Saviour heads to Oostende

Nigeria U23 star Godwin Saviour heading to Belgium

General manager of FC Sports of Jos, Benny Bons Nnabue, has given several reasons why Nigeria U23 forward Godwin Saviour did not take up offers from top Belgian clubs Anderlecht and Club Brugge and instead opted for modest KV Oostende.

Oostende snap up Godwin Saviour

Saviour, who on Sunday played all 90 minutes as Nigeria held home team Congo to qualify for the CAF U23 Championship in Senegal, has agreed to join Oostende ahead of interest from Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Gent, Genk, Olympique Marseille and Montpellier.

Nnabue told AfricanFootball.com that besides the genuine interest KVO showed in the player, Saviour will grow with the club.

“Oostende knew they faced bigger competition for Saviour from top teams like Anderlecht and Club Brugge, but that did not deter them in their quest to sign the boy,” said the FC Sports top official.

“He’s a young player and they will give him playing time so that he can grow into a better player in Europe.

“We all believe he is a very big investment and with the remarkable progress he has shown since his days with the Golden Eaglets two years ago, it is certain this transfer will pay dividends to all the stakeholders involved.”

Interestingly, Saviour’s new club are joint top of the Belgian league table with Anderlecht after the first two rounds of the new season.

Both clubs have won their first two matches.

5 Top Nigerian youngsters for greatness in EPL

Dele Alli is expected to blow in the EPL with Spurs

by Staff Reporter

Monday Aug 03, 2015. 11:38

Nigerian fans will be rooting for their own - Mikel Obi, Victor Moses (Chelsea), Brown Ideye, Victor Anichebe (West Brom) and Odion Ighalo (Watford) – when the English Premier League kicks off this weekend. AfricanFootball.com takes a look at the lesser known Nigerian youngsters who could also take the EPL by storm in this new season.



5. Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool)

The Liverpool youngster is a classy forward who was developed by MK Dons before he joined Liverpool at the age of 14 when he was already a regular face at MK Dons main team training ground.

He played on loan in the second round of the league for Wigan Athletic before he returned to Liverpool.

The 18-year-old forward showed his quality when he grabbed the match winner in Liverpool’s last pre-season game against Swindon Town this past weekend.

This England U18 international was the joint top scorer alongside fellow Liverpool winger Harry Wilson and he has played for England at U16, U17 and U18 levels.

4. Dominic Solanke (Chelsea)

The Chelsea youngster was a revelation in the 2014/2015 season as he got his chance to feature in the EPL and Champions League. He is one of the brightest stars in the reserve team of Chelsea that may now be a more regular face with the main team this season.

He made his professional debut as a substitute for Oscar in the 73^rd minute when Chelsea beat NK Maribor 6-0 in a Champions League game to become the youngest player to debut in the Champions League.

He scored over 40 goals for Chelsea youth team and the 17-year-old forward has played for England U16, U17 and U18 teams.

3. Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City)

After an impressive performance for Manchester City's second team, the Nigeria U20 star has again shone in pre-season with the first-team squad, scoring two goals and providing an assist.

The departure of Stevan Jovetic and now Edin Dzeko will most certainly improve his first-team chances.

The 18-year-old forward was the main reason Nigeria won FIFA U17 World Cup in 2013 and was subsequently named CAF most promising player of the year in Africa same year.

At whatever level, Kelechi has proved he knows his way to goal, and now he only needs a chance at the Etihad to shine in the glamorous EPL.

2. Jordon Femi Ibe (Liverpool)

The youngster is one the players already tipped to excel in the EPL this season. He is seen as a perfect replacement for Raheem Sterling, who has moved on to Manchester City on a record transfer fee.

Ibe did well towards the end of last season when he was recalled from Wycombe Wanderer, and he has gone on to do well in the pre-season that it is little wonder Super Eagles new coach Sunday Oliseh will this week meet with him in England to convince him his future is with Nigeria and not England, who he has represented at various age-grade levels.

1. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur new boy will be a star at the London club, if given enough playing time to showcase his unquestionable talent.

The 19-year-old midfielder was impressive with MK Dons in League One, where he scored 16 goals in 2014/2015 season and helped the team to secure promotion to the English Championship.

He cost Spurs £5 million and has been involved in the team’s pre-season build-up.

Manager Mauricco Pochettino has been known to give youngsters a good run and if Dele enjoys such a run, he will also be one player with Nigerian roots the fans will be cheering for in the new season.

He has represented England at youth levels, but he is still eligible to play for Nigeria, which makes him an even more exciting prospect.

