Swedish Club To Scout Super Eagles Invitee Sikiru Olatunbosun Ahead Of Transfer




Allnigeriasoccer.com has been informed that representatives of an unnamed Swedish club are expected in Lagos next month on a scouting mission.
A Swedish-based Nigerian agent Innocent Okeke is coming to Nigeria to scout Mountain of Fire FC star Sikiru Olatunbosun, and he will be accompanied to the Agege Stadium by a club president of a Swedish club.
Should Sikiru impress the visitors from Scandinavia, he will be offered a straight contract without him undergoing trials.
He was talk of the town in March when his goal against Enugu Rangers was named Goal of the Week by CNN.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr will first run the rule over Sikiru Olatunbosun next week in France before his audition in the Nigerian Professional Football League.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23053

Kelechi Nwakali Picks Up Arsenal Award, Named Most Outstanding Loanee





Nigeria U20 international Kelechi Nwakali picked up an award at the alternative end of season awards by highly-respected Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird.
The attacking midfielder has been named one of Arsenal's best performing youth players this season, and won the Best Loanee award.

''Krystian Bielik was excellent for Birmingham City but in terms of performances throughout the season, this award deserves to go to Nwakali,'' Bird wrote on Kelechi.

''The Nigerian midfielder possessed no prior experience of European football, yet he quickly established himself as a regular for Maastricht in the Dutch second tier and frequently burst forwards to excellent effect.''

Nwakali beat the likes of Chuba Akpom and Aaron Eyoma who spent the second half of this season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion and FC Volendam respectively.

Ahead of the semifinal of the playoffs against SC Cambuur, Nwakali has recorded 29 appearances in the Dutch second-tier, scoring two goals and providing three assists.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23054

Chelsea Star Victor Moses Signs Endorsement Deal With Opera




Chelsea dazzler Victor Moses is delighted to sign a partnership with the most popular browser in Africa, Opera, and will be featured in the new Opera Mini TV commercial as well as a range of collaborative projects extending throughout 2018.

This coincides with Opera’s recent announcement to invest $100 million USD (30 billion Nigerian Naira) in Africa over the next two years with the goal of strengthening the internet ecosystem in countries such as Nigeria.

“I am proud to be in partnership with Opera and am looking forward to working together,” said Victor Moses.

“The Opera team have taken me through their plans and vision for the brand in the Nigerian market and it's made me incredibly excited about the future.

“I'm delighted to be a part of such a groundbreaking campaign.”

Victor Moses's outstanding performance for Chelsea has earned him “The Premier League’s most remarkable star” by the Sun.

Opera Software AS is a privately held company and is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.



**Igho Kingsley


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23049

Manchester City Demand 9.5 Billion Naira For Super Eagles Star Iheanacho



Manchester City are preparing to bid farewell to their Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho in the summer transfer window.

Allnigeriasoccer.com broke the news that Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund were among the teams in Germany exploring ways to sign the Taye Academy product at the end of this season.

Now the Daily Mail has reported that Borussia Dortmund would be open to do a deal if they receive an offer of 23 million euros (equivalent of N9.5 billion).


Iheanacho may partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in attack or replace the Gabonese international if he departs the club, with Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City reportedly interested in him.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen have registered their interest in the Nigerian but Borussia Dortmund are hoping to steal a march on their rivals.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : thenff.com


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23050

My Son Won’t Play For Nigeria – Father Of Bundesliga Rising Star Torunarigha Tell Rohr




Former Nigeria youth international forward Ojokojo Torunarigha has confirmed his son Jordan Torunarigha is not interested in playing for the senior national team of Nigeria.

Torunarigha is rated as one of the upcoming defenders in the German Bundesliga, where he scored his first senior goal over the weekend in their 2-0 win over Darrmstadt from his role as
a left back.

He is presently with the U-20 team of Germany, and his father confirmed Nigeria have approached his son over a switch of allegiance as exclusively reported by Owngoalnigeria.com, but he told them his son is not interested in playing for Nigeria.


