Odion Ighalo Named To Team Of The Week, Ranked 13th Best Player In England

 
For the first time in his career,  Odion Ighalo has been named to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Team of the Week for the sixth round of games in the English Premier League.

The Nigeria international was recognized by the official website of the Premier League for the brace he scored last weekend in the 2 - 1 win over Newcastle United.

In a 4 - 4 - 2 formation, the Watford striker was chosen to lead the frontline alongside Manchester United sensation Anthony Martial.

Meanwhile, in the cumulative ratings of all the players in the Premier League so far this season, Ighalo occupied 13th place and was the highest ranked Watford player with an index of 119.

The 26 - year - old took a giant leap as he was ranked 67th best player in the English top flight as at this time last week.

Dele Alli Delighted With Win Against Crystal Palace

Anglo - Nigerian midfielder Dele Alli was delighted with Tottenham Hostpur’s 1 - 0 win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, and he is eagerly looking forward to the Capital Cup clash against fierce rivals Arsenal.

The England youth international was named in the starting line - up for the second time in the ongoing campaign, and he would have added to his solitary strike but failed to convert that came his way in the 32nd and 77th minutes.

“Great win today! Boys really dug in deep, was very much deserved! Now onto Wednesday, ” Dele Alli stated on social media.

South Korea national - teamer Heung-Min Son netted the game - winner in the 68th minute after being set up by substitute
Eriksen.

Tottenham Hotspur have nine points in the kitty after six rounds and occupy the ninth position on the table.

 TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SUMMONS AMUNEKE OVER TRADING OF PLAYERS

Emmanuel Amuneke may be relieved of his duties as coach of the Golden Eaglets less than one month before the start of the Fifa Under 17 World Cup after he was summoned by the Technical Director of the national teams led by former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu.  In his query. he was asked to explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against him for trading in players, who are minors.

The former Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon winger was coercing players he intends to name on the roster for the tournament in Chile to sign contracts with his academy, Emmanuel Amuneke Academy, or risk being dropped.

“Amuneke brought documents belonging to his club and wanted the whole players to sign for his academy before they go to the World Cup, so they will be cleared by him if they join a foreign club after the competition. But one of the affected players reported Amuneke and they have given him a query. Amodu Shuaibu was surprised that he never knew that that was what Amuneke has been doing since in the national team.“He has been summoned by Amodu Shuaibu and he is trying to defend himself now. Amuneke is not going to any World Cup but to sell players.”

This is not the first time that Emmanuel Amuneke is forcefully trading in Nigerian youngsters.

This website can prove beyond reasonable doubt that the 44 - year - old threatened Bernard Bulbwa (now with Esperance) and Chidiebere Nwakali ( Man City) to sign contracts with Emmanuel Amuneke Academy prior to the 2013 Fifa Under 17 World Cup.

Like Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidiebere Nwakali’s sporting and economic rights were owned by Taye Academy, Owerri before Amuneke illegally transferred the rights to his academy.

