South Africa.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/chan-home-eagles-jet-out-to-south-africa-camp/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Man City’s Bony Fears Dangerous Ighalo, Deeney
[/size]
Manchester City striker Wilfred Bony has warned his team-mates to be wary of in-form Odion Ighalo and Watford strike partner Troy Deeney.

City, who are currently third in the Premier League table, will be guests to Watford at Vicarage road in Saturday’s league clash.

Bony told Manchester City’s official website that Ighalo, who has 14 league goals, and Deeney should be watched closely.

“Every game is difficult but I think we are the team that should win,” said Bony.
“We will try to go there and take the points and do what we know we can. With luck, we expect to win the game.

“Ighalo and Deeney are both in good form now and as a striker, when you are in good form, everything can happen. In six months, you can score 20 to 25 goals. We have to be careful of what they can do and know that they are in great form and can score at any moment.
“We have to be ready and be prepared for this game.”
www.completesportsnigeria.com/man-citys-bony-fears-dangerous-ighalo-deeney/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Okoro: Home Eagles Willl Miss Salami At CHAN
[/size]
https://d1bez7r3o7wd77.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/salami44.png
By Johnny Edward:
Rangers winger Osas Okoro has admitted that Home Eagles skipper and Nigeria's Premier League top scorer Gbolahan Salami will be sorely missed after the player opted out of the African Nations Cup Championship billed to kick off in a fortnight in Rwanda.

But Okoro was delighted U-23 star, Usman Mohammed, made the squad for the tournament meant for players based in their domestic leagues.

Okoro, who is one of the eight midfielders in the 23-man Nigeria squad for the tournament, told Comple tesportsnigeria.com the wealth of experience of Salami in the team would have counted if he was available.

"We will surely miss him no doubt," Okoro who has four caps for the senior national team said.

"He the currently the league top scorer and he would have given the team options in attack but I am confident in the strikers we have to score goals."

On the chances of the team winning the title, Okoro said 'nothing is impossible'.
"We qualified because we have a good team and every team heading into a tournament like this will dare to win it, I'm not a pessimist," he told Comple tesportsnigeria.com.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/okoro-home-eagles-willl-miss-salami-at-chan/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][size=14pt]
Samson Gbadebo Joins Eagles In South Africa Tuesday
[/size]
https://d1bez7r3o7wd77.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/samson.jpg
By Sab Osuji:
Samson Gbadebo, a defender from Lobi Stars will link up with his home base Super Eagles teammates in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, January 5, 2016.

Gbadebo was named in the 23 man squad that departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Saturday, for a two weeks training camp in Pretoria.

Completesportsngeria.com reports that Gbadebo missed the trip because his travel visa was not ready at the time the team left Abuja on Saturday morning.

"Gbadebo's visa was not yet ready at the time we left Abuja, Toyin Ibitoye told comple tesportsnigeria.com at the airport.

"Hopefully, he will join us in South Africa by Tuesday next week," the Super Eagles spokesman added.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/samson-gbadebo-joins-eagles-in-south-africa-tuesday/
[/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Esin: Ighalo Should Replicate Club Form For Nigeria
[/size]
[img]http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/esin-emenikes-international-retirement-is-worrisome/[/img]
By James Agberebi:
Former Nigeria international Etim Esin has expressed high hopes for Nigerian football in 2016.

Speaking to Comple tesportsnigeria.com, Esin who wished coach Sunday Oliseh speedy recovery, charged Odion Ighalo to try and replicate his club form for the Super Eagles.

"First and foremost we have to wish Sunday Oliseh quick recovery so that he can handle the senior national team," Esin said.

"There are World Cup and AFCON qualifiers coming up and as we know, health comes first.

"So we should just pray that Oliseh gets well soon so that he can start taking care of business."

"As for Odion Ighalo, I hope he carries his Watford form to the Super Eagles. If he can transfer that kind of form to the Super Eagles, at least we will be happy that we have another Yekini in the making."

Esin added:"Also, we expect the U-23 Eagles to do us proud at the Olympics. Siasia got to the final in 2008 and got silver. So this time, let's hope he can go one step further.

