₦airaland Forum

FIFA Ballon d’Or award is awarded to the best player in the world every year. It is the highest level of individual award in football.

The history of Ballon d’Or is not clear but it was initially set up by French publication France Football in 1956, with Sir Stanley Matthews its first winner. It was known then as ‘European Player Of The Year Award’ and the only qualified players for the award are players from Europe.

In 1995, the rules changed and any player playing for any European club could win it. In 2010 ‘Ballon d’Or award’ was merged with ‘FIFA’s player of the year award’ and became ‘FIFA Ballon d’Or’ which any footballer from any part of the world could win and recognizes only one player as the best in the world.

Fifa agreed to pay £13million to merge the two awards, with Messi and Ronaldo the big winners as the then La Liga stars dominated throughout the six-year deal.

The Ballon d’Or lost its ‘FIFA’ tag when FIFA refused to renew the deal in 2016 and it reversed back to an award voted by journalists separate as Best Fifa Football Awards was created.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi have won it five times each.

Past Winners of Ballon d’Or See full list here https://www.completesports.com/list-of-ballon-dor-winners-from-1956-to-2018/

Plans are in the offing by Britain and Republic of Ireland to present a joint bid to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
This was revealed by Noel Mooney, General Manager Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
The optimism of a successful joint bid was as a result of an encouraging outcome of an English-led feasibility study.

In their proposal, Wembley will host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, while matches will take place in Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow and various cities in England.
There is ample time for further logistical assessments as FIFA has outlined plans to select the winning bid in 2024.
Speaking to The Times, Mooney said: “The feasibility study is positive and there’s a sense that the right thing to do is go forward.
“This bid is out on the front foot and very well led by the guys from the English FA who gave a very strong presentation.

“It’s a chance to get a really credible bid and hopefully win it.
“I’d be very surprised if there’s not a very credible bid from Great Britain and Ireland.”
The England’s FA mounted failed attempts to host the tournament in 2006 and 2018, which went to Germany and Russia respectively.
Also multiple joint bids are expected from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, while Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay will also bid to co-host it in South America.

Log on to www.completesports.com to read more interesting news like this. @completesportsnigeria @Completesports #breakingnews #sports #news ##sportsnews #caf #football #footballnews

Arsenal interim manager Freddie Ljungberg is confident the Gunners have the quality to finish in the top-four after their 2-2 away draw against Norwich City in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Carrow Road.

Ljungberg took over from Unai Emery who was sacked on Friday following a poor run of results.

A brace from skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, secured a share of the points for Arsenal. Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell were the scorers of Norwich’s goals.

The draw means Arsenal, who have now gone eight consecutive games without a win, sit eighth on 19 points in the league table, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.

And when asked if Arsenal can earn a Champions League berth in this campaign Ljungberg replied: “100 per cent”.

“People drop points here and there, we drop points, so it’s a bit of a crazy league at the moment. But of course I think Arsenal can go back to the top four,” he said.

Log on to www.completesports.com to read more. @completesportsnigeria - Facebook, Instagram, @completesports - Twitter

The Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) is an initiative birthed by Pace Sports and Entertainment Management Limited, in association with the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA). Its first season, which was an unprecedented success provided a springboard from which the second season exploded from, a season which has been even more impactful because of HiFL’s collaboration with Premier Cool.

Premier Cool, who is the official brand partner of Manchester City Football Club is a brand that has grown to be a strong contender in the market over the past decade and it has always been a brand associated with the development of grassroots football in the country, getting behind several initiatives that promote the development of the football sector.

Premier Cool’s sponsorship of the HiFL has elevated the profile of the competition and opened up new avenues for the budding student footballers and their coaches. One of such avenues is the HiFL Coaching Clinic organized by Premier Cool.

