NIGERIAN PLAYERS UPDATE

IMO EZEKIEL TO REPLACE EMENIKE

Emmanuel Emenike’s future at Fenerbahce has been cast into doubt, with reports suggesting that the Turkish champions are in the market for a striker to replace him at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

According to Eurosport.com, officials of the Istanbul side have beamed their searchlight on Imoh Ezekiel ahead of the reopening of the transfer window.

The one - cap Nigeria international is tied to Al Arabi, Qatar until the summer of 2018 but spend the second half of this season on loan at his first professional club in Europe, Standard Liege.

Fenerbahce are hoping to sign the 36 Lion product below his market value by activating a release clause in his contract with Al Arabi.

It is known by this website that Imoh Ezekiel’s minders are well regarded at Fenerbahce and they did try to do business with the Istanbul club few years ago by offering them Gbolahan Salami, now with Warri Wolves.

OLARENWAJU KAYODE JOINS AUSTRIAN VIENNA

Through a statement on its official website, Austrian powerhouse Austria Vienna has announced the signing of Olarenwaju  Kayode from Maccabi Netanya on a four - year deal subject to a routine medical.

Note that the transfer market remains closed in Austria until June 9, and for the next three weeks the contract signed by the former Nigeria Under 20 international will be inactive.

Sport director Franz Wohlfahrt told Austria Vienna’s official website : “Lary Kayode is a young rising star.  He has knocked out from the big clubs from Israel and decided to join us - the course we’re happy. 

“He wants to do with this change also the next step in his young career and to prove himself here.”

Outside Africa, Olarenwaju  Kayode previously wore the jersey of FC Luzern, Switzerland.

CHUBA AKPOM IDOLISES THIERRY HENRY
Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom has confessed that he idolizes retired footballer Thierry Henry, who was a cult hero at The Gunners, before his switch to Barcelona.

The England youth international goes by the nickname Titi in reference to the retired France international, and he has admitted that he’s always proud to be called that name by Alexis Sanchez.

“Alexis Sanchez calls me Titi. Thierry Henry is my idol so for someone like Alexis to call me Titi is a bit... wow – I’ll take that!

“Henry was the striker when I was growing up, and I used to wear number 14 just because of him.

“I was in the Arsenal academy, seeing him do all these great things for the club and I thought, ‘I want to be like him’, ” Akpom told Arsenal Magazine, according to arsenal.com.

Akpom picked Thierry Henry’s goal against Real Madrid in 2006 as his favourite moment about the former Arsenal number 14.

VICTOR MOSES SALUTES HIS FANS

Chelsea loanee Victor Moses has remained positive despite a hamstring injury cutting short his season with Stoke City and has thanked his fans who have rallied round him.

The Nigeria international has not played an official game for The Potters since their 1 - 1 draw against West Ham United in mid- April.

“Thanks for your messages about the injury, it’s progressing well and I’ll be back better and stronger next season, ” Victor Moses posted on Twitter.

Remarkably, the former Wigan Athletic and Crystal Palace man recorded 19 appearances in the Premier League this term, all of them from the start, before his spell on the sidelines.

Victor Moses still has a contract with Chelsea until June 30, 2017.

18 / May 18, 2015

NWAKALI TO TURN DOWN CITY

KELECHI NWAKALI TURNS DOWN MAN CITY,  PENS DEAL WITH NIKE

The 16 - year - old’s intermediaries have refused to disclose the financial terms of the deal penned  with Nike as well as the products the Oregon based company will offer the Nigeria Under 17 international.

Meanwhile, it is understood that Kelechi Nwakali was in England ten days ago to be shown to discuss a possible transfer with Manchester City.
Kelechi Nwakali was Nigeria’s most outstanding player at the 2015 African Under 17 Championship in the eyes of many.

Golden Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali has declared that he will make a decision on whether to sign on the dotted line for Manchester City after the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Chile.

Man City chiefs recently invited him to England to show him the club's facilities and training ground but talks of a deal being imminent are wide of the mark for the simple reason that he won't turn 18 until June 5, 2016.

''Kelechi Nwakali has visited Manchester City's academy. We are still discussing with the club,''
''He was invited to visit the club's academy and that will help him make a decision after the Under 17 World Cup.

''They have a fantastic academy so of course it will help him make a decision.''

In five outings at the 2015 African Under 17 Championship, the Diamond Academy Umuahia starlet scored 3 goals.

The attacking midfielder is also believed to be on the wish-list of other English Premier League powerhouses and an unnamed Spanish club.

RELEGATION BATTLE DELAYS SUCCESS CAMP SHOW

Flying Eagles Star Isaac Success Puts Rumours To Bed And Is Unfazed By The Prospect Of Facing Brazil

Isaac Success has broken his silence on the reason behind his failure to attend the Nigeria Under 20s get-together in Germany despite the relatively short flight distance between Andalusia and Bavaria.