” I always say to him play like you can play football, and you can see it has helped him progress from the youth team of Hertha Berlin to the main team, and also for Germant through U-16 and now U-20. We were approached by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

” They wanted my son to play for Nigeria but I told them he is not interested “, said the father who played 12 matches for Nigeria and also represented Chemnitzer FC in the 1990s.

Presently he works at Hertha Berlin as coach of the U-10 of the Bundesliga side, and aside Jordan his other son Junior plays for Dutch second division side Fortuna Sittard, who are coached by former coach of the Nigeria national team Sunday Oliseh.


**Osas Mahawi


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/15/my-son-wont-play-for-nigeria-father-of-bundesliga-rising-star-torunarigha-tell-rohr/

Eagles Left Back Crisis Worsens, Echiejile Not Getting Games At Sporting Gijon




The left back crisis currently rocking the Super Eagles of Nigeria has taken a turn for the worst following the inactivity of Elderson Echiejile at his loan side Sporting Gijon.

Echiejile is on loan at the Spanish side till the end of the season from French league champions in waiting Monaco. His second loan spell this season after spending the first six months with Standard Liege of Belgium.

Monaco didn’t find space for the Nigerian in their team after his return to the team in January, and sent him on another loan deal where they believe he will get regular run of games.

However that has not been the case at Spanish league struggling outfit Sporting Gijon where although he has a goal to his name from his role as a left back, he has only played three games this season.

As a matter of fact the last time he played was the 3-1 loss against Real Sociedad, same game he scored late on for his first goal for his team. Since then he has only made the matchday squad once.

The last time he made the matchday 18 man squad was the 2-2 draw against Osasuna on 22nd of April, and he watched the entire proceeding from the bench.


Since then he has failed to make the matchday squad for the four games they have played, and there’s no report of the left back injured by the coach of the team during his press conference.

His inactivity will no doubt trouble coach of the senior Nigeria national team Gernot Rohr who views the player as his first choice left back. An area where Nigeria is currently short of options.



**Ade Emmanuel

Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/15/eagles-left-back-crisis-worsens-echiejile-not-getting-games-at-sporting-gijon/

Ola Aina is quality, he will walk into many of the mid table sides in the Premier league as a starter. He needs to start considering that. Competition is stiff at Chelsea.

Tammy Abraham will bring some competition to the forward line, I hope he seals a premier league club next year instead of staying at Chelsea. The news about his change of nationality might be the reason why he was not named in England's under 20 team to the world cup.

I saw a goal scored by Muazzam in the NPFL and it showed his ability. It will be interesting to see how prepared he is for the national team.

Dortmund Insist Interest In Iheanacho Is Separate From Man City Potential Bid For Aubameyang




A highly placed source at German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund says any bid for Manchester City Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho won’t involved star forward Pierre Emerick Aubameyang going the opposite direction.

Manchester City have reportedly offered the Nigerian in exchange plus cash for the Gabonese forward, who is a prime target for City manager Pep Guardiola this summer.


However a club insider revealed the club have put together a package for the signing of Iheanacho which doesn’t involve Aubameyang, insisting that any move by City for the Bundesliga top scorer won’t involve Iheanacho.


Also a close source to Iheanacho also told Owngoalnigeria.com that Dortmund interest in Iheanacho is independent of City’s proposed move for Aubameyang, as both players could move without necessarily going in the opposite direction.


Southampton sounded out Manchester City over his availability during the course of last week, but German side Hoffenheim have reportedly held talks with him and are presently locked in talks with City.


Dortmund will be hoping to steal a march on their Bundesliga rival as close sources revealed they will later this week make an official bid for the services of Iheanacho to Manchester City.



**Daniel Martins


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/15/dortmund-insist-interest-in-iheanacho-is-separate-from-man-city-potential-bid-for-aubameyang/

Ola Aina Eases Eagles Left Back Issues With Calm Display For Chelsea Against Watford





Freshly invited Super Eagles defender Ola Aina played the last 15 minutes of Chelsea’s seven goal thriller against Watford which ended 4-3 in favour of the Premier League Champions at Stamford Bridge.