This particular initiative is groundbreaking in that it is a high value and high impact programme that brought together some of the best coaches in the world to relate and share knowledge with a few other coaches in an engaging and interactive 3-day experience.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/premiercool-sponsors-grassroot-football-in-the-hifl-2019-games/

2 Coaches from the ManCity took 25 HiFL coaches on a thrilling ride for 2 days where they had a deep dive into coaching techniques, then went on the pitch to have some energetic, yet refreshing training sessions.
At the end of the programme, the HiFL coaches were presented with certificates from Manchester City FC. The coaches, as well as the student footballers, benefited immensely from the experience.

Chelsea are making plans to sign three big players by January if the transfer embargo is lifted. According to reports by The Sun, Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace, Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell and RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner are in the list of recruits Frank Lampard plans to recruit.

The Blues were banned from transfers for two windows for breaching rules regarding the registration of young players. They were only allowed to sign Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid as he was already on loan to Chelsea.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport have announced that Chelsea’s appeal against their two-window Fifa transfer ban will be heard on November 20. With one window already served, it means Chelsea could be allowed to sign players in time for the January transfer window if CAS cut their punishment.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/chelsea-to-spend-150m-on-new-players/

Lampard has over £150million at his disposal to sign players when the transfer window reopens, being the cash they were able to accumulate for the past 6-12 months.

Speaking at a press conference on Mondy, the manager said: ‘At Chelsea, we will always look to improve in windows if we’re allowed to, and if the players we might look at are better or we feel are adding to the squad.

‘Of course, I’m interested because it’s obviously going to affect potentially what we can do in January or not.’

Zaha has been pushing for a move out of Crystal palace and would welcome the idea of playing for Chelsea. His proposed move to Arsenal and Everton in the past were not successful. His club (Crystal palace) are demanding for over £70m while Chilwell is worth £50m.

Werner currently signed a new long term contract with Leipzig during the summer but his club would want to let him go at £25m.

Chelsea currently sit fourth on the Premier League winning seven of their last Premier League matches.

Golden Eaglets captain Samson Tijani has stated that the ‘never say die’ Nigerian spirit has been the key to the side’s progress at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, reports Completesports.com.

The five-time African champions played out of their skin to earn comeback wins in their first two games against Hungary and Ecuador.

Manu Garba’s lads were staring at defeat with less than fifteen minutes to go inn both games. And on each occasion, the Africans produced spectacular comeback.

Against Hungary, Tijani was the primary motivator, netting Nigeria’s first and last goals for a 4-2 victory, the latter coming via free-kick from 30 yards.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/tijani-said-bare-never-say-die-spirit-ahead-nigeria-netherlands-clash/

“We don’t relent,” Tijani told FIFA.com of his team’s proclivity for late rallies.

“We don’t give up easily. We force ourselves to keep pushing until we get the win.”

Ibrahim Said embodied the motto in Nigeria’s second win, completing the only hat-trick of Brazil 2019 thus far with two quick goals in the 85th and 89th minutes. His second was the standout, a curling, dipping ball from outside the left edge of the box. Final score: Nigeria 3, Ecuador 2.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is basking in the euphoria of Fortuna Dusseldorf’s 2-1 win against Erzgebirge Aue in a DFB Pokal (The Cup) Second Round match.

Okoye was an unused substitute in the second round fixture at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/okoye-celebrates-dusseldorf-win-vs-erzgebirge-to-reach-dfb-pokal-3rd-round/

Fortuna Dusseldorf will face Kaiserslautern in the Third Round of the competition.

Okoye has made eight appearances for the club in the Regionalliga this season.

The 20-year-old is in Nigeria’s squad for this month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double header against Benin and Lesotho.

He made his debut for Nigeria in last month’s international friendly encounter against five-time world champions, Brazil in Singapore.

Everton midfielder, Andre Gomes has suffered a serious injury in their match against Tottenham which ended 1-1 at Goodison Park.

Spurs’ Son Heung-min, was given a red tackle for the challenge on Gomes in the 79th minute. The player broke into tears while walking into the tunnel after seeing the degree of injury sustained by the midfielder.

The image of Son Heung-Min, utterly distraught at the sight of Andre Gomes as the Everton midfielder received urgent treatment on the pitch in the 78th minute and the mood of players from both teams will be the defining one for anyone who watched.