"As we all know football is one sport that binds every Nigerian together so we expect that our national teams will give us something to smile about."
www.completesportsnigeria.com/esin-ighalo-should-replicate-club-form-for-nigeria/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Oliseh Arrives In South Africa For CHAN Preparation
[/size]
https://d1bez7r3o7wd77.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/oliseh4.jpg
By Adeboye Amosu:
Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has arrived in South Africa ahead of the team’s pre-African Nations Championship camping exercise, Comple tesportsnigeria.com can exclusively report.

Oliseh has been away in Europe since the team’s 2018 World Cup qualifying tie against Swaziland due to illness.

Comple tesportsnigeria.com can however reveal that the former Ajax Amsterdam of Holland star is already in Pretoria ahead of the team’s training tour in Nelson Mandela’s country.

“Coach Sunday Oliseh is already in South Africa awaiting the rest of the team,” a reliable source in the team informed Comple tesportsnigeria.com.

“He is better now and all things being equal he should supervise our first training session in Pretoria.”

In Oliseh’s absence, assistant coaches, Jean Francois Loscuito and Salisu Yusuf, have been supervising the team’s training.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/oliseh-arrives-in-south-africa-for-chan-preparation/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Usman Mohammed Delays Norway Move For CHAN
[/size]
https://d1bez7r3o7wd77.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Usman-Mohammed.jpg
By Adeboye Amosu:
Usman Mohammed has told Comple tesportsnigeria.com he has delayed his move to Norwegian side, Lillestrom, to represent Nigeria at the African Nations Championship in Rwanda.

The midfielder was a major doubt for the competition after his representatives facilitated a move to Lillestrom.

He was expected to travel to the Scandinavian country to pen a deal with the club on January 15.

That would have automatically ruled him out from taking part in CHAN, a competition that is reserved for senior player plying their trades in their country's domestic leagues.

The FC Taraba player informed Comple tesportsnigeria.com that he hopes to seal the move after CHAN.

"I have put forward my transfer to Norway," he told Comple tesportsnigeria.com.

"At the moment I want to concentrate on playing in CHAN, after that, I can then think of moving over to Europe.

"I hope to do well with the team in Rwanda and hopefully we will come back home with the trophy."
www.completesportsnigeria.com/usman-mohammed-delays-norway-move-chan/
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000]
Today na today o!
Am going to watch Watford FC vs Mancity life.

Hoping to see how Ighalo will cause some troubles to Mancity defense line.
I also wish they could feature Kelechi Iheanacho. Surely its going to be an all Nigerian affair.

TheGoodJoe, would you love Odion Ighalo to score today too
[/color]

TheGoodJoe:
No. As much as I respect and adore Ighalo, he can spare today and continue scoring for the next game. It will be a tough encounter but I hope we keep the game tight by holding the ball.

[color=#000000]
The God of Soccer don hear your prayer abi?

Can't just forgive Ighalo for those 2 clear chance he missed. Also can't also understand why he prefers to stay at Watfort even when a big Club like Athletico Madrid is coming for him.

Ighalo move joor.
[/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Efugh backs Adeniji, Chikatara to shine
By: George Akpayen
[/size]
Nigeria head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has named the roster for the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) and as expected last season's NPFL leading scorer, Gbolahan Salami, is not listed.

The Wolves forward failed to turn up in the team's training camp in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, thereby fuelling speculation of a possible move abroad in the January transfer window. However, one man who has played in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for more than a decade believes that the Super Eagles can cope in the absence of Salami.

Efugh told supersport.com that Salami is a fantastic player but believes the Nigerian squad for the Chan can soldier on without him.

The Heartland FC captain also named two players who are capable of standing up and getting counted in the absence of Salami. He believes Chisom Chikatara and Tunde Adeniji will come good.

"Well I don't think (Salami's absence) will affect the team," began the Heartland FC captain. "No doubt he is a fantastic player but the team are experienced enough."

"In football, the absence of a player or players can always lead provide the opportunity for others to thrive. Like I said, Salami is a fantastic player but his absence will give others the chance and I think Chisom and Tunde are capable of doing very well too."

Apart from backing the duo of Adeniji and Chikatara, who scored a combined 29 league goals for their clubs, Abia Warriors and Sunshine Stars respectively, in the NPFL last term, Efugh is confident the Nigerian squad are good enough to win the 2016 Chan.