Aina was introduced for Kenedy with 75 minutes played in the game, and the defender who has already secured a Nigerian passport ahead of his possible debut next month brought calm to the Chelsea defence which has already conceded thrice before his introduction.

The England youth international who will most likely make his debut for Nigeria against South Africa in the AFCON 2019 Qualifiers operated from the left wing back role.

He came close to winning the game for Chelsea but his effort
was saved by the Watford shot stopper before Cesc Fabregas popped up with the winning goal for Chelsea two minutes before full time.

His display will calm fears about the left back slot of the Nigeria national team, which is giving coach Gernot Rohr a whole lot of problems due to paucity of options following the lack of game time regular left back Elderson Echiejile is experiencing at Spanish side Sporting Gijon.



**Ade Emmanuel

Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/15/ola-aina-eases-eagles-left-back-issues-with-calm-display-for-chelsea-against-watford/

Agent Confirms Everton, West Ham Target Onyekuru Is In Talks With Two EPL Teams




The agent of hot in demand Nigerian forward Henry Onyekuru has confirmed that his client will most likely move to England in the summer, where Southampton, Everton and West Ham are heavily linked with a move for the forward.
Onyekuru has reportedly turned down a move to fellow Belgian side Anderlecht and Club Brugge, and with German side Borussia Monchengladbach pulling out of a potential deal for the summer, teams in England are now the front runners for his signature.
” No he won’t be joining a team in Belgium at least for now despite the strong interest from Club Brugge and Anderlecht. He is going to England, in few days time you will get to know the club he is heading to”, his intermediary told Owngoalnigeria.com.
” For now we are in talks with two teams and everything is progressing nicely. Hopefully we will conclude with one of them before the start of pre season. Don’t worry we will let the world know when a deal is done”.


**Daniel Martins


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/15/agent-confirms-everton-west-ham-target-onyekuru-is-in-talks-with-two-epl-teams/

Borussia Dortmund join Southampton and Hoffenheim in hunt for Manchester City forward
By City Watch





Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing 20-year-old Manchester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, according to a report by Joe Bernstein of the Mail on Sunday .


In their back page story of the weekend, the newspaper reported that Pep Guardiola may axe up to TWELVE players this summer in what could be the busiest transfer window ever at Manchester City.

And while much of the attention is on Pablo Zabaleta’s exit from the Etihad, which was made official last night by the club, the future of Iheanacho was also discussed. City are said to be open to offers for the youngster, who became the first in a long time to break into the first-team from the youth ranks, and has gone on to score 21 goals in 58 appearances.


Borussia Dortmund have already expressed an interest in signing Kelechi, who City are expected to request close to £20 million for should he leave on a permanent deal. A sale isn’t a sure thing yet, with Dortmund’s Bundesliga rivals Hoffenheim and Premier League side Southampton wanting him on loan.


The arrival of Gabriel Jesus has damaged Iheanacho’s hopes of succeeding at City, but even when the Brazilian was sidelined with a long-term injury, Pep Guardiola rarely selected the Nigerian and the writing could be on the wall for the Manchester City wonderkid.


Source: http://www.mcfcwatch.com/2017/05/14/borussia-dortmund-join-southampton-and-hoffenheim-in-hunt-for-manchester-city-forward/

Eupen Striker Onyekuru In Advanced Talks Over Move To Premier League





Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru is attracting interest from the English Premier League, according to Sky Sports.

The representatives of the Eupen frontman have told the British television channel that he wants to play in England and talks with two unnamed clubs are progressing well.

Club Brugge and Anderlecht have registered their interest in signing Onyekuru but he prefers a move to England.

The 19-year-old Onyekuru is likely to leave Eupen for a fee of £6.8m, which is the release clause inserted into his present contract.