More photos: https://www.completesports.com/evertons-gomez-suffers-horrific-injury-against-tottenham-images/

Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has paid a solidarity visit to the camp of national U23 male team in Ismailia, Egypt where the Olympic Eagles are preparing ahead of Afcon U23.

The German tactician who arrived Egypt late Saturday evening was officially welcomed by head coach of the Olympic Eagles, Imama Amapakabo, and his backroom staff at Mercure Hotels training pitch on Sunday morning.

He noted he’s in Ismailia to support the Olympic Eagles before the team embark on its mission in Egypt.

Read more:
https://www.completesports.com/rohr-visit-olympic-eagles-camp-in-ismaila/

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has recalled the trio of Ahmed Musa, Daniel Akpeyi and Mikel Agu for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double header against Benin and Lesotho, reports Completesports.com.

Musa, who is the captain of the team has not make an appearance for the Super Eagles since their third place encounter against Tunisia at the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt due to injury.

He missed the Super Eagles last two friendlies against Ukraine and Brazil.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/rohr-recalls-musa-akpeyi-for-super-eagles-vs-benin-lesotho/

Akpeyi has been overlooked since the AFCON in Egypt where he was first choice goalkeeper. He has been in fantastic form for Kaizer Chiefs in the ABSA Premier League this season.

Defensive midfielder Agu has not been considered by the national team since he missed the cut to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He has since been posting impressive displays for Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.

Brighton defender Leon Balogun has been placed on standby as he has struggled to break into the first team at the Premier League club.

Other players placed on standby are injured Stoke City midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and Czech Republic-based striker Peter Olayinka.

The Super Eagles will open their qualifying campaign for the AFCON in Cameroon on November 14 in Uyo and three days later travel to Lesotho for second qualifying game.

Super Eagles winger Moses Simon was on target thrice as Nantes demolished Paris FC 8-0 in Wednesday’s French League Cup fixture.

Going into the encounter, Simon had fired blanks as the Canaries bowed 1-0 to Monaco in Friday’s Ligue 1 game.

However, against the Ligue 2 outfit, the Nigeria international was in sparkling form as his first-half goals sent Paris FC home with heads bowed low.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/eagles-roundup-simon-scores-hat-trick-in-nantes-cup-win-vs-paris-fc-aribo-bags-assist-for-rangers/

Moses put La Beaujoire-Louis Fonteneau giants ahead after 22 minutes with Thody Elie Youan increasing the lead eight minutes later thanks to Imran Louza’s assist.

Youan set up the former Levante man for his second goal after 35 minutes before completing his treble in the 43rd minute after Ludovic Blas had made it 4-0 seven minutes earlier.

In Scotland, Joe Aribo bagged two assists as Glasgow Rangers recorded a 4-0 away win against Ross County.

Nigeria U17s handler, Manu Garba, has exclusively told Completesports.com he’s not pleased with the porosity of his team’s defence at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, and is looking to fix it.

The five-time World Champions, the Golden Eaglets, have conceded four goals in two Group B games, which has raised concerns amongst many Nigeria fans.

In the opening fixture against Hungary on Saturday, the Manu Garba’s charges came from 2-1 down to eventually triumph 4-2.

While the tension-soaked experience of watching that performance was yet to evaporate from the psyche of the Nigeria fans, the Eaglets again conceded two against Ecuador in their second Group B clash two days after and fought back to win it 3-2.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/garba-i-will-make-golden-eaglets-defence-more-formidable/

Completesports.com spoke with coach Manu Garba, on Wednesday, on the five-time champions’ lack of defensive solidity so far in their Brazil 2019 campaign.

Garba admitted that indeed he was not pleased that his charges did not defend well as in the two matches played so far.

“I am not happy with the errors in the (team’s) defence,” Manu told Completesports.com.

“And I hope to make the defence more formidable in the next game against Australia.”

The Gold Eaglets will take on Australia in a dead rubber third Group B match of Friday, November 2019 at the Estadio Bezerrao, Brasilia. The kickoff is 9pm, Nigerian time.

