FLYING EAGLES WALLOP N.KOREA WITHOUT IHEANACHO,IFEANYI.
Despite dropping four of the major players that started the first macth against Brazil,the
Flying Eagles got their Fifa Under 20 World Cup campaign back on track
with a 4 - 0 thrashing of North Korea at New Plymouth /Stadium Taranaki
on Thursday morning.
After a goalless first half, a brace from
Godwin Saviour and a goal apiece by Kingsley Sokari and Isaac Success
gave Nigeria a win they were in search of after losing their opener to
Brazil.
Goalscoring fullback Musa Mohammed had the best chance to
give the African champions the lead in the first half when he cracked a
shot onto the post in the third minute.
Nigeria grew in confidence as the game progressed with Taiwo Awoniyi and Bernard Bulbwa testing goalkeeper Jong Hun.
On
48 minutes, Saviour Godwin opened the floodgates after he was set up by
Benard Bulbwa and the FC Sports striker doubled his and the Flying
Eagles tally three minutes later.
With 20 minutes remaining, a corner found its way to Enyimba number ten Kingsley Sokari, who drilled a shot home.
Granada striker added more gloss to the scoreline with Nigeria’s fourth in the 80th minute, his fourth consecutive goal at Fifa tournaments.
Nigeria
will qualify for the knock out round if they defeat Hungary in their
final group game on Sunday no matter the outcome of the Brazil vs North
Korea tie.
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
FLYING EAGLES FULL SQUAD; WHO SHOULD START AGAINST N.KOREA? 1 Joshua Enaholo MFM FC (NGA) 2 Musa MUHAMMED Heart Academy (NGA) 3 Abdullahi MUSTAPHA Spotlights FC (NGA) 4 Akinjide IDOWU Nigeria Young Academy (NGA) 5 Onyinye NDIDI KRC Genk (BEL) 6 Prince OMEGO Apapa Golden Stars(NGA) 7 Bernard BULBWA Shuttle Sports Aca (NGA) 8 Kingsley SOKARI Enyimba FC (NGA) 9 Isaac SUCCESS Granda FC (SPA) 10 Kelechi IHEANACHO Man City FC (ENG) 11 Musa YAHAYA Tottenham (ENG) 12 Ifeanyi IFEANYI Water FC (NGA) 13 Saviour GODWIN FC Sports (NGA) 14 Chidiebere NWAKALI Man City FC (ENG) 15 Ifeanyi MATHEW El-Kanemi FC (NGA) 16 Dele ALAMPASU Football Acad (NGA) 17 Chidera EZEH FC Porto (POR) 18 Taiwo AWONIYI Imperial Academy (NGA) 19 Zaharaddeen BELLO Dabo Babes Acad (NGA) 20 Moses SIMON KAA Gent (BEL) 21 Olorunleke OJO Giwa FC (NGA)
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.
TRANSFER NEWS COLUMN: Juan Cuadrado is seeking clarity on
his future at Chelsea barely five months since joining the club. The
Colombian joined Chelsea for £26million from Fiorentina in January and
has made just four starts for the Premier League champions. Bemused by
the lack of action his agent Alessandro Lucci is to hold talks with
Chelsea over the coming days and will discuss a possible return to
Italy.
Manchester City are desperate not to sell Sergio Aguero
Getty Images
REAL MADRID will have to smash their own world transfer record to stand any chance of signing Sergio Aguero.
The Spanish giants are keen on landing the Manchester City striker this summer.
Liverpool eye up €15m Cheryshev, Arsenal make Benzema offer and land Cech, United make Bale & Varane offer...
United want Bale and Benzema (ha!), Chelsea in for Valencia and Alderweireld, Nani wanted by Inter, Dante to United for £5m...
Chelsea want Falcao AND Benteke, Koscielny to Madrid, De Gea is in Madrid (but why?), Gundogan United-bound.
RAFA HINTS (OR NOT) AT STERLING 'New Real Madrid boss
hints at summer move for Arsenal and Chelsea target' is the SEO-tastic
headline on the Daily Express website, but he clearly did nothing of the
sort.
Here's what he did say: "Undoubtedly we know Raheem, it is not a secret, but he is not our player."
This comes on the back of a claim from AS that Real Madrid will offer £45m for Sterling. Which would be mental.