He has been monitored by Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Southampton and West Ham in recent months.



**Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : as-eupen.be


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23056

BascoVanVeli:


Could be the reason Tammy was left off the English U20 team. He could be taking a step closer to the super eagles.

It's being speculated that Tammy have been promoted to the English U21's, which explains his omittion from the U20's squad.

NFF – We Have Secured Nigerian Passport For Aina & Bazee, Tammy Abraham Will Get His Soon





The spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ademola Olajire has confirmed that the football house has secured international passports for Hannover 96 Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee and Chelsea Ola Aina.

The duo were born abroad to Nigerian parents, but after talks with coach of the Nigeria team they have both pledged their international future to Nigeria ahead of their land of birth.


Aina was born in England and has represented them at various youth level but he will now henceforth represent Nigeria at senior level. Bazee was born in Germany but pledged his international future to Nigeria after a breakthrough season with Hannover 96.

However for the duo to be part of the Nigerian team in competitive teams, they need to be in possession of a Nigerian passport, which according to the NFF is now a thing of the past.


Aside the duo, the NFF also confirmed that talks over a Nigerian passport for Tammy Abraham, the Chelsea youngster who took the English Championship by storm during his loan spell with Bristol City is progressing nicely.


“The coach does not want to take any chances, so he has a list of players he would be relying on to play the matches.

“The Nigerian football federation has secured Nigerian passport for Ola Aina, Joel Bazee. We are working on that of Tammy Abrahams and others.

“We want the best players in the national team, so we are not taking any chances at all.” spokesman Olajire said.



**Daniel Martins

Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/15/nff-we-have-secured-nigerian-passport-for-aina-bazee-tammy-abraham-will-get-his-soon/

Nigeria Hoping To Snatch Chelsea Whizkid Abraham From England After U21 Euro




The Nigeria Football Federation are prepared to battle the English FA for the services of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, with representatives of the NFF monitoring his performances in England.

Abraham has been omitted from England U20 squad for the forthcoming Fifa U20 World Cup in South Korea because he has been promoted to a higher age level, and is expected to star for the U21 team at this summer's Under-21 Euro 2017.

''The Nigeria Football Federation is doing something about Tammy Abraham's passport. We have some guys looking out for such players who have dual citizenship, ''a top Nigerian Federation official told allnigeriasoccer.com .

''We have a list of the players we are observing, and look at the possibility of inviting them.

''We should be able to give them opportunities, they are Nigerians.''

Camberwell-born Abraham has caps for England at U18, U19 and U21 level but this is not binding until he plays competitively for the Three Lions.

The 19-year-old netted 23 goals in the Championship for Bristol City in the just concluded season.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : bcfc.co.uk


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23055

Onyekuru Tipped To Gatecrash Rohr’s Squad After Making Team Of The Week In Belgium





Hot in-demand KAS Eupen Nigerian forward Henry Onyekuru has once again make the team of the week in Belgium following his brace against Kortrijk last weekend.

Onyekuru who has been linked with several teams in Belgium and abroad following his fantastic goal return this season, with 22 goals to his name in all competitions this season.

The 19 year old has already held talks with Everton and Southampton regarding a move, with Anderlecht and Club Brugge also linked with a move for the forward in the summer.

However his fine form is yet to catch the attention of the national team handlers of Nigeria lead by Coach Gernot Rohr , who once again omitted the forward from the list of players who will attend a training camp in France later in the month.

A source close to the coach told Owngoalnigeria.com that Onyekuru might make the squad for the game against South Africa when the list is released for the AFCON 2019 Qualifiers.


”He is not in the team for the camp in France, but he is seriously under consideration to make the team against South Africa in the AFCON 2019 clash on the 10th of June in Uyo”, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.