Ikeme’ll keep Enyeama on his toes —Alloy Agu

SUPER Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu, has said that regardless of the five-star performances England-based Nigerian goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme put in the AFCON qualifier tie against Tanzania and friendly encounter against Niger in Port Harcourt, it would be very unfair to rate him ahead of his French-based counterpart, Vincent Enyeama, stat­ing that Enyeama remains Eagles first choice goal­keeper.
Answering questions from SportingSun on tele­phone yesterday, the Ni­gerian former goalkeeper, however, noted that his joy was that the performance had increased the level of competition in the Eagles goalkeeping department, insisting that Ikeme should rather be seen as a compet­itor, not a rival to Enyeama in Super Eagles team.
Agu, who started the chat with the justification of the invitation of four goalkeepers for the dou­ble-edged friendly against Cameroon and Togo said: “You know that the invi­tation of four goalkeep­ers was not only for one friendly game, but two of them. Don’t also forget that we are building a team.
“The invitation will give us the opportunity to look at them and make our choice. If we just invite only two or three of them, something can happen during training. We should equally remember that the CHAN engagement is tak­ing place almost the same week. We have to put all those things into consider­ation before arriving at in­viting four goalkeepers for the two friendly matches,” he defended.
Then asked if Ikeme’s performance had made him a rival to Enyeama, Agu replied: “Enyeama and Ikeme are not rivals, but rather competitors. We should rather look at it as a good thing for the country to have wonderful goal­keepers in the Eagles line-up, which will bring more competition that will in turn bring excellent game performance.
“At this point, we are not looking at rivalry, but a competitive build up process. We thank God Ikeme did well in the two outings, but we should not forget that Vincent Enyeama has been a sol­id hand for the country, which none of us can dis­pute.
“However, it is also good to have another per­son who can also do well. It brings out the beauty of the game and the compe­tition in the goalkeeping department. It is not about rivalry, but an opportunity for everyone to showcase what he has and ensure that Nigeria gets the very best hands,” he said.
On whether selection will now be based on com­petition or whether En­yeama still remains num­ber one, the Eagles trainer said: “Honestly speaking, Enyeama is still number one goalkeeper and there is no dispute about it.

… As group urges Odegbami to step down for Kalu

FOLLOWING the con­ditions set by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the would- be Nigeria candidates for the number one position of the world football body (FIFA), a group, South West Football Fans (SWFF) has appealed to ex-international foot­baller, Chief Segun Odeg­bami to drop his ambition in support of African Pillar of Sports and former gover­nor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu.
The group in a statement signed by Bashorun Ade Magbagbeola and Kehinde Sikiru, National Chairman and Publicity Secretary re­spectively after a meeting in Ibadan on Saturday noted that Nigeria has to present a consensus and formidable candidate with the financial muscle and network of con­tacts to win the race.
According to the duo, over the years, no African had assumed the position of FIFA president and now is the time to present a Ni­gerian that has intimidat­ing credentials beyond the world of football.
The statement read: “In the spirit of patriotism, we are by this communiqué calling on well meaning sports stakeholders to per­suade Chief Odegbami to drop his ambition. We rec­ognize the fact that Odeg­bami has played a promi­nent role in soccer and as such has the right to vie for the position. This is a pas­sionate appeal to him (Ode­gbami) to support a candi­date that has global reach and capacity to favorably compete with candidates from the rest of the world.
“FIFA presidency goes beyond sports, the of­fice requires a personality with cognate experience in the business and political spheres of life. Kalu’s ante­cedents in sports, business and politics are commend­able and make him the best candidate for the job.

NIGERIANS PLAYERS ABROAD....

Chuma Anene Scores On Amkar Perm Debut Vs Zenit St Petersburg

Former Norway youth international Chuma Anene bagged his first goal for Amkar Perm on his debut in his side’s 1 - 1 draw with Zenit St Petersburg.

In the 10th minute, Artem Dzyuba opened the scoring for the home team but Anene leveled the scoreline in the 66th minute, four minutes before he departed from the game.

Amkar Perm’s Nigeria international Fegor Ogude is still serving a suspension and was not named in the roster. Russian - Nigerian defender Brian Idowu lasted the distance while injured Izunna Uzochukwu was a spectator.

Chuma Anene penned a two - year contract with Amkar Perm in August, joining the team from from Macedonia vice - champions FK Rabotnički.

The Gadzhi Gadzhiyev led side return home to face Mordovia Saransk on Monday, September 28 in their next fixture.

Sylvester Igbonu Ends 434 - Minute Goal Drought But Ufa Lose 

Obafemi Martins scoops first trophy of season

Obafemi Martins won the first trophy of the season in the USA with Seattle Sounders when they claimed the Cascadia Cup 2015 following a 3-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Cascadia Cup is a regional trophy contested by the Northwest teams in the MLS, namely Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers and the team with highest number of points in the meetings of the three teams win the trophy.

