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John Mikel Obi has stated that cancelling his contract with Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor was one of the toughest decision he has ever made.

Mikel severed ties with Trabzonspor on Tuesday after falling out with the club following the statement he made on the Coronavirus pandemic.

The midfielder joined Trabzonspor in June 2019 on a two-year deal but only spent nine months at the club before the termination of his deal.
The former Super Eagles captain penned a farewell message to Trabzonspor fans, his ex-teammates at the Turkish club, the coaches, medical team and the kit manager for their love while he was with the team.

“I would like to thank all the fans for their support. I also want to say thanks to all my teammates, technical crew, medical team and the kit man Ayatabe for all we’ve achieved this season so far, wish you guys best of luck in winning the league. It was one of the hardest decision I’ve had to make, but in current situation, we all need to take care of our families, spend time with them and protect them. #lifefirst #stayhome #family.” he wrote on his Instagram page.

Mikel featured in 19 league games for Trabzonspor.
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Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi says he was disappointed not to get Neymar’s shirt after the side’s friendly encounter against the Selecao of Brazil last year.

The West Bromwich Albion player put up a fine performance as the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by the five-time world champions at the Singapore National Stadium in October 2019.

“That was a great confidence boost for me (the game against Brazil) to be able to measure myself against players of that quality and come out with with a 1-1 draw,” Ajayi told West Brom’s official website.

“It’s a good feeling to be at that level and it was a very good performance and very good result for us.
“The only disappointment was not getting Neymar’s shirt. But I don’t think he was in a very good mood after the game. I asked at the end but it was already taken – I think the other lads in the team must spend the entire game asking him which is something I would never do. But I got Coutinho’s so I’m happy enough with that.

“The Nigerians love their football and they are becoming more aware of me now that I am playing a lot more consistently with the national team.

“They know about Albion of course but they love the Premier League – all the Premier League players are worshipped out there. “

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Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has charged all the foreign-based Nigerian players to engage themselves in personal exercises with a view to remaining in good physical shape amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, Completesports.com reports.

The former Girondins de Bordeaux of France Manager reeled out a list of 24-man invited Eagles for the quick-double 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone originally scheduled for the 27th of March, and the return leg in Freetown at the Siaka Stevens Stadium four days later prior to the postponement of the games by the Confederation of African Football(CAF) owing to the Coronavirus outbreak.

And even as the world fights to contain the scourge of the virus which has kept the football world locked up, Complete Sports can exclusively reveal that the 66-year Rohr has been in regular contact with the Super Eagles stars and has prevailed on every one of them on the need to maintain their top shape following the suspension of all the major leagues across Europe.

This much was revealed exclusively to Complete Sports by the Chief Scouting Welfare/Liason officer of the Super Eagles, Mr Tunde Adelakun who Confirmed that the German coach is in regular contact with his players.

“Gernot Rohr has been in regular contacts with all the Super Eagles players even though the issue in the hands of all of us at the moment
regarding the coronavirus is beyond football,” the London based Adelakun told Complete Sports.
“He (Gernot Rohr) has regularly maintained daily contact with all his players and emphasized the need for them to maintain their – fitness through a healthy lifestyle and remain physically fit by using the Gym privately even as all the leagues remain suspended.

“I was on phone with him (Gernot Rohr) a couple of minutes and he actually
stressed his admonition to the players which he emphasized through regular calls.

Adelakun, who like Rohr, is on contract with the NFF running from 2018 to June 2020 and is equally a member of the German tactician’s backroom room staff further debunked news making the rounds that the expatriate is currently being owed by the NFF.

“There is no iota of truth in that,” he said.

“Rohr has a contract which expires in June and I think that is just being peddled by newsmen who are sensationalising to fill the pages of their newspapers,” he concluded.

Adelakun is a full-time Assistant appointed by Rohr, designated to also be the manager in charge of scouting, Team Welfare and external Liaison by the coach who personally accepted to pay him from his salary.
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John Mikel Obi’s wife, Olga Dyachenko has supported the midfielder’s decision to end his stint with Turkish club Trabzonspor amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mikel last week called out Turkish authorities for not suspending the league after several football competitions across the world were put on hold due to the spread of Covid-19.

Trabzonspor announced on Tuesday that the former Super Eagles captain has left the club by mutual consent and gave up his wages.
While reacting to a fan’s abuse on social media, Diyachenko praised Mikel’s courage and described the former Nigeria captain as a hero who prioritises his family.
“You are vile, but my man is a hero. Family over everything. Good friends show their love in times of trouble, not just in times of happiness. — Euripides,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Thank you Trabzonspor fans that understand and for those who don’t, I’m sorry, but family first no matter what.”

Mikel made 19 league appearances for Trabzonspor before his departure.
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Odion Ighalo’s many sacrifices down the years are now paying off with Manchester United, his agent has revealed.