**Osas Mahawi

Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/15/onyekuru-tipped-to-gatecrash-rohrs-squad-after-making-team-of-the-week-in-belgium/

Rohr to name invited players, camping details month end
By Alex Monye

Gernot Rohr

Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr will release the final list of players and camping details of the forthcoming 2019 Africa Nations Cup qualifier game against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana this month end, officials of the team have revealed. Nigeria will host South Africa in the opening game of the qualifiers on June 10.


According to Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, the Corsica friendly and camp in France are aimed giving the Eagles coaches opportunity to assess the players and decide those that will battle the South Africans.

Noting that all the logistics have been put in place to ensure the Super Eagles come out victorious against South Africa, Ibitoye said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has already dispatched letters of invitation to the players invited for the Corsica friendly. He added that concrete arrangements have been made to ensure the invited domestic and foreign-based players did not face visa hitches from the embassies.


“We do not envisage any visa hitch for the France camp. The Eagles camp will open in the first week of June when the team returns from France. Only the best players would be selected for the South Africa AFCON qualifier game,’’ he said.


Source: https://m.guardian.ng/sport/rohr-to-name-invited-players-camping-details-month-end/

goldfish80:
It's being speculated that Tammy have been promoted to the English U21's, which explains his omittion from the U20's squad.

Several of the players named in the under 20 squad have also played for the under 21 but it is plausible.

Dream Team VI Skipper Delighted To Gain Promotion To Super Lig





Nigeria U23 skipper Azubuike Okechukwu has expressed happiness over the promotion of Yeni Malatyaspor to the top flight of Turkish football, the Super Lig.


With one round to spare, Yeni Malatyaspor gained promotion following their 1-1 draw with Boluspor on Sunday afternoon, with the Super Eagles midfielder working a full shift in central midfield.

''It was a rough and tough journey, but here we're.Thanks to God almighty. And this is also to congratulate my teammates, officials and Fans️,'' Okechukwu posted on Twitter.

The 20-year-old appeared 29 times for Yeni Malatyaspor in the 1. Lig, logging 2,487 minutes in total, and missed four matches due to yellow card suspensions and international duty with the Dream Team VI.


Austin Amutu and Sunday Mba also played key roles in Yeni Malatyaspo's promotion to the Super Lig.



**Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23048

tbaba12345:


Several of the players named in the under 20 squad have also played for the under 21 but it is plausible.

The U21's have European nations cup to play in the Summer. Would be difficult to have one player feature in both tournaments at the same time.

NFF logo

Corsica unmasked for Eagles
by Andrew Randa




Nigeria will set up residential camping in France as preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations gets into gear.
The Super Eagles have missed the last two editions of the biennial tournament and are hard pressed to make it to Cameroon 2019.

Nothing short of qualification will do for Nigerians and the Amaju Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation know that the stakes are high.

They (NFF) have reiterated the Federation’s desire to make sure Nigeria qualify for both the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.



The Eagles' [ABOVE] fortunes are looking bright as Gernot Rohr, in charge since August 2016 has not lost any match since he took over.

He has oiled up a flapping Eagle who now seems to be ready to soar to great heights. Nigeria is top of a World Cup qualifying group that includes African champions Cameroon, Algeria and AFCON 2012 winners Zambia.


South Africa will be Nigeria’s first test for a spot at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on June 10 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Rohr is not leaving anything to chance as he has decided to set up camp in France to see first hand his players after a tedious European season.

The team will take on Corsica in a warm-up game with another planned for the team in Paris before the camp rounds off.

Not exactly a name that rings a bell, Corsica are not recognised as a Federation by FIFA nor are they a member of the United Nations.


Corsica is a French Island, 250 miles off the Mediterranean coast of Marseille. It has been a part of France since 1768 but still, has a lot of Italian influence as can be seen in the architecture of the castles and other houses on the Island.

Designated as under the Ajaccio prefecture, Corsica is a regional area that is likened to the principality of Monaco or Catalonia in Spain.

The French colony has about 350,000 inhabitants and is a tourist destination for a lot of Europeans because of its stretch of beaches and ambience.



Corsican National Team.

