sheyishemba:


Thats was the last thing I heard about Felix I'll try to confirm your news. I already know apkoguma is already with us since he called iwobi and I'm also sure of Felix switching after Olympics the only shock is Jordan I wasnt expecting it at all.

It seems that Iwobi offers to 9ja football both on and off the field of play,a lot of FB that want to know about the NT contact him.

komekn:


Can you expand please, l am not aware of there ever being an election for the position of President of Super Eagles and or if the position even EXISTS.

I was in Warri when Amaju won the election for the Presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Read what he wrote again na..

Kog45:
...for bringing FB into the fold abi!good but history will forget him if he failed to win any trophy.

Otto Gloria... 1980 afcon
Clemens Westerhoff...1994 afcon
Stephen Keshi....2013 afcon
Bonfrere Jo...Olympic gold Atlanta 1996

Pls tell me who remembers Manfred Hoener,Thijs Libregt,Philipe Trousier,Berti Vogts...

The turnaround of Super eagles was Westerhoff period and no coach has achieved that feat, bringing FB in and having good homegrown players good for the country but we want a team that we would remember as historic team.

Rohr just need to win next Afcon,qualifying for WC is not a record cos that record belonged to Clemens Westerhoff.

He said, Rohr has made Nigerians proud of the super eagles, again. That's true.

We failed to qualify for AFCON back to back and were ranked very low. We were in a very bad place.

In that sense, Rohr has done well.

Now, he needs to add a trophy to cement his legacy.

jimmyiovine:


Amaju pinnick is the President of Super Eagles and not president of NFF. I am certain falcons won’t get a coach this calendar year. Cadet teams will soon begin qualifiers come October, none of them have coaches

The super eagles appear to be the only national team Pinnick is concerned about.

The super falcons are being treated poorly while the cadet teams are given mediocore coaches!!

Danielnino00:


The super eagles appear to be the only national team Pinnick is concerned about.

The super falcons are being treated poorly while the cadet teams are given mediocore coaches!!

Spot on.

komekn:


Can you expand please, l am not aware of there ever being an election for the position of President of Super Eagles and or if the position even EXISTS.

I was in Warri when Amaju won the election for the Presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation.

He was throwing a dig at him

Nigeria's Kelechi Nwakali: Visa issues nearly derailed my career

By Debola Adebanjo
BBC Africa Sport, Nigeria
16 September 2020 Sport Africa

A light seems to have shone at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria's Kelechi Nwakali, as he attempts to get his career back on track with Spanish side Huesca

The 22-year-old was a 63rd minute substitute in newly-promoted Huesca's 1-1 draw at Villareal on Sunday as the new La Liga season kicked off.

Nwakali, who was player of the tournament at the Under-17 World Cup in 2015, has spent much of his time since August 2018 battling visa issues which have limited his chances to play.

Problems with red-tape and a lack of playing time while on loan from English side Arsenal to Portuguese club Porto left him very low on confidence.

"There was a time, I was having doubt in myself, I wondered if I was not up to it anymore," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"It was difficult mentally for me but my mind was made up, that I had to leave."

He secured a move to Spanish side Huesca in August last year from Arsenal but once again red-tape prevented him from playing.

Instead he was forced to sit-out the first six month of his contract in Nigeria trying to secure the documentation that he needed.

It led to accusations from some in Nigeria that he 'spent more time posting images on social media than actually playing football.'

"It was difficult mentally not playing for a year, so going through all of that and coming on the internet to see someone say, I am gallivanting, was hurtful, I was bothered," he explained.

"A lot of Nigerian fans had the impression that I am just sitting in Nigeria doing nothing."

His paperwork issues were finally resolved in January and allowed him to play Huesca's final five games of the season as they clinched promotion to La Liga.

"It is a new beginning, I have had my ups and downs, but this is the time to make it right again, this is the time to get it back on track," he insisted.

"As the season progresses, I believe I am going to play more, right now I also play as a Number 4, the coach is trying to see the roles for which he can always feature me' he explains.

"I can play as a number 10, 8 and 4 and I believe it's a great advantage for me and I can always help the team."