The former Watford striker has proven a big hit on loan at United from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua in recent weeks. He has scored four goals already for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, despite many doubting the decision to pursue a loan deal, which was secured in the 11th hour on January transfer deadline day.

Ighalo has helped United to fifth place in the Premier League and the brink of Europa League last eight, as well as the FA Cup quarter-
finals, before all elite football in England was suspended amid the
coronavirus pandemic.

And his agent Patrick Bastianelli believes the 30- year-old deserves
everything he achieves with United, the club the Nigerian striker supported as a child.

“Odion is reaping what he deserves after many sacrifices, after many years around Europe. Manchester
is a prize for everything he’s shown in recent years,” Bastianelli told Italian news outlet Tuttosport
on Ighalo.

He also lauded the striker’s
mentality as the main reason
behind his success at Old Trafford so far.

“It’s part of his character, of his great seriousness, he added. “He scored many goals. He always has a positive attitude.

“Odion is a person who always looks ahead, always in a positive way.”

On the moment Ighalo netted his first goal for United, latching onto Juan Mata’s pass in the 5-0 Europa
League second-leg victory over Club Brugge at 0ld Trafford, his agent added: “It was also exciting for us to see his reaction, the happiness in his eyes. Couldn’t believe it.”
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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team, Flamingos have embarked on two weeks break after eliminating the hapless Guinea Syli Starlets from the FIFA U-17 World Cup African qualifiers in Lagos at the weekend on an 11-2 goals aggregate score.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had asked the players and officials of the Flamingos on Sunday to proceed on a two-week break before returning to Abuja camp next month ahead of May 1 to 3 first leg final round of the African qualifiers against arch-rival, Ghana Black Maidens in Accra.

Flamingos Acting Head Coach, Olowookere Bankole confirmed that the players and officials have since embarked on a break, adding that the NFF will inform them when to return to camp as that will depend on whether the novel Coronavirus pandemic will allow sporting activities to continue.
“We have been told to embark on two weeks break, to resume on the first week in April but this will depend on information on the Coronavirus”, Bankole revealed.

It will be recalled that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had recently announced the postponement of the double-header African qualifier matches earlier fixed for this March because of the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic.
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With coronavirus disrupting football activities in most part of the world, and with Nigerian players affected, here are what some Super Eagles stars, past and present, are saying about the rampaging pandemic disease on Social Media.

John Mikel Obi (Trabzonspor, Turkey):
“There is more to life than football. I do not feel comfortable and don’t want to play football in this situation. Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. The season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times.”

Shehu Abdullahi (Bursaspor, Turkey):
‘Hello friends, let’s follow @WHO instructions on #COVID19, your safety is important. For Bursa fans, your safety is paramount to us, you will be back soon supporting us at the stadium.’

John Ogu (Al-Adalah, Saudi Arabia):
‘Everyone please stay safe out there.’

Ogenyi Onazi (Denizlispor, Turkey):
‘Great game! Great win. It was tough to play without our fans in the stadium but it’s all for everyone’s safety. Stay safe out there people. #denizlispor’
Godfrey Oboabona (Dinamo Batumi, Georgia):
‘Business for me as usual. To my dear friends and family, do stay safe. Let’s endeavour to stay healthy to live and also to enjoy the game of football when it resumes.’

Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain):
‘Please you all should stay safe and healthy. Love you all.’

Sunday Oliseh:
‘Together we will beat this coronavirus but we need to help one another. I implore you to think of the older ones, family, less informed, the less fortunate ones, who cannot afford to buy soap for example. no handshakes nor cheek kisses,
wash hands etc. Please!!’

Mutiu Adepoju:
‘A world without football is like an airplane without a propeller. The last few days have been one of the most boring in my life because footballing activities are suspended.

‘Coronavirus is temporary, football remains for life so let us all stay alive to enjoy football’.
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Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr says he will not be ‘asking’ his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) about his contract renewal.

Rohr, who was first appointed by the NFF in August 2016 on a two-year contract
got his first contract renewed for another two years in January 2018 ahead of the

2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. And with his current contract set to expire in June this year, the NFF are considering offering the Eagles boss a new contract, but with new and stringent conditions attached.

In a tweet monitored by Complete Sports on Osasu Obayiuwana’s Twitter handle, the 66-year old gaffer says while he is waiting for the NFF to approach him on the issue, his focus remains with the Eagles and his major concern for now is about the players’s health and fitness especially in the face of the Coronavirus outbreak.

@osasuo: “I will not ask @thenff what is going on with my contract renewal (with just over 3 months left on his present deal). It’s for the NFF to approach me. I am still waiting,” Obayiuwana quotes Rohr on Twitter.

“My job is to focus on the @NGSuperEagles, as long as I am the coach of this team. And I am going to do just that.

“Right now, my concern is that our players in Europe stay physically fit, even when they are not playing, because of the #coronavirus situation.”

Part of the conditions stipulated by the NFF as regards Rohr’s new contract will mandate the coach to live in the country (Lagos or Abuja) and will be allowed to travel on vacation only three times in a year.