The National side of Corsica, Squadra Corsa di Balòis not affiliated to UEFA or FIFA just like Catalonia or the Basque County-both in Spain but have played friendly games against the National sides of Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Bulgaria Congo and the Basque County of recent.

The was also a friendly against the Basque County last year as the team continues to build a profile for herself despite their friendlies not being graded by FIFA. The team usually hosts games at Bastia’s Stade Armand Cesari and the Stade François Coty in Ajaccio.


French football sides Ajaccio and Bastia are the two famous clubs in the Corsica region and have contributed a majority of the players to the Corsican national selection. For a player to be part of the regional team, he has to have a parent or grandparent who is from Corsica and is a professional or part of a professional team.

Famous players who have suited up for Corsica in the past include former Monaco and Barcelona star Ludovic Guily, Sebastian Schillachi, formerly of Arsenal but now back home with SC Bastia, Johan Cavalli and Remy Cabella of Olympique Marseille.

Coached by Jean Michel-Cavalli, the team is set up as the French national side ‘Les Blues’. He is an advocate of attacking football. Cavalli, who is the current coach of Mouloudia Oran in Algeria, has also coached clubs in Saudi Arabia, France and Morocco.

The team is usually set up in a 4-4-2 formation that usually morphs to a 3-5-2 in instances as shown in the friendlies against the Basque County and Burkina Faso.


[img]http://lebuzz.eurosport.fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/10/PicMonkey-Collage2.jpg[/img]

Top players:

Nicolas Penneteau: [ABOVE] First choice goalkeeper who plays for Belgian side is an excellent goalkeeper and comes with bags of experience and at 36 is still doing the business for the Corsican side.

Francois Modeste: Defender with SC Bastia who is one of the most influential defenders in the team but at 37, he doesn’t have the pace that he use to have.

Jean Francois-Grimaldi: A midfielder from Ligue 1 side SC Bastia is the main man in the Corsican midfield who will try to stifle the Super Eagles in that department.

Remy Cabella: The Marseille striker is the main man in attack for the Corsican side. He’s scored six times this season for the Ligue 1 side and will be a handful for the Super Eagles defence.


Corsica might not be a major team in world football but their team, an amalgamation of players with Corsican roots brims with talent that can give the Super Eagles a proper test as they prepare for the crunch tie against South Africa next month.



Source: https://www.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/170515/Corsica_unmasked_for_Eagles

'WE WILL GIVE THEM A GAME' - STUART BAXTER PROMISES NIGERIA HELL
By Tolu Olasoji

The Super Eagles are in for a tough time when they face Bafana Bafana in June's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

South Africa head coach, Stuart Baxter has promised to put up a solid team when they face Nigeria in next month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Both countries missed out of the 2017 Afcon staged in Gabon, and they would lock horns with the ambition of making a return to the next edition billed for Cameroon.

The former Kaizer Chief handler re-signed a five-year contract - replacing Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba who fell out with the South African Footaball Association.

During his unveiling in Johannesburg on Monday, the 63-year-old spoke of his vision for the team while revealing his plans for undefeated Gernot Rohr's men.

"I hope we will be very competitive with Nigeria. We will give them a game," Baxter told media.

"We need to be competitive and players will do it the South African way; that should reflect the play in the country.

"I believe the nation has enough players to succeed and I also believe in my abilities; I'm very optimistic.”

Aside the Super Eagles, the 1996 African kings will slug it out with Libya and Seychelles in Group E.


Source: http://m.goal.com/s/en-ng/news/4055/main/2017/05/15/35545782/we-will-give-them-a-game-stuart-baxter-promises-nigeria-hell

‘WE HAVE TO FIGHT HARD IN EVERY GAME’ – ALGERIA’S ALCARAZ UPBEAT ABOUT WORLD CUP TICKET
By Tomiwa Babalola

Despite sitting at the base of Group B with a point, Les Fennecs boss is adamant that his side can beat the Super Eagles for a place in Russia

Algeria coach Lucas Alcaraz has not given up on his team’s chances of qualifying for the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia.