The start of a nightmare

A lack of work permit to play football in the United Kingdom saw Arsenal send Nwakali out on loan three times in the duration of his five year contract, the last of which was with Porto in 2018.

Two months into his time at Porto, a troubling battle with visa bureaucracy left him stranded in Nigeria , after a journey to represent his national team turned into a nightmare.

Gernot Rohr had called up the player to be part of Nigeria's squad to face Seychelles in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and a friendly match against Liberia.

"I didn't have a Portuguese resident card, it wasn't ready before I left, but I had to come to that game because that was my first official call-up for the Super Eagles and after I was stuck in Nigeria for three months," he explained.

"It was difficult getting a visa back to Portugal, I couldn't get back to my club for three months and by the end of the season no one wanted to take me, they said I hadn't been playing.

"I learnt a lesson that it is important you do well at your club side first, the National team is important, but some important decisions need to be made, that will help my career in the future and I didn't make the right one in the right moment."

Porto regrets

Reflecting on his time with the Portuguese giants, the midfielder labelled the move a 'mistake' one that has also seen him part ways with the agency representing him since he broke into the limelight.

"I regret making the move, that was a mistake from me and the agency," he admitted.

"They (agency) have a lot of players and I needed to go to another place where they have my interest at heart and where they can focus on me.

"I was told when I moved that I would train and play with the first team and there was an option to buy me on a permanent deal which sounded good.

"But after three months of training with the first team, it wasn't looking like I would join the first team any time soon."

Catching up with the class of '15

Signing for Arsenal at the age of just 16 after a phone call from former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger confirmed the Nwakali's abilities after winning the tournament's best player award at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup where he captained Nigeria to the title.

The impressive signing put him shoulders above his peers from the tournament, however the setback now sees the midfielder playing catch up to some of those trailblazing teammates.

Golden boot winner Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze are now both enjoying success.

Osimhen, 21, despite early career struggles at Wolfsburg has gone on to become one Africa's most expensive signings when he joined Italian side Napoli from France's Lille in July.

While Chukwueze, who is also 21, enjoyed a season of top flight football with La Liga side Villareal.

The duo were also part of the team that won Bronze for Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

"I felt bad that things are not moving the way I want them to and the way I have planned, but not because I was seeing my colleagues doing well," he pointed out.

"I still speak to Victor and Samuel Chukwueze, I always call to check in on them, even though it is not working the way I want but it's life, I believe in time, and if it's not time for me, it is not going to happen.

"I have come to understand that people just want to be where it is moving fast and well, but life is about ups and downs, sometimes we just have to bring back our human feelings and support each other when things aren't going well."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/amp/africa/54152636?__twitter_impression=true

TheSuperNerd:
Gaming: EA Sports football

Some FIFA 21 cards already revealed... Focus on pace.


Chidera Ejuke is the fastest Nigerian player rated by EA Sports FIFA so far on his base card. He also makes the top 20 fastest in the game alongside other Africans like Ismaila Sarr (Senegal/Watford) and Kreppin Diatta (Senegal/Club Brugge). The fastest were named as Adama Traore, Alphonso Davies and Kylian Mbappe all on 96 pace.

Moses Simon's card is not yet released.

Below is also Saka's FIFA 21 base card.

Def and Pas made Saka equal with him sha. 94 is a big deal o. Hopefully Rohr tests him vs CIV or Tunisia.

Naija Players Expected/Likely to be in action across Europe today - Sept.16

✔UCL 3rd Qualifying Round

Leke James (FK Molde) vs Qarabag - Away game.

Frank Onyeka, *Ayo Simon Okosun (FC Midtjylland) vs Young Boys SC - Home game.


✔EFL League Cup (Carabao Cup) - 2nd Round

Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion) vs Harrogate - Home game.

Ola Aina, Josh Onomah (Fulham FC) vs Ipswich Town - Away game.

*Alex Iwobi (Everton) vs Salford - Home game.


✔UEL 2nd Qualifying Round

Akinkunmi Amoo (Hammarby IF) vs Lech Poznan - Home game.


