terzurum5:
[b]Russia-born Brian Idowu told not to commit to Nigeria[/]



Amkar Perm coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev has advised defender Brian Idowu to wait for a call up from the Russian senior national team.


The 24-year-old was born in St. Petersburg in Russia and his father is a Nigerian, while his mother is half Russia, half Nigerian.


Iduwu was called up by Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr last year, but Russian tactician Gadzhiev told the left-back not to commit to the Super Eagles.


”When Brian received the offer to play for Nigeria, he turned to me for advice. My position was simple," Gadzhiev said on OwnGoalNigeria.com.


"I recommend him to take time to develop his skills, to become better and stronger and hope that he’ll get the opportunity to play for the Russian national team.


"If that doesn’t happen , he can always come back and talk with the Nigerian national team."


Idowu has featured in 20 Russia Premier League matches for Perm this season - netting against Orenburg last December.

mtnfootball.com/mobi/news/703014/Russia-born-Brian-Idowu-told-not-to-commit-to-Nigeria

cc: Forgiveness

I have never seen a black man playing for Russia before

make idowu better use him head

Danycrusoe:


to some extent u are right, but this is too common with our local coaches, very minute number of them agree to tactical errors or deficiencies and even superiority of their opponents as a reason for their loss, rather they believe the ref is the reason y the opponents took all 3 points. Their unnecessary reactions to games is what the media will build on, and thus paint the league n refs in bad light

Honestly they should say more but just in a more classier manner. Good quotes sell the league even better just look at England, after every match there is a guy pouting about a call the ref made. That stuff is part of the game, like Wenger saying Referees are protected like lions in the zoo, that ish was just as classy as they come. Jose Mourinho is famous for his elegant complaining, abeg leave our coaches bo.

AF African Football

Zamalek legend reveals why he turned down Chelsea

www.nairaland.com/attachments/5193405_ahmedelkass_jpegd38cab0dd924558d55493e19abe0f613

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Olympic Club and Zamalek legend Ahmed El-Kass has revealed that he received offers to join Seria A and English Premier League sides after the 1990 FIFA World Cup.


Speaking to DMC TV station, the striker said he refused to play for the Chelsea, AS Roma and Juventus as he opted to remain with Olympic Club for more than 10 years.


El-Kass also played for Zamalek and then ended his career with Ittihad of Alexandria in 2000 - he is the Egyptian Premier League's fifth all-time highest scorer with 107 goals.


“I received offers to join AS Roma, Juventus and Chelsea a couple of years after the 1990 World Cup,” El-Kass told DMC TV channel.


“I refused all offers because of the death of my mother at that time. I was really attached to her.”


He added that if he went back in time he will refuse the offers again for the same reason.


On the other hand, the 52-year-old coach also said that he is not convinced with national team coach Hector Cuper’s style and tactics.


“Egypt can accomplish better achievements with Egyptian coaches like Ahmed Hossam ‘Mido’, Hossam El-Badry, Hossam Hassan and Ihab Galal,” he concluded.


africanfootball.com/news/703255/Zamalek-legend-reveals-why-he-turned-down-Chelsea

Looollll.... relax... I don't even know if Enyeama will ever return. A lot of people are even against his recall....

But one thing I am sure of if Enyeama returns is this: He (Enyeama) will have no qualms with Mikel being captain in his presence.

During the fracas he had with Oliseh, It was reported also that he wasn't just questioning his own removal as captain and the manner in which it was conveyed but also why Mikel had to be bypassed and the band given to Musa.

jotey:

is like you don't know African men abi

why did enyeama quit SE in the first place

it was because musa was made captain

TheSuperNerd:
Sir Basco you are spot on..... Victor Moses deserves a spot on that PFA XI... I am sure if Moses was "English", The FA will bend the formation rules a bit and knock out Walker, "a fellow English"

Do you know the FA released an alternative XI with the 3-4-3/3-5-2 formation that now included Moses?? nonsense!


Let the truth be told abeg....









Uhmmmm.... so Moses is not Energetic abi?? Abi to play wingback na beans shey?

Oga... moses trumps Walker this season.... I repeat... no fightback in the whole EPL merits a place in the PFA XI after What Moses did at RWB which is half RB and Half RW.

What Moses achieved at Chelsea this season was just too remarkable.... maybe we play it down because he is Nigerian and not a foreigner.