"Yes I see them winning the trophy," the former Enugu Rangers man said to supersport.com. "They (the Nigerian team) have experienced players."

However, before thinking of the African title, Nigeria will have to navigate through a group with Tunisia, Niger Republic and Guinea as opponents.

The Nigerians began their bid to reach the quarterfinal stage of the Chan against Niger Republic at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo in Kigali, Rwanda on January 18.
ng.supersport.mobi/football/super-eagles/news/160102/Efugh_backs_Adeniji_Chikatara_to_shine
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
Yusuf upbeat on CHAN glory
By: Humphrey Njoku
[/size]
Super Eagles assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf has expressed deep confidence in the quality of players in his fold to deliver the goods at the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda.

The team head off to Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday to commence final phase of preparation for the biennial football championship.

The CHAN Eagles will engage their counterparts from Angola and Ivory Coast in a test match prior to the group game opener against Niger on January 18.

Yusuf said the players responses to training instructions in camp have been flawless and inspiring that the side will harvest gold at the championship.

“Of course, we are confident heading off to South Africa enroute to Rwanda for the African Nations Championship.

“South Africa will actually serve as our last bus stop in term of preparation for the championship where we have confirmed two build-up matches against Angola and Ivory Coast.

“The players attitude and responses to instruction in camp have been quite impressive and actually inspired confidence in the coaches.

“We can say confidently that we will make Nigerians proud in Rwanda, we won’t disappoint them by the time the curtain falls on the championship,” said the former Enyimba coach to supersport.com.

Yusuf said FC Taraba and Dream Team VI attacking midfielder, Usman Mohammed widely feared to miss the championship made the trip to South Africa.

“Usman Mohammed is among the 23 players in the trip with the exception of Julius Ubido and David Obiazor.

“Gbolahan Salami had early excused himself from the championship due to his crave for a career outside the country.

“Of course, you cannot doubt Salami’s quality or his impart if he was to be with us but somebody must do the job,” said Yusuf.

The CHAN in Rwanda will run from January 16 – February 07 with Eagles first match on January 18 against Niger at Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali the clashes against other group opponents, Tunisia and Guinea on January 22 and 26 respectively.
ng.supersport.mobi/football/super-eagles/news/160102/Yusuf_upbeat_on_CHAN_glory
[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b][size=14pt]
CHAN 2016: Belgian coach raises fear over Eagles
[/size]
https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IMG_20160102_154435-451x336.jpg
By Taiwo Adelu
Members of Nigerian CHAN Eagles on their way to Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday, 2 Jan. 2016
Assistant coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Belgian Jean Losciuto has raised his concern about the physical condition of home-based Super Eagles who he and other members of the technical crew took to Pretoria, South Africa camp on Saturday.

Losciuto, who Chief Coach Sunday Oliseh brought in when he was employed as Eagles manager, said before Eagles Team B flew out to Pretoria for the final phase of Nigeria’s camping for Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Saturday afternoon, the physical condition of the players was below competition standard, adding that this and some other aspects of training are what the coaches will focus on when they resume training in South Africa.

“The physical condition of the players is yet to yield maximum level and this is not satisfactory.
“The altitude here in Abuja is not the same with the one we will experience in CHAN, that was the reason we picked Pretoria as our pre-tournament camp site.

“As soon as we hit Pretoria, we will reach high altitude the same as in Rwanda. This will be good for the players and the training. I believe the problem of physical condition will be solved,” he said on a Lagos sports radio.

While in Pretoria, the home-based Eagles will face two of the CHAN-bound teams, Angola on 6 January and then Cote d’Ivoire on 11 January in warm-up matches.

The CHAN will begin on 16 January in Kigali and Nigeria are drawn against Niger, Tunisia and Guinea in the group phase.

Nigeria will be making their second appearance at the Championship of African Nations (CHAN), which is for players featuring in their various homes leagues.

In 2014, the home-based Eagles finished third on their debut appearance of the CHAN in South Africa with Ejike Uzoenyi emerging as the tournament MVP.
www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/01/02/chan-2016-belgian-coach-raises-fear-over-eagles/
[/b][/color]