TheSuperNerd:
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/

TheSuperNerd:
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

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






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

Humility017:


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

BascoVanVeli:


I say wait till the season ends but CHAN is not a must.

do4luv14:


one thing I dnt seems to understand WTH our local players is y the rush for abroad, must especially out top scores,

jst one season they hav run abroad y

Icon79:
Another guy I would like to see get a call up tot he Super Eagles. Right now, I have 4 players on my Super Eagles waitlist:

1. Henry Onyekuru
2. Tammy Abraham
3. Azubuike Okechukwu
4. Emmanuel Daniel

O pari

Southampton have been linked with a move for the Manchester City striker.

Icon79:
Good to know. I would like them to give Cameroun a tough fight in Younde and, hopefully, shock them. That way, Cameroun would be mathematically out of contention even before our final match with Algeria. But as far as I know, what stands between us and Russia 2018 is the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun.

O pari

tbaba1234:
There are reports that Dortmund want to replace Aubamayang with Iheanacho...What are your thoughts?

daveP:
What can we do to have a club big and wealthy and creative enough to contest the pride of al ahly and zamalek in african football? They made top 50best in the world. We need an npfl club to do something. football is no longer just kicking around. And sponsorship to aid consistency too. Enough of management by state govt jare. Lasgidi better wake up from the slumber.
In other news, Nacho must move to a team in ucl, more likely europa. saints who? if only juve or sevilla get eye.

TheSuperNerd:
If Southampton sign Kelechi Iheanacho on loan he would take St Mary's by storm
By Vincent Ralph.







According to a recent report from the Daily Mail , Southampton are interested in signing Kelechi Iheanacho on loan from Manchester City next season, and if the Saints can do a deal for the Nigerian he could take St Mary's by storm.

The same report suggests City are keen to sell him, meaning Southampton may be disappointed if they are not willing to fork out the £20million seemingly required. However, if City realise they would be making a mistake cashing in on him so soon and instead send him out on loan, the south coast is the perfect place to continue his development.

Iheanacho has scored 21 goals for City despite only ever making 20 starts for the club - the kind of record that prompts a double-take and a feeling of disbelief.


The majority of the 20-year-old's appearances have come from the bench, but given his innate talent in front of goal, imagine what he could do if played week in, week out at a club like Southampton.




Saints manager Claude Puel has already proved astute in the transfer market and Iheanacho's temporary addition would allow his side to benefit while also ensuring City see what the youngster can do when a regular starter.

It would be crazy to sell the Nigerian so soon, and Southampton should do all they can to push for a loan move.

Iheanacho is the real deal, and if he did arrive at St Mary's he could be their savviest capture in many a year.



Source: http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/05/16/if-southampton-sign-kelechi-iheanacho-on-loan-he-would-take-st-m/

Joebie:
Ifeanyi Ubah FC is the closest. But it will take some time.

tbaba1234:
Aluko starting as CF in Fulham's playoff game

Joebie:
The first leg ended 1-1 and Jordan Obita scored for Reading. Obita is a Left back. He played as a wing back for Reading in that game.

MODIFIED.

Tiago Ilori starts again for Reading. He is one of the 3 center backs in Readings 3-4-2-1 (3-4-3 modified) formation

tbaba1234:


Nigeria has regressed. In the past, we had several teams owned by private individuals and companies.

Julius Berger
Iwayanwu Nationale
BCC Lions
Etc..

tbaba1234:


Obita is not Nigerian.

Joebie:
I believe he is a Nigerian-descent

tbaba1234:


No he isn't

Joebie:
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-obita/profil/spieler/158816

Joebie:
Ifeanyi Ubah FC is the closest. But it will take some time.

tbaba1234:


That is false. He is Ugandan.

Joebie:
What's your pick

Organizers release nominees for Nigeria Pitch Awards
By The NFF

Updated: May 16, 2017
PITCH AWARDS
. Enyeama, Mikel, Ojeikere, Udom Emmanuel contest for honours

The nominees for the 4th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards are now known, after SIAO Partners Limited, the collating and verification firm, released the results to the Nigeria Football Federation.