Sounders top with 12 points to win their fourth Cascadia Cup.

Nigeria striker Fanendo Adi of Portland Timbers was the top scorer of this year’s Cascadia Cup with three goals.

Sylvester Igboun scored his second goal of the season in the colours of FC Ufa but it was his vain as his club were thrashed 4 - 1 by Terek Grozny in their ninth game in the Russian Premier League.

In the first half, the home team took the lead in the 10th minute, then, Maurício netted a second in the 36th minute.

On 69 minutes, Igboun scored from the penalty spot to end his 434 - minute goal drought dating back to July 31 and which lasted for four matches.

The Nigeria international last hit target on July 31 in Ufa’s 1 - 1 draw with Kuban Krasnodar on game week three prior to the contest at the Stadion im. Akhmat-Khaji Kadyrova on Saturday.

Igboun has been called up for the upcoming Super Eagles friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon in October.

hmed Musa, Doumbia star in CSKA comeback win

Ahmed Musa has now scored five league goals for CSKA this season

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Sep 20, 2015. 15:36

Ahmed Musa and Seydou Doumbia scored a brace each to help CSA Moscow stage a remarkable comeback to win 6-4 at Mordovia Saransk on Sunday.

The road win keeps them top of the table on 25 points from nine matches.

CSKA were three goals down after 15 minutes during which they had a player sent off.

But they turned on the style in the early second half to pull back two goals.

Cote d’Ivoire star Doumbia then got on the scoreboard after 59 minutes with an assist from Ahmed Musa to make it 3-3.

However, the home team retook the lead in the 68^th minute, before CSKA fought back to draw level at 4-4 through Nigeria international Musa in the 80^th courtesy of an assist by Doumbia.

Ahmed Musa then put his army team ahead 5-4 five minutes later for his fifth league goal this season, before Doumbia completed his own brace two minutes from time to wrap up a remarkable fight-back.

 

Otubanjo grabs hat-trick in Austria

Former Nigerian youth international Yusuf Olaitan Otubanjo has grabbed  a hat-trick  for Weiss Linz FC in the 5-2 win over  SC Weiz in the Austria’s  Regionalliga Mitte.

Otubanjo who was part of the Golden Eaglets that won silver when Nigeria hosted the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2009, has been  impressive for  his new club and has so far scored 14 goals in nine matches  in the on-going season.

“I’m very happy with the victory on Friday and I really thank God for making it possible for me to score three goals against SC Weiz,” said the former FC Red Bull Salzburg’s striker after Friday's win.

“It was an interesting match because they scored first just five minutes into the game, but I equalised in the 20^th minute; I scored another goal for my club in the 42^nd minute and  I actually scored the last goal of the match in the 88^th minute.”

He said his rich vein of form might not be unconnected with a new lease of life at Weiss Linz FC after some torrid time at FC Red Bull Salzburg due to injury from where he was loaned out to FC Pasching.

The 2015/2016 Regionalliga Mitte season  which started in  July  has seen Otubanjo among the goals in the Regionalliga Mitte featuring teams from the central region including Styria, Carinthia, Upper Austria and East Tyrol.

 

Ighalo strikes twice to celebrate Eagles return

Odion Ighalo struck twice for Watford at Newcastle United to celebrate his recall by Nigeria to two friendlies in Belgium next month.

Ighalo scored in the 10^th and 28^th minutes to record his fourth goal in the English Premier League and mark his club’s second win in the English top-flight league. It was also Watford's first win at St.James Park since 1981.

Watford now have eight points, while Newcastle remain winless thus far.

His goals came just a day after he was named on a 24-man squad by Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh for matches against Cameroon and Congo next month.

Last month, Oliseh snubbed Ighalo for a 2017 AFCON qualifier in Tanzania despite the striker scoring his first goal for the Super Eagles against Chad in June.

Enyeama sent off in France

Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama was sent off in France on Friday for a professional foul while in action for Lille in a league game against Rennes.