Hungary and Ecuador will also clash at the same time, at the Estadio Olimpico Goiania.

Brazil icon Rivaldo has said that Neymar must leave Paris Saint-Germain if he is to fulfil his potential.

The former Barca forward looked set to leave the French capital in the summer in favour of a return to his former team, but things did not turn out as planned so he remained in PSG.

His countryman Rivaldo feels that while PSG is ‘a great club’, it does not suit a player of Neymar’s calibre.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/rivaldo-psg-is-a-great-club-but-not-for-neymar/

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: ‘I believe a lot in Neymar. But I think he has to leave,’ that’s why he wanted to leave at this transfer window at any cost, PSG is a great club but not one for the level of Neymar.

‘I think that, at a world stage, everybody talks only about Barcelona, Real Madrid and some other big clubs from England, some from Germany.

‘He has to go to a club that has more history at Champions (League).

‘Of course, if he wins the Champions (League) and can be a world champion, it will be much easier to become the best player in the world.’

He was signed with the hope he could deliver a famous Champions League title for the club.

But have failed to go beyond the last-16 stage since he arrived despite massive investment in the squad.

Neymar is currently sidelined having sustained an injury in Brazil’s recent international match against Nigeria.

He has been jeered by PSG fans and ultras produced banners when he failed to secure his move back to Spain.

For Rivaldo, his world record £198million move from Barcelona to PSG was a ‘mistake’ and he must leave soon to ensure he lives up to his potential.

Uk-based company, ASQ Training and Development, has launched a mobile App for a ‘Level 3 certificate in football intermediary’ qualification to train and support budding football agents and players.

ASQ Group Managing Director, Samson Adeosun and Executive Director, Adedayo Adeniyi in company of internationally renowned football intermediaries and players’ representatives, John Viola and Phillip McTaggart, made this known at a news conference in Lagos over the weekend.

Adeosun said there were lots of football agents in Nigeria and Africa, but that unfortunately, majority had no proper experience coupled with bad reputation due to unscrupulous activities of a few.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/asq-uk-set-for-football-agents-development-training-in-nigeria/

“There are lots of agents in Nigeria, but the fact remains that they lack adequate knowledge of international business as it regards players’ management.

“The Level 3 Certificate in football intermediary program is designed to empower the intermediaries (agents) in the areas of identification, marketing, protection and management of players thereby helping them to get the best out of the players’ careers,” said Adeosun, who is also an English FA licensed intermediary, adding that there are no stringent qualifications before someone is allowed to represent players, but it is important that individual agents acquire knowledge and skills that will make them effective and productive in the players management value chain.

In his own submission, Viola said that ASQ has identified the need for such training and certification to support and encourage budding football agents to get their acts right. Viola who was part of the success careers of players like Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos noted that the training would help those looking to succeed in the complex but lucratively rewarding profession of players’ management.

On his own part, McTaggart advised that intermediaries should embrace the ASQ training for the general interest of football.

FIFA has congratulated hosts Brazil, Nigeria and Angola after the three countries booked their spot in the second round at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, reports Completesports.com.

The Golden Eaglets scored two late goals to secure a hard fought 3-2 win against Ecuador in their second Group B game at the Estadio Olimpico, Giaonia on Tuesday night.

Ibrahim Said scored all three goals for Nigeria in the thrilling encounter.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/u-17-w-cup-fifa-congratulates-nigeria-brazil-angola-for-picking-round-of-16-tickets/


FIFA has congratulated hosts Brazil, Nigeria and Angola after the three countries booked their spot in the second round at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, reports Completesports.com.

The Golden Eaglets scored two late goals to secure a hard fought 3-2 win against Ecuador in their second Group B game at the Estadio Olimpico, Giaonia on Tuesday night.

Ibrahim Said scored all three goals for Nigeria in the thrilling encounter.

Manu Garba’s boys top Group B with six points having defeated Hungary 4-2 in their opening game last Saturday.