Victor Moses played a big part in not only bringing chelsea back to glory but also making people feel that playing 3 in the back will work. I repeat Victor Moses and Marcus Alonso should be first on that list they are trend setters.

jotey:

are you saying there is no good single keeper in npfl

what about Emmanuel Daniel

enyeama himself already said he is done with the super eagles I wonder why we want to die untop his matter...
we should let the man rest abeg.. let him focus on his club career

call other young goalkeepers and groom them...that was exactly what onigbinde did during 2002 world cup when he called up enyeama..fans were not happy about that but we all benefited from it for close to 10 years....same scenario can happen if you ask me

@ the bolded
I am not saying there is no single good Goalker in the NPFL. I am one of those who have cried out here severally for such a move.

Do you believe Daniel can do the job looking at his showings with the national team and the Olympics tournament

Are you saying you know more than Coach Rohr who needs the guy to boost his options?

**Modified**

jotey:


I have never seen a black man playing for Russia before

make idowu better use him head

I kind of understand him, being the first black man to play for Russia is a huge accomplishment. He could help race relations with that feet so i wish him the best of luck and i feel our door should also remain open for him.

terzurum5:

@ the bolded
I not asying there is no single good Goalker in the NPFL. I am one of those who have cried out here severally for such a move.

Do you believe Daniel can do the job looking at his showings with the national team and the Olympics tournament

yea it's better we groom Daniel to become our next enyeama than calling back enyeama ...besides southafrica na our wives so I no no why our blood dae rush like this...ondoa is only 21 but see what he did in the last afcon....pls rohr should let enyeama rest and give younger talents like Daniel a chance

Why Supersport switched off Nigerian League

The decision by pay television giants Supersport to terminate its broadcast rights with the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) yesterday is purely business.
The South African based company has been hard pressed economically in the market considered its second largest in Africa due to the prevailing harsh business climate in the country.
“The recession especially in Nigeria has wiped out Supersport’s earning since 2015 when Nigerian Naira crushed against the Dollar,” a reliable source told Soka25east.com.
“Infact, Supersport is almost going out of business due to the recession, as there is a huge mismatch in their business model. 95% of their costs are in $USD while all their earnings are in Naira,” the source added.
Supersport’s troubles were compounded by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s move to remove them from tangible category to intangible category, meaning they cannot access Forex exchange at the CBN rates, and were asked to source from open market.
“This clearly ruined their business and wiped out all their earnings. And they were not allowed to increase their subscription fees to recover the difference.”
The League Management Committee (LMC) had written to Supersport – inviting them for renegotiation as the current seven-year-contract penned in 2013 was drawing to a close.
“When the contract was signed in 2013 Naira was about 160 against 1 Dollar, it’s currently at around 300 against 1 Dollar.”
The cost of production of matches in the NPFL has also shot up almost three folds.
“The cost of production rose from an average of N6M to about N15M.”
NPFL is the third African topflight to be plugged off by Supersport after Ghana’s last year and Kenya’s a couple of weeks back.
Supersport maintains its presence in Zimbabwean, Zambian and South African leagues.
Last month they paid top Dollar to secure the English Premier League rights till 2022.

http://www.soka25east.com/supersport-switched-off-nigerian-league/

BascoVanVeli:


I kind of understand him, being the first black man to play for Russia is a huge accomplishment. He could help race relations with that feet so i wish him the best of luck and i feel our door should also remain open for him.

accomplishment as as how.... what has Russia achieved in football that he wants to wait for them...the guy is 24 but him no wan use him head ...worldcup is next year and I don't see him breaking into Russia's starting 11 any time soon...the guy should wise up pls

I really got my eyes on this kid.... he can be our own Donnarumma and even Alban lafont..... just prays he keep progressing well
.....................................................................................................


Dele Alampasu Regains First Choice Spot At Portuguese Side





Former Nigeria youth international Dele Alampasu has reclaimed the number one spot at Portuguese third division side Cesarense, where he is on a season long loan from top division side CD Feirense.


Alampasu arrived late from a national team assignment with Nigeria, the World Cup Qualifiers tie which Nigeria won 3-1, and his late arrival cost him his first choice spot at the club.


Fitness issues also kept him away from the team starting line up for sometime but he has now kept goal in their last three league games including their game on Monday against Mortagua.


It brings his appearances this season to 11, although he has only kept goal three times this year. His only clean sheet came in his first game of 2017, which was the 1-0 win over Anadia in March.