Enyimba draws to Topple Sunshine from the

Enyimba FC

GLO PREMIER LEAGUE

The rematch of ‘The Oriental Derby’ lived up to its billing as both Enyimba and Enugu Rangers played their hearts out yesterday for the game to end 1-1 in Aba for Enyimba to go top of the Glo Premier League table.

Enyimba now have 37 points from 20 games, a point more than Sunshine Stars, who lost 1-0 at FC Taraba.
Rangers forward, Onoriode Odah gave Rangers the lead in the ninth minute after he earlier miss in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Femi Thomas.

Enyimba new signing Musa Najere marked his debut with a goal against his old team in the 37th minute to level the game at 1-1.
League all-time hotshot Mfon Udoh returned to action after long lay-off when he was introduced by Enyimba for Ifeanyi George on the half hour mark.

In Bauchi, Wikki failed to avenge a 4-0 trouncing at heartland when they played out a goalless draw.

Wikki have 34 points in 20 games, while Heartland have 33 points in 20 games.
The game was boring as both teams never had good attempt at goal.

Wikki Tourists Mubarak Umar, who has scored five goals so far this season, had the ball at the back of the net in the 47th minute, but the effort was ruled for off side.

Meanwhile, Enugu Rangers Head Coach, Imama Amapakabo, has expressed huge disappointment picking just one point out six against oriental neigbhours, Enyimba. Rangers were pegged 1-2 by Enyimba in the first fixture clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
Amapakabo said his side would have picked more points than they did from both legs if not some sore missed chances.
“I feel bad with the 1-1 score line at Enyimba as this is a game we deserved to get more than just a point.

“Picking just a point out of six is not really a good one for us in the ongoing league season.

“In both legs of the encounters we created more chances which we did not use and I do not understand why the players allowed those chances to go unused.

“Now we know we have issue with goal scoring, we will go back to work on the lapses aimed at coming out far better in subsequent matches.

“I think I’m greatly disappointed with the overall score line more so as we were able to claim a mere one point out of six,” said the former Enyimba and Sharks coach to supersport.com.

MATCH DAY 20
(Results)
El Kanemi  1-0 3SC
Enyimba 1-1 Rangers
Taraba1-0 Sunshine
Wikki 0-0 Heartland
Bayelsa 1-1 Akwa
Pillars 2-1 Lobi
Giwa 1-0 Kwara
IfeanyiUbah 1-1 Abia

Obafemi Martins open to Eagles Nigeria return

Seattle Sounders striker Obafemi Martins has not ruled out a Nigeria return, but admitted he is focusing on his MLS club career.

Martins was called up just once in the last three years, against Kenya, in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.
Despite being his country's most in-form striker last year, alongside Ikechukwu Uche, he was omitted from the Brazil 2014 squad
But Martins is not closing the door on the Super Eagles just yet.
"Things have changed at home and if the new coach [Sunday Oliseh] said he wants me to play for Nigeria again, I'd jump at the chance," Martins told BBC Sport.
"The opportunity to represent a country of over 170 million people doesn't come often and I will never turn it down.
"But right now I'm just focusing on giving my best to Seattle Sounders and take it from there."
It was widely reported in the Nigerian media that Martins - who scored 18 goals in 39 internationals for Nigeria - had retired from international football after falling out with ex-coach Stephen Keshi.

Martins last played for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier against Kenya in March 2013

But the 30-year-old - who made a scoring debut for Nigeria in May 2004 against the Republic of Ireland - has no desire to hang up his international boots and believes he still has a lot to offer the three-time African champions.
"I am a Nigerian and playing for my country is always an honour," he said.
" I never announced my retirement, as wrongly reported. I was a bit disappointed to be treated like a Nigeria outcast but it was not enough to push me into an early retirement.
"I know if I have a good, successful season with Sounders and Nigeria come calling, fair enough. If they don't, then hopefully I'll have something big to celebrate in Major League Soccer."
Martins, who began his career in Nigeria with FC Ebedei, has played in Italy, England, Russia and Spain, as well as the US.
After scoring 46 goals in 125 matches for Inter Milan, he joined the African exodus to the English Premier League, signing for Newcastle in 2006.
Despite scoring 35 goals in three seasons, the Nigerian's time on Tyneside was not a roaring success and he switched to German outfit VFL Wolfsburg in July 2009.
After struggling to settle down in the German top flight, he quit after just one season and headed to Rubin Kazan in Russia in a deal worth £7m ($11m).
But his time at Rubin was blighted by injuries and loss of form, forcing him to switch to Spanish side Levante. He scored nine goals in 29 appearances for Levante before moving to the MLS in March 2012.
Since moving to Seattle, he has scored 35 goals and made 20 assists in 71 appearances for the club.

