AF Nigeria Czech Republic
Kehinde Fatai promises more goals for Czech club

Kehinde Fatai

Nigeria striker Kehinde Fatai has set his sights on scoring many more goals for Sparta Prague when the Czech Republic league resumes after he scored in a friendly on Wednesday.


The former JUTH FC hitman, who was nicknamed 'Match Bonus' by the Jos football fans due to his goal-scoring prowess, netted in the 32nd minute as they drew 1-1 with Dinamo Moscow in Spain.


"It's my job to score goals and I’m always filled with joy when I do so. I am glad to score in the pre-season game and I am looking forward to get more goals when the league resumes," Fatai said.


Fatai has scored eight goals in the Czech league this season.
The league will resume on February 13.
africanfootball.com/news/608510/Kehinde-Fatai-promises-more-goals-for-Czech-club

AF Nigeria Serie A 2015/2016 Sampdoria
Injury-troubled Joel Obi is fit again

Joel Obi - He is fit again

Nigeria midfielder Joel Obi is fit again after he returned to the squad for Torino on Wednesday in a 2-2 draw at Sampdoria.


Obi, who has been out injured for several weeks, was an unused substitute for Torino.


The former Inter Milan midfielder last played for Torino on September 27 in a 2-1 win over Parlemo, a game in which he was sent off.


The creative midfielder's career has been plagued by a series of injury.


Obi has played for Inter Milan and Parma.
africanfootball.com/news/608508/Injury-troubled-Joel-Obi-is-fit-again

Emenike Gets Work Permit, Set For West Ham Debut Vs Southampton

By Johnny Edward:
West Ham new signing Emmanuel Emenike may play a part in the Hammers Premier League clash against Southampton at the StMary’s Stadium on Saturday, Slaven Bilic, has revealed in his pre-match conference ahead of the game.


Bilic also confirmed the former Nigerian international has received his work permit, after his international clearance came through on Wednesday.


The West Ham explained that he will take a decision about Emenike’s involvement at St Mary’s Stadium after watching him intraining on Thursday, with the Nigerian international having arrived on Wednesday.


“He is going to train with us today for the first time,” Bilic said. “He is naturally fit but I would like to see him.


“He only arrived yesterday in London because of the work permit issue and other stuff. He will train with us and I will make a decision."


West Ham, who have the option to make Emenike’s transfer permanent in the summer, are currently sixth in the Premier Leaguewith 39 points from 24 games.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/emenike-gets-work-permit-set-for-west-ham-debut-vs-southampton/

Ifeanyi Matthew: Eagles Must Beat Egypt To Win Back Fans

By Adeboye Amosu in Kigali:
Home-based Super Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Matthew, insists the players must strive to win back the support of the fans by putting up a good performance in next month's 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Egypt, reports Comple tesportsnigeria.com.


Matthew and his colleagues have come under severe criticism for their shoddy display at the African Nations Championship in Rwanda which saw them exit the competition in the first round.


But the El-kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri player is confident they can regain the love and trust of the fans with a good display against the Pharaohs.


"It's painful the way things went for us in Rwanda. We know how passionate Nigerians are when it comes to supporting the team, but unfortunately for us, we couldn't do them proud, " the former junior international told Comple tesportsnigeria.com.


"We have another chance to correct what happened at CHAN against Egypt and we will give our all to make sure we beat them.


"The Nations Cup is a big competition and we cannot afford to disappoint the fans again."
www.completesportsnigeria.com/ifeanyi-matthew-eagles-must-beat-egypt-to-win-back-fans/

BlackAlbino6:
Emenike Gets Work Permit, Set For West Ham Debut Vs Southampton

By Johnny Edward:
West Ham new signing Emmanuel Emenike may play a part in the Hammers Premier League clash against Southampton at the StMary’s Stadium on Saturday, Slaven Bilic, has revealed in his pre-match conference ahead of the game.


Bilic also confirmed the former Nigerian international has received his work permit, after his international clearance came through on Wednesday.


The West Ham explained that he will take a decision about Emenike’s involvement at St Mary’s Stadium after watching him intraining on Thursday, with the Nigerian international having arrived on Wednesday.


“He is going to train with us today for the first time,” Bilic said. “He is naturally fit but I would like to see him.


“He only arrived yesterday in London because of the work permit issue and other stuff. He will train with us and I will make a decision."