He is expected to be included in the Nigerian team, who will gather in France for a camping exercise in preparation for their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against South Africa in June.


**Osas Mahawi


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/04/22/dele-alampasu-regains-first-choice-spot-at-portuguese-side/

Happy Birthday to our able skippo Mikel more blessed years ahead.

Sad about the passing of ehiogu first read about him in the old British footie mags back in the day.
Question to the house who will be your Nigerian player of the season based on their performances this 2016/2017 year? My nominees would be Victor Moses, henry onyekuru, Wilfred Ndidi, Vincent enyeama
Please feel free to add yours

To mark Mikel's Birthday lemme post a timeline gallery put up by Goal.com to celebrate his legend and achievements....




July 2 2002: Mikel wins the silver ball at the 2005 Fifa U20 World Cup in the Netherlands despite Nigeria losing the final to eventual champions Argentina




August 17 2005: John Obi Mikel debuts for the Nigeria senior national team against Libya, replacing Christian Obodo as a second half substitute in the 1-0 victory





January 27 2006: The midfielder makes a scoring African Cup of Nations debut against Zimbabwe at Port Said Stadium, Egypt







January 31 2006: Mikel get his first international start in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Senegal in an Afcon game at Port Said Stadium






February 16 2006: Following his exploits for Nigeria U20 team, Mikel wins Caf Young Player of the Year ahead of Taye Taiwo



#HappyBirthdayMikel Part1

BascoVanVeli:


I kind of understand him, being the first black man to play for Russia is a huge accomplishment. He could help race relations with that feet so i wish him the best of luck and i feel our door should also remain open for him.

Brian is probably worried about his financial future to be fair to him taking a leap of faith to play for a country whose fa is notorious for being disorganized is not easy. Wish him all the best whatever decision he takes

September 12 2006: Makes his first start for Chelsea in the Uefa Champions League against Bulgarian club Levski Sofia




October 14 2006: Mikel is sent off for the first time by referee Mike Riley during the English Premier League encounter between Reading and Chelsea at the Madejski Stadium




January 6 2007: Scores his first goal for Chelsea in their 6-1 FA Cup victory over Macclesfield Town





2007: Gets his hands on the Chelsea Young Player award




May 12 2012: Lifts the English FA Cup trophy for the fourth time, Chelsea’s seventh title



#HappyBirthdayMikel Part 2

May 19 2012: Mikel wins the Uefa Champions League, his first major European silverware




February 10 2013: Mikel is part of Stephen Keshi’s Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad in South Africa





May 15 2013: Wins the UEFA Europa League title after Chelsea defeated Benfica 2-1 at Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam.




December 19 2013: The midfield stalwart wins his second Goal Nigeria Player of the Year award





June 16 2014: After missing the 2010 edition in South Africa to injury, Mikel makes his Fifa World Cup debut against Iran, earning a man of the match award


#HappyBirthdayMikel Part 3

March 24 2016: Replaces Ahmed Musa as Super Eagles captain





August 13 2016: Mikel scores his first ever Olympic goal in a 2-0 win against Denmark to qualify for the semi-final






August 20 2016: Lead Nigeria U23 team to win the football bronze medal of Rio Olympics after defeating Honduras 3-2 in Belo Horizonte






January 6 2017: After 10 years at Chelsea, John Obi Mikel makes a £140,000-per-week switch to Chinese club Tianjin Teda






April 2 2017: Mikel scores his first goal in the Chinese Super League as Tianjin Teda defeated Chongqing Lifan 2-0





These are some unforgettable moments chosen by Goal to mark another year in the life of the Super Eagles skipper. Happy birthday John Obi Mikel!



#HappyBirthdayMikel Part 4 TheEnd

Courtesy: Goal.com

Forget Enyeama And Search For Young Goalkeepers – Ex International Tells Rohr





Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr should forget about persuading Vincent Enyeama to return to the national team, and focus on grooming young goalkeepers according to Emmanuel Babayaro.


Rohr is set to meet with Enyeama in France to discuss a possible return to the national team, after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) gave him the all clear to call the former captain.


The Franco-German coach has claimed that Enyeama has issues with some interest in the NFF. A claim which the NFF has since denied, insisting the issues he had was with the former coach of the team Sunday Oliseh.


