Rohr Replaces Injured Balogun With Agbo For Zambia Clash

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has replaced injured defender Leon Balogun with Granada midfielder Uche Agbo for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Ndola  according to a media release from the Communication department of the Nigerian Football Federation.

Balogun who was initially listed in the 23-man for the game sustained a muscle injury in his club Mainz's 3-2 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen last Saturday.

Agbo, 20, a former Flying Eagles defender, has played five games for Granada in La Liga this season and is in line to make his senior national team debut.

Smalling backs  Rooney after victory over Leicester

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling believes it is only a matter of time before Wayne Rooney starts firing and is back in the starting line-up.

Smalling stood in as captain as regular skipper Rooney was dropped to the bench for Saturday's 4-1 victory over Premier League champions Leicester City at Old Trafford.
Rooney's lack of form has been a major talking point this season, and United manager Jose Mourinho made the decision to take the 30-year-old out of the starting team and only introduced him late in the game.
Despite his ponderous form for club and country, Smalling says Rooney remained as vocal as ever on Saturday.
Smalling said: "He was the same, as in before the game when we're all getting ready. He is often one of the most vocal and he was the same on Saturday.
"Regardless of whatever the situation is, whatever game, whether he is on the bench or playing or whatever, he is always that same type of character and that's why he is England's main man and our main man.
"I think he's a very experienced guy and he's played that many games that I think it'll only be a matter of time before he's back in there and firing again because he's quality."

Jurgen Klopp dismisses Premier League title talk

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has brushed off talk of his side mounting a title challenge following a strong start to the 2016/17 Premier League season.

The Merseysiders are flying high in fourth place, level with Arsenal on 13 points after recording a convincing 5-1 victory over 10-man Hull City at the weekend.
The manner in which the Reds have ignited their campaign has impressed many pundits, while their early-season form has also seen bookies make Klopp's side second favourites for the league title.
However, Klopp is having none of it, insisting it is still too early for end-of-season predictions.
When asked about the bookies' odds on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, Klopp said: "I don't understand the numbers.
"I know where I come from, you keep your money, you don't do something like this!"
He added: "It is not important for me but it is better to have an optimistic mood around.
"At this moment, Liverpool feels good. We had this very important game against Hull and we did it in a really impressive way.
"It's nice to see [the table] but the one problem is the number, it is six games now so it's at an early stage which is the only problem.
"I'm happy about this but I know there is a long way to go."

Ronaldo will thank me as the season progresses.

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has denied reports claiming he has fallen out with star forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo made his feelings known towards the Frenchman when substituted in the 2-2 draw with minnows Las Palmas at the weekend, but Zidane has now moved to dampen any talk of unrest.
Initially Zidane suggested that it was to rest Ronaldo for more important fixtures, and the Los Blancos manager insists that the three time Balon D'or winner will thank him for the decision as the season progresses.
"Everything is normal," he told reporters ahead of the Champions league clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
"It is not just Cristiano. All players can be angry when they leave the pitch. We're already thinking about tomorrow’s game. I took the decision for the good of the player.
"Nothing has changed. All this talk [about the incident], more than about tomorrow's game, well we must live with that. We are relaxed. I'm not stupid, and he is intelligent. We are all here for the same thing."

Emenike Fires Fenerbahce to victory.

   Emmanuel Emenike scored for the second consecutive game as Fenerbahçe registered a 2-1 win over Gaziantepspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday evening.

In the game held at Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi , the former Nigeria international got the ball rolling in the 22nd minute after he was set up by Jeremain Lens.Emenike opened his account in the league this season in the Yellow Canaries 5-1 rout of Kasimpasa on September 19.

The 29-year-old has scored five goals from nine appearances in all competitions while providing two assists.

He began last season at Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) before joining West Ham in the January transfer window.

Emenike Fires Fenerbahce to victory.

   Emmanuel Emenike scored for the second consecutive game as Fenerbahçe registered a 2-1 win over Gaziantepspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday evening.

In the game held at Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi , the former Nigeria international got the ball rolling in the 22nd minute after he was set up by Jeremain Lens.
Emenike opened his account in the league this season in the Yellow Canaries 5-1 rout of Kasimpasa on September 19.

