mumemma:


Watch your over confidence

are you a Zambian?

They need the win more. CIV playing cautiously.

Daejoyoung:

Mali playing well so far but lack experience from what l see.

forgiveness:
Onomah Josh seems a better player than Abraham, Solanke and Lookman.

I for mention players he is better than in the National team but I no wan argue.

please just act matured for once, Lahor (meaning abeg)

So what will be your Starting XI versus Algeria?

Cyriel Dessers
Ola Aina
Ebuehi

Please add to the above

WORLD: Club Friendly

---

Kortrijk(BEL) 2-0 Amiens(FRA) FULL TIME
Abduljaleel Ajagun scores the games opener

mumemma:



Watch your over confidence

If the Zambians ranked around 20th in Africa can be so confident then why not us? Are you truly a fan? Fans are allowed to be confident of their team, the players and the coach can then be cautious. Go check the Zambian Facebook page and see how confident the fans are, even when they know they ain't favourites to win this. As an Arsenal fan nothing surprises me anymore and l have a tough skin for games now, relax man.

Nigeria will beat Zambia better beat

Oya come and flog me

mumemma:


make we qualify first na...I remember France 98,we never beat Denmark we don begin plan Brazil.make we qualify abeg

lol. isokay. praying the negative se syndrome doesnt rear its head.

Oliseh's boys lost today -- finally.

The only reason I would have been scared is if VicMo and Mikel weren't playing. And both guys are playing.

Anyone doubting a win tomorrow for the Eagles is not a true fan.
O pari
**Smiles**

From what i read on paper today, it seems sport journos, analyst do come peep on here... repping nl. papi Rohr knows just what will happen.

Joebie:
Well i’m sorry to say the first thing we need to know is if they are perfuming. Next, we want to look at their opposition (and that’s the league they play).

Let me take your names one by one

1. Ike Ugbo
You have a case about Ugbo (Barnsley). He’s started against Spurs at the EFA cup and has had a goal and assist in the Championship. Maybe he would have been considered in the first team if he were a Liverpool player or their U23 side.

Counter: Taiwo Awoniyi likewise will probably be in Liverpool first team, u23 team, or loaned to a championship side if not for work permit issues. Taiwo Awoniyi scored on his debut in belgium and have not looked back since then.

2. Bobby Adekanye
He is just a promising player. A liverpool U23 player. We know Klopp likes to give talented youngsters a chance. As regards current performance stats, Awoniyi is better. Adekanye has not done anything noteworthy in the Reserve league (U23).

Counter: same as above

3. Dominic Solanke: you have a real argument here (NOT CONSIDERING U20 WC). That he gets to have playing time in the EPL and is not overwhelmed by the occasion, then sure he is promising. Solanke better than Awoniyi? -- still debatable.

4. Ejaria
This one does not count. He is a midfielder. Don’t forget the context was promising forwards.

5. As regards Tega we’ve already made that argument

6. Ademola Lookman has a goal in the Premier League till date — from last season. Lately, finding it had to get games in Everton.


Please Please Please sir, if you want to name names, lets talk performance first.

So far, comparing Solanke and Ugbo, to Awoniyi is debatable. You don’t have a strong case with the other names.

Questions for you:
1. Should Awoniyi be able to get work permit and Klopp decide not to loan him away from England, would that automatically mean FOR YOU he would be in the same level as Solanke?

2. Why do you rate Awoniyi low? Besides that he plays Belgium, is has his performances been poor?

Watching England play Scotland U21 the forward line being led by Solanke and Tega and the midfield being run by the second Tega.

Will reply later.

Ivory coast are just playing nonsense.
Their golden era is gone.

Mali hit the cross bar.

Joebie:
Nigeria will beat Zambia better beat

Oya come and flog me

Lol. we have +7, there have +2. meaning they have to score 3 unreplied goals to smell ice. for every goal we score, they'll have to score 3+1....

Even if papi Rohr fielded team b, we cant lose by that margin. But they would!

Icon4s:
Ivory coast are just playing nonsense.

Their golden era is gone.

I wonder o, Mali just be like Real Madrid.

Should this Ivorien team represent Africa? damn.

pls. . Apart from NTA,which consat channel go air the match tommorow?