✔Danish 1st Division

Jubril Adedeji (HB Køge) vs Esbjerg - Away game.


✔Latvian Virsliga

Alfa Abdullahi, Peter Court Ebiobowei, Richard Emeka Friday, Henry Ukpa Effiong, Dele Ola Israel (FK Liepaja) vs Spartaks Jurmala - Home game.

Miracle Chikezie Nwaorisa, Saminu Kwari Abdullahi, Aliyu Yau Adam, Lucky Onyebuchi Opara (Spartaks Jurmala) - Away game.


✔Club Friendlies

Theophilus Awua, Roberto Ogunseye (A.S. Citadella) vs Piacenza Calcio




Bonus:

✔Tunisian FA Cup - Quarter finals

Anthony Okpotu (US Monastir) vs Gafsa

TheSuperNerd:
Elder Kog, you are right. Rohr needs trophies to properly cement his legacy. The next Afcon title is a huge priority for Rohr.

The North African pair of Egypt and Algeria seem the only obstacles in our way. Its painful a setpiece settled that vs Algeria. We need to be like that too. A fk taker as lethal as Mahrez if we really want to win that Afcon trophy. Its key. I know we will.

We have a few good FK takers. Like Iheanacho (he has always been dangerous for us from freekicks), Simon Moses and even Etebo.

Only thing is they don't take it for their clubsides. I hope this season sees one or two given FK responsibilities in games. K.Nwakali, another FK specialist, has been practising and improving very much his FK taking at Huesca training and I hope the club coaches can hand him the opportunity to hit some for them in games when they get a FK chance within his shooting range when he is on-field.

Time will tell. It is really important to have various ways to hurt the opposition.

daveP:
The North African pair of Egypt and Algeria seem the only obstacles in our way. Its painful a setpiece settled that vs Algeria. We need to be like that too. A fk taker as lethal as Mahrez if we really want to win that Afcon trophy. Its key. I know we will.

daveP:
The North African pair of Egypt and Algeria seem the only obstacles in our way. Its painful a setpiece settled that vs Algeria. We need to be like that too. A fk taker as lethal as Mahrez if we really want to win that Afcon trophy. Its key. I know we will.

Egypt? Nope!
With or without Salah,they are beatable..

Algeria don't have too many top players but they are very organised,that makes them deadly! ..
Senegal are also another elite team with a lot of top players...na badluck Dy follow them around...

And you are right, we need to sort out our set piece issue...

I also feel it's time Rohr made a decision on his choice in midfield.. We can't continue with Ndidi-Etebo midfield pairing...it doesn't always work!
And Iwobi needs serious competition...

We need the midfield to be more creative!!

In all sincerity,we have what it takes to win the next AFCON! .. If Rohr can't deliver it, I'm afraid that would be the end for him...

Lovely interview. Ms Debola did a fine job.

@bolded... Very glad he gets this now. No matter how highly national team handlers or some fans may rate you, ensure you are focused on having a stable club career. He definitely got some decisions wrong along the way and it has cost him some time in obscurity. Thankfully he is working his way back.

This is gonna be his season. And this below hints partly at it. The coach rates the lad real good.


"As the season progresses, I believe I am going to play more, right now I also play as a Number 4, the coach is trying to see the roles for which he can always feature me' he explains.

"I can play as a number 10, 8 and 4 and I believe it's a great advantage for me and I can always help the team."


Just keep at it Kelechi. Your time is coming fast enough.

BascoVanVeli:
Nigeria's Kelechi Nwakali: Visa issues nearly derailed my career

By Debola Adebanjo
BBC Africa Sport, Nigeria
16 September 2020 Sport Africa

A light seems to have shone at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria's Kelechi Nwakali, as he attempts to get his career back on track with Spanish side Huesca

The 22-year-old was a 63rd minute substitute in newly-promoted Huesca's 1-1 draw at Villareal on Sunday as the new La Liga season kicked off.

Nwakali, who was player of the tournament at the Under-17 World Cup in 2015, has spent much of his time since August 2018 battling visa issues which have limited his chances to play.