The north African sit at the foot of Group B no thanks to their home draw against Cameroon and a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria, as they face an uphill task to reach the global football showpiece for the fifth time.

Since replacing Georges Leekens in April, the Spaniard face Zambia in his first competitive game and he fancies his team defying the odd to represent Africa not minding their underdogs status.

"Obviously, we’re not the favourites, but we have to do everything in our power to get as many points and wins as we can," Alcaraz told Fifa website.

"We have to fight hard in every game to make sure there are no regrets at the end of it all.

"We’re going to prepare in depth for the two matches against Zambia. The Fifa calendar dictates that our future’s going to hinge on those two games, played in the space of just five days.

"The players and the staff know what they have to do, what’s expected of them and the importance of these two matches. I need a lot of players for those two games and I’m absolutely convinced that if we beat Zambia, then we’ll qualify.

"If we can get through to the last match (against Nigeria) with morale high and full of hope after a couple of wins, I think we’ll be able to go into it with confidence high.

"If we can win our next home games, we’ll be in a good position to welcome Nigeria on the final day."

Algeria reached the Round of 16 at the 2014 edition staged in Brazil but were sent packing by eventual winners Germany.


Source: http://m.goal.com/s/en-ng/news/4055/main/2017/05/15/35539122/we-have-to-fight-hard-in-every-game-algerias-alcaraz-upbeat

He only joined in January and he beat Demarai Gray and others to Leicester's Best young player of the season award..... Amazing from Ndidi...... Congrats Ndiwonder.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Wilfred Ndidi Scoops Leicester City Young Player Of The Season Award





Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi has won Leicester City's Young Player of the Season award at their end of season awards on Monday night.

The central midfielder won the award on the back of some brilliant performances for the Foxes following his transfer from Racing Genk in the January transfer window.

Ndidi has made 21 appearances to date for Leicester City, including four in the Champions League, where he helped the King Power Stadium outfit see off Sevilla in the last sixteen.

The 20-year-old opened his account with a long-range stunner against Derby County in the FA Cup in February, and scored another spectacular goal against Stoke City in the Premier League.

The Leicester City squad and Blue Army voted Kasper Schmeichel as their Player of the Season.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : lcfc.com

Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23059

Aluko & Ilori square off in Championship playoff semifinals


[img]http://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2017%2F0219%2Fr182023_1296x518_5%2D2.jpg[/img]



While the regular Championship season was wrapped up the week before last, a series of Africa's stars are still battling for the opportunity to reach the Premier League next term via the playoffs, with Nigerian duo Sone Aluko and Tiago Ilori in particular set for a fascinating meeting on Tuesday.

The five-game mini-tournament involving the teams who finish third to sixth during the campaign must play off in two-legged semifinals, with the victors advancing to the final at Wembley on May 29 for the chance to play for a promotion that Deloitte estimate to be worth at least £170 million.

At the halfway stage of the semifinals, it's all to play for, with both pairs of teams playing out two draws over the weekend ahead of the midweek return fixtures.

On Tuesday evening, Reading host Fulham at the Madejski Stadium following a 1-1 draw between the duo in West London in the first leg.

The Royals have an awesome record at home, having lost just twice in front of their own fans all season, and if the Cottagers' attack -- so effective during the campaign -- fails to turn up again, the home side will be favourites to advance.

Nigeria's Aluko has tasted life in the Premier League with Hull City, and he's heading into the playoffs on the back of an encouraging year.

There's rarely been any doubt about his ability to make an impact at this level -- contrary to the top flight -- and his return of 10 assists and eight goals has been influential in taking Fulham to the brink of a return to the top tier.

Aluko, who is likely to feature on the right side of Slavisa Jokanovic's 4-2-3-1-cum-4-3-3 formation, will be looking to dovetail with Togo's Floyd Ayite. The West African lost his way in the first leg, but if he can rediscover the form he enjoyed in April, where he scored four and contributed three assists in the space of five games, then the Londoners might have the edge.