The 29-year-old has scored five goals from nine appearances in all competitions while providing two assists.

He began last season at Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) before joining West Ham in the January transfer window.

Super Eagles update : 

Iwobi, Nosa, Alimi Impress; Mikel, Iheanacho, 7 Invited Players Inactive; Shehu Red Carded; Balogun, Ezenwa Injured

Published: September 26, 2016 Rundown of Super Eagles players invited for the World Cup qualifier against Zambia fared in their respective leagues.

Carl Ikeme : The Wolves glovesman started and played the full game in his team’s 3-1 win over Brentford at Molineux Stadium, his ninth straight appearance in the Championship this term.

Ikechukwu Ezenwa : The FC Ifeanyi Ubah goalie faces a fitness check ahead of his trip to the Super Eagles camp after picking up an unspecified injury in the derby against Enyimba on Sunday.

Emmanuel Daniel : The Nigeria U23s star was not involved in Enugu Rangers 2-1 win at Ikorodu United in the penultimate round of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Leon Balogun : The German-born defender was substituted in the ninth minute due to an adductor problem in Mainz 3-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. It was his fifth appearance in the Bundesliga this term.

William Troost-Ekong : He made his 20th start for FKH in their 1-0 loss to IK Start at Sparebanken Sør Arena. The number five played the full game.

Kenneth Omeruo : The Chelsea loanee has helped goalkeeper Yılmaz keep two clean sheets since his arrival and hopes to be involved in Monday’s game with  Adanaspor.

Jamiu Alimi : He impressed at the heart of defense despite Kano Pillars losing 1-0 to Heartland, according to the Media Officer of Kano Pillars, Idris Malikawa.

Abdullahi Shehu : The Dream Team VI stopper was shown a red card after 12 minutes as Anorthosis Famagusta lost 4-1 to league leaders AEK Larnaca at Athlítiko Kentro Zenon .

Musa Mohammed : Ex-Flying Eagles skipper Musa Mohammed has been inactive for Istanbul Basaksehir since the start of this season and was not in the squad that drew 2-2 with Osmanlıspor.

Elderson Echiejile : The Monaco loanee was not selected for Standard Liege’s 3-0 win over Eupen. He has not played in the Belgian top-flight since completing his move but has been involved in Cup action.

Kingsley Madu : The left-back was a non-playing substitute as Zulte-Waregem beat Mechelen 3-2 at AFAS-stadion Achter de Kazerne.

John Obi Mikel : The Super Eagles skipper has been inactive for Chelsea since the start of this season and was not in the Blues squad that lost 3-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates.

Eddy Onazi : The defensive midfielder played the last one minute of Trabzonspor’s 1-0 win over Konyaspor .

Wilfred Ndidi : The young defensive midfielder started and put in a full shift as Racing Genk lost 4-1 to Kortrijk.

Nosa Igiebor : He got the ball rolling in the fifth minute as Maccabi Tel Aviv registered a 5-0 win over one of his former teams, Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Anderson Esiti : The physical midfielder assisted Gent register a 2-1 win over Sint-Truiden. He was introduced in the 73rd minute and was yellow carded three minutes later.

Ahmed Musa : Musa was not in the Leicester City squad that were out-foxed 4-1 by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Kelechi Iheanacho : The 19-year-old was a non-playing substitute for Manchester City in their 3-1 win at Swansea City.

Moses Simon : Exciting winger is still recovering from a hamstring problem and was not in Gent’s squad this past weekend, as you would expect.

Victor Moses : He watched proceedings from the bench as Chelsea lost 3-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates, the first Premier League game has not been involved so far this season.

Alex Iwobi : Picked up the Man of the Match accolade following his imperious display against Chelsea. The 20-year-old was o the Emirates pitch for 69 minutes before he was replaced.

Brown Ideye : He logged ninety minutes but could not prevent Olympiakos from losing their first game of the season to Larissa.

Isaac Success : The former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles star is in contention to face Burnley at Turf Moor on Monday night.