Problems with red-tape and a lack of playing time while on loan from English side Arsenal to Portuguese club Porto left him very low on confidence.

"There was a time, I was having doubt in myself, I wondered if I was not up to it anymore," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"It was difficult mentally for me but my mind was made up, that I had to leave."

He secured a move to Spanish side Huesca in August last year from Arsenal but once again red-tape prevented him from playing.

Instead he was forced to sit-out the first six month of his contract in Nigeria trying to secure the documentation that he needed.

It led to accusations from some in Nigeria that he 'spent more time posting images on social media than actually playing football.'

"It was difficult mentally not playing for a year, so going through all of that and coming on the internet to see someone say, I am gallivanting, was hurtful, I was bothered," he explained.

"A lot of Nigerian fans had the impression that I am just sitting in Nigeria doing nothing."

His paperwork issues were finally resolved in January and allowed him to play Huesca's final five games of the season as they clinched promotion to La Liga.

"It is a new beginning, I have had my ups and downs, but this is the time to make it right again, this is the time to get it back on track," he insisted.

"As the season progresses, I believe I am going to play more, right now I also play as a Number 4, the coach is trying to see the roles for which he can always feature me' he explains.

"I can play as a number 10, 8 and 4 and I believe it's a great advantage for me and I can always help the team."

The start of a nightmare

A lack of work permit to play football in the United Kingdom saw Arsenal send Nwakali out on loan three times in the duration of his five year contract, the last of which was with Porto in 2018.

Two months into his time at Porto, a troubling battle with visa bureaucracy left him stranded in Nigeria , after a journey to represent his national team turned into a nightmare.

Gernot Rohr had called up the player to be part of Nigeria's squad to face Seychelles in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and a friendly match against Liberia.

"I didn't have a Portuguese resident card, it wasn't ready before I left, but I had to come to that game because that was my first official call-up for the Super Eagles and after I was stuck in Nigeria for three months," he explained.

"It was difficult getting a visa back to Portugal, I couldn't get back to my club for three months and by the end of the season no one wanted to take me, they said I hadn't been playing.

"I learnt a lesson that it is important you do well at your club side first, the National team is important, but some important decisions need to be made, that will help my career in the future and I didn't make the right one in the right moment."

Porto regrets

Reflecting on his time with the Portuguese giants, the midfielder labelled the move a 'mistake' one that has also seen him part ways with the agency representing him since he broke into the limelight.

"I regret making the move, that was a mistake from me and the agency," he admitted.

"They (agency) have a lot of players and I needed to go to another place where they have my interest at heart and where they can focus on me.

"I was told when I moved that I would train and play with the first team and there was an option to buy me on a permanent deal which sounded good.

"But after three months of training with the first team, it wasn't looking like I would join the first team any time soon."

Catching up with the class of '15

Signing for Arsenal at the age of just 16 after a phone call from former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger confirmed the Nwakali's abilities after winning the tournament's best player award at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup where he captained Nigeria to the title.

The impressive signing put him shoulders above his peers from the tournament, however the setback now sees the midfielder playing catch up to some of those trailblazing teammates.

Golden boot winner Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze are now both enjoying success.

Osimhen, 21, despite early career struggles at Wolfsburg has gone on to become one Africa's most expensive signings when he joined Italian side Napoli from France's Lille in July.

While Chukwueze, who is also 21, enjoyed a season of top flight football with La Liga side Villareal.

The duo were also part of the team that won Bronze for Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

"I felt bad that things are not moving the way I want them to and the way I have planned, but not because I was seeing my colleagues doing well," he pointed out.

"I still speak to Victor and Samuel Chukwueze, I always call to check in on them, even though it is not working the way I want but it's life, I believe in time, and if it's not time for me, it is not going to happen.

"I have come to understand that people just want to be where it is moving fast and well, but life is about ups and downs, sometimes we just have to bring back our human feelings and support each other when things aren't going well."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/amp/africa/54152636?__twitter_impression=true

Don't sleep on Morocco. They are also very serious opposition loaded with really quality players. Na Bad luck dey follow those ones pass the bad luck wey dey follow Senegal. Lol

Even CIV still has good quality. They just don't have a proper #9. Since Drogba left... It's just the wingers like Zaha, Pepe and Boga that they turn to. Yes, they have Maxwell Cornet but he is not a good 9. Kodjia also hasn't impressed.
They still got Kessie and Seri in midfield. Fofana too and Sangare of Toulouse.