LIVERPOOL BACK FOR KOVACIC First they bid £13m and now -
according to Gazzetta dello Sport - Liverpool have been back with a new
£15m offer for Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, apparently seen as
'the new Gerrard'. Of course.
The good news is that Inter Milan are apparently willing to do business at £18m - at this rate, Liverpool might just get there.
CECH TO CHOOSE ARSENAL To Goal.com now, and their claim
that Petr Cech has made his choice over which club he would like to
join. 'Arsenal' is his answer.
It's a 'Goal understands' story, so there aren't any quotes, but they
believe that Cech feels a move to Arsenal would guarantee him first-team
football without having to move far from home.
Paris St Germain were the other rival for Cech's services, with
Manchester United also reportedly keen if David de Gea does indeed join
Real Madrid.
ARSENAL TARGET BENZEMA The Daily Express just will not let
up on their claim that every striker in Europe must be linked with
Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this summer.
They now claim that 'Arsenal set to make Karim Benzema a MASSIVE offer
to fend off Man United and Liverpool,' which is at least top SEO work.
The story is as wishy-washy as could possibly be. The snippet the top
claims 'reports in Spain', but they are neither named nor even alluded
to.
The only evidence we get is this: 'But the France international's time
in Spain may be up as Benitez plans a re-shuffle. Madrid have been
linked with a move for Sergio Aguero, and may have to let one of their
front three leave this summer.'
So if Aguero doesn't join Real, Benzema stays put? We know where our money is going.
GALATASARAY WANT RICHARDS Micah Richards' interview in the
Daily Mail on Tuesday seemed like a move to try and generate some
interest across Europe, with the free agent remarking that Milan might
be quite nice at this time of year.
Instead, it looks like Galatasaray might be the first club to make their
move. According to Radyospor, they want a replacement for Sabri
Sarioglu and see Richards as the answer.
Even after the trip to Fiorentina (which really wasn't very successful),
we can't see Richards going for Galatasaray. Newcastle or Sunderland,
however, we can see happening.
SPURS TO COMPLETE AYEW DEAL 'Tottenham could reportedly
confirm the signing of Marseille forward Andre Ayew within the coming
days,' is the line from the Metro.
They have taken their lead from 'Foot Mercato', which might be a new one
to us. It;s basically a French version of the Metro football transfer
section. That's not a compliment.
Google Translate brings us the following beauty from Foot Mercato: 'And,
according to a source close to the player, it is Tottenham that would
be returned to the charge insistently in recent hours so seduced by the
free agent status of the player by his L1 statistics.'
Sounds like that roughly translates as 'DONE DEALIO'.
LIVERPOOL TARGET REAL STRIKER After seemingly being
knocked back by Christian Benteke and Alexandre Lacazette, Liverpool's
aim to sign a new striker looks to have moved further afield.
Spanish paper AS reports that Brendan Rodgers is interested in Real Madrid striker Denis Cheryshev.
The Russian striker has been at the Bernabeu for years, but is yet to
feature for Real Madrid's first team. Instead, he scored four times for
Villarreal last season when on a season-long loan. That's not hugely
encouraging, but in fairness he did play as a left winger for most of
the season.
Cheryshev is now 24, and AS say he is available for a fee of around €15m.
MANCHESTER CITY WANT ISCOWhenever a rumour surfaces about
Real Madrid getting rid of Isco, we can't help but think that they
would be mad to sell the midfielder. We're sticking by that.
The Daily Mirror claim that Manchester City want to sign Isco for a fee
of £32m, considering him the natural heir to David Silva. We wouldn't
disagree with that sentiment.
Isco was bought two years ago for £23m, but has slightly struggled to
nail down a first-team place at the Bernabeu. That's something which
will surely change next season, because him and Luka Modric are a dreamy
combination.
Small point: If City do end up buying Isco for a fee of over £30m, why
on earth did they not move heaven and earth to sign him from Manuel
Pellegrini's former club Malaga two years ago?
CHELSEA PLAN HIGUAIN MOVEThe future of Gonzalo Higuain
certainly seems to be up in the air. Reports have linked the Napoli
striker with a move to both Arsenal and Manchester United in the last
few days. Now it's Chelsea's turn.
The Daily Star claim that Chelsea 'are ready' to pay £30m for the
Argentinean striker. We guess that means they've remembered that
annoying little keypad that enables them to do a bank transfer.