Why Stephen Odey transfer to Celtic crashed – Agents


By admin -
October 6, 2017, 12:16 pm

SCORENigeria is in exclusive receipt of an official statement by Phoenix IX International Sports Agency which has given a detailed insight to why Stephen Odey could not take up an offer from perennial Scottish champions Celtic.

In the statement signed by chief executive Matt Ford, Phoenix IX who eventually brokered the MFM FC striker’s transfer to Swiss side FC Zurich, blamed poor communication by MFM FC for the breakdown of Odey’s transfer to Celtic.

“We brought an incredible opportunity and potential offer from Celtic FC, which unfortunately failed owing to incredibly poor communication from Stephen’s club MFM,” read the statement.

“MFM failed to respond officially to Celtic FC for more than eight weeks, a failing which ultimately resulted in the opportunity being withdrawn.

“I wish to clarify that at all times Celtic FC acted professionally and with great interest in Stephen, and where extremely disappointed that the opportunity could not be achieved.”

The agency further disclosed that as a result of the collapsed Celtic deal they sought another opportunity with FC Zurich.

They then gave detailed reasons behind the delayed transfer of Stephen Odey to FC Zurich.

“It has been a long process since first being introduced to Stephen and his manager Yusuf, dating back to March of this year, by our long-standing Nigerian partners Emmanuel Echejille and Amadi Chinedu and highly recommended by coach Donald Malmo Paris, during this time,” said the statement.

“During this time we identified the opportunity for Stephen, in partnership with our long-standing African partner Tony Appiah (agent of Ghana and African star, Christian Atsu), with FC Zurich.

“This opportunity was achieved by our continual belief and promotion of Stephen’s ability and quality, and even after the collapse of the transfer of FC Zurich’s star African striker, Raphael Dwamena, to Brighton Hove FC in the English Premier League, FC Zurich maintained their interest in bringing Stephen to their prestigious club.

“On the very last day of the window, 31st August, with us having made all arrangements for Stephen to travel to the club, all contracts, documents and medicals where finalised.

“However owing to a technical issue on processing the TMS acceptance by MFM in Nigeria the transfer was not completed before the Switzerland deadline, so all have waited until gaining FIFA approval.

“Now Stephen can officially start his career in Europe, a career we all believe can lead to him becoming a star performer for FC Zurich and Nigerian Super Eagles.”

The agency specially commended NFF TMS manager Nasiru Jubrin for his hard work and assistance in gaining the approval with FIFA.

Why Stephen Odey transfer to Celtic crashed – Agents

http://scorenigeria.com.ng/2017/10/06/why-stephen-odey-transfer-to-celtic-crashed-agents/

Eng U21 3-1 Scot U21

All the goals for England were scored by Englishmen with Nigerian blood .

BascoVanVeli:
EXCLUSIVE: Struggling Premier League club Everton to recall Onyekuru in January


By admin -
October 5, 2017, 3:25 pm

Struggling Premier League club Everton are set to recall Nigeria international Henry Onyekuru during the January transfer window from Belgian champions Anderlecht, SCORENigeria can exclusively report.

After finishing in the top 6 last season, which qualified them for the UEFA Europa League, Everton are going through a rough patch this season following the exit of top scorer Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United.

They are now just two points above the drop zone in 16th place with seven points from as many matches amid speculations over the future of manager Ronald Koeman.

A source close to Onyekuru has now told SCORENigeria ‘The Toffees’ will recall the striker from his season-long loan at Anderlecht in January.



“Henry (Onyekuru) may not be at Anderlecht till the end of the season for the loan as Everton are seriously considering having him back in England in January,” the source revealed.

Onyekuru signed a five-year deal with the Premier League outfit, who shipped him out on a season-long loan to Anderlecht thereafter.

It was understood that there is a clause in the loan deal that allows Everton to recall him by the next transfer window.

He has thus far scored four goals for the Belgian champions.


By Olusola Alao

I expected that to happen, although not sure about the work permit issues.

Particularly if Koeman keeps his job which is looking quite unlikely.