”I have followed the whole drama. I understand the reason why Rohr wants him back in the team, he is doing very well in a top league, and there are doubts over Carl Ikeme’s fitness ahead of the game against South Africa”, Babayaro told Owngoalnigeria.com


”But we have young goalkeepers rearing to go, and like they say if you are good enough, you are old enough. So many things will need to change for Enyeama to return to the team, issues like the captain arm band. Relationship with some players in the team and also with the NFF.


”Enyeama was discovered as a young goalkeeper in 2002, we have some of his type back then around Europe now, all Rohr needs to do is show them he trust them and they will give their best because it’s talents that took them to Europe “.


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/04/22/forget-enyeama-and-search-for-young-goalkeepers-ex-international-tells-rohr/

Ex-keepers divided over calls for Enyeama’s Eagles return



Injury to Super Eagles goalkeeper , Carl Ikeme , has ignited calls for Vincent Enyeama’s return to the national team but ex -keepers are divided over the issue writes Idris Adesina


Nigeria has never been short of goalkeepers as they are in ample supply at all levels . Some of these keepers have been active for long but a lot of them have been journey men . It is an interesting fact that over the years , Nigeria have always paraded one or two dominant keepers in every decade.


One of the most outstanding keepers of the Super Eagles in recent times is Carl Ikeme , who took the country by storm in 2015 after he was invited by ex - Eagles coach , Sunday Oliseh, as a backup to Vincent Enyeama. He made his debut for the country in the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania on October 5 , 2015 , making some stunning saves in Dar es Salam .



Since then, the Wolverhampton Wanderers ’ first choice has laid claim to the starting shirt following Enyeama’s unceremonious exit from the Eagles in October 2015 .



However the 30 - year - old has been injury - prone . Last November, Eagles manager Gernot Rohr had to call up Chippa United ’s Daniel Akpeyi for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria after Ikeme copped an injury ahead of the crucial tie .



Now , the keeper has been ruled out till the end of the season with a hamstring injury , and once again putting Rohr in a dilemma ahead of the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations clash against South Africa in Uyo on June 5 .



Wolves coach , Paul Lambert , said Ikeme , who has played 31 times for the struggling English second - tier side , would not feature for the club till the end of the season .


“ I ’m not sure if he ’ll be back this season , it ’s not one where I ’m thinking ‘he ’s going to make it’. I ’m not sure ,” Lambert told Expressandstar on Monday .


The injury to his first choice keeper has forced Rohr to renew calls for the return of Lille safe hands Enyeama from retirement
During preparations for his first match in charge of the Eagles , a 2017 AFCON qualifier against Tanzania in Uyo , Rohr told reporters that Enyeama ’s experience was still vital to the national team and thus would want him to join his squad .



However, the Franco - German expressed his frustration at Enyeama’s refusal to pick his calls .

Now , the 63 - year - old is hoping that the France- based keeper , who had a clash with Oliseh before his retirement from the Eagles , would heed his call his time around .


Rohr said, “ The door is open for Enyeama in the national team . I think he had a problem with the federation , so he wanted someone to call him before coming. They called him or they didn ’t reach him I don ’t know. We have three goalkeepers at the moment but we will welcome everybody who will respect our work rate, solidarity and humility and someone who will not expect special favours. So the door is opened also to Enyeama. ”



Enyeama has appeared in all of Lille’s matches in the league and French Cup this season . The 2013 AFCON winner has relegated the club ’s second choice keeper , Mike Maignan, to the bench for most parts of the 2016/ 17 season .



In March , he made the Ligue 1 Team of The Week after his enthralling performance in their goalless draw against Olympique Marseille . With Lille currently sitting 14 th with 37 points from 33 games in the league , Enyeama’s contributions to the team also got him nominations for African Player of the Month in Ligue 1 .


According to Foxsports , Enyeama is currently ranked the sixth best goalkeeper in Ligue 1 . He has made 82 saves so far this season as well as having 10 clean sheets to his name .


Ike Shorunmu , whom Enyeama deputised at the 2002 World Cup, told our correspondent during the week that the goalkeeper still has the quality to be at one more World Cup.


“ Enyeama is not showing any sign of stopping anytime soon . He started at a very young age and that has kept him in shape for a long time. If the coach wants him back in the team , he should be invited because he still has a lot to teach the younger keepers and also play at the next World Cup ,” he said .


Former Eagles coach, Bora Milutinovic , was forced to recall the retired Peter Rufai for the 1998 World Cup in France, after first- choice Ike Shorunmu had broken his hand at FC Zurich .