Brazil defeated New Zealand 3-0 to zeal their place in the Round of 16 from Group A.

In the same group, Angola edged out Canada 2-1 to also move into the second round. Both countries have six points each but Brazil have a superior goal difference.

President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the performance of the Golden Eaglets in Tuesday night 3-2 win against Ecuador at the 2019 FIFA World Cup in Brazil,

Presidential Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, quoted the President as saying, “The fact that the youngsters never gave up, and turned the table against their opponents, is a lesson in persistence and resilience.”

He recommends the can-do spirit displayed by the young boys to Nigerians, urging them to display such in all areas of endeavour, and in national development.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/buhari-golden-eaglets-victory-against-ecuador-a-lesson-in-resilience/

While wishing the Eaglets well in their final group match against Australia, which may well be a formality, President Buhari pledges government support to the team, as they strive to win the Under 17 World Cup yet again, thus confirming Nigeria’s position as a global power at that level.

After a 4-2 comeback win over Hungary in their opening fixture, Manu Garba’s boys showed resilience again to see off the South Americans.

Ibrahim Said was the hero for Nigeria after scoring all the three goals to seal maximum points for the team in style.

Golden Eaglets captain Samson Tijani says the team’s morale has been further boosted by President Muhammadu Buhari’s congratulatory message after last Saturday’s 4-2 win against Hungary.

The five-time world champions maintained their enviable record of avoiding defeat in their first game in the history of FIFA U-17 World Cup by rallying back twice to beat the Europeans at the ongoing Brazil 2019 edition.

Tijani bagged a brace in the encounter with Usman Ibrahim and Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi getting the other goals.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/tijani-president-buharis-morale-lifting-message-will-spur-eaglets-to-beat-ecuador/

The Eaglets, few hours after the victory, were congratulated by Nigeria’s number one citizen who also charged the team to win the competition for an unparalleled sixth time.

“We are very happy to have seen the congratulatory messages by Mr. President,” Tijani told nff.com.

“Our morale has been lifted even higher, and we will go into the match against Ecuador with greater determination to win.

Tuesday’s top-of-the-table clash with Ecuador at the same Estadio Olimpico Goiania, starting at 9pm Nigerian time, promises to be explosive, with both teams aware that victory would mean an early slot in the championship’s Round of 16.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will look to book a spot in the Round of 16 when they take on Ecuador today (Tuesday) in their second Group B game at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, reports Completesports.com.

Manu Garba’s boys defeated Hungary 4-2 in their first game in the competition last Saturday at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico, Goiania.

The Golden Eaglets twice rallied back to win the game with captain of the side, Samson Tijani scoring a brace, while Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi and Usman Ibrahim got the other goals.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/fifa-u-17-w-cup-golden-eaglets-battle-ecuador-for-second-round-spot/

A win in this game will see the five-time winners seal a spot in the second round.

Ecuador also enjoyed a comfortable start to the competition, edging out hard fighting Australia 2-1.

The game billed to hold at Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico will start at 9pm Nigerian time.

Lille forward Victor Osimhen has allayed fears he could miss Nigeria’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double header against Benin and Lesotho as a result of injury, reports Completesports.com.

Osimhen sustained an abductor injury in Lille’s 3-O home win against Girondis Bordeaux on Saturday.

The 20-year-old was replaced by Loic Remy in 58th minute of the encounter.

The former Wolfsburg of Germany striker took to the social media to provide update on the injury.

”I’m fine, it’s just a minor injury issue, thanks brother,”Osimhen replied centre-back, Kenneth Omeruo who asked a question on the severity of the injury.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/osimhen-allays-injury-fears-ready-for-super-eagles-benin-lesotho/

Osimhen has scored seven goals and recorded two assists in 11 league games for Lille this season.

The Super Eagles will host neighbours Benin on November 14 in their opening AFCON 2021 qualifying fixture and then face Lesotho in Maseru five days later.

Arsenal dropped two points on Sunday, after a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace. The Gunners were cruising to end the match with all the points up for grabs after goals from Sokratis and David Luiz put them on course for a vital victory against Roy Hodgson’s side.