Danielnino00:


Egypt? Nope!
With or without Salah,they are beatable..

Algeria don't have too many top players but they are very organised,that makes them deadly! ..
Senegal are also another elite team with a lot of top players...na badluck Dy follow them around...

And you are right, we need to sort out our set piece issue...

I also feel it's time Rohr made a decision on his choice in midfield.. We can't continue with Ndidi-Etebo midfield pairing...it doesn't always work!
And Iwobi needs serious competition...

We need the midfield to be more creative!!

In all sincerity,we have what it takes to win the next AFCON! .. If Rohr can't deliver it, I'm afraid that would be the end for him...

The 40 man list for the golden boy award

Unfortunately no Nigerian made the list

And no, Saka is not a Nigerian in the context of this thread until he decides to play for us

TheSuperNerd:
Don't sleep on Morocco. They are also very serious opposition loaded with really quality players. Na Bad luck dey follow those ones pass the bad luck wey dey follow Senegal. Lol

Even CIV still has good quality. They just don't have a proper #9. Since Drogba left... It's just the wingers like Zaha, Pepe and Boga that they turn to. Yes, they have Maxwell Corner but he is not a good 9. Kodjia also hasn't impressed.
They still got Kessie and Seri in midfield. Fofana too and Sangare of Toulouse.

I think I will sleep on Morocco... I had high hope in them at the world cup and AFCON,but they disappointed massively!!
Ivory Coast are another underachievers...

Senegal,CIV and Morocco may look threatening,but unless they find some solution to the badluck following them,I don't see them as a threat come 2022..
Even Cameroon and our bredas have a better chance of winning the AFCON than them

PS: don't sleep on Cameroon either

Subzero047:
The 40 man list for the golden boy award

Unfortunately no Nigerian made the list

Well.. there's not really any under 21 Nigerian player good enough to make it this year..
Maybe next year...

Danielnino00:


Egypt? Nope!
With or without Salah,they are beatable..

Algeria don't have too many top players but they are very organised,that makes them deadly! ..
Senegal are also another elite team with a lot of top players...na badluck Dy follow them around...

And you are right, we need to sort out our set piece issue...

I also feel it's time Rohr made a decision on his choice in midfield.. We can't continue with Ndidi-Etebo midfield pairing...it doesn't always work!
And Iwobi needs serious competition...

We need the midfield to be more creative!!

In all sincerity,we have what it takes to win the next AFCON! .. If Rohr can't deliver it, I'm afraid that would be the end for him...

Morocco and Senegal should be favorites based on thier players buh both countries seem like underachievers. I agree Egypt are Very Beatable, but thier record in the competition is scary and they've never had top players but they always find a way to win.

TheSuperNerd:
Lovely interview. Ms Debola did a fine job.

@bolded... Very glad he gets this now. No matter how highly national team handlers or some fans may rate you, ensure you are focused on having a stable club career. He definitely got some decisions wrong along the way and it has cost him some time in obscurity. Thankfully he is working his way back.

This is gonna be his season. And this below hints partly at it. The coach rates the lad real good.


"As the season progresses, I believe I am going to play more, right now I also play as a Number 4, the coach is trying to see the roles for which he can always feature me' he explains.

"I can play as a number 10, 8 and 4 and I believe it's a great advantage for me and I can always help the team."


Just keep at it Kelechi. Your time is coming fast enough.

The noise really affected him. This is the third time he has spoken about the way people ridiculed him.

Looolll.... So the Moroccan heartbreak still dey your mind. No wahala. You can go ahead and sleep on them. I understand.

Lol... Perhaps Senegal, CIV and Morocco need to see make some sacrifices.

As for Cameroun... As long this Nigerian generation is around, they no go smell Afcon again. In 2004, we stopped them. In 2019, we stopped them again. Twice they were the defending Champs going into those editions and we didn't give a damn!! We ended them! They better not cross our path again b'cos this time, we will feed them to Real Lions. Lol

But shaa, you have a point on Cameroun. See how they went all the way to the title in 2017 while other highly rated sides faltered. But again, I believe the absence of Nigeria made this possible.

Next Afcon will be very exciting. Can't wait to see some dramatic match-ups.

Danielnino00:


I think I will sleep on Morocco... I had high hope in them at the world cup and AFCON,but they disappointed massively!!
Ivory Coast are another underachievers...

Senegal,CIV and Morocco may look threatening,but unless they find some solution to the badluck following them,I don't see them as a threat come 2022..
Even Cameroon and our bredas have a better chance of winning the AFCON than them

PS: don't sleep on Cameroon either

You are right. People who are so quick to label a player "unserious" and "useless" when they are absolutely ignorant of the beaureaucracy struggles he was going through.

Reminds me of how people carried news of how Osimhen failed trials in Belgium. And all sorts of rubbish noise. Making it look like the boy was "talentless". And those reports were untrue. Same folks are now singing his name and hailing him as "OsiBaba"

These same people will only be associated with you when you are succeeding. Such people are to be strictly avoided in life. They don't normally make good friends. Oh yes. That's the truth.

BascoVanVeli:



The noise really affected him. This is the third time he has spoken about the way people ridiculed him.

But m according to Humility, K. Nwakali is a lazy player that's why he struggled. Mankind!

tbaba1234:


He said, Rohr has made Nigerians proud of the super eagles, again. That's true.

We failed to qualify for AFCON back to back and were ranked very low. We were in a very bad place.

In that sense, Rohr has done well.

Now, he needs to add a trophy to cement his legacy.

Aw does qualifying for afcon now an achievement for a brand like eagles in Africa when ordinarily it shld b our "birth right".... Anyway ,I don't c anything spectacular in qualifying for afcon...however I am not taking anything away from rohr..for at least giving us a decent team dt can last us for years...like kog45 rightly said he's in dire need of an afcon trophy..in fact if he doesn't lift dt afcon 2022..he shld respect himself and leave d post.

Is Torunarigha a Yoruba name?

Kog45:
...hot tempered?but him papa torunarigha Ojokojo of then 3sc of Ibadan na hot tempered player o

Subzero047:
And no, Saka is not a Nigerian in the context of this thread until he decides to play for us

Only on this thread someone holds a foreign passport, and doesn't even have a Nigerian one, we tag them Nigerians

Olulong:


Morocco and Senegal should be favorites based on thier players buh both countries seem like underachievers. I agree Egypt are Very Beatable, but thier record in the competition is scary and they've never had top players but they always find a way to win.

Are Hossam Hassan, Barakat, Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Aboutreika and Essam ElHadary a joke to you??

The fact that some of their stars didn't play outside Africa doesn't make them lesser than the Euro-based players.

Infact, Aboutreika is a much Bigger African legend and super star than Euro-based Mido ever was. Aboutreika is also a much bigger legend than Gervinho (CIV) that played and is still playing in Europe.

Brother Olu... Na wa ooo

elyte89:


Aw does qualifying for afcon now an achievement for a brand like eagles in Africa when ordinarily it shld b our "birth right".... Anyway ,I don't c anything spectacular in qualifying for afcon...however I am not taking anything away from rohr..for at least giving us a decent team dt can last us for years...like kog45 rightly said he's in dire need of an afcon trophy..in fact if he doesn't lift dt afcon 2022..he shld respect himself and leave d post.

Well, for 2 consecutive AFCONs, Nigeria was no where to be found. There is no such thing as birth right, you need to put in the work.

At that point, we were in a terrible place and most Nigerians had lost interest in the super eagles.