Rufai was on his way to a vacation when he was called up for the tournament and in the build up to the tournament , the veteran keeper conceded five goals against the Netherlands in a friendly .


At the tournament , Rufai started all four matches but the Eagles crashed out 4 - 1 to Denmark in the second round .
But former Nigeria goalkeeper , Joe Erico , believes a return to the Eagles for Enyeama will not end disastrously as he is currently active .


“ Enyeama is still the country’ s longest serving goalkeeper and one of the best keepers Nigeria has ever produced . If he decides to return to the Eagles , his experience at previous World Cups will come in handy as the Eagles battle to qualify for the World Cup and the 2019 Nations Cup ,” Erico told our correspondent.


But Atlanta 1996 gold medallist , Dosu Joseph, argues that despite the former Eagles captain ’s current form , there are others who could do the job .

He said , “ Enyeama is a talented and good keeper , no doubt , but he does not have to return to the national team to prove that , there are others that can do the job .

“ Nigeria has never been short of quality goalkeepers. When the country needed a reliable keeper , Enyeama was called upon and he was able to establish himself. This same opportunity was given to Ikeme , who stepped in and distinguished himself after Enyeama quit the national team . ”


Since Rohr ’s employment as the Eagles coach , he has invited only IfeanyiUbah ’s first choice keeper , Ikechukwu Ezenwa , as the only home - based player in the Eagles.


However alongside Chippa United shot stopper , Akpeyi , they have played second fiddle to Ikeme . While Akpeyi has played two matches under Rohr , Ezenwa has yet to play a single match .


The 31 - year - old Akpeyi has been absent between the sticks only once for Chippa this season in the PSL , helping the struggling South African club to the 12 th place in the 16 - team league with 24 points from 24 matches .


He was only absent when he was injured but Chippa coach , Dan Malesela , believes Akpeyi is important to his team ’s battle against relegation in the PSL .

For Ezenwa , he has featured for IfeanyiUbah in all competitions this season . The Anambra club sit eighth in the Premier League with 28 points after 19 matches . He has conceded more than 21 goals in all competitions this season .


Rohr said although Ikeme is the team's current number one , he would give them a chance to secure their place in the Eagles but he seems unconvinced with their performances, hence his call for the return of the more experienced Enyeama.

“ Ikeme is the number one keeper but we will give other keepers a chance to become the number one keeper . Akpeyi is a good keeper but he has to work harder ,” Rohr said after the tie against Algeria last year .


However, Dosu believes Akpeyi and Ezenwa will get more confident by playing more matches .


He said , “ I believe the national team is all about giving the other goalkeepers the chance and believing in them. Nobody buys experience anywhere . It is about consistency , giving the keepers enough playing time . With this , they will build up confidence.

“ These other keepers are doing well too. They should be tested in friendly matches and allowed to take charge of qualifiers to see how well they have developed rather than asking a retired keeper to return to the team . ”

Shorunmu said, “ The other keepers should make themselves relevant in their clubs and be consistent . To play for the national team for a long time and be able to keep out competition from other keepers is a huge task and kudos to Enyeama for being able to do that .


“ But the coaches should not force him out of retirement rather there are many other good goalkeepers both home and abroad who can do well . Ikeme was relatively unknown until he was brought in to prove himself . So others can do that as well if the chance is given to them. ”



Source: http://punchng.com/ex-keepers-divided-over-calls-for-enyeamas-eagles-return/

TheSuperNerd:
Just saw the news too before logging in.


It is a brilliant move hopefully.... Feyenoord are famed for bringing up such exceptional young talents like him. Alongside Ajax and PSV, I think they have the best/finest youth academies in Holland and one of the finest in Europe based on talents nurturing and production.





In lateef, I believe we have another genuine world class player if only his agents and handlers (his parents inclusive) keep making the right decisions as he grows and matures. I am impressed by all his clips and games on you-tube. I think he is better than Dembele just slightly but he can be much more....


#KeepItOnLateef



All the best Lateef Omidiji Jnr.... our Own Answer to Celtic's Karamoko Dembele....

It's good news but there is a long, long way to go many mountains to climb. Even at Feyenoord there are quite a few Nigerian origin players in thier youth ranks.

The EPL academies will probably have at least probably more than 500 boys of his age group and above. That you have never heard of.

What would be a game changer is having many black and possibly Nigerian coaches and recruitment managers in the EPL that would change things.