A penalty from Luka Milivojevic reduced the deficit before halftime then a cross from James McArthur saw Jordan Ayew head in the equalizer.

Read more:[url] https://www.completesports.com/lacazette-likes-instagram-post-calling-for-emerys-sack/[/url]

However, the main flashpoint from the game came when Xhaka was substituted on 61st minute, replaced by Bukayo Saka to a chorus of cheers from the home supporters which sparked an angry reaction from the Swiss international who cupped his ear sarcastically and muttered ‘Fu** off’ several times before taking his shirt off and walked down the tunnel.

Former Golden Eaglets handler John Obuh has been unveiled as the new head coach of Akwa United.

The Former Kwara United tactician was unveiled by the promise keepers on Monday morning in Uyo alongside his assistant Duke Udi.

Read more:[url] https://www.completesports.com/akwa-united-unveil-obuh-as-new-head-coach/[/url]

He will be in charge for the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League season as the Akwa Ibom state owned club set sight on returning to the continent.

Former Golden Eaglets handler John Obuh has been unveiled as the new head coach of Akwa United.

The Former Kwara United tactician was unveiled by the promise keepers on Monday morning in Uyo alongside his assistant Duke Udi.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/akwa-united-unveil-obuh-as-new-head-coach/

He will be in charge for the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League season as the Akwa Ibom state owned club set sight on returning to the continent.[url][/url]

Golden Eaglets captain Samson Tijani believes the team is good enough to win a sixth title at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, Completesports.com.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/tijani-golden-eaglets-good-enough-to-win-u-17-world-cup-title/

The Eaglets are the most successful team in the history of the competition with five titles to their name and finished as runners-up on another three occasions.
“Our country’s previous success does not place any pressure on our shoulders at all,” Tijani told FIFA.com.

“But the world is naturally expecting a great deal from us, and I’m confident that we’ll be able to follow in the footsteps of our predecessors.

Golden Eaglets head coach Manu Garba says the team is fired up to win a sixth title at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.

The five-time winners of the competition are once again among the favourites to win competition that begins on Saturday despite finishing fourth at the Africa U-17 Nations Cup in Tanzania early in the year.

“Everyone should get ready to see a fantastic Nigerian team that play great football and have the trophy in their sights,” Garba confidently told FIFA.com.

Read more:[url] https://www.completesports.com/garba-golden-eaglets-ready-to-conquer-the-world-again/[/url]

“Ecuador, Hungary and Australia are undoubtedly strong teams that we respect, but we are record-breaking world champions and I was involved in two of our title wins.”

Indeed, Garba was head coach when the African side clinched victory in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, and served as Yemi Tella’s assistant six years earlier.

“The will to win every game is part of the DNA of every Nigerian team, and my team here in Brazil is no exception,” he said.

Nigeria born former Tanzania national team assistant coach, Emeka Amadi has posited that contrary to fears expressed by Nigerians, the senior national team Super Eagles, have no goalkeeping problems, Completesports.com reports.

Amadi, himself a former Flying Eagles goalkeeper spoke exclusively to Completesports.com at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, moments after Rangers came back from behind to edge out AS Pelicans of Gabon 3-1 in a CAF Confederation Cup match.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/amadi-eagles-have-no-goalkeeping-problem-uzoho-will-be-back/

“I don’t share the view of many that Nigeria is in short supply of goalkeepers,” Amadi who is based in Germany stated.

“I don’t also believe that Super Eagles have goalkeeping problem.

“At the moment, we have (Francis) Uzoho, we have (Ikechukwu) Ezenwa, (Daniel) Akpeyi and also (Theophilus) Afelokhai.

“These are experienced and quality goalkeepers who could be relied upon at any given time.

“Now another goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been added. He is based in Germany, where I stay too.

“He’s a good goalkeeper and young too. So I don’t see any reason to think of goalkeeping issues in Super Eagles.