Also, the coach will no longer earn tax-free wages unlike before while his selection of players must be approved by the NFF Technical Committee.

Rohr had led Nigeria to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia where the Eagles exited in the group stages and then led the team to a bronze finish at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

He has managed the Eagles in 49 games with 29 wins, 11 draws and 9 losses.

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Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju believes Odion Ighalo still has what it takes to play for the team following his impressive performance for Premier League club, Manchester United.

Ighalo, 30, has scored four goals in eight outings in all competitions for the Red Devils following his arrival on loan from Chinese Super League outfit, Shanghai Shenhua in January.

The former Watford striker scored a brilliant goal and recorded an assist in United’s 5-0 Europa League win against Austrian club, LASK on Thursday night.

Ighalo called time on his international career after emerging top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt with five goals.
He also scored 16 goals in 35 appearances for Nigeria.
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“With his kind of form, it won’t be a crime to drag Odion Ighalo back to the Super Eagles. Well done,” Adepoju tweeted.

Ighalo is yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League in four appearances for his new club but will hope to do so when the Red Devils travel to London to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
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As many as 19 Super Eagles players may be doubtful for the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying clashes with Sierra Leone later this month due to the precautions against the deadly Coronavirus, Completesports.com reports.

Nigerian players in affected countries such as France, England, Italy, Germany and Spain might not be available for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers as a result of the rules guiding the highly infectious disease.

The Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated a national Emergency Operations Centre at the highest level and is leading the national response.
It has also advised travelers to Nigeria, saying: “Travelers from countries with ongoing local transmission* but who show no symptoms on arrival should self-isolate at home for 14 days after arrival.

“If travelers from countries with ongoing local transmission* feel ill with fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days of arrival in Nigeria, please, observe self-isolation immediately by staying indoors and avoiding contact with people.”
What this simply means is that Eagles players such as Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem (Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Wigan Athletic, England); William Troost-Ekong (Udinese, Italy) and Olaoluwa Aina (Torino, Italy) are doubtful.

Other doubtfuls are Jamilu Collins (Padeborn, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kingsley Ehizibue (FC Koln, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor, Turkey); Etebo Oghenekaro (Getafe, Spain); Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England).

Ramon Azeez (Granada, Spain); Alexander Iwobi (Everton, England); Victor Osimhen (Lille, France); Moses Simon (Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain) and Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France) are also major doubts alongside manager, Gernot Rohr who will return from France.

This is because each of these players and Super Eagles head coach, Rohr himself will b ecoming into Nigeria from countries with widespread Coronavirus outbreak and some already on partial lockdown, casting huge doubts on the matches against Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, Ndidi and Iheanacho are facing serious coronavirus fears after Leicester on Thursday confirmed having three unnamed players who are isolating amid fears over the deadly disease.

Premier League clubs also do not want to release their players for this month’s international break because of Coronavirus.

Club medics are extremely reluctant to let their players who are multi-million pound assets travel overseas given the risks attached.
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sent birthday greetings to Super Eagles right-back Shehu Abdullahi who clocks 27 years on Thursday, Completesports.com reports.

The NFF sent the birthday wishes on their verified Twitter handle on Thursday.

“Happy birthday to the versatile @OfficialShehu.”
In July 2014, Abdullahi moved from Kano Pillars to Kuwait Premier League side Qadsia SC in a deal worth $480,000.

On 6 June 2015, Shehu left Qadsia to join newly-promoted Primeira Liga side C.F. União on a two-year deal.

And on 2 September 2016, he joined Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta on a two-year deal.

In January 2014, the late Stephen Keshi, invited him to be a part of the home-based Eagles squad for the 2014 African Nations Championship where they finished third.

He made the coach Samson Siasia squad that won bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

In May 2018 he was named in Nigeria’s preliminary 30-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and eventually made the final cut.

Also, he was part of the Eagles side that clinched bronze at last year’s AFCON in Egypt.
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Former Manchester United forward Micheal Owen has hailed the impact of Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo at the club.

Ighalo has earned huge plaudits since arriving Manchester United on loan from Chinese Super League outfit, Shanghai Shenhua in January.
The 30-year-old followed up his superb display in the FA Cup win against Derby County with an impressive cameo in the 2-0 victory at Old Trafford versus Manchester City last Sunday.

“Ighalo, look at his strength and awareness. I like him, I must admit. I think he’s a great alternative,”Owen told Premier League Productions.

“Hats off to McTominay because he could have easily sat in midfield, get behind the ball, make sure we don’t take any risks. He anticipates it, he leaves his position.”
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Super Eagles right-back Shehu Abdullahi has dedicated his goal in a 3-1 away win against Balikesirspor in the Turkish 1st Lig (second-tier) on Tuesday to Bursaspor fans, Completesports.com reports.
Abdullah scored against Balikesirspor in the 60th minute to make it 3-0 for Bursaspor.
It was Abdullahi’s second goal in his last two games after scoring in his club’s 1-1 draw at Umraniyespor.

It was his fourth goal in 25 league appearances for his club in the current campaign.

“Big fight, amazing team performance at Balikesirspor. My fourth goal of the season, dedicating this to Bursaspor fans. We keep fighting together!” Abdullahi wrote on his verified Twitter handle.

The win saw Bursaspor end a run of four consecutive games without a win, drawing three and losing one.
They now climb to a third, promotion play-off spot, on 45 points in the Turkish 1st Lig 18-team log.

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Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has revealed how he spent his lunch money watching Manchester United as a child.


Ighalo linked up with his favourite boyhood club on loan from Chinese outfit, Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day.

“I know many footballers say that, when they sign for a team, this is my dream team. Respect to that but my own case was different,” he told Sky Sports.

Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has revealed how he spent his lunch money watching Manchester United as a child.


Ighalo linked up with his favourite boyhood club on loan from Chinese outfit, Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day.

“I know many footballers say that, when they sign for a team, this is my dream team. Respect to that but my own case was different,” he told Sky Sports.

“Anyone who knows me back from when I was young knows me and my siblings supported Man United, we would pay to go and watch Man United play. In Nigeria, you have to have sports channels to watch that but not everyone can afford it. My parents couldn’t afford that so you have to pay a viewing centre to watch that. We would pay to watch that.
I grew up in Ajegunle, which is like a ghetto and it was very difficult there. When it would get to the weekend, everybody was excited because they wanted to watch Man United play.

“You start saving the money they would give you to go to school. You would eat at home and they would give you some pocket money to go to school and maybe eat lunch there. But you would be saving it bit by bit and when you get to the weekend, everybody is ready.

“You have your jersey and you wash it before the weekend. You put them on and go to the viewing centre and it’s crazy there. Some other fans want Man United to lose then you’re a Man United fan and you want them to win and you start arguing, shouting, screaming and all of that.

“In some, there are 200 people in this small room. You go to another one and you see 500 people in there. Some people would stand, you’re paying but even then, you’re standing and watching it from afar. There’s a big screen and a little screen and you have to watch there.

“Back then, Manchester United were the best team in England. They won every game, every season you’d see them winning the Premier League when Sir Alex Ferguson was here. Everybody wants to associate with a team that’s winning and that’s how I associated myself. I was very young then and growing up, I followed the team to today.

“Back then, they also had an association of Man United fans so there would be a meeting once a week to talk about Man United, like a little fan forum. When I remember all that now, I laugh and say ‘wow, from Ajegunle to the Theatre of Dreams’. It’s a great moment for me and I’m enjoying every bit of it.

“It is the happiest moment of my life, playing for my dream team, the team I supported when I was young.”

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Former Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama has denied reports that he has hanged up his playing boots, Completesports.com reports.

According to local media outlets the 37-year-old, who hasn’t played a competitive fixture since April 2017, has called time on his career, but Enyeama insists that is not the case.

He told FrunSports in an exclusive interview that he still wants to play football and that he is not pursuing a career in golf: “I enjoy playing golf so I understand the confusion. I have been staying in shape.”

“It is not secret that I love football and I am still in contention to play again,” the former Super Eagles shot-stopper added.

Enyeama is one of Nigeria’s most decorated players and after winning back-to-back CAF Champions League titles with Enyimba he forged a successful club career in Israel and France.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner was capped 101 times by his country and played in three FIFA World Cup tournaments.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr is reportedly interested in buying Newcastle United as the former pound-for-pound great eyes a stake in the club.

Mayweather hung up his gloves following his victory over Conor McGregor in 2017 having amassed a fortune running into the hundreds of millions.

And after what appeared an off-the-cuff comment at a recent Q&A with fans, his team later confirmed he is interested in the Premier League club.

During the event in Newcastle, Mayweather was asked: “You’re very, very interested in buying Newcastle United…?”

And he replied: “In the U.S. we call it soccer, but the Newcastle football team is an unbelievable team… a hell of a team.

If the people want me to buy the Newcastle team, let me know!”

Read Also: Ex-Albion Star, Quashie: ‘Ajayi Is Best Centre-Back In The Championship

Predictably, there were cheers from a fanbase which has watched their side struggle under the stewardship of Mike Ashley.

Mayweather’s team then confirmed to TMZ that he is interested in investing but that no formal talks have taken place.

Newcastle, who lie 13th in the Premier League and have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, have repeatedly been linked with a takeover.

Ashley is willing to sell but recent links with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have thus far come to nothing.

It is believed Newcastle’s owner will accept £300million for the club he purchased for £135m in 2007.

Ashley has overseen a relegation to the Championship and a number of disastrous managerial appointments, including Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and Joe Kinnear.

Steve Bruce is currently in charge at St James’ Park having taken over from fans’ favourite Rafa Benitez.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has credited Odion Ighalo for igniting a ‘reaction’ out of Anthony Martial, with the Frenchman getting on the scoresheet in United’s 2-0 Premier League win in the Manchester derby.

Since Ighalo’s arrival in January, Martial has scored in three of their last five league games as he’s stepped up in the absence of Marcus Rashford.

Bruno Fernandes’ inventive free-kick enabled the striker to break the deadlock on the half hour at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Ederson somehow allowing his shot to squirm under his body.

And Keane believes the Nigerian’s presence has pushed Martial to new heights.

Speaking after the game, he told Sky Sports: “You’ve had a reaction as well from Martial.

“Sometimes a new striker comes in, you praise the new striker, but then that pushes the other lads.

“There’s almost been a reaction from Martial, thinking: ‘Oh, I’ve got another player to fight with for my position’. And there’s been a good reaction.”

Ighalo came on in the closing moments of the match and was involved in Scott McTominay’s stoppage-time strike.

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Harry Maguire is a doubt for Sunday’s Manchester derby after missing Manchester United’s FA Cup tie at Derby with a slight ankle injury.

Maguire faces a race to be fit to face neighbours Manchester City, in a vital match as they push for a top-four finish.

Maguire expressed his disappointment on social media after he was ruled out of the match against Derby on his 27th birthday.

“Disappointed to miss out through injury – Working hard to get fit ASAP. Good luck to the lads.”

The England international missed City’s last trip to Old Trafford, a 3-1 defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg in January.

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Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr on Wednesday named his squad for this month ‘s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sierra Leone, reports Completesports.com.

Prominent on the list is Germany-based Kingsley Ehizibue.

The right-back who plays for Bundesliga club FC Cologne was born in Germany to Nigerian parents, but moved to Netherlands at two years of age, growing up in Zwolle.

The 24-year-old, who can also play as a right midfielder, started playing football at local amateur outfit CSV’28.

The defender made his professional debut for PEC Zwolle in October, 2014 in a Dutch Cup game against HHC Hardenberg and made his Eredivisie debut two months later against Willem 11.

He linked up with FC Cologne last summer, penning on a four-year contract.

Ehizibue, who has featured once for the Dutch U20 side, has scored one goal in 21 league appearances for Cologne this season.

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Josh Maja has admitted that he hopes to play in the Premier League in future, revealing his desire to one day turn out for Arsenal, the club he has supported as a boy.

The 21-year-old, who was born in London to Nigerian parents spent his youth career with high profile teams, taking in stints at Crystal Palace, Fulham, Manchester City and Sunderland.

Maja scored 17 goals across three seasons at England but linking up with French Ligue 1 club, Girondis Bordeaux.


Josh Maja has admitted that he hopes to play in the Premier League in future, revealing his desire to one day turn out for Arsenal, the club he has supported as a boy.

The 21-year-old, who was born in London to Nigerian parents spent his youth career with high profile teams, taking in stints at Crystal Palace, Fulham, Manchester City and Sunderland.

Maja scored 17 goals across three seasons at England but linking up with French Ligue 1 club, Girondis Bordeaux.


Since signing for Bordeaux in January 2019, the forward has been steadily finding his feet, racking up a total of eight goals and three assists through 30 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

But while Maja continues to improve during his time with the French side, he admits that a return to England – specifically with Arsenal – would mark a career high for the ambitious youngster.

“Obviously, growing up in London, one of my dreams is to play in the Premier League,” Maja said in an interview with beIN Sports. “Hopefully in the future, that opportunity will come.

“My team is Arsenal, so hopefully one day I’ll get the opportunity to play for them. If not, then I’ll keep supporting them anyway.”

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Vinicius Junior has revealed the reason why he celebrated his goal against Barcelona like Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo, in Sunday’s El Clasico win at the Santiago Bernabeu, Completesports.com reports.

Vinicius opened scoring for Madrid after running on to Toni Kroos’ pass before his effort which deflected off Gerard Pique beat a stranded Marc Andre Ter Stegen.

The Brazilian then proceeded to celebrate the goal just like Ronaldo always does when he scores a goal.

“He (Cristiano Ronaldo) came into the dressing room at halftime to support the team and give us moral support. That’s why I celebrated like him. He’s a winner in & out of the pitch,” Vinicius was quoted after the match.

Madrid doubled their lead in the 92nd minute through substitute Mariano Diaz who sped past Samuel Umtiti and managed to squeeze the ball into the net.

The win took Madrid to 56 points, just one point ahead of Barcelona.

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Heracles Almelo of Holland forward Cyriel Dessers has obtained a Nigerian passport paving the way for his invitation to the Super Eagles for next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, reports Completesports.com.

Dessers according to a report in fcupdate.nl was issued the passport on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old was born in Leuven to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother.


Heracles Almelo of Holland forward Cyriel Dessers has obtained a Nigerian passport paving the way for his invitation to the Super Eagles for next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, reports Completesports.com.

Dessers according to a report in fcupdate.nl was issued the passport on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old was born in Leuven to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother.

Read Also: Lacazette: Saka Is Premier League Best Young Player


He is now expected to be named in Nigeria’s squad for the games against Sierra Leone after pledging his allegiance to the three-time African champions.

Dessers is currently the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with 15 goals in 24 appearances.

The Super Eagles top Group L after winning their opening two games against Benin Republic and Lesotho.

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Dear reader, your favourite online sports news hub, Completesports.com is heading to Spain for a live coverage of a big Laliga week that the whole world had anticipated.

Laliga-crazy fans worldwide are already drooling over this Sunday’s Real Madrid versus Barcelona – the 244th El-Clasico. Completesports.com will report it live from the Santiago Bernabeu.

As you read this, Mumini Alao – yes, the award-winning veteran sports journalist, has set out on the trip to Laliga nation. He will arrive in Valencia on Wednesday, February 26.

Complete Sports and Completesports.com have been La Liga Official Media Partners for three years now. Alao is on Laliga entourage to Valencia and Villarreal during the week, culminating in Madrid to cover the El-Clasico on Sunday.

Buy your Complete Sports daily newspaper and stay tuned here on Completesports.com as the master in sports reporting serves you hot La Liga news vintage Complete Sports that you won’t read elsewhere.

Stay tuned, don’t miss out!

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Deontay Wilder will part company with coach Mark Breland after he threw in the towel in the seventh round of his defeat by Tyson Fury.

Breland has been widely praised for his decision as Wilder took a beating in the corner of the ring having been dropped twice earlier in the fight

But head trainer Jay Deas later said he disagreed with the move – and Wilder has backed up his cornerman.

After confirming he will exercise his right to a trilogy fight with Fury, Wilder revealed he is ready to change his coaching team.

“I am upset with Mark for the simple fact that we’ve talked about this many times and it’s not emotional,” Wilder told Yahoo.

“It is not an emotional thing, it’s a principal thing. We’ve talked about this situation many, many years before this even happened. I said as a warrior, as a champion, as a leader, as a ruler, I want to go out on my shield. If I’m talking about going in and killing a man, I respect the same way. I abide by the same principal of receiving.

“So I told my team to never, ever, no matter what it may look like, to never throw the towel in with me because I’m a special kind. I still had five rounds left. No matter what it looked like, I was still in the fight.

“I understand he was looking out for me and trying to do what he felt was right, but this is my life and my career and he has to accept my wishes.”

Wilder was also critical of referee Kenny Bayless who he claimed allowed Fury to hit him to the back of his head.

“The referee told me specifically that if I hit him in the back of the head or hit him on the break, he’d disqualify me,” he added.

“But I guess that was only directed toward me, because he allowed Fury to do those things. That’s the one thing that bothered me of everything.”

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Nigeria’s Under-17 women national team, Flamingos will jet out to Conakry, Guinea on Wednesday February 26 for the first leg of their U-17 Women’s AFCON qualifier against the host country at the 28th September Stadium in Conakry, Completesports.com reports.

A 30-member contingent made up of 18 players, three coaches and nine officials are expected to leave the country from Lagos for the encounter scheduled for Saturday, February 29

Flamingos have been preparing for the match in Abuja under the watchful eyes of coach Bolanle Olowokere and two others for the past two weeks, and look good to beat their Guinean counterparts over two legs to qualify for the next round.

“We have carefully selected a group of girls we feel are the best available at this moment. We have also trained to a point of pain that any thing short of a win in Guinea will not be fair to the girls. Although, we don’t know anything about our opponents, but we can manage that,” Coach Olowokere said.

“I think we have the pedigree and quality to get a good result in Conakry and make the second leg a formality. It will be tough but Nigerians should believe and pray for us,” the coach who is in charge of the team pending the appointment of a substantive Chief coach.

The second leg match will come up on March 14 at Agege Stadium in Lagos.

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Arsenal fans have compared Shkodran Mustafi to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk after a recent upturn in form.

Mustafi, 27, has become a key player under Mikel Arteta in defence, keeping three clean sheets in a row.

It is a remarkable turnaround for Mustafi who was told he could leave last summer.

After falling out of favour under former boss Unai Emery, he was set to become a casualty but no club wanted him.

His form over the years at the Emirates has seen him cost the club multiple points.

But Arteta has seemed to get him to work with equally error-strewn David Luiz in recent matches.

Arsenal have kept three clean sheets in a row and he has been one of the main reasons for that.

The ex-Valencia star has improved his range of passing, positioning and understanding with team-mates.

And according to Daily Star, Mustafi’s form has led to some Arsenal fans comparing him to Van Dijk.

One fan said: “Please can we talk how good Mustafi has been lately? Three clean sheets in a row, two away.
“He’s been immense. Arteta made him look like van Dijk lmao.”