It reminds me of Ehiogu I will miss him.

chrisooblog:
Happy Birthday to our able skippo Mikel more blessed years ahead.

Sad about the passing of ehiogu first read about him in the old British footie mags back in the day.
Question to the house who will be your Nigerian player of the season based on their performances this 2016/2017 year? My nominees would be Victor Moses, henry onyekuru, Wilfred Ndidi, Vincent enyeama
Please feel free to add yours

Moses and Henry onyekuru are my top Nigerian player this season then follow by Wilfred Ndidi.

terzurum5:
[b]Russia-born Brian Idowu told not to commit to Nigeria[/]



Amkar Perm coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev has advised defender Brian Idowu to wait for a call up from the Russian senior national team.


The 24-year-old was born in St. Petersburg in Russia and his father is a Nigerian, while his mother is half Russia, half Nigerian.


Iduwu was called up by Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr last year, but Russian tactician Gadzhiev told the left-back not to commit to the Super Eagles.


”When Brian received the offer to play for Nigeria, he turned to me for advice. My position was simple," Gadzhiev said on OwnGoalNigeria.com.


"I recommend him to take time to develop his skills, to become better and stronger and hope that he’ll get the opportunity to play for the Russian national team.


"If that doesn’t happen , he can always come back and talk with the Nigerian national team."


Idowu has featured in 20 Russia Premier League matches for Perm this season - netting against Orenburg last December.

mtnfootball.com/mobi/news/703014/Russia-born-Brian-Idowu-told-not-to-commit-to-Nigeria

cc: Forgiveness

If at 24 you think you are still not developed enough to have a clear understanding of where your career is or should be going, there is a problem.

His stats for a 24 year old are not impressive.

Yes Sir Komekn.... lots of ladders to climb and mountains to walk over..... but at least, he is heading in The right direction. The difference between Omidiji and most other boys his age is that he (Omidiji) is super talented. He is no ordinary talent for a 13/14 yr old.

And as for the EPL academies... yes I have been wanting to ask you... plsss do you know of a certain Emeka Obi? a 15yr old prodigy touted to be one of the finest young defenders in the English academies.... He plays for Liverpool U-16s currently and stands at a massively impressive height (like above 2meters).


I do hope more black coaches can be in the system shaa.... but we still have Finidi George at Pec Zwolle in Holland and also a few others....

Really sad about Ehiogu's demise. You sound so emotional like you knew him personally.... This is sad... all is well....

komekn:


It's good news but there is a long, long way to go many mountains to climb. Even at Feyenoord there are quite a few Nigerian origin players in thier youth ranks.

The EPL academies will probably have at least probably more than 500 boys of his age group and above. That you have never heard of.

What would be a game changer is having many black and possibly Nigerian coaches and recruitment managers in the EPL that would change things.

It reminds me of Ehiogu I will miss him.

TheGoodJoe:


Ke Kwanu. I said I will prefer Iheanacho playing but he can still improve under the conditions of Guardiola's training. Simple.

I dey fine, but headache don dey catch me small small sha. Hope no be you cause am? Anyways all we want is the best for Iheanacho.

Okocha Tells Iwobi Not To Move On Loan: Stay And Fight For Arsenal First Team Shirt




Nigeria legend Austin Okocha has advised his nephew Alex Iwobi not to think of departing Arsenal on loan next season and he should stay and fight for a first team shirt.


The Super Eagles star's playing opportunities has been sparse in the last five games contested by the Gunners in the Premier League, with only 25 minutes of game time under his belt from a possible 450.

To help Iwobi maintain his match fitness, he was a surprise inclusion in the Arsenal U23 team that beat Reading 5-2 in Premier League 2 on April 10, fueling speculation that he has been demoted to the reserves.


''We can't forget that this is his first full season in the first team and Arsenal have all their players back now. There's a lot of competition, so it's not easy," Okocha told Sky Sports.


"I think it's better for him to stay at Arsenal, because the style of play suits him perfectly.

''It might not be easy for him to go on loan and adapt somewhere else. He needs to stay and fight for his shirt."

Austin Okocha will be playing for Nigeria at an indoor six-a-side tournament, Star Sixes tournament at The O2 , in July.


**Igho Kingsley


Source:http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=22797

Ghost mode activated.

FIFA, NFF , Chelsea , Onazi Celebrate Mikel At 30



World football governing body FIFA have led the celebrations for Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi on his 30th birthday, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.