Spain has qualified for the World Cup

The Challenge Facing Kayode At Girona In La Liga

 2 October 6, 2017 1:44 pm

For the past few years of his professional career, Olanrewaju ‘Larry’ Kayode has enjoyed being an attacking protagonist during two seasons with Maccabi Netanya in Israel, followed by another two campaigns in the Austrian Bundesliga with Austria Wien. Hard work, quality performances and powerful finishing the 2016/17 season as the leading top-flight scorer in Austria, were enough to encourage Manchester City to knock at his door.

Whether that move was one of long-term vision by the English club, or simply motivated by their recently established links with Spanish side Girona, remains to be seen. 24-year-old Kayode currently finds himself playing in La Liga rather than the Premier League, but with a genuine opportunity to follow in the footsteps of other leading Nigerian stars over the last three decades, there’s the chance to really make a name for himself in one of the top leagues in the world.

This is the first time the club has ever played in the Spanish top-flight since its foundation in 1930, so it’s both uncharted and exciting territory for their fans, even if it could prove to be a long and difficult season. At odds of 5/2 and amongst the favourites for relegation in the La Liga betting, Girona have plenty to improve.

The same might be said for Kayode, who has yet to score for his new side, although in his defence, his participation in games has been very limited. Featuring just once in the starting eleven and with six further appearances from the substitutes bench, by the international break at the start of October, a closer look at the numbers is more revealing; just 186 minutes spent on the pitch and most of those coming towards the end of games.

Adapting to a new league and culture may provide one reason for Kayode not yet becoming a regular starter, despite the excellent scoring credentials at previous clubs. However, he also has stiff competition amongst the forward options in the shape of Cristhian Stuani, who boasts a wealth of La Liga experience. Additionally, the 30-year-old Uruguayan international already has three goals to his name so far this term.

Read Also: Kayode In Action As Barca Outclass Girona To Stay Top

Most of the substitute appearances made by Kayode have come when he’s directly replaced Stuani in attack, but the Nigerian is faring better in terms of minutes played than another African striker at Girona, 23-year-old Kenya international Michael Olunga, likewise a recent addition during the summer on loan from Guizhou Zhicheng of China.

Girona boss Pablo Machin also tends to favour single striker formations. Interestingly, the only starting eleven appearance Kayode made was in the 0-0 draw away at Leganes, starting alongside Stuani to form an attacking duo and arguably performing better than the Uruguayan, yet sacrificed in the second half when Machin reverted to playing with a single striker.

After making his full international debut with Nigeria in the 1-1 friendly draw against Senegal last March, followed by another outing in the 3-0 win against Togo in June, Kayode will undoubtedly be keen to get more La Liga minutes if he’s to impress Super Eagles boss, Gernot Rohr.

This season is looking as though it will be the most difficult yet of his career, but with patience and perseverance, the talented striker will hopefully rise to the challenge over the course of the campaign in Spain and be rewarded with the minutes he deserves.

https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/the-challenge-facing-kayode-at-girona-in-la-liga/

forgiveness:

Moses Odubajo could challenge for the RB position. I rate him highly.

Uzoho is yet to make De LA coruna bench. Hope he does.

It's my legerdemain mate.

Pinnick Promises More Deals As NFF Sign Three-Year Agreement With TGI Group

 0 October 6, 2017 7:32 pm

By Nurudeen Obalola in Uyo: The Nigeria Football Federation on Friday signed a partnership and sponsorship agreement with the agricultural processing conglomerate Tropical General Investment Group here in Uyo on Friday as the Super Eagles prepared to face Zambia in a World Cup qualifier, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

TGI Executive Director Onyekachi Onubogu signed the three-year agreement on behalf of TGI, while President Amaju Pinnick, Vice-Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shebi D ikko, as well as League Management Company Chief Executive Officer Nduka Irabor, represented the NFF at the signing ceremony held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

“TGI is a multi-national agricultural processing conglomerate and we have the largest rice mill in Nigeria, which is in Kebbi State,” Onubogu said at the press conference to announce the partnership.
“We have invested big in Nigeria and we want to show loyalty and passion for Nigeria by investing big in football. Football is very important in Nigeria and this is an opportunity to work with the NFF and help develop Nigerian football.
“We support the NFF’s desire to grow Nigerian football with private sector participation. We want to partner with the NFF in ensuring Nigerian football grows from strength to strength. We hope other corporates will partner with the NFF to grow Nigerian football.
“We at TGI are privileged and excited to be associated with the NFF and Nigerian football. We hope the Super Eagles will do very well at the World Cup, because I believe they will qualify tomorrow; it’s a formality.”