West Ham, who have the option to make Emenike’s transfer permanent in the summer, are currently sixth in the Premier Leaguewith 39 points from 24 games.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/emenike-gets-work-permit-set-for-west-ham-debut-vs-southampton/

He is west ham's type of player, the type that won't play for their national teams.

Oliseh: Mikel’s Chelsea Form Good For Super Eagles

By Adeboye Amosu and David Meshioye in Kigali:
Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has praised Mikel Obi for his recent sterling performances for English Premier League champions, Chelsea, but warned that does not guarantee him a starting berth with the national team, reports Comple tesportsnigeria.com.


Mikel lost his place in the Super Eagles to Sunshine Stars midfielder, Paul Onobi, who put up a fine performance in the 2018 World Cup qualifying fixture against Swaziland last November.


Mikel has not only featured regularly for Chelsea since Dutchman Guus Hiddink took over from Jose Mourinho, he has been one of the standout performers for the Blues.


Though Oliseh is delighted to see his countryman play on a regular basis for one of the biggest European clubs on a regular basis, he has insisted he will need to work harder to reclaim his place in the Super Eagles.


“I’m happy for Mikel. It is good that he is doing well at Chelsea which is good for our national team,” Oliseh informed Comple tesportsnigeria.com.


“But like I always pointed out, everybody has to fit in. We have certain role that everybody has to play in the team.


“If you fit in well in training you play, if not, you stay on the bench.
“I don’t care if you are called Sunday Oliseh or any other big name. The most important thing is adapting to our style of play.”


Nigeria will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in a 2017 African Cup of qualifier next month.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/oliseh-applauds-mikels-chelsea-form/

Super Eagles Move Up In FIFA Rankings

By Johnny Edward:
The Super Eagles of Nigeria moved up three steps up to 63rd in the monthly FIFA world rankings for January released on Thursday.


Sunday Oliseh’s side, despite failing to impress at the African Nations Championship, chalked up three points for the whole of last month to finish 543 on the ranking after three wins, a draw and a defeat last month.


They are also the 12th best team in Africa.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions are currently eight places adrift of Egypt who they host next month in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers next month in Kaduna. The Pharaohs are ranked 55th in the world and are eighth in Africa.


Meanwhile, Belgium, Argentina, Spain, Germany and Chile are the top five teams in the world.


The next FIFA rankings will be published on 3 March.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/super-eagles-move-up-in-fifa-rankings/

Musa Scores As Onazi Makes 7th Serie A Start; Enyeama Shines

​By Johnny Edward:
​
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was on target for CSKA as they spanked Vaalerenga 4-1 in a friendly on Wednesday.


In Italy, Super Eagles vice-captain Ogenyi Onazi made his seventh Serie A start for Lazio who lost 2-0 at home to SSC Napoli on Wednesday.


Onazi who has been an unused substitute for Biancocoleste in their last five games has featured 11 times for Lazio this season.


His only goal this season was in Lazio’s 3-2 win over Saint Etienne in the UEFA Europa League this season.


At the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Nigerian-born forward Jerry Mbakogu was handed his 13th appearance for Carpi who lost 1-0 to Fiorentina.


In France, former Super Eagles skipper Vincent Enyeama made it nine clean sheets in goal for Lille who beat Caen 1-0 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday.


Adama Soumaoro scored the goal for the Les Dogues on the hour mark to earn Frederic Antonetti’s side their fifth Ligue 1 win of the season.


Enyeama, 33, who has made 50 saves this season has chalked up 21 appearances in the Ligue 1 this term. The former Hapoël Tel-Aviv star has conceded 16 goals from the same number of games.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/musa-on-target-as-onazi-makes-7th-serie-a-start/

Mali Shock Cote d’Ivoire To Reach CHAN Final

Mali have qualified for the final of the African Nations Championship after beating Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 in Thursday’s semi-final.


The only goal of the game was scored by Yves Bissouma in the 89th minute.


Mali will now face Democratic Republic of Congo in the final which comes up on Sunday.


The third place match will see Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea square off.


In Wednesday’s semi-final, DR Congo edged out Guinea 5-4 on penalty shootout after playing 1-1 in regulation time.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/mali-shock-cote-divoire-to-reach-chan-final/

BascoVanVeli:


He is west ham's type of player, the type that won't play for their national teams.

You mean all their players do not play for their national teams?

NIGERIA/ EGYPT AFCON 2017 QUALIFIER: Moses returns to Eagles

BY GEORGE ALUO

EVERYTHING now points to West Ham striker Victor Moses staging a return to the Super Eagles and play­ing for the very first time under Sun­day Oliseh when Nigeria face Egypt in next month’s AFCON 2017 qualifier.


