Social Saturday -Photos, Eagles celebrate Christmas in style.

The Christmas period is always a busy period for most Super eagles players, but most of them still take out time to have fun and be with their families. 

Like SS Lazio of Italy midfielder Eddy Onazi who hung out wit friend and family out there in Italy as well as giving out N100k to 1 lucky fan, with his #OnaziGiveMeThe100k campaign on twitter. Everybody been wan win sha, lol.

Onazi (left) with friends 

Aaron Samuel to join Musa at Cska Moscow

Nigeria attacking midfield sensation, Aaron Samuel could be the next Nigerian on the cards of Russian champions, Cska Moscow if reports emanating from Russia is anything to go by.

The Guangzhou R&F starlet used the opportunity handed him by Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi to showcase his skills to a number of European clubs based in Russia, Germany and Turkey.

Israeli club suspends Nigerian player indefinitely for granting interview

Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel have suspended Nigerian Midfielder Harmony Ikande for granting an unauthorised interview to Israeli press.

We gather that Ikande is said to have violated the club's regulations by granting the interview hence the ban.

Ideye scores his first premier league goal in Westbrom's defeat

Nigeria striker Brown Ideye finally registered his first premier league goal of the season for Westbrom in their 3-1 slump at home to Machester city. 

The former Dynamo Kiev man replaced Silvestre Varela in the 67th minute of play with the baggies already 3 goals down. Fernando, Yaya Toure and David Silva had already done the damage for the Citizens. 

Female Football Friday: Nigeria Opponents at the FIFA women world cup.

                           AUSTRALIA

  The road to Canada 
With five Asian berths up for grabs, Australia comfortably won through to Canada 2015 by virtue of a runners-up finish at the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. 

The team had endured a tumultuous preparation with Alen Stajcic filling the coaching role on an interim basis following the sudden departure of Hesterine De Reus just prior to Vietnam 2014. 

Come get Emenike for £20m- Agent

Fenerbahçe striker Emmanuel Emenike has a €20 million minimum fee release clause according to his agent Erdem Konyar.

“Emenike has had no official offