[b]Oliseh Jumps to Enyeama's Defence By: George Akpayen
Former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh has frowned at the manner in which his country's football governing body is handling the issue involving goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) this week summoned the Super Eagles captain and goalkeeper before a disciplinary committee for what it described as "unguarded comments" to the media over its choice of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna for their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad earlier this month.
Enyeama did not turn up before the committee on the claims that he did not receive any official notification of such and did not respond to an earlier query given by the NFF. Reports in Nigeria now suggest that the LOSC Lille Metropole goalkeeper could be sanctioned.
But Oliseh is of the view that Enyeama should be treated as a professional footballer and not a civil servant under the full employ of the football federation.
The former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund midfielder believes that Enyeama's view as captain of the Nigerian men's national team "should be respected."
"He is not a civil servant. Why are you querying him?" Oliseh asked in an interview with Brila FM on Friday.
"He is a professional football player, the captain of the team and simply aired his opinion and I think that should be respected.
Oliseh, 40, further said it was wrong to crucify Enyeama, who he regards as "one of the best goalkeeper in the world."[/b]
mobi.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/150626/Oliseh_jumps_to_Enyeamas_defence

[b]I’m Not Desperate For S’Eagles Recall –Aiyenugba
Bnei Yehuda goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba, has seen his return to the Nigerian national team as achievable but insisted on given his best to his newly promoted Israeli team.
Aiyenugba, who disclosed this while featuring on a TV programme in Ilorin, ascertained his readiness to represent Nigeria anytime he was invited, adding that his major focus was his club.
He said the energy was still there for him to play for his country to reclaim the loss glories for Nigeria.
“It’s a great feeling for me to represent this country and don the National team colour, but one needs to take things cool and face the challenges ahead,” said the former Enyimba goalkeeper.
“I’ve been there before and now that am not there, I need to take things calm; football is about chance and time and I think I did my best when I was given the opportunity. If it comes calling again, I will still do my best; what makes a man is the ability to rise again when you are down and glory be to God because things are working well for me in my club side,” he continued.
He called on private and corporate companies to invest and support Nigerian League for stability and productivity.
“It’s a thing of joy that our league is improving by the day; those in charge (LMC) have brought a lot of tremendous and positive turn around to it but they will need the support from big companies to attain better standard and make it stable for right,” Aiyenugba concluded.[/b]
dailyindependentnig.com/2015/06/im-not-desperate-seagles-recall-aiyenugba/

Ex international Efe Sodje has stated that Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi must name strong squads in the set of qualifying games.

Sodje demands the Eagles must instill fear in opponents as they bid to return to the continent in 2017 when Africa converges again in Gabon.

According to the 2000 African Cup of Nations silver medalist in a chat with www.footballlive.ng the Eagles need to finish off teams early enough during games.

” The Super Eagles need to push through the next group games and come out with the fear factor. Keshi should come up with very strong squads in the next couple of games and finish off teams as soon as they get out on the pitch.”

Nigeria started off its nations cup campaign with a 2-0 win against Chad and next face Tanzania in Dar es Salam.

[b]COTE D’ IVOIRE JOB: NFF May Drag Ivorien FA to FIFA, CAF
• Over poaching of Eagles’ coach
• Nigeria to demand proof on Keshi from FIFA
THERE are strong indications that cheiftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are set to report their Ivoiren counterparts to the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) over the poaching of her national team’s chief coach, if it turns out that Stephen Keshi didn’t apply for the vacant Ivory Coast job.
“The truth is that if we find out that Keshi didn’t actually apply for the job we might have to take immediate action – including taking them to CAF and possibly FIFA,” said the official.
NFF will officially write the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) over Stephen Keshi being shortlisted for the vacant job of the Ivory Coast national team.
Keshi was last week named in a 60-man shortlist released by the Ivorian football federation which has irked the NFF.
Already Keshi has had to face the NFF Disciplinary Committee but the Nigerian FA, supersport.com has been informed, is still carrying out its inquest in unravelling if Keshi actually applied for the Ivorian job despite being in contract as Super Eagles’ head coach.
“We will contact the Ivorian FA,” a top official told supersport.com on Thursday. “The process of investigation into the matter is still ongoing.”
Keshi is currently into the second month of a two-year contract he signed with the Nigerian federation.[/b]
thenationonlineng.net/new/cote-d-ivoire-job-nff-may-drag-ivorien-fa-to-fifa-caf/

Carpi Close to Grabbing Joel ObiAccording to are port bySky Sport Italia, Nigeria international Joel Obi is on the radar of newly promoted Serie A side Carpi.
The higher-ups at the Biancorossiare pushing to close a deal for the Inter Milan player in the summer transfer window. And they are mulling whether to acquire his whole economic rights from Inter Milan or snap him up on a season-long loan.
Carpi will compete with fellow Serie A new comers Frosinone for the signature of the attacking midfielder.
Though Joel Obi is under contract with Inter Milan until June 30, 2017, a departure from the San Siro is not out of topic following his lack of first team opportunities.
In the last three seasons, the 24-year-old has made only 7 starts for Inter Milan in the top flight.
thenationonlineng.net/new/carpi-close-to-grabbing-joel-obi/

Taye Taiwo to Return to Serie A?Nigeria defender Taye Taiwo, who has featured for AC Milan in Italy, may return to play in Italy again after he became a free agent on leaving Bursaspor of Turkey.
According to a report in Italy, the left back is likely to make a return to Italy and he is currently training in France.
He was most recently on trials with Polish club Wisla Krakow.
Taye Taiwo quits Turkish club Bursaspor
According to the transalpine foot365.com, the Nigeria defender could again feature in the Italian Serie A as he is being monitored by several clubs there.
Taye Taiwo played four games for AC Milan.
africanfootball.com//news/541063/Taye-Taiwo-to-return-to-Serie-A

Spurs to Fid for Victor MosesEnglish Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur are considering a bid for Chelsea winger Victor Moses, according to mirror.co.uk.
Moses spent last season on loan at Stoke City and the manager Mark Hughes has shown interest in having the Nigeria international back to the Britannia Stadium.
A swap deal that will involve goalkeeper Asmir Begovic going in the opposite direction to Chelsea has even been suggested.
Stoke to swap goalkeeper plus cash for Victor Moses?
However, The Mirror claims that Spurs have turned their attention to the AFCON 2013 winner after failing to land Jay Rodriguez or Anthony Martial, while Sevilla's Carlos Bacca is thought to prefer a move to Liverpool.
Moses joined Chelsea from Wigan in 2012 and has played the last two seasons on loan at Liverpool and Stoke City.
africanfootball.com/news/541054/Spurs-to-bid-for-Victor-Moses

2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Nigeria
Anderson Esiti Claims Monaco InterestNigeria midfielder Anderson Esiti has said there is interest from Monaco for him.
And the Estoril of Portugal star said he would be honoured to play for a top club like Monaco.
“Yes, there is interest from Monaco for me, but it’s not yet official,” the 21-year-old player revealed.
Nigeria 2 Chad 0
“I will be honoured to play for such a big club, who feature in the Champions League season after season.”
The little known Esiti made his Eagles debut in an AFCON 2017 qualifier at home against Chad earlier this month.
The Warri-born Esiti joined Estoril last year from another Portuguese club Leixoes SC.
africanfootball.com/news/540736/Anderson-Esiti-claims-Monaco-interest

[b]Dele Alli New Zidane Says Ex-MK Dons BullardFormer MK Dons midfielder Jimmy Bullard has said Nigerian youngster Dele Alli could be a great star like Zinedine Zidane as he is set to start his sojourn with EPL side Tottenham Hotspur.
Bullard said he watched the youngster, who had great season with MK Dons last season scoring 16 goals to help them secure promotion, and sees similarities between the Dons academy product and Zidane, who is widely considered as one of the greatest players to have ever graced the game having played for Juventus and Real Madrid and won a World Cup and European Championship with France.
"I watched him (Dele Alli) last season and the stature of the boy and how calm he was on the ball, it is very rare you see an English player like that," he told Talksport.
"He has got a long way to go but the way Zidane would caress the ball, relax, and his head would swivel, he is that kind of player. He is more of a continental player.
"The boy has got power, but he's also got great technical ability."[/b]
africanfootball.com/news/540768/Dele-Alli-new-Zidane-says-ex-MK-Dons-Bullard

Nigeria International Striker Aaron Samuel returned to action for his Chinese club Guangzhou R&F Wednesday night with a goal in his first game after he featured in an AFCON 2017 qualifier against Chad.
The former Valeranga forward scored in Guangzhou R&F 2-1 loss at home to Henan Jianye.
Samuel equalised for his team with his 72nd minute strike to send his club fans into wild jubilation, but this was later cut short when the opposing team scored the winner.
He has now scored three goals in nine games.Content
africanfootball.com/news/540595/Aaron-Samuel-on-target-again-in-China

Keshi, Enyeama query: Erico, Chukwu ask NFF for pardonContent
With the recent face-off between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi and team’s captain, Vincent Enyeama still raging, former national team handlers, Christian Chukwu and Joe Erico, have appealed to all the parties to exercise restraint in the interest of the country’s football.
The NFF last week accused Keshi of applying to handle the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire which they see as a breach of contract when he is still having a two-year contract with Nigeria while Enyeama was summoned to appear before the NFF Disciplinary Committee for his refusal to answer a query issued to him for making uncomplimentary remarks about Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna after their 2017 Nations Cup qualifier against Chad.
While Keshi has denied ever applying for the Ivorian job eventhough his name was on the shortlist, Enyeama failed to appear before the disciplinary committee fueling rumours that he might be sanctioned by the football ruling body for act of indiscipline.
But in a telephone interview with Saturday Mirror, Chukwu noted that while he will never support insubordination by either Keshi or Enyeama, there is the need for both parties to find a way of settling the matter amicably considering the implication of the disagreement on the country’s next qualifier against Tanzania in September.
“It is really disgusting that this type of problem is coming at a time when all resources should be geared towards ensuring that Nigeria qualifies for the next Nations Cup. “There is the need for amicable settlement of all the issues involved because allowing the matter to linger will definitely affect our next qualifier against the East African nation of Tanzania,” Chukwu said.
According to the former Harambee Stars of Kenya coach, it is morally wrong for Vincent Enyeama to have complained openly about Kaduna because as the skipper of the team, any action he takes will affect the general morale of the players.
He noted that although it is true that he might have some reservations about the venue but as the captain of the team, there are more matured ways and channels to make his grievances known instead of coming out in public to do so.
Chukwu stated that although he has not heard Enyeama’s side of the story but if it is proven that he tore the query issued to him by the NFF, he should be ready to face any punishment meted out to him because having played football at the highest level, he is supposed to be disciplined and respect the country’s football administrators.
“I want to say that it if it is true that Enyeama tore the query issued to him by the NFF, he should be held liable for his action because he signed a code of conduct with the football house and there is nothing wrong with NFF issuing him a query because such behaviour if proven amounts to insubordination.
On the issue of Keshi applying to handle Cote d’Ivoire when he still has a contract with the NFF, Chukwu explained that since Keshi has come out to deny the allegation, the football house should accept his explanation and allow the coach to continue with his job so there will not be any distractions as the country continues preparation for the next qualifier against Tanzania.
Speaking in the same vein, former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico, maintained that he had expected Keshi to call it quits with the national team immediately he won the Nations Cup in 2013 arguing that if he had done that, all the issues being raised about his commitment to the Super Eagles job would not have arisen.
Erico insisted that he does not believe that Keshi applied for the Cote d’Ivoire job knowing full well that he still has a contract with the NFF and since he has come out to refute the story, the NFF should take it as a non issue. The former NEPA of Lagos FC coach cautioned Enyeama to learn from the current imbroglio and avoid making unguided utterances considering his position in the team, even as he appealed to the NFF and the duo to sheath their swords in the interest of Nigerian football.
nationalmirroronline.net/new/keshi-enyeama-query-erico-chukwu-ask-nff-for-pardon/

Only Results Will Save Keshi —NFFContent
By John Egbokhan
Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have said that only positive results will save Stephen Keshi in his second-time spell as Super Eagles coach.
Keshi has come under scrutiny following reports linking him to the vacant Ivorian job and outburst of captain Vincent Enyeama on the suitability of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on June 13. The Lille of France goalkeeper had said that Kaduna was not safe for the 2017 AFCON qualifying match because of the security situation in the northern part of the country.
His comments had fuelled security fears, prompting the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick to assure all that Kaduna was safe for the game. Eagles won the match 2-0 but the NFF later issued Enyeama and Keshi queries and invited both to appear before the Organising and Disciplinary committee, which the goalkeeper shunned. Keshi appeared before the NFF panel and cleared himself.
Keshi
But we have gathered that some members of the NFF are not happy that Keshi has not been able to control his players. They traced this trend to the 2013 Confederations Cup when the players refused to fly to Brazil in a jet hired by FIFA. They agitated over match bonus and brought international shame to Nigeria. The next was at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where they threatened not to play France in the second round until their share of the FIFA World Cup money was given to them.
In all these, Keshi could not control the players. And now, Enyeama seems to be a problem that Keshi could not address.
Keshi appears to have lost control over his players, especially key acts like Enyeama and John Obi Mikel. Enyeama’s outburst really jolted the NFF that they had to double their security expenses. They said it would have been calamitous if Chad had acted on the statement and objected to play, fearing attacks on them during the game.
It was learnt that the statement by the former Enyimba goal-stopper caused panic in Kaduna and Governor El Rufai had to beef up security presence in the city. Sources told us that members also suspected that Enyeama preferred kwa Ibom to Kaduna.
We can however authoritatively report that while members frowned at the conduct of Keshi in the past, they said they were determined to give the former Togo and Mali coach full support to succeed.
But they said that Keshi has to help the situation by turning in good results that will endear him to Nigerians.
“Nobody will talk to Keshi or be harsh to him if he is winning. Results will keep him on the job”, one NFF source source said.
www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/only-results-will-save-keshi-nff/

Oliseh Wants Eagles’ Matches in Lagos.
Content
Former captain of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, advised the Nigeria Football Federation to use the National Stadium, Lagos for subsequent matches of the national team.
Oliseh, who said this during an interview with Sports Radio Brila FM, noted that the Super Eagles the Lagos stadium can create the right atmosphere for the national team to win all their home matches.
He added that the current national team players were playing under little pressure compared to when he played for Nigeria.
Oliseh said, “It’s a lot easier now to play for Nigeria and I guess that is one of the reasons we are not doing so well now. In those days, you go to the National Stadium, Lagos in front 100, 000 fans. After 20 minutes, you have not scored, the fans go crazy and your family lives in Lagos; that is pressure. When you go to the Africa Cup of Nations or the World Cup and you know that second is not enough; that is pressure. When you have to play and the future of your family is at stake; that is pressure.
“I’m overtly telling them that if we want to go back to the top; we need to bring the Super Eagles back to Lagos. If England have an important match to play, they play you at Wembley because that is where they have the greatest number of fans and that is where it becomes emotional for the players. The National Stadium is our own Wembley. I played for Nigeria for 10 years and we never lost at the National Stadium. That shows you how mythical it was to play there. The players need that kind of atmosphere to perform.”
Oliseh also said the row between the Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama and the NFF was unnecessary, saying Enyeama has the right to express his opinion about match venues.
He said instead of the NFF sending a query to the Lille goalkeeper, the President of the federation, Amaju Pinnick, should have called Enyeama and resolved the issue quietly.
“Enyeama is the captain. He is free to air his opinion. If the man is unhappy playing in Kaduna, take your decision as a federation but respect the man’s opinion,” Oliseh said.
www.punchng.com/sports/oliseh-wants-eagles-matches-in-lagos/

[b]NFF Vs Keshi And Enyeama: A Soap Opera Full Of VillainsBy Nurudeen Obalola:
After the Super Eagles passed up the chance to defend their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title by failing to qualify for last year’s edition of Africa’s biggest and most important competition, the last thing the country’s football needs is an unnecessary crisis.
What should have been dealt it by the Nigeria Football Federation firmly and decisively has been allowed to become a mirthless circus that will likely not end well.
The Vincent Enyeama and Stephen Keshi situations have shown the NFF hierarchy up as attention-seeking leaders apparently struggling to control impudent subordinates.
All the parties have played their unsavoury parts in the show of shame that promises only a slippery descent into ultimate failure.
First, Enyeama should have been careful in making statements about any part of Nigeria because our country is deeply divided along ethnic and regional lines, and comments from public figures are often taken out of context.
If the Super Eagles captain’s concerns about the playing surface were the only ones he had, few eyebrows would have been raised. After all, the best players would rather play on the best pitches, and Nigeria is too big not to have a proper pitch for its senior national team.
But when he questioned the choice of Kaduna over security issues, Enyeama – perhaps unwittingly – crossed a line. Some oversensitive people would say he was complaining only because the match was in the north.
Perhaps he meant no harm, but Enyeama really had no cause to condemn Kaduna based on fears of insecurity. On the surface, the statement may seem harmless, but if you are from Kaduna or based there, you would probably not be happy to hear something like that about your state.
Enyeama reportedly said: “I don’t like the choice of Kaduna based on what is happening in the country but then the government knows exactly what to do to make us safe.”
If Enyeama knew the government was capable of making himself and his colleagues safe, why then did he publicly question the choice of Kaduna? Couldn’t he have raised these concerns privately with the NFF and even the Kaduna State government and demand extra security?
Anyway, what exactly is “happening in the country” that is peculiar to Kaduna?
Obviously, Enyeama meant the Boko Haram insurgency that has terrorised some parts of Nigeria, but Kaduna has been relatively safe for the past one year.
Kaduna last suffered from a major terrorist attack in June 2014 and has been safe since.
Of course some might say the fact that Kaduna even suffered any attacks at all meant one should be worried about its state of security.
But, last year too, Abuja suffered THREE major terrorist attacks between May and June. And Enyeama had no problems camping in that same city or even playing there if the stadium was available.
If Abuja was okay, what then was wrong with Kaduna?
Abuja was so unsafe at a point last year that a friend of mine fell out with her mum because the mum insisted she quit her job in the federal capital and return to Lagos.
Besides, Enyeama played in Israel for years in spite of the never-ending conflict between that country and Palestine, and the Hamas rockets.
Some of those rockets have hit Tel-Aviv and killed people. There have been reports of suicide bombings in Tel-Aviv, a city he lived and played in for years.
And Enyeama would always tell you he had absolutely no security and safety worries about Israel.
Anyway, Kaduna people will also tell you they are far from Borno and Yobe, the major hotbeds of Boko Haram’s insurgency.[/b]
To be continued in the next post....

Akindele Delighted With New Dallas DealNigerian-born Canada international Tesho Akindele has said he is delighted to sign a new contract with the MLS side FC Dallas.
The MLS Rookie of the Year 2014 signed a new contract till 2018 with his club Thursday.
"I couldn't be happier right now," he said.
"This team obviously took a chance on me when maybe some other teams wouldn't have in the draft. I'm glad it worked out my first year and I'm excited to be here." Akindele said.
Tesho Akindele dazzles for FC Dallas
The 23 year old player has scored 10 goals in 40 games.
He has chosen Canada ahead of Nigeria and USA as he will play for them in this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
africanfootball.com/news/540763/Akindele-delighted-with-new-Dallas-deal

[b]Green Faults Ivorian Federation Over KeshiCHAIRMAN of the Nigeria Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee, Christopher Green has said the Ivorian Football Federation should have reached out to the NFF before shortlisting the Super Eagles coach as one of the candidates to coach their senior national team.
Green, also a member of the NFF Executive Committee, added that Stephen Keshi must respect his employers as he is under contract.
“The practice is very simple,” he said. “Even for players, for as long as you have a contract, you must respect your employers,” Green said of Keshi.
“And if you (Cote D’ Ivoire) want to talk to a coach, you have to obtain permission from the team before you are allowed to talk to the coach,” Green said of the Ivoirian Football Federation.
The NFF are yet to say what their next line of action will be if Keshi is found ‘guilty’ of applying to coach the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire, but feelers from the Glass House have it that they may show the 53-year old former Super Eagles captain the door.
Green had earlier told News24 they are ‘investigating’ Keshi, after the Ivorian Football Federation listed him as one of the applicants to replace Herve Renard as coach of the Elephants.[/b]
thenationonlineng.net/new/green-faults-ivorian-federation-over-keshi/

Emenike May Stay at FernebacheFenerbahçe attacker Emmanuel Emenike, 28, could stay put at the Istanbul club this coming season.
The Nigeria international resumed pre – season training with the Yellow Canaries earlier this week but remains unsure of his future.
Turkish sports daily Fanatik has reported that he has received concrete offers from teams based in United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia but a move to the Middle East does not appeal to him.
Emenike’s dream is to play for a club in the English Premier League next season but no official approach has been made for the former Spartak Moscow striker from the Channel.
The 2013 African Cup of Nations top scorer has netted 67 goals in the league alone since he moved to Europe from FC Cape Town six years ago.
thenationonlineng.net/new/emenike-may-stay-at-fernebache/

[b]Revisiting Onazi’s $5,000 Fine
By Chibuike Chukwu , Lagos
This is not the best of times for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as it is locked in a battle of wits against some Super Eagles players, Captain of the team, Vincent Enyeama, and midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi. The Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, is also embroiled in another controversy with the federation over allegations that he applied to coach the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.
While the NFF disciplinary committee has met over the case of Keshi and Enyeama, the NFF did not refer Onazi case to its disciplinary committee. It fined him $5,000 USD. What was Onazi’s offence? The player was red-carded in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad in Kaduna penultimate Saturday.
While announcing the punishment, the NFF said that aside the fine, the player should produce a written apology.
In a letter signed by Tunde Aderibigbe on behalf of the NFF General Secretary and dated June 19, the NFF wrote: “The Board of the Nigeria Football Federation has viewed your behavior and conduct during the Nigeria/Chad match as tantamount to gross indiscipline and unprofessional, which undermined the discipline of the team in its totality and a breach of ethics for players as well as the Code of Conduct for players and officials.
“Consequently, the NFF, having reviewed the situation, hereby impose a fine of $5,000 (Five Thousand American Dollars Only) on you as well as a written apology…”
However, Enyeama and Onazi took to instragam to trivialize the fine imposed on Onazi.
Enyeama asked the Lazio star if he has paid up his $5000 fine handed him by the NFF.
“You don pay your 5k fine. hahahahahahaha @onaziogenyi Abeg come next week help me. Send your Naija number to my international number,” Enyeama wrote via his handle @vinny2908.
Onazi replied Enyeama by appealing to his skipper to help him pay the fine.
“Dearis god ohh hmmmm, chairman you know say you be my boss, abeg help me pay now self I won start small job make I make I fit get some cash reduce the $5000,” Onazi wrote via @onaziogenyi.
As a result of the red card, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned the player for the team’s next two matches. The NFF’s decision to fine the player is seen as double punishment for a single offence. This is even more as player had apologized to teammates and the federation.
Should Super Eagles wins the two matches in question, the player will not be part of the winning bonuses, which is enough punishment.
The team’s former coach and captain, Christian Chukwu, could not understand the rationale behind the fine, asking, “Why should you fine somebody monetarily when there was a red card already? Is that the code of conduct the players signed? Was his action intentional?
During the Brazil versus Colombia match at the ongoing Copa America, Neymar was alleged to have done what Onazi did and was suspended from the rest of the championship by CONMEBOL. His four-match suspension meant that he misses the rest of the championship. He was equally fined monetarily by CONMEBOL. After that, the Brazilian FA appealed the ban, but had to withdraw it later. It never imposed further sanction on Neymar.
Also, during 2006 World Cup final in Germany, Zinedine Zidane head-butted an Italian player, Marco Materazzi. While he was sanctioned by FIFA, France never slammed any further fine on him.
Mario Balotelli of Italy had severally caused stir during national football matches without Italian authorities slamming any monetary fine on him.
The NFF, in Onazi’s case, should have looked at the intention and not the action. The Lazio midfielder charged at a Chadian player, who tackled Odion Ighalo roughly and made to retaliate, albeit wrongly.
Agreed, Onazi took laws into his own hand and his action negates the principle of fair play, but NFF should have known that two-match ban was enough punitive measures for such offence.
Responding, when asked of the effects of NFF’s action, former international, Nicola Ukadike, said there was no basis for the fine, arguing that players around the world were known to react differently to quarrels on the field.
“I think the two-match ban is enough. Onazi’s action is not the worst and won’t be. We all played the game and saw what happened during our time.
[/b]
To be continued in the next post....