Mikel, who burst onto the scene as a teenager at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005, is 30 today.


FIFA also extended birthday wishes to former World player of the year and Brazil international Kaka, Hungarian star Zoltan Gera and Ingrid Vidal.

Mikel's Nigeria teammate, Ogenyi Onazi, also sent him wishes on Twitter.

Onazi wrote:"Happy birthday to you skippo. Wish you long life and God's blessings."


A tweet on the official handle of the Nigerian Football Federation celebrating Mikel reads: "Happy birthday @NGSuperEagles magical captain, @mikel_john_obi. Shine on!"


Mikel's former club Chelsea, where he spent 10 years before leaving for China in January, also celebrated the midfielder in a tweet on their official handle.
Chelsea wrote: "We also wish John Mikel Obi a very happy birthday!"



Source: http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/fifa-nff-chelsea-onazi-celebrate-mikel-30/

Ikeme was not relatively unknown maybe in Nigeria but he not a top goalkeeper but still a very good one.

Goalkeepers have a different set of parameters whee age is concerned. 35 is not old for a goalkeeper and Enyeama is only 34.

I'm concerned about performance and not age, Enyeama is possibly the number 1 goalkeeper in Africa currently. Not too long ago he was voted best goalkeeper in France and then number 6th in the world.

Tell me one African goalkeeper who has attained that height currently. There is no other Nigerian keeper anywhere near him currently. So what on earth is the problem

Is he the best Nigerian goalkeeper currently, resounding YES.

Enyeama should be called back with an UNRESERVED APOLOGY the way he was treated was shockingly bad.

jotey:


accomplishment as as how.... what has Russia achieved in football that he wants to wait for them...the guy is 24 but him no wan use him head ...worldcup is next year and I don't see him breaking into Russia's starting 11 any time soon...the guy should wise up pls

It would be bigger than football. Russia is known for racism and if he plays for them he would be kicking down that door. It would be similar to Jackie Robinson in America. If this was England we were talking about i would tell him to wake up but this is Russia and if he is good enough it is his right to be on their sorry national team. Honestly we should join him and ask them why they don't want to give him a shot, Germany would at least give him a friendly by now.

NIGERIA LIKELY TO MISS NOAH BAZEE FOR AFCON QUALIFIER

Hanover's Martin Harnik (L) celebrates with teammates Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee (C) and Oliver Sorg after scoring

by Graeme Jackson



Nigeria are unlikely to be able to call upon Hannover striker Noah Bazee for their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in June.


Sportbuzzer reports that the 20-year-old is suffering from Hoffa-Kastert syndrome - an atrophy of the fatty tissue located between a patella and an articular head of a tibial bone in the knee joint.

The player may need surgery to rectify the injury and he has been placed on his club’s long-term injury list, as confirmed by coach Andre Breitenreiter.


The news is a major disappointment to Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, who called the player up for the Super Eagles in the last international window in March.

Bazee has not played for Hannover since a 23-minute showing against St Pauli on March 18.

According to Allnigeriasoccer.com, the player resumed training before the Easter holidays, but has since had to reduce his workload in order to avoid further damage to his knee.



Source: http://africanfootball.com//news/703413/Nigeria-likely-to-miss-Noah-Bazee-for-AFCON-qualifier

terzurum5:
[b]Russia-born Brian Idowu told not to commit to Nigeria[/]



Amkar Perm coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev has advised defender Brian Idowu to wait for a call up from the Russian senior national team.


The 24-year-old was born in St. Petersburg in Russia and his father is a Nigerian, while his mother is half Russia, half Nigerian.


Iduwu was called up by Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr last year, but Russian tactician Gadzhiev told the left-back not to commit to the Super Eagles.


”When Brian received the offer to play for Nigeria, he turned to me for advice. My position was simple," Gadzhiev said on OwnGoalNigeria.com.


"I recommend him to take time to develop his skills, to become better and stronger and hope that he’ll get the opportunity to play for the Russian national team.


"If that doesn’t happen , he can always come back and talk with the Nigerian national team."


Idowu has featured in 20 Russia Premier League matches for Perm this season - netting against Orenburg last December.

mtnfootball.com/mobi/news/703014/Russia-born-Brian-Idowu-told-not-to-commit-to-Nigeria

cc: Forgiveness

Na who go loose? Na me?

Brown Ideye opened his goal account today.