We can see that some of Napoli's star players will want to leave the
club after missing out on the Champions League for the second season in a
row. Higuain is probably their most valuable asset.
We did enjoy the following paragraph from the Star's story, which offers
evidence that a move may not happen: 'The Portuguese worked with
Higuain during his time in charge at Real Madrid before selling him to
Napoli in 2013.'
That's a little harsh on Mourinho. By the time Higuain joined Napoli in
July 2013, the Portuguese had already been back at Chelsea for nearly
two months.
UNITED MAKE BALE AND VARANE OFFEROn Tuesday afternoon,
the Daily Express website ran a story saying that Manchester United were
interested in Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. They reported that they
would use the discussions over David de Gea to sound out Real over the
pair. Presumably Real would tell them to do one and not to call again?
By Wednesday morning, the Express website had changed its tune.
'It was thought that United would enquire about Bale and French striker
Karim Benzema when Real made their move for De Gea,' they write. Yes, it
was you who told us that yesterday.
'But reports in Spain suggest that United have asked about Bale and
Varane instead,' they continue. 'Both players have also been linked with
Chelsea in recent weeks and it seems that Louis van Gaal has tried to
steal a march on Jose Mourinho with a £110m bid. According to Spanish
papers Cuatro and El Mundo Deportivo, the offer was made but immediately
rebuffed by Real.'
All together now: We don't believe those Spanish reports. Or you.
AND THE RESTTottenham want Marseille's £12million-rated
midfielder Giannelli Imbula - and are ready to offer Benjamin Stambouli
to the French club as part of a deal...Robin van Persie has admitted he
is at a crossroads in his Manchester United career, claiming he wants to
be at a club where he plays every week...Nacho Monreal will snub
transfer interest from Athletic Bilbao to sign a new deal at
Arsenal...Brendan Rodgers will be retained as Liverpool manager - but
has been told at his end of season review that the Reds must improve
next season...
...Manchester United will open talks with Tottenham over Hugo Lloris,
with David de Gea set to leave for Real Madrid... Aston Villa manager
Tim Sherwood has told Andreas Wiemann that he is free to leave the club
and the 23-year-old may now sign for Derby... West Ham chiefs will meet
with Europa League winning manager Unai Emery in a bid to persuade him
to join them rather than Italian side Napoli. No deal: Chelsea are not interested in Antoine Griezmann, says MourinhoChelsea boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out a move for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann. The Blues have been heavily linked with the 24-year-old, who has a £47.1million release clause in his contract.
However, the Special One says Griezmann is not on his shopping list.
He
told Marca: “Griezmann is a great striker but is not within our
objectives to strengthen the squad for next season. We are not
interested.”
Griezmann only arrived from Real Sociedad last summer, smashing 25 goals in 44 starts for his new club. In pictures - Sydney 0-1 Chelsea
And the French international insists he has no plans to quit the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
He said: “I’m good at Atletico. I just arrived and I’m not a player who moves after the first year.
“I still need to learn and know that I can do it here and get very far at Atletico. I hope I can.
“I do not know interest from other clubs is true or not because they are rumours. I am happy at Atletico.”
United want Bale and Benzema (ha!), Chelsea in for Valencia and Alderweireld, Nani wanted by Inter, Dante to United for £5m...
Chelsea want Falcao AND Benteke, Koscielny to Madrid, De Gea is in Madrid (but why?), Gundogan United-bound.
UNITED WANT BENZEMA AND BALE: THE TALE 'Manchester United
are reportedly set to have talks with Real Madrid where they will
discuss the possible transfers of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema,' reads
the headline in the Metro. We know you like these ones.
'The two clubs will hold negotiations over David de Gea's move to Madrid
once Rafael Benitez is name boss of the Spanish giants - and this is
where United chief Ed Woodward will raise Bale and Benzema, according to
reports,' the piece begins. We're picturing Florentino Perez laughing
whilst Woodward shouts the word 'Bale' repeatedly.
Those 'reports' come from the Daily Star. In fact, it's basically the same piece.
'The two clubs will hold talks over David De Gea's proposed move to the
Bernabeu once Rafa Benitez is named Real boss,' the Star piece reads.
'United chief executive Ed Woodward is planning on sitting down to meet
with Florentino Perez to negotiate a deal for the Spaniard. And
according to the Express, it is then where he will ask about bringing
two of Real's stars to Old Trafford.'
So it's to the Express.
'Real Madrid are set to announce Rafael Benitez as their new manager
this week after sacking Carlo Ancelotti last month,' the Express say.
'And that should get the ball rolling with De Gea. United will then ramp
up their interest in both Bale and Benzema.'
That all happened in the space of 29 minutes. We've got buls**t indigestion.
GIBBS AND WALCOTT FOR STERLING? 'No,' is the probable
answer to that question, and that's largely because it is posed by the
Metro. 'Liverpool 'demand Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs for
Raheem Sterling transfer'' is their headline.
We would normally rule it as certain poppycock, but ESPN report that
Liverpool would sanction a deal that involved Gibbs and Walcott arriving
at Anfield. One can understand that, if they are resigned to Sterling
leaving the club.
The two players would fill necessary gaps in Brendan Rodgers' squad,
with both Walcott and Gibbs likely to be out of Arsene Wenger's starting
XI next season.
It was assumed that Manchester City were leading the race for Sterling, but this at least adds some sort of twist.
FIRMINO READY FOR MOVE ABROAD Roberto Firmino is the sort
of player that makes this Gossiper get a little steamy under the collar.
He's an absolute dreamboat, and we'd do very naughty things indeed to
have him in the Premier League.
Luckily, we're mates with Firmino's agent Roger Wittman, who agrees we should get to see him in England.
"I don't rule out that he'll stay at Hoffenheim," said the 23-year-old's
agent. "I also don't rule out that he'll stay in Bundesliga, But
basically you have to expect a transfer abroad."
Disclaimer: We're not mates with Wittman. He told us to stop calling.
DANTE TO UNITED? Now 31, it's clear that Dante might have
peaked. The Bayern Munich defender has reportedly been made available
for transfer by Pep Guardiola, with Manchester United among the rumoured
interested parties.
As the Express says, Dante is effectively United's back-up plan should
moves for Mats Hummels and Nicolas Otamendi not come off. One of those
already looks dead in the water.
The Express also report (via Bild) that United would only have to offer
£5m to land Dante. Sounds like a bargain to us, even if he is just a
short-term option.
Still, y'know, buy Aymeric Laporte if you can.
NANI NOT WANTED AT UNITED The Daily Express continue their
continental assault by using a line from Tuttomercatoweb claiming that
Nani is no longer wanted by Manchester United.
We have never been one for European flair and elan, but we're pretty
sure Tuttomercatoweb doesn't equate to 'reports in Spain'. Pizza not
paella, guys.
Having seen Memphis Depay arrive at Old Trafford to add further
competition for places, the Express report that Inter Milan are
interested in bringing the Portuguese to Italy. He spent last season on
loan at Sporting Lisbon.
ARSENAL STRIKER SET TO LEAVE? We'd almost entirely
forgotten the existence of Joel Campbell. The Costa Rican forward seems
to do well on loan away from Arsenal, but has done nothing for Arsene
Wenger.
The Sabah newspaper in Turkey claims that Fenerbahçe are set to make a
€10 million bid for Campbell. It's an offer that Arsene Wenger would
presumably accept.
It's worth pointing out that Fenerbache don't currently have a manager. Maybe that won't stop them.
CHELSEA TO PINCH ALDERWEIRELD? According to reports from The Mirror, Atletico Madrid have contacted Chelsea regarding a potential summer bid for Toby Alderweireld.
The Belgium international enjoyed a fantastic season on loan with Southampton, who have a reported £7m option to buy the player.
But unsurprisingly Atletico believe Alderweireld to be worth more than
that after proving himself in the Premier League and they now want to
exonerate that right for £1.5m allowing them to sell to Chelsea for a
much higher fee.
Good thinking hey? I bet Ronald Koeman doesn't think so and if Saints'
first-buy option is wiped out, then there could be an almighty scramble
for the 26-year-old.
MARSEILLE MOVE FOR STAMBOULI Marseille have made an offer for Tottenham midfielder Benjamin Stambouli, according to L'Equipe.
It's a move that looks more than likely to materialise for the
24-year-old who has failed to settle at White Hart Lane after his move
from Montpellier last summer.
Stambouli is believed to be keen on a return to France and a move to
Marseille - his hometown club - may well fit the bill with Tottenham
looking to recoup the £5m they paid for the player.
CHELSEA TO MOVE FOR VALENCIA? Chelsea could make a move for West Ham United's Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia, according to the Brentwood Gazette.
After a post on the striker's Facebook page, the publication suggested
"Chelsea were thought to be preparing a £25million bid for the player".
"I have heard of the Chelsea [interest], yes, but we are going to wait.
You have to see what happens. If it is good for me and West Ham it is
welcome," posted Valencia.
I'll bet it is Enner. Sounds like terrific work from the player's agent. No deal.
ALVES TO UNITED... AGAIN? Straight to the Guardian, who claim that Manchester United again head the queue to sign Dani Alves from Barcelona.
To be honest, we had assumed that Paris St Germain coach Laurent Blanc
had hit the nail on the head when he accused Alves of using interest
from other clubs to engineer a new contract at the Camp Nou. The
Guardian say that Laurence White is just bitter because Alves prefers
United to PSG.
There is no doubt that United need a right-back, particularly with
Nathaniel Clyne going a little quiet over his desire to join. Perhaps
he's had a heads up from Luke Shaw on Louis van Gaal's methods.
If Alves was available United would be mad not to try, even if paying
£120,000 a week to a 32-year-old seems a bit short-termist. He's still
widely regarded as the best attacking right-back in the world, and
Antonio Valencia isn't in second place on that list.
REAL TO OPEN STERLING TALKS 'Real Madrid will open talks
over a £45million move for Raheem Sterling in the next fortnight,' reads
the opening gambit on The Sun's website.
'Click the banner below now to read Antony Kastrinakis' incredible full story...' it continues. So we did.
The Sun claim that Real Madrid honcho Jose Angel Sanchez is meeting with
Liverpool officials on June 14. As Kastrinakis himself says, that's
also the date the two clubs face each other in a friendly, which does
give him a get-out clause should this all come to nought.
After Brendan Rodgers has spent weeks saying Sterling goes nowhere, he'd
surely be a little peeved if his bosses went behind his back and
discussed a move at that price?
SCHWEINSTEIGER UNITED'S TOP TARGET We think we've heard
about ten different players labelled as Manchester United's 'top target'
this summer, but today is the turn of Bastian Schweinsteiger.
In the Daily Star, Jeremy Cross tells us that Schweinsteiger' remains
Manchester United's No.1 midfield target this summer', but that the club
are prepared to go to Morgan Schneiderlin as a second option. Someone
tell them they aren't limited to players whose surnames begin 'Sch'. Are
they trying to replace Scholes a little too literally?
This is an exclusive, of course, but Cross dedicates just one line of
the article to Schweinsteiger. There then follows 14 paragraphs about
Schneiderlin and Southampton. We're going to stick our neck out and say
one is more likely than the other. And that's an exclusive.
AND THE REST Liverpool are close to finalising a deal for
Manchester City midfielder James Milner... West Ham are set to step up
their interest in Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa with their move for
Europa League-winning Sevilla coach Unai Emery under threat... Burnley
boss Sean Dyche is top of Sunderland's short-list to become their new
manager... Leicester will step up their £8million pursuit of Shinji
Okazaki after Mainz landed a replacement for the striker... Everton have
opened talks with Tom Cleverley over a move to Goodison Park... Steve
Bruce has slapped a £10million price tag on in-demand Hull defender
James Chester... Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko is keen on a switch
to Chelsea this summer and believes Jose Mourinho is keeping tabs on
him.
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Anglo-Nigerian players missing as Southgate names U21 squad .
English Under 21 coach has named his under 21 squad for Euro Under 21 competition with omission of several outstanding Anglo-Nigerian players. Notable among the players whose name were omitted includes: Jordon Ibe (Liverpool) Dominic Solanke, Ola Aina, Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea). Chuba Akpom, Semi Ajayi, Alex Iwobi (Arsenal).Chuks Aneke (Zulte Waregem) Dele Alli, Joshua Onomah (Totemham). It is expected that NFF will cash on this omission and invite this players for various youth competition for Nigeria. see the list of invited players for England:
England's strikeforce features three men
who have impressed in the Premier League this season - Harry Kane,
Saido Berahino and Danny Ings. Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Stoke City) Defenders: Calum
Chambers (Arsenal), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Ben Gibson
(Middlesbrough), Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal), Michael Keane (Burnley), Liam
Moore (Leicester City), John Stones (Everton), Matt Targett
(Southampton) Midfielders: Tom Carroll (Tottenham
Hotspur), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton
& Hove Albion), Will Hughes (Derby County), Jesse Lingard
(Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Alex Pritchard
(Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), James Ward-Prowse
(Southampton) Forwards: Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Danny Ings (Burnley), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
England will face Portugal, Sweden and Italy
in the group stages of the tournament, which takes place in Czech
Republic from 17–30 June.