Pinnick praised TGI for identifying with Nigerian football, and promised that more of such partnership agreements would be signed.

“This is an important moment in Nigerian football’s drive for excellence,” the NFF President said. “We’re happy a huge conglomerate like TGI is partnering with us. They’ve seen our processes and our integrity and they’ve seen we want to be 100 per cent private- sector driven to refocus Nigerian football.
“Lots more partnerships like this one will come after the Super Eagles secure the World Cup ticket. TGI is a very thorough company and they have shown with this agreement that they find our processes satisfactory.
“More Nigerian companies should identify with us because football is huge in this country. I saw loads of buses heading to Uyo as I was driving down from Warri. All of them were coming for tomorrow’s match.”

Dikko explained that the partnership is for three years, with three of TGI’s numerous products being the ones involved for now.
He added that TGI’s Big Bull Rice is now the official rice of the Super Eagles. TGI also has the option of sponsoring the Super Falcons while they will sponsor the Super Eagles man of the match in subsequent matches.

Dikko however did not disclose the monetary value of the deal, promising to provide details later.

Nigeria host Zambia in a key World Cup qualifier here in Uyo on Saturday with a win guaranteeing passage for the Super Eagles.

https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/pinnick-nff-sign-year-agreement-tgi/

Daejoyoung:
I wonder o, Mali just be like Real Madrid.

I don't want to even see CIV in that WC. Let Morocco qualify jare.

Iwobi Sr on the Tammy Abraham saga

"The simple answer is there is a lot of misconceptions trying to do that. We also saw it when we first switched. For a player who has been in abroad for the better part of his years there are always going to be so many difficulties”

“My answer has always been come and see for yourself and don’t make assumptions. We came, we saw and we are here. Obviously there are ways to improve on but it’s not about that and the positives surpass the negatives.''

“I’m sure every father will be proud to see his son play for his country of birth”,

OGN

It is quite clear these foreign born players are swayed by the bad press surrounding our football.
I don't blame them, we always loud our shortcomings and whisper our progress.
The bad news travels far, the good news rarely cross the boarders.

The media has a role in this regard, the onus lies on them to propagate the gospel of the rebranded national team.

The Aiteo deal is a big cop for the NFF. There has been an improvement in players welfare, these are the kind of news we should share with the world. A player turning his back on the country that trained him should at least know that he is turning into the arms of a nation that cares.

forgiveness:


This is the time to lure him to play for Nigeria because by the time he starts playing, you will see what he is made of and it will be too late to get him.

That's if he is actually good enough.

Kog45:
pls who is Uzoho,all we need now is top class keeper not average.

A keeper that w complement d average ones we have now not a keeper that is still struggling to make a bench in his club side.

What is d difference between Uzoho and Alampasu that make d former better coz Alampasu is still struggling to displace Akpeyi,Ezenwa now Ajiboye is in d contention.

My wish is for Enyeama to come back,hope he get club by January before WC.

Also wish Ikeme quick recovery but I doubt his WC participations

That's why it's a legerdemain and not a reality per se but that's not In any way ruling out the chances of it happening. We all have the right to create fantasies..

But wait oo, if Uzoho gets the nod to be Deportivo's numero uno before January, u don't think he would displace both Akpeyi and Ezenwa to become Eagles number one in the absence of Enyeama and Ikeme?

If u are good enough, u are old enough. Age ain't no determinant factor here oo. Ask Muslera and of course Gigi Donarunma.

Living Inside Zambia Coach Nyirenda’s Head: How The Chipolopolos Are Likely To Play Against Nigeria On Saturday

 6 October 6, 2017 4:58 pm
From Kayode Ogundare, who was in Accra:

One (dis)advantage of going undercover for any assignment is the likelihood of you falling in love with your quarry.