Hint to this effect was dropped yes­terday by Oliseh who said the Edo-state born forward is in his plans ahead of the crucial game.


The 25-year-old had scored seven times in 24 appearances for the Super Eagles since making his international debut in 2012.


According to Goal.com, Oliseh said the former England youth international could be handed a call-up when he rolls out his squad for the match later this month.


“Yes, Victor Moses is still in our plan. All the players who are eligible to play for us are still in our plans aside those who have retired from the nation­al team,” Oliseh stated.


The Eagles gaffer was however, quick in adding: “The truth is that I will put a ‘but’ to it at the moment. This team started with the game against Tanzania and is evolving. We have played 14 games since I took charge of the team and we lost our first official game against Guinea at the African Nations Championship. We have like seven or eight players from the CHAN team that are good enough to play for the main Super Eagles. It’s good when you have a large pool of players to pick from, so everyone will have to fight for a place in the team.”


Nigeria is second behind the Pha­raohs in Group G’s qualifying zone with four points from two games, and the Eagles must defeat the north Afri­cans in March to qualify automatically for the championship billed for Gabon.
sunnewsonline.com/new/nigeria-egypt-afcon-2017-qualifier-moses-returns-to-eagles/

Why l shunned Technical Committee-Oliseh

Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Sunday Oliseh has come out to defend his decision not to meet with as well as submit his report to the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the disastrous outing of the Eagles in the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), saying he has not flouted any clause in the contract he signed with the NFF.


The Eagles’ handler, who spoke on telephone withSportingLifefrom his base in Belgium yesterday, insisted that he would only deal with the General Secretary of the NFF, Sanusi Muhammed which according to him is the only person the contract he signed with the NFF stipulates that he could deal with in such matters.


“The agreement from the beginning I had with the NFF signed and sealed is that I report to the General Secretary and not to the Technical Committee (of the NFF). “The General Secretary (Sanusi Muhammed) has been briefed that we did not do well because we were broke.


“I personally have nothing to do with the (NFF) Technical Committee. The only thing I have to do with them is that they have advisory role that they can play.
We were very specific about that (in the contract we signed).


“My brother let’s leave the matter, one thing is that I won’t violate my contract”, Oliseh disclosed to SportingLife from Belgium.
thenationonlineng.net/why-l-shunned-technical-committee-oliseh/

Onigbinde loses faith in Oliseh

Former coach of the Super Eagles, Adegboye Onigbinde has told footballlive.com that the sudden apprehension surrounding current Eagles handler, Sunday Oliseh, ahead of next month’s Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Egypt is expected because the former skipper does not have the requisite experience.


Oliseh had a dismal outing with the Super Eagles B on his maiden international comeptition as national team coach.


Nigeria won bronze at its debut appearance in the CHAN in 2014, but failed to make it past the group stage in Rwanda.


There have been rumours of a looming sack or perhaps the NFF drafting senior, experienced technical advisers to work along side the 41-year-old gaffer when the 2017 Afcon qualifiers resume.


Nigeria faces 7-time Champions, Egypt in a double header in March and even Onigbinde, who won silver at the competition in 1984 holds no hope in the quality of the former Nigeria international.
thenationonlineng.net/onigbinde-loses-faith-in-oliseh/

Uche trains with Malaga

Ikechukwu Uche has joined in training with Malaga for the first time since sealing his move to the club from Tigres UANL.


The 33-year-old joined the Andalusian side on loan from the Mexican outfit where injuries tainted his playing chances and the player posted pictures of his session on Twitter.


The Nigerian joined the club on loan from Tigres UANL and joined in with the club’s workout on Wednesday ahead Friday’s League outing.
thenationonlineng.net/uche-trains-with-malaga/

CHAN: Oliseh’s unprofessional, says Green

Technical committee chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chris Green has insisted that coach Sunday Oliseh acted unprofessionally, when he decided to criticise the NFF over the Super Eagles failed mission at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.


Nigeria was dumped from the tournament by Guinea, after making a good start winning 4-1 against Niger Republic and drawing against Tunisia in the group C pairings. Oliseh said his boys played half-heartedly because they were not paid any allowances. The NFF debunked his claim, and an otherwise good relationship between the NFF and coach Oliseh appeared strained.