Ivorian frontman Cyriac and Democratic Republic of Congo playmaker Neeskens Kebano were both introduced from the bench in the first leg, and could be called on to fulfil a similar role this time around.


The former hasn't really taken to life in England yet since moving from Oostende midway through the campaign, but Kebano has demonstrated his class in patches -- how he'd love the opportunity to face Sheffield Wednesday in Wembley, having scored twice against them on May 7.
Ilori has been something of a flop in English football since he was signed from Sporting Lisbon for Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers in the summer of 2013.
He never looked close to making the grade at Anfield, and failed to feature on loan at struggling Aston Villa last season.
This term, the Anglo-Nigerian-Portuguese defender has hardly fared much better after moving to Reading permanently for £3.75 million, making just six league appearances of which two have been starts.
However, the 24-year-old looks set to step into a pivotal role in Tuesday's showdown following the red card received by Royals skipper Paul McShane late in the first leg.
Any questions about just how good Ilori is -- and just how good he can be -- may well be answered this week.
In Wednesday's semifinal second leg, Sheffield Wednesday host Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town after the two neighbours played out a 0-0 draw at the John Smith Stadium in the first meeting.
The African interest here comes in the form of Town's German-Congolese wideman Elias Kachunga , one of several savvy pieces of recruitment by coach David Wagner.
Jurgen Klopp's former right-hand man wasn't afraid to trawl the German leagues for talent ahead of the season, and the 25-year-old was one of his key purchases, moving on loan from Ingolstadt 04.
Former Germany U-21 international Kachunga has looked the part in the second tier, regular weighing in with goals and assists as the Terriers have performed above expectations.
He's already tasted promotion success -- with Paderborn in Germany --PaderbornIvorian nationality to hurt the Wednesday as they seek to end their 17-year absence from the Premier League.








Source: http://kwese.espn.com/football/blog/football-africa/80/post/3127161/aluko-and-ilori-square-off-in-championship-playoff-semifinals

TheSuperNerd:
Swedish Club To Scout Super Eagles Invitee Sikiru Olatunbosun Ahead Of Transfer




Allnigeriasoccer.com has been informed that representatives of an unnamed Swedish club are expected in Lagos next month on a scouting mission.
A Swedish-based Nigerian agent Innocent Okeke is coming to Nigeria to scout Mountain of Fire FC star Sikiru Olatunbosun, and he will be accompanied to the Agege Stadium by a club president of a Swedish club.
Should Sikiru impress the visitors from Scandinavia, he will be offered a straight contract without him undergoing trials.
He was talk of the town in March when his goal against Enugu Rangers was named Goal of the Week by CNN.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr will first run the rule over Sikiru Olatunbosun next week in France before his audition in the Nigerian Professional Football League.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23053

pray the young man be patient a little and make a decision after CHAN and not rush to eastern Europe or Sweden of a place

Humility017:


pray the young man be patient a little and make a decision after CHAN and not rush to eastern Europe or Sweden of a place

What if, those are the offers coming?

Sweden can be a launch pad to bigger things if he can be successful there.

Yes we need to wish them the best regardless. They remain Nigerian.

oloriooko:


So no need wasting time trying to persuade him.
I like the father's honesty, wish him the best in his career for Germany

I don't think his father ever wanted his boys to play for Nigeria.

Icon4s:


But some here will not agree. They would want us to go begging the boy and his father.

I think one of the best sources for Nigerian football news is http://scorenigeria.com.ng/. At least for now.

Owngoalnigeria.com and ANS are based on so much speculation.

tbaba1234:


What if, those are the offers coming?

Sweden can be a launch pad to bigger things if he can be successful there.

please forget about this Sweden and Finland thing...
how many Nigeria players have been able to progress from there...
the weather is not even something good to write about.
he should play CHAN and afterwards move out...to Europe....Isreal or Turkey won't be a bad move