“Rather, one can say we are blessed to have them in numbers and in big clubs too, whether in the Nigeria League or in Europe”.

Coach Imama Amapakabo has put behind the pains of the Super Eagles B failure to secure the 2020 CHAN ticket, and has now focused on the Olympic Eagles’ title defence at the 2019 U-23 AFCON billed for Egypt next month, Completesports.com reports.

Amapakabo, a former Nigeria junior international goalkeeper, has called back his Olympic Eagles into camp, starting with players plying their trades in the domestic league.

The team’s training camp doors were flung open on Monday with the players drilled in training by the former Enugu Rangers coach.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/amapakabo-optimistic-as-olympic-eagles-resume-training-ahead-u-23-afcon-title-defence/

The defending champions of the U-23 AFCON, eased past Sudan 5-1 on aggregate to book a place in the 3rd U-23 AFCON in Cairo, Egypt from where Africa’s three representatives at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will emerge.

“The foreign based players would be joining the team next week Monday,” Amapakabo told Completesports.com during an exclusive chat.

“We’ve had three weeks closed door camping before now. So, this time, we are going to have just two weeks training before traveling to Egypt.

“A week of training together, I mean both the home and foreign based players will put the team in good mood going into the championship.”

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham says it’s a dream to play alongside Callum Hudson-Odoi in the first team this season. Abraham has made an electric start to the Premier League season, grasping his opportunity with both hands after developing his game down in the Championship for the past few campaigns.

Hudson-Odoi broke into the team at the back end of last season before an Achilles injury cut short his campaign.
Now back to full fitness, and after signing a new deal at Stamford Bridge following a summer of interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Hudson-Odoi is expected to be pushing for regular starts in the weeks to come.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/abraham-hails-hudson-odoi-partnership/

Abraham, who has also been linked with putting pen to paper on a new contract at the Bridge, says he loves playing with Hudson-Odoi after they came up through the ranks at the club together. “When I play with Callum, I just enjoy watching him,” he said.

Lille manager Christophe Gatlier has absolved Victor Osimhen of any blame after the forward failed to score for the fifth consecutive away game in the French Ligue 1 this season.

Osimhen has scored seven goals in 10 league games for Lille since his arrival from Belgian club, Sporting Charleroi this summer.

He also endured a barren outing in Lille’s Champions League 3-0 away defeat at Ajax last month.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/lille-coach-gatlier-defends-osimhens-poor-away-scoring-record/

Wolves have a number of injury concerns as they prepare to face Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League on Thursday. Nuno Espirito Santo saw his side fight out a 1-1 draw with Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday, but was counting the cost afterwards as the injuries continue to stack up.

Fighting on all fronts was always going to stretch the Wolves squad and that is turning out to be the case at such an early point of the season, with Nuno facing a selection headache for the trip to Slovakia.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/int/injury-concerns-stack-up-for-wolves-ahead-of-euro-clash/

Joe Aribo admits Rangers need to become the sum of all parts if they’re to sustain a Premiership challenge.

The Nigerian international was handed his first taste of Tynecastle in a frustrating draw that saw the Light Blues blow a golden chance to pull clear of Celtic at the summit.

As Hearts set about making life difficult in Gorgie, the 23-year-old insists this share of the spoils came with a warning shot that titles are not just won by a mark of quality.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/aribo-rangers-must-remain-calm-to-beat-celtics-to-scottish-league-title/

Turkish giants Besiktas are seeking a January loan move for Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho, reports Completesports.com.

Iheanacho, 23, is yet to make a league appearance for Leicester City this season.

The Nigeria international has only played as a substitute in the Carabao Cup.

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/iheanacho-to-join-besiktas-on-loan-in-january/

Sunday Mba is determined to return to active football after staying two years without a club.

‪Mba, who scored the Super Eagles’ winning goal in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final, was released by Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor in September 2017.‬

‪Mba has not played competitively since his last appearance against Sivasspor in May 2017, but believes he still has plenty to offer.‬

Read more: https://www.completesports.com/mba-seeks-return-to-football-after-two-years-out/