Green, speaking with Thecable.ng stoke the fire when he reminded Oliseh that other national coaches found themselves without pay; yet they delivered.


“I don’t think it is very fair to the NFF that Oliseh would say the team was not motivated.


“ He was given all the support. His programmes to camp in Nigeria and Pretoria in South Africa were approved and executed. In South Africa, he had good matches to play, which he played. These were part of the preparations for the CHAN tournament.


“Ordinarily, in a tournament where one will have domestic players, one would have said they should remain in the country and prepare. But in this case, in total obedience to the programme of the coach, they had to leave Nigeria and went to Pretoria. And so, I will not want to say that the NFF did not motivate the team.


“What about Samson Siasia’s team that played all the way to the final and won the cup without being paid their match bonuses and allowances? What about Emmanuel Amuneke that played till the final and won the World Cup in Chile without being paid?


“Also, what about the girls that went to Namibia and won? They all know that their money will be paid to them. And I can assure you that very soon, all debts will be cleared when the NFF receives its money.”
www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/chan-olisehs-unprofessional-says-green/

BlackAlbino6:


You mean all their players do not play for their national teams?

Remember how Sakho missed the nations cup then was back scoring right after for west ham,they even got fined. Also Victor Moses asking to be dropped.
Honestly i think there is a relationship between that and their success, most their players don't get called up leaving them behind to train and bond as a team.
I guess we shall see what happens after the next fifa window, Valencia who just got back and Moses are sure to get called.

BascoVanVeli:

Remember how Sakho missed the nations cup then was back scoring right after for west ham,they even got fined. Also Victor Moses asking to be dropped.
Honestly i think there is a relationship between that and their success, most their players don't get called up leaving them behind to train and bond as a team.
I guess we shall see what happens after the next fifa window, Valencia who just got back and Moses are sure to get called.

The Club from all indications do not give a damn about players' national teams, too bad.

AFCON Qualifier: NFF insists on Kaduna for Nigeria vs Egypt
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/1c/47/ahmadu-bello-stadium-kaduna_12wfbpfpxk46q1xf7qgfz5wt76.jpg?t=-1394307166&w=620&h=430[/img]
The NFF says it is not planning to change the venue of the match despite indications that coach Sunday Oliseh wants Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Football Federation has concluded plans to have a hitch free match at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna when the Super Eagles battle the Pharaohs of Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on March 23.


The football house says it is not planning to change the venue of the match despite indications that coach Sunday Oliseh wants the game to hold in Port Harcourt.


Goal got this clarification from NFF Assistant Director, Media and Communication, Ademola Olajire on Thursday who stated clearly that the match will not be moved from the northern city.


“I want to tell you without mincing words that the Eagles versus Egypt match would take place in Kaduna and that is final as regards the venue of the match,” Olajire told Goal.


But when asked about coach’s request for the match to be played in Port Harcourt for easy connection of flights for the Super Eagles players coming from Europe, the NFF spokesman said the federation will not shift ground for the trainer. “Well, what I can tell you is that the coach cannot tell the football federation where the match would be played. It is the prerogative of the NFF to pick match venues,” he said.
m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/17252/super-eagles/2016/02/04/20001432/afcon-qualifier-nff-insists-on-kaduna-for-nigeria-vs-egypt

Oliseh lacks man-management skills, say Chris Green

The NFF's technical committee head has slammed the Super Eagles’ gaffer for his outburst on why his men failed at the African Nations Championship Barrister Christopher Green, chairman of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, has hit out coach Sunday Oliseh following his burst after the country’s appalling at the African Nations Championship.


Against all odds, the Super Eagles were shown the exit door after the group stage in Rwanda after losing to Guinea, and coach Oliseh claimed his team failed because they were owed camp allowances and match bonuses by the NFF.


In his reaction, Green feels the Super Eagles handler was unfair to the country’s football governing body and stating that his claims are mere groundless excuses and assured that the debts would be settled as soon as possible.


“I don’t think it is very fair to the NFF that Sunday Oliseh will say the team was not motivated. Of course, he sent his programme to the NFF, for him to camp in Nigeria as well as Pretoria in South Africa and that programme was executed. In South Africa, he had good matches to play, which he played,” Green told The Cable.


“These were part of the preparations for the CHAN tournament. Ordinarily, in a tournament where one will have domestic players, one would have said they should remain in the country and prepare.


“But in this case, in total obedience to the programme of the coach, they had to leave Nigeria and went to Pretoria. And so, I will not want to say that the NFF did not motivate the team.


