NIGERIANS PLAYERS NEWS

 

Ahead of the African Cup of Nations qualifier next weekend, the Super Eagles have been boosted by the arrival of three foreign - based professionals.

Watford striker Odion Ighalo, in - form Hapoel Beer Sheva midfielder John Ogu and ex Switzerland youth - teamer Steve Ukoh arrived in Abuja on Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation has disclosed through official sources.

The trio will participate in training with the home - based players who were retained on Wednesday.

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has instructed all the foreign based players to be in camp on or before midnight on Wednesday, June 3.

Chinese - based Aaron Samuel will arrive in camp this weekend after Guangzhou R&F’s Super League clash against Beijing Guoan.

Nigeria goalkeeper Austin Ejide has announced his departure from Hapoel Beer Sheva, three years after he joined The Camels from Hapoel Petah Tikva.

The shot - stopper has insisted that he did not sign a new deal with Hapoel Beer Sheva because he was not in the plans of the new coach for next season, shooting down suggestions that his wage demands were not met.

EJIDE LEAVES BEER SHEVA

“Hapoel Beer Sheva say we broke up because of financial gaps? This is a lie. They came and told me the new coach did not want me, ” says Austin Ejide to Sports Walla.

“That’s the real reason. There is no connection to contacts we had. I never asked for more money.”

The 31 - year - old added : “I leave on vacation now and then probably will find a club overseas.  I can only say my departure is not related to money. 

“The club may not choose me, no one will kill somebody because I leave the club, but we have to tell them the real reasons before I go.

 “I am separated from Beer Sheva and in particular from Elisha Levy , who is a good person and a good coach.  The new coach’s decision, I’d rather not talk about.”

The former Enugu Rangers and Gabros goalie was in between the pipes 34 times in the 2014 - 2015 campaign.     

Keshi drops 18 home-based players ahead Chad clash

Abuja - Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has retained only eight out of the twenty six home based players in camp for the June 13 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.
The players retained are:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe and Chima Akas.
Midfielder: Bright Onyedikachi
Strikers: Gbolahan Salami and Ikechukwu Gabriel.
Making the announcement on Tuesday, Keshi said the retained players would be joined by the fifteen invited foreign based players for the final phase of preparations for Nigeria's opening 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna next weekend.
He urged the players who failed to make the cut not to be discouraged but to work harder to keep themselves among the pool of players that could be called up for future national team assignments.
In another development, Coach Stephen Keshi has released the players of Warri Wolves for this weekend's all-important CAF Confederation Cup playoff second leg against AC Leopards of Congo.
The game comes up on Saturday, June 6 at the Warri Township Stadium.
The Nigerian representatives lost the first leg 3-0 but are confident they can turn things around in Saturday's return leg.
The players, Daniel Akpeyi, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe and Gbolahan Salami are expected to report back to the Super Eagles camp immediately after the game.

CSKA Moscow Target Aaron Samuel Not Bothered About Playing In China

 
Guangzhou R&F striker Aaron Samuel says he is not desperate to return to Europe amid interest from clubs in Russia, England, Turkey and Germany.

The former Sarpsborg 08  man was on the brink of a move to CSKA Moscow in the January transfer window only for the CEO of the Chinese club, Zhang Li, to pull the plug on the deal after the coach had approved his departure.

It is for that reason that the soon - to - be 21 - year - old was not registered for the AFC Champions League as his exit from the Yuexiushan Stadium was 90% completed, in transfer market parlance.

“A lot of people are wondering why I am in China playing. It’s not a problem, football is everywhere,” Aaron Samuel told thenff.com.“It depends on where you want to play, I have some clubs in Europe who want me, it’s not easy to get out of the club.“For me I am not bothering myself about going back to Europe. “What is most important for me is to play good football and when I come to the national team I do all my best.”

After spending close to one month on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury, Samuel netted in his second match following his return from injury.