Super Eagles Will Be In ‘Killer Mood’ – NFF Boss, Pinnick

9jaupdate247.com Sep 16, 2020 10:24 AM
Super Eagles Will Be In ‘Killer Mood’ – NFF Boss, Pinnick 1

Gernot Rohr’s side has been evolving over the past few years, and the expectation is that the team would be ready to conquer the continent and make a massive impact at the World Cup in the next couple of years

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has pointed out that the aim for which the body organised the two international friendly matches in October for the Super Eagles is to get the team back in top shape after almost a year without playing together.

The ultimate goal, however, is to forge the Super Eagles into an excellent unit capable of winning the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon as well as reaching the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, says the football chief.

The three-time African champions are billed to square up against Ivory Coast and North African giants Tunisia in Austria next month.

These are tune-up games arranged to get the Nigerian team back together ahead of their double-header qualifying ties versus Sierra Leone in November, postponed in March due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rohr’s side has not played a game of football since lashing Lesotho 4-2 last November, but confidence in the team is at an all-time high.

Nigeria have one of the youngest, most exciting, and most valuable squads on the continent, thanks to the talents of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, and Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, among several others.

And Pinnick is assured that the Super Eagles have the resources to lift the next edition of the AFCON and go beyond the Round of 16 at the World Cup.

“It will be the same youthful, discipline, passionate and patriotic team,” Pinnick told The Sun News of the Super Eagles team Nigerians are to look out for in Austria.

“It is going to be with new players we are trying out now, but our goal is basically to win the Nations Cup.

“We will not only qualify for the World Cup but also surpass our previous records. We are bringing up a very new dynamic great team. That is the motivation for playing two international friendly matches.

“They are in every ramification two big games to put us in match killer mood to the important qualifier away game against Sierra Leone. We will use it to end the year,” he revealed.

Genk’s Cyriel Dessers and Cologne’s Kingsley Ehizibue are expected to join the Super Eagles for the first time in Austria.

At the same time, regulars such as William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo, and Moses Simon should make up the bulk of Rohr’s list.

Clubless Super Eagles Ace Shehu Abdullahi Offered To Boavista
owngoalnigeria.com Sep 15, 2020 8:00 AM

Nigeria international defender Shehu Abdullahi has been offered to Portuguese side Boavista as a free player following the end of his stay with Turkish side Bursaspor.

Shehu left the second division side at the end of the season in Turkey after they failed to gain promotion ending his two years stay at the club he joined from Cyprus side Anorthosis Famagusta.

Owngoalnigeria.com gathered that he was offered to the Portuguese team but they are yet to decide on signing him as his role on the pitch isn’t much of a priority to them at the moment.

Comfortable as a defensive midfielder or full back he has represented the senior national team 27 times operating mainly as a right full back. Although coach is the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr insist he can be of use in the midfield.

His search for a new club could see him omitted from the list of players for the upcoming friendly games on the 9th and 13th of October against Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia respectively in Austria.

Daniel Martins

TheSuperNerd:
Looolll.... So the Moroccan heartbreak still dey your mind. No wahala. You can go ahead and sleep on them. I understand.

Lol... Perhaps Senegal, CIV and Morocco need to see make some sacrifices.

As for Cameroun... As long this Nigerian generation is around, they no go smell Afcon again. In 2004, we stopped them. In 2019, we stopped them again. Twice they were the defending Champs going into those editions and we didn't give a damn!! We ended them! They better not cross our path again b'cos this time, we will feed them to Real Lions. Lol

But shaa, you have a point on Cameroun. See how they went all the way to the title in 2017 while other highly rated sides faltered. But again, I believe the absence of Nigeria made this possible.

Next Afcon will be very exciting. Can't wait to see some dramatic match-ups.

Na Chriskels heart them break o,no b my own .. I just had hopes in them cus of how good their squad was...

Cameroon being the host would be their biggest advantage.. but without Hayatou in charge,it will be interesting to see how it will turn out...
Imagine a situation where we meet them in the final! ..

barackodam:



Only on this thread someone holds a foreign passport, and doesn't even have a Nigerian one, we tag them Nigerians

I know Saka visited Nigeria a lot growing up so he definitely has a Nigerian passport. He has also spoken of how proud he is of his heritage.

You can not define, who is and who is not a Nigerian.

There are many Nigerians born abroad who identify with their "Nigerianness".