Sheyi Ojo In Dreamland After Scoring First Liverpool Goal

 
England youth international Sheyi Ojo, who has Nigerian blood flowing in his veins, was pleased to score his first goal for the first team of Liverpool in their 2 - 1 win against Swindon Town on Sunday.

The 18 - year - old was a threat after he came off the bench and capped off a fine performance with his maiden goal for The Reds in the 87th minute.

“Dream come true to score my first senior goal for @LFC and get the winner! God is Good🙏⚽️ , ” said Sheyi Ojo on Twitter.

The Anglo - Nigerian forward is being linked with a season - long loan move to Wolves before the close of the transfer window.

Sheyi Ojo has been on the books of Liverpool for the past four years.

Okagbare Leads 22 Others To Beijing Worlds

Africa’s fastest woman, Blessing Okagbare, will lead 22 other Nigerian athletes to the World Athletics Championships this August in Beijing, China.
Although, Nigeria has not officially named its captain for the IAAF worlds, it’s believed that with Okagbare’s quality performance at the Diamond League so far, athletes’ morals would be boosted for higher performance at the Championship.
A list of 23 athletes which was released on Monday and signed by the Technical Director of the federation, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, also comprised of Gloria Asumnu, Stephanie Kalu, Deborah Odeyemi, Cecilia Francis and Ngozi Onwumere for the 100m and 4×100 women event.
Those named for 400m and 4x400m women are Patience Okon, Regina George, Oluwatisin Adeloye, Etim Margret, Funke Oladoye and Rita Osai.
Doreen Amata is for High jump women, while Lindsay Wieyimi Lindley is for 100mh women. For 400mh is Amaka Ogoegbunam, while Ese brume is the sole candoidate for long jump women. For discus women is Chinwe Okoro, while Heptathlon has Uhunoma Osazuwa as sole candidate.
Male athletes are as follows, Ogho-Oghene Egwero (100m), Odele Tega Peterm (200m), Tyron Akins (110mh), Miles Ukaoma (400mh) and Tosin Oke (Triple jump).
The federation also released names of 67 athletes and 14 officials for the All Africa Games (AAG) holding in Congo Brazzaville in September.
Athletes for the AAG are expected report to camp in Port Harcourt in a date yet to be announced.
According to Nesiama, athletes would be subjected to further trials as some of them were still on probation.
He said that the final team world be entered for the Games after a convincing performance from the athletes.

Why I dumped Nigerian games for Wembley – NFF boss

  

 

NFF president, Amaju Pinnick

The Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has fired back at those who criticised his trip to England to watch the Community Shield game between Arsenal and Chelsea rather than watching any of the two Nigerian teams that were involved in international matches on Sunday.

The U-23 Eagles and the Super Falcons were involved in matches leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympic games on Sunday. Some Nigerians who spoke on different radio and television programmes insisted that it would have made better sense if Pinnick had settled for the Enyimba/Rangers match in Aba rather than the game in London, which he watched with the new Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh.

But Pinnick, who was spotted via a picture posted on Twitter during the game in Wembley, said on Monday that it became necessary for him to respond to the barrage of criticisms to make the critics understand that he was in London for business.

He first reacted via Twitter before the NFF made a full response on their website.

“Hello all, no doubt I am an Arsenal fan but I will never relegate my calling at NFF for Arsenal,” he said.

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“When Arsenal was playing against Manchester some months ago, I was on the road to Ibadan to watch 3SC against Rangers.”

While Pinnick was in London, the Falcons, lost 2-1 to Equatorial Guinea in Bata and missed a chance to participate in the 2016 Olympics, but the U-23 team led by Samson Siasia held the Congolese to a 0-0 draw in Pointe Noire, to qualify for the final round of the Rio 2016 qualifiers billed for Senegal.

“We had a number of meetings with some groups who have indicated interest in Nigerian football,” Pinnick explained.

“It is my responsibility to expatiate on the direction that we want to take Nigerian football, and Oliseh is our head coach now and they needed to listen to his own development plans as well.

“The meetings we have had so far have been positive, and we expect great results. Ideally, it is not every move we make, or every plan we have, that we throw out there into the public.”

Pinnick then congratulated the U-23 team for qualifying for the Senegal stage.

“We are excited by the team’s qualification for the African U-23 Championship. But we have to keep a level head as there is still a lot of work to ensure quality preparation for the championship in order for the team to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

“The truth is I actually wanted to travel with the Falcons, if not for the meeting in the UK. I had developed a special bond with the team from the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. The NFF is proud of the team’s glorious achievements over the years.”

Nigeria failed to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics in both football events.