“Mikel Arterta has transformed Mustafi from Phil Jones to Virgil Van Dijk. This man is solid,” another posted.

This supporter posted: “When are we going to admit Mustafi is one of the best defenders in EPL now and currently better than Van Dijk?”

While another said: “Mustafi MOTM and it’s not even close. Genuinely reaching form Van Dijk can only dream of.”

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Barcelona captain and talismanic forward Lionel Messi has named his top five favourites to win the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League and further predicts it would be ‘weird’ for a big club like Manchester City to miss out in the competition through UEFA ban.


Barcelona captain and talismanic forward Lionel Messi has named his top five favourites to win the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League and further predicts it would be ‘weird’ for a big club like Manchester City to miss out in the competition through UEFA ban.


Of course, Messi’s number one favourites to win this season’s title is Barcelona. He is looking to win his fifth Champions League title this time around following the disappointment of the last two editions, but he is aware that four other strong sides are good enough too to win it.

Barcelona were knocked out in the quarterfinals in 2018 by Roma, then bowed to eventual champions Liverpool in the semifinal of last season’s edition.

Messi and company will travel next week to face Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 clash as they strive to end their Champions League title drought since 2015.

In Messi’s assessment, it’s champions Liverpool, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid who can stand in Barcelona’s way this season.

Also Read – Stam: Ighalo Needs Teammates Support To Thrive At Man United

“All [the teams] are complicated and difficult. Paris went to play Dortmund and lost, Liverpool went to Atletico’s field and lost, but I think, like that and everything, Liverpool, Juventus, Paris and Madrid are the strongest today,” Messi told a wide-Mundo Deportivo.

Messi still sees Liverpool as a strong defending champions notwithstanding the Jurgen Klopp’s side’s 1-0 defeat to home side, Atletico Madrid, in the first leg of their last-16 clash.

“On the day of the draw we talked in the locker room that would be very close because Atletico competes a lot in this competition,” Messi said.

“In two-match duels they are very strong and they showed it again, that they will compete and they will be there.”

Meanwhile, Messi has spared some thoughts for Premier League side Manchester City who have been banned by UEFA for ‘serious Breaches’ of Financial Fair Play regulations.

City who were found guilty of overstating their sponsorship revenues between 2012 and 2016 have claimed innocence and intend appealing the sanction meted to them by UEFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

Man City will serve a two-year ban from the Champions League should they lose the appeal at CAS. And it is their possible absence from the prestigious competition that attracts Messi’s sympathy.

“It is surprising because nobody thought that such a thing could happen, so powerful,” Messi told Mundo Deportivo.

“Paris [Saint-Germain) paid a fine or I don’t know how it went. If in the end City does not play in the Champions League for what it is,
with the players, the club, and the money it spends, it will be weird.”

Messi added: “If City do not enter the Champions League there are many players that may look for an exit, or maybe not.

“The Champions League is very attractive so two years without playing, it can be screwed.”

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Nigeria Football Federation may soon announce former Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi as its new Technical Director, to replace Bitrus Bewarang who holds the position presently, Completesports.com reports.

Feelers from the Glass House Secretariat of the NFF indicates that the federation has been in discussion with the former Super Eagles forward and that he would by announced as soon as they finalized terms of service.

“I think the only thing delaying the announcement of Amokachi as the new Technical Director is because both parties have not agreed on the wages and conditions of service for the former AFCON winner. He was picked ahead of two other coaches who also wanted the job,” Completesports.com source divulged.

“We have two other coaches who indicated interest for the job, plus the incumbent technical director who also applied for renewal of his contract, but Amokachi seems the obvious choice. I don’t know why they settled for Amokachi, but I know that the other two have very rich CVs.

“There are other applications for vacant positions in the technical department and the federation is expected to appoint two or three among those who indicated interest.”

Amokachi was recently appointed Nigerian football ambassador by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Completesports.com further gathered that former Chelsea FC of England and PSG FC of France Technical Director Mike Emenalo, Austin Eguavoen, Ladan Bosso, Sam Okpodu and Mutiu Adepoju are amongt those who showed interest in the job of heading and1 revitalizing the NFF technical department.

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Pep Guardiola has claimed he could be sacked by Manchester City if his team crash out of the Champions League against Real Madrid.

City have struggled to defend their Premier League title this season as they are 22 points behind Liverpool.

Guardiola’s side are in the final of the Carabao Cup and are still in the Emirates FA Cup.

But it is not secret that Guardiola and the City board have always dreamed of winning the Champions League.

They face a tough task in the round of 16 as they take on La Liga leaders and 13 times Champions League winners Madrid.

And in an interview with Football Daily Guardiola hinted he would fear for his job if they fail to progress.

“I accept it. I want to win the Champions League, I dream and will enjoy the games against Real Madrid, to see what I can do,” Guardiola said.

“And this process, the two weeks before, will be the happiest moments of my profession, to imagine what we can do to beat them.