I must admit I didn’t think much about Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda until the last few days when I got the brief that I was going to be covering the Chipolopolos’ preparations at their Accra, Ghana training camp.

And, after watching him work at close quarters with his players in four training sessions at the Marcel Dassailly-owned Lizzy Training Complex, I want to pretend that I know enough of how his mind is working ahead of the all-important World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on Saturday at the magnificent Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

For starters, Zambia’s preparations have been bogged down by injuries and withdrawals, and the possibility of captain and first-choice goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene not been fully fit for the game.

So, acting on this premise, I won’t be surprised if stand-in goalkeeper Toaster Nzabata gets the nod if Mweene fails to make the team.

I don’t know why but I think Nyirenda is working on the assumption that the soft underbelly of the Nigerian team is in their defence, especially the full-backs, and he’s working hard to exploit that frailty. All through the training sessions, assistant coach Aggrey Chiyanji was constantly in charge of the strikers and their routine comprised mainly of trying to break down the full-backs with Fashion Sakala and Alex N’gonga doing quick runs to the right and left while relying on thorough balls from the midfield anchor which would likely be Enoch Mwepu or Chisamba Lungu or even both of them depending on what formation the coach decides on.

In the middle of the park, I expect the experienced Konduani Mtonga and Kabaso Mulenga to support Mwepu and Lungu in a four-man midfield but, should Nyirenda chose a more offensive formation, Mtonga gets my vote to play with Mwepu and Lungu in midfield in a 4-3-3 formation.

A 4-3-3 formation will mean a mobile four-man defence and I will vote Simon Silwimba, Fackson Kapumbu, Ziyo Tembo and the imposing Stoppila Sunzu. If for nothing else, this quartet has played together in the back-to-back victories over Algeria and that familiarity will help understanding among them.

Now, stretching it further, an adventurous Nyirenda knows he cannot afford to sit back and allow the Super Eagles to come at his team so he’s condemned to attack and a three-man attack looks very attractive.

Sakala, N’Gonga and Patson Daka(if he shakes off his knock) should get the starting nod against Nigeria and this, I must say, is a pretty strong side able to eke out a result.


Zambian hopes rest on the young Sakala

Tactically, the strategy is to nullify Nigeria’s very offensive play by stifling the attacking intent of the Super Eagles. This is where Sunzu’s imposing build and the experience of Mtonga and Mulenga will come in handy.

Conventional wisdom will dictate that a coach be wary of a backlash against the venomous firepower of the Nigerian team, especially at the Uyo stadium where they have scored seven goals in two games in World Cup, but Nyirenda is anything but conventional.

If anything, he’s a maverick. I give him an A for boldness and guts. He’s doing what most African coaches rarely do: look so-called star players in the face and drop them.

If calling the bluff of players like Fwayo Tembo was not enough, dropping Rainford Kalaba took some guts. I thought he was and still is a decent player. Besides, he’s captained the team. Who drops captains?

Nyirenda’s quiet revolution will yield fruit for Zambia in time provided he stays on track and the Football Association allow him to continue in the job.

However, meeting Nigeria at this stage, with a World Cup ticket at stake, is a bridge too far. We may underrate our own team, and I’m not saying this lightly, but the Super Eagles is one of, if not, Africa’s most attack-minded team. There are just too many offensive pressure points in the team such that you can’t plug all at once.

zambia-players-train-ahead-of-clash-with-eagles

Zambia’s time will come, maybe in 2022 because the current squad, made up of very young players is too talented not to play at the highest level.

Now time to look into my crystal ball and hazard a guess as to what Zambia’s probable starting line-up would be on Saturday.

My guess is as follows: Mweene; Silwimba, Kapumbu, Sunzu,Tembo; Mtonga, Mulenga, Lungu, Mwepu; Daka, Shonga

https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/living-inside-zambia-coach-nyirendas-head-chipolopolos-likely-play-nigeria-saturday/

forgiveness:


I wasn't talking about Onyekuru.

There's also rumor that Liverpool wants Ademola-lookman.

Rumours that's all.

Famocious:
Eng U21 3-1 Scot U21

All the goals for England were scored by Englishmen with Nigerian blood .

I saw the match and i can say those boys gave good account of themselves.

Onomah na oga I no go lie.