Ironically, his dismissal came on the day he was recalled by Nigeria to two friendlies against Congo and Cameroon next month after the drama that surrounded his call-up to an AFCON qualifier against Tanzania last month.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper was sent off in the 69th minute of the game after Rennes Giovanni Sio appeared in his front and went down.

Lille though still picked a point on the road in the game as they drew 1-1.

This is the second time Enyeama will be sent off in his professional career, the first was on 30th August, 2009, when he was in action for Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv in a game they drew 1-1 at home with Maccabi Petah Tikva.

Victor Moses sinks EPL most expensive starting XI

Manchester City starting XI worth 300 million pounds, the most expensive ever in the EPL, were put to sword by Nigeria’s Victor Moses, whose sixth minute goal inspired West Ham to win at the Ittihad on Saturday.

Senegal’s Diafra Sakho doubled West Ham lead after 31 minutes, before Kevin de Bruyne halved the deficit in the second half for City.

Moses opening goal was the first conceded by City this season and it led to the millionaire club suffering their first loss of the campaign.

West Ham have also felled Arsenal and Liverpool away from home this season and they are now second on the table with 12 points from six matches.

Moses was later replaced after an hour at City.

Moses' compatriot, 18-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho was introduced by City six minutes from time but he could not reproduce his recent match-winning heroics at Crystal Palace.
 
Obafemi Martins scored his 13th MLS goal of this term at BC Place Stadium as Seattle Sounders continued their push for a play - off spot with a 3 - 0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Nigeria international set up Andreas Ivanschitz’s goal in the 45th minute before adding more gloss to the scoreline, himself, with an 87th minute strike.

For the home team, Canada youth international Sam Adekugbe came off the bench one minute from time while Martins was on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

Canada international Tesho Akindele appeared for 23rd time in the MLS in the ongoing campaign but could not add to his five - goal tally as Dallas lost 3 - 1 to Sporting KC, who pay the wages of the injured Ike Opara and Amobi Okugo.

For the home team, Jalil Anibaba was a 92nd minute substitute while Akindele joined the fray 19 minutes out of intermission.

United States youth - teamer Fatai Alashe played all 90 minutes of San Jose Earthquakes 3 - 2 loss to New York City. Teammate Innocent Emeghara is out injured, so did not feature.

Over to the Stade Saputo (Montreal, Quebec), New England Revolution lost 3 - 0 to a Didier Droga inspired Montreal Impact. Striker Sean Okoli was not in action for the visitors.

Chicago Fire lost for the 16th time this season after they were beaten 1 - 0 by Orlando City. Their Nigerian number 77 Kennedy Igboananike started and lasted the distance. He has scored 7 goals in 28 games.

Over to Utah, where Real Salt Lake tackled LA Galaxy. There was no place in the roster for defender Boyd Okwuonu, who has appeared 3 times for Real Salt Lake in the MLS this season.

LA LIGA ..UPDATE

Real Madrid beat Granada 1-0 in La Liga action last night but superstar Cristiano Ronaldo stayed on 499 professional career goals after a rare occurrence – he didn't score.

Ronaldo would have notched up the 500th goal of his club career had he netted but it was Karim Benzema who got the goal for Los Blancos.
The Portuguese has already broken Real’s La Liga scoring record previously held by Spanish legend Raul Gonzalez after netting his 230th League goal last week.
He now has 321 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid and is just three goals short of the club’s all-time scoring record of 324, also held by Raul.
Ronaldo has achieved all of these club feats in just 305 appearances, with 85 assists to boot.
Real Madrid are top of the La Liga table with 10 points from four games, but Barcelona play Levante tonight and are likely to move onto 12 points.
Saturday’s La Liga Results
Real Madrid 1-0 Granada
Valencia 0 - 0 Real Betis
Eibar 0-2 Atletico Madrid
Real Sociedad 2-3 Espanyol