In a letter to the NFF President dated 11th May 2017, and signed by the Managing Partner, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, the auditing firm explained that the voting was done by Nigeria sports editors/managers across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, between 5th – 23rd April 2017.

“The votes were collated and verified by our team of Auditors. We pride ourselves as one of the best accounting and audit firms operating in Nigeria. We have approached this collation process with extreme care and with the standard professional ethics required to sustain the core values of transparency, credibility and integrity. We therefore take professional responsibility for the integrity of the results presented,” stated the letter from SIAO.

There are 18 categories in all, with three nominees for each category. Three –time FIFA World Cup star Vincent Enyeama tops the Goalkeeper of the Year category, while France –based striker Desire Oparanozie leads two other Super Falcons in the race for Queen of the Pitch, and NPFL Club, FC IfeanyiUbah owner, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is nominated for the Sam Okwaraji Award, alongside Super Eagles’ captain John Mikel Obi and Nigeria’s 2016 Olympic Team Head Coach, Samson Siasia.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel is nominated for Football Friendly Governor of the Year alongside Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos and Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of Rivers, while Ferdinand Aniete Udoh leads the Referee of the Year category that also has FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup veteran Jelili Ogunmuyiwa and Adebimpe Quadri.

Ade Ojeikere, group sports editor of The Nation newspapers is in the race for Football Journalist of the Year (Print) while Mozez Praiz of SuperSport heads the race for Football Journalist of the Year (TV).

The 4th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony comes up in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, 10th June 2017, hours after the Nigeria/South Africa 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match of the same day.

THE NOMINEES

Goalkeeper of the Year: Vincent Enyeama; Carl Ikeme; Ikechukwu Ezenwa

Defender of the Year: Leon Balogun; Kenneth Omeruo; William Ekong



Midfielder of the Year: John Mikel Obi; Etebo Oghenekaro; Wilfred Ndidi

Striker of the Year: Chisom Egbuchulam; Godwin Obaje; Kelechi Iheanacho

MVP (Men) In The NPFL: Godwin Obaje; Stephen Odey; Chisom Egbuchulam

MVP (Women) In The NWPL: Osinachi Ohale; Rafiat Sule; Chioma Wogu

Queen of the Pitch: Desire Oparanozie; Onome Ebi; Asisat Oshoala

King of the Pitch: Victor Moses; John Mikel Obi; Kelechi Iheanacho

Sam Okwaraji Award: Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; Samson Siasia; John Mikel Obi

Club/Team of the Year: Super Falcons; Dream Team; Enugu Rangers

Coach of the Year: Florence Omagbemi; Gernot Rohr; Imama Amapakabo

Referee of the Year: Adebimpe Quadri; Jelili Ogunmuyiwa; Ferdinand Udoh

Corporate Sponsor of the Year: Globacom Limited; SuperSport; Nigeria Breweries PLC

State with Best Grassroots Football Development Program: Delta State; Lagos State; Akwa Ibom State

Football Friendly Governor of the Year: Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos)

Football Journalist of the Year (Radio): Bimbo Adeola; Olawale Adigun; Arafat Aliu

Football Journalist of the Year (Print): Tobi Emmanuel; Tana Aiyejina; Ade Ojeikere

Football Journalist of the Year (TV): Mozez Praiz (SuperSport); Austin Okon-Akpan (Channels TV); Toyin Ibitoye (Channels TV)

daveP:
The club is wealthy, but do they have a philosophy, pattern or vision? I saw what they did in anambra and a pro club shouldnt be doing such by now. They should wake up so they can beat zamalek, el merikk, tp mazembe, sundowns, etc, on their way to african glory. The psychology of not winning an away tie is a cancer in npfl.

Joebie:
We are talking about clubs not leagues. I'm saying if any club at the moment have the kind of financial backing to do that, it's definitely Ifeanyi Ubah FC. But its gonna take some time..talking philosophy etc like you rightly pointed. I remember the West Ham deal, I don't know how much that is paying off, but he pulled a big one there.