[b][/font] Continue from the last post...
[color=#550000][b][font=Lucida Sans Unicode]
“The FA should immediately reverse the monetary ban. This is one player that never hesitates to honour national calls, so they should reconsider the decision.”
Another ex-international, Mutiu Adepoju, also faulted the action, saying time has come for the NFF to start protecting Nigerian players.
“I thought the lad has apologised. Why imposing fine again. The offence he committed was not against NFF, but against CAF, which has consequently punished him.
“NFF should make it a duty to protect our players from ridicule.”
On his own, Chukwu further said even if the NFF wanted to caution Onazi, it ought to have been done secretly, asking should it have been a media affair.
“We are not getting it well. This fine by NFF may force the boy to start dishonouring national calls. Even if you have anything against his action, such should have been treated internally.
“What has the boy done to deserve the fine in the first place? It was wrong for them to punish him twice for an offence he got a red card already; that is wrong.”[/b]
dailyindependentnig.com/2015/06/revisiting-onazis-5000-fine/[/b][/color]

[b][font=Lucida Sans Unicode][/font]Keshi, Enyeama Issues Over-flogged – Ekeji
Taofeek Lawal.
A former director-general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji, has written off all the attention being generated by the alleged disciplinary issues brought by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, and the team’s captain, Vicent Enyeama, insisting that the whole episode is “over-flogged” and “blown out of proportion”.
Ekeji, speaking on the issue recently, agreed that the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF has the mandate to whip players or officials into line when they err, but called on them to take into cognisance that the journey for qualification for the AFCON 2017 in Gabon has begun in earnest and anything capable of distracting the national from qualifying for the tournament needs to be addressed.
“Nigerians are still pained that we failed to qualify for the last AFCON in Equatorial Guinea after we won the trophy for the third time in history. It is time to focus on the task ahead and address all things that will make us to be absent in Gabon again in 2017. I think this issue at hand should have been an in-house thing which could have been resolved amicably and not before the public or the press as we are witnessing now,” he said during a radio programme monitored by LEADERSHIP Sports.
Former chairman of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), Victor Rumson Baribote, corroborated Ekeji’s point and cautioned that it was high time the NFF learnt from its past mistakes and rally behind the team.
Baribote pointed out that Nigerians are watching developments with keen interest and will hardly forgive the glass house and its board if the nation’s flag is not hoisted in Gabon in 2017.
Keshi had, last Tuesday, appeared before the NFF Disciplinary Committee over allegations that he had applied for the job to coach the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire while Enyeama was summoned for insisting that the condition of the pitch and the level of security at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, where the team played its AFCON 2017 qualifier against Chad two weeks ago was “unacceptable”, to the chagrin of the NFF, who swiftly called on him to apologise.
The goal-tender insisted that he did apologise and wondered why the NFF claimed that it had summoned him before its committee when he “did not received a letter to that effect”.[/b]
leadership.ng/sports/443368/keshi-enyeama-issues-over-flogged-ekeji

[b]Fenerbache New Coach Wants Emenike to Stay Put

Fenerbahce new coach Vitor Pereira has said he wants Nigeria international striker Emmanuel Emenike to stay put at the Turkish club.
A close confidant of the Nigeria striker told only AfricanFootball.com that after the showdown meeting with the player, the coach showed interest in working with the AFCON 2013 top scorer in the coming season at Fenerbahce.
"Fenerbahce new coach met Emenike and he is interested in keeping him for next season,” the confidant informed AfricanFootball.com.
“So, it is likely Emma will remain in Fenerbahce, let's see what happens next."
Last season, the former Karabukspor and Spartak Moscow striker went through a torrid season as the Fenerbache fans booed him after he only scored four goals and went several months without a goal as the Istanbul lost their championship to bitter city rivals Galatasaray.
He has been linked with a move in the summer with interests in Qatar, UAE, England and Russia.[/b]
africanfootball.com//news/541389/Fenerbache-new-coach-wants-Emenike-to-stay-put