The Granada striker has maintained again and again that he was in touch with the Flying Eagles backroom staff to keep them abreast of developments after the Spanish side did not sanction his trip to Nuremberg, contrary to reports.

''I did not attend the training camp in Germany because my club Granada is fighting to escape from relegation,''
''For that reason Granada did not allow me to attend the camp. ''

The bitter truth is that Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has so much trust in Isaac Success and has named him to his 21-man roster ahead of other strikers that attended the training camp due to his exploits with the Golden Eaglets.

''I feel very, very happy to be named for the FIFA Under 20 World Cup. I was expecting it to happen because I was in touch with the coaches always.

''I can blend with the team because I am a professional player playing in one of the best leagues in the world.

''I am equal to the task of playing against any opponent at the World Cup, including Brazil,'' the Granada number 29 added.

Finally, quizzed about his targets in New Zealand, Isaac Success answered: ''My target in the World Cup is to become the highest goal scorer and to help Nigeria to win the Under 20 World Cup this year.''

There had been doubts surrounding his fitness but that disappeared on Sunday evening, with Granada manager Jose Sandoval including him in the 18-man squad that travelled to Estadio Municipal de Anoeta to face Real Sociedad.

Bulbwa: World Cup Is My Time To Shine

After making the final list of players to the U20 World Cup, Flying Eagles forward Bernard Bulbwa has said the World Cup will be his stage to shine.
The 18-year-old scored a spectacular goal to help Nigeria beat Senegal 1-0 in the final of the last Africa Youth Championship in March to help Nigeria lift the trophy, and says this is his opportunity to make a bigger statement.
“I thank God for what I did at the Africa Youth Championship but the World Cup is obviously a bigger stage and a bigger opportunity for me to showcase my talent.
“This is my stage to shine and I believe I will not let Nigerians down by the grace of God. My teammates and I have worked really hard to get to this stage and hopefully we will go on to win the World Cup,” he said.
The new Esperance acquisition played at the 2013 CAF U17 championship for Nigeria, but failed to make that year’s FIFA U17 World Cup.
Having been named amongst the 21 players to play at the U20 World Cup, he says he is grateful to the coaches for giving him the opportunity.
IDEYE SALUTES TEAM MATES
“I have to thank the coaches for giving me this opportunity and I am grateful. I will do my best so I won’t disappoint them,” he stated.

West Brom stood by me through tough start - Brown Ideye

The 10 million pounds club-record signing hit a dry spell which brought criticism as well as talk of him leaving for the Middle East during January’s transfer window.
However, four goals in three matches in February helped him regain confidence as well as support from the fans.
“I always believe in hard work. When you work hard it might take time but your time will come,” Ideye told World Soccer.
“I knew things would turn out well if I remain patient and God did for me like he does in my life.
“Even when things weren’t going well with me, the players stood by me and the manager has been helpful since he got here. He has been like a father,” he said.
The 26-year-old claimed that rumours about him moving to Qatari side Al Gharafa on deadline day in January were all lies.               
“Al Gharafa tried to sign me before, when I was in Ukraine. They approached West Brom again around December [but] I told the director to forget it as I plan to stay and fight for my place because England is where I want to be,” he said while also describing his joy at moving to England.
“I always wanted to come to the Premier League from the moment I moved to Europe.
“It was a dream league while playing in Nigeria, watching the likes of [Nwankwo] Kanu and [Austin] Okocha playing in England.
“You keep saying someday it will happen. I went to the hotel and said to myself that I am now in the big league.”
Despite winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, Ideye was ignored for the Super Eagles squad that went to the World Cup in Brazil.
“I felt bad when I was omitted because playing at the World Cup is every player’s dream. But I’ve put all that behind me.
“I need to stay positive and look ahead,” said Ideye who was invited back to the Super Eagles in March but could not make it due to injury.
He would hope to make coach Stephen Keshi’s squad to play Chad in next month’s Afcon 2017

Babatunde Wins MVP in Volyn’s 4-2 Win Over Uzhorod

Volyn’s Nigerian international, Michael Babatunde won for himself the man- of the match award after posting a brilliant performance in his side’s 4-2 win over Lukman Haruna’s Hoverla Uzhhorod.

The Nigerian winger who is expected to be named in coach Stephen Keshi’s foreign-based squad for next month’s AFCON qualifiers doubled his side’s lead in the 23rd minute after Alexandre Kobakhize had opened scoring for the hosts.

Babatunde however kept mum when asked if he will be leaving the club in the summer but admitted that he has received offers from some teams in Germany, France and Scotland.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me yet as I have one year left on my current deal, but my agent has been receiving offers,” he said.

He was replaced in the stoppage time of the encounter by Sergey Petrox