BREAKING NEWS
Blatter has resigned amid allegation of corruption.
The head of football's world governing body for 17 years, who
was re-elected for a fifth term only last week, has called for an
emergency FIFA congress to be held as soon as possible at which his
successor will be elected.
Speaking at an unprecedented, emergency
press conference, hastily organised after another day of allegations of
corruption and bribery within the organisation, Blatter said: "I will
organise an extraordinary congress for a replacement for me as
president.
"I will not stand. I am now free from the constraints
of an election. I stood for re-election because I thought it was the
best thing to do but my my mandate does not appear to be supported by
everybody."
Coach Massimiliano Allegri insists Juventus will be ready for the
"fearsome" trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi when the Turin
giants face Barcelona in the Champions League final.
Juventus's season has gone almost to perfection under Allegri, who in
his first season in charge has led the Bianconeri to a fourth
consecutive scudetto and their first league and Cup double in 20 years.
But Juve's hopes of emulating the treble feat of league rivals Inter
Milan, in 2010, is tempered by the fact they travel to Berlin for
Saturday's finale as rank underdogs.
Between them, Uruguay international Suarez (24), Brazilian sensation
Neymar (38) and Argentinian ace Messi (58) have scored a stunning 120
goals this season to help Barcelona to their own league and Cup double.
Messi, in particular, has been in scintillating form, scoring his 400th
goal for the Catalan club last month, hitting the winner against
Atletico Madrid that clinched the league title and scoring a stunning,
individual goal in a 3-1 win over Athletic that secured the King's Cup
on Saturday.
Messi's latest piece of magic did not escape Juve's players, or Allegri,
who admitted: "I think what he did last Saturday was good but he's also
scored better goals."
"He's an alien," said Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci. When he sees them play, he admits, "all you can do is applaud."
Allegri was quick to applaud Barcelona's "character and technical nous"
but said Juve won't "sit back and wait for things to happen".
"All we need to do is play our game, play well and, above all, show that
we have what it takes to challenge for the trophy," added the coach.
"Of course, what happens during the match will condition how we approach
things. But we can't sit back and wait for things to happen.
"We have to concentrate on our own roles. They (Suarez, Neymar and
Messi) have scored 120 goals between them this season, but we're a great
side with a lot of heart."
A look at recent history of the sides' success in Europe's premier club
competition shows why Barcelona head to the German capital as
favourites.
Barcelona have been crowned kings of Europe four times, the last time in
2011 when Manchester United were on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat that
was inspired in large part by a Messi goal early in the second half.
That season, Messi scored 12 goals in the competition and the Argentinian, still only 27 years old, is still writing history.
Messi sits level top of the Champions League scoring charts with
Cristiano Ronaldo on 10 goals so far with both players tied on 77 career
goals in the competition.
If Messi scores next Saturday, he will take the lead and also achieve
the remarkable feat of scoring in all three of his final appearances
with the Catalans.
Former two-time winners Juventus, meanwhile, are appearing in their
first final since their 2003 defeat to AC Milan in a penalty shoot-out –
the fifth time the Turin giants have failed at the final hurdle.
Bonucci, who has never come up against Messi in an official game, admits
Barcelona's front men are "fearsome". But the Italy defender, and
goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, said they are ready.
"Obviously, they're a fearsome trio but Barca is more than just their
three front men," added Bonucci. "Everyone in their team sacrifices
himself for the others. That's why, defensively, we'll have to be
flawless.
"But at the end of the day it's another game, it's 11 against 11 just as in any other match."
"Messi is without doubt the best player in the world, for the past 10
years, and when you come up against him there's always a little fear,"
said Buffon.
"But I also know that we have what it takes to limit Messi, and the
rest. We won't start as favourites, but we have a few things up our
sleeves that won't make it easy for them.
culled from supersports