“What about Samson Siasia’s team that played all the way to the final and won the cup without being paid their match bonuses and allowances? What about Emmanuel Amuneke that played till the final and won the World Cup in Chile without being paid?


“Also, what about the girls that went to Namibia and won? They all know that their money will be paid to them. And I can assure you that very soon, all debts will be cleared when the NFF receives its money."


“It is quite unfortunate that Oliseh will say that. I think if that kind of story is true or false, it’s not for public consumption. That’s not good management,” he continued.


“If there’s anything like that, that matter should be proper dealt inside. It is not something that should be peddled for the citizens to hear. It is like you are more or less instigating the players against their managers over unpaid debts.


“But what I can assure you is that every players that’s owed will be paid to the last kobo. We have a president that is so passionate, that is so concerned about the welfare of players, especially players of the national teams.


“He will be working round the clock to make sure that he gets money from anywhere to settle all these debts, so that by the next time we will be talking, you will hear that all debts have been settled,” he concluded.


The technical committee will meet on Thursday evening to discuss the Eagle’ ill-fated flight in Rwanda.
m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/4093/nigerian-football/2016/02/04/20000672/oliseh-lacks-man-management-skills-say-chris-green

BlackAlbino6:
AFCON Qualifier: NFF insists on Kaduna for Nigeria vs Egypt
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/1c/47/ahmadu-bello-stadium-kaduna_12wfbpfpxk46q1xf7qgfz5wt76.jpg?t=-1394307166&w=620&h=430[/img]
The NFF says it is not planning to change the venue of the match despite indications that coach Sunday Oliseh wants Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Football Federation has concluded plans to have a hitch free match at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna when the Super Eagles battle the Pharaohs of Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on March 23.


The football house says it is not planning to change the venue of the match despite indications that coach Sunday Oliseh wants the game to hold in Port Harcourt.


Goal got this clarification from NFF Assistant Director, Media and Communication, Ademola Olajire on Thursday who stated clearly that the match will not be moved from the northern city.


“I want to tell you without mincing words that the Eagles versus Egypt match would take place in Kaduna and that is final as regards the venue of the match,” Olajire told Goal.


But when asked about coach’s request for the match to be played in Port Harcourt for easy connection of flights for the Super Eagles players coming from Europe, the NFF spokesman said the federation will not shift ground for the trainer. “Well, what I can tell you is that the coach cannot tell the football federation where the match would be played. It is the prerogative of the NFF to pick match venues,” he said.
m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/17252/super-eagles/2016/02/04/20001432/afcon-qualifier-nff-insists-on-kaduna-for-nigeria-vs-egypt

let me just believe this match we are playing in kaduna is a tactical maneuver cos most of Egyptian pitches are natural turfs.. so it will be hard for them to adapt to our bumpy kaduna pitch.


otherwise I smell politics.

krattoss:
let me just believe this match we are playing in kaduna is a tactical maneuver cos most of Egyptian pitches are natural turfs.. so it will be hard for them to adapt to our bumpy kaduna pitch.


otherwise I smell politics.

[color=#550000] I think one of the gains of playing in Kaduna could also be that the fans always turn out in large numbers, unlike in other places or venues in the country.
[/coloe]

NLban:



[color=#550000] I think one of the gains of playing in Kaduna could also be that the fans always turn out in large numbers, unlike in other places or venues in the country.
[/coloe]

the fans turnout in porthacourt is more compared to that of kaduna.

krattoss:
let me just believe this match we are playing in kaduna is a tactical maneuver cos most of Egyptian pitches are natural turfs.. so it will be hard for them to adapt to our bumpy kaduna pitch.


otherwise I smell politics.

And u think the bumpy Kaduna pitch will nt affect our players hu play on smooth European turfs? It should nt be abt capitalizing on the bumpy nature of the pitch but playing good football to beat your opponent.

I dnt like that Kaduna stadium. It is sub-standard and diminishes Nigeria's image in the eyes of the international community.

NLban:



[color=#550000] I think one of the gains of playing in Kaduna could also be that the fans always turn out in large numbers, unlike in other places or venues in the country.
[/coloe]

There is no Stadium in the SE/SS where fans dnt turn out in large numbers to watch games. Follow the NPFL and u'll get my pt.
Me I will even prefer the National Stadium, Abuja. That edifice is jst wasting away. So much money was pumped into its renovation recently and yet we are taking a crucial game of this magnitude to ABS Kaduna.