“If we don’t beat them, then the chairman will come, or the sporting director, and say ‘It’s not good enough, we want the Champions League, I’m going to sack you.”

When asked if he truly believed that, Guardiola said: “I don’t know, many times it has happened. Or maybe he will say ‘OK you’ve done well, but what can we improve?'”

City have never progressed past the quarter-finals of the Champions League under Guardiola, and they were beaten by Tottenham at that stage last season in a dramatic tie.

Guardiola’s future has been the source of speculation recently, with suggestions he could be tempted to head to Juventus at the end of the season.

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Head coach of Sudanese Premier League side Hilal Al-Fasher, Azeez Mohammed, is confident after applying to the NFF for Nigeria’s U17s – the Golden Eaglets top job, Completesports.com reports.

After an illustrious playing career that spanned through Ranch Bees and Kaduna United and later Gombe United, Mohammed has so far made a success of his coaching career in the Sudanese Premier League.

“I arrived here (Sudan) in 2008 as a player and signed for Merreikh Port Sudan FC. Then in 2010, I played for Annasr Kareema FC. But unfortunately, I got injured and my playing career suffered an abrupt end”, Mohammed told Completesports.com Saturday morning from his base.

“After my injury finally healed, I went back to school and ventured into coaching by enrolling in the Sudanese equivalent of Nigeria Institute for Sports, NIS.

“I’ve my CAF B and C coaching badges as we speak. I took up Hilal Al-Fasher role from the lower league and we are now in the (Sudanese) Premier League for about three seasons now.”

Hilal Al-Fasher are presently 9th in the 2019/2020 Sudanese Premier League table after 17 round of matches. They also have two games in hand.

Mohammed is confident that he can man the job of Nigeria’s national U-17 team head coach very well if given the opportunity, and that it’s that self-belief that motivated him to turn in his application.

“Yes, I believe I can do a good job for Nigeria at the youth level,” he said.

“I’ve turned in my papers at the NFF expressing my desire and qualification for the U17 Golden Eaglets job.”

NFF recently threw all the age group national team coaching jobs vacant and asked interested coaches to apply.

“That was reason I applied, I’m a Nigerian and I believe I can serve my fatherland. That was reason I decided to show interest in the Golden Eaglets job,” Mohammed concluded.

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Arsenal are hoping to ‘nick’ Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight world title clash with Kubrat Pulev from North London rivals Tottenham, Eddie Hearn has admitted.

Matchroom promoter Hearn says the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is still his preferred venue for the June fight, when Joshua’s WBA, IBF and WBO titles will be on the line.

But he welcomed Arsenal’s move to poach the fight – and challenged the club to turn the Emirates into a major “sports entertainment destination” rather than just a football stadium.

The Joshua vs Pulev fight will take place on either June 13 or June 20 after Hearn revealed a deal is now agreed “in principle” with the Bulgarian to travel to the UK.

And it will be held at one of the two north London stadiums – with staff at the Emirates understood to have been advised they need to work this summer at a major event.

He said: “Terms are, I’d not say agreed, but we’re in a good position.

“We have an agreement in principle for a June fight.

“Spurs is our preference and now Arsenal have come in.

“When you go to other countries, like in the Middle East, you have Saudi Arabia, they hear Abu Dhabi or Qatar are looking at a fight.

“Well now it’s like Spurs and Arsenal.”

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Odion Ighalo has been told he will be able to travel for Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Club Brugge despite missing the club’s Marbella training camp amid coronavirus fears.

Ighalo was left in Manchester when the United squad left for Spain on Saturday amid concerns he would not be allowed back into the UK if border controls were tightened up this week to stem the spread of coronavirus.

United signed Nigeria striker Ighalo on loan for the rest of the season from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day.

Because he travelled from China, where more than 800 people have died from coronavirus, Ighalo has to be monitored for 14 days.

However, the 30-year-old did not have to go into quarantine as he travelled from Shanghai rather than Wuhan, where the virus originated.

Ighalo’s monitoring period ends on February 16, meaning he will be available to make his debut in United’s Premier League clash away to Chelsea the following day.

And United have also confirmed that he will able to travel to Belgium for the first leg of United’s Europa League last-32 clash against Club Bruges, according to the Mail.

However, it is not ideal that Igahlo has had to miss the Marbella training camp, as it would have been the ideal opportunity for him to integrate with his new team-mates and learn what United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would expect from him on the pitch.

The striker will instead follow an individual programme with personal performance coach Wayne Richardson, training alongside the Great Britain taekwondo squad in Manchester.

Explaining the desicion to leave Ighalo out of the Marbella trip, Solskjaer said: “Because of the situation in China, we’re not sure if he’d be allowed back into England if he leaves the country again, so he’s staying here working with a personal coach, individual programme and his family then can settle in England as well. That’s a plus.

“Of course he might have liked to have come with the players and got to know them, but the risk [of potential border restrictions tightening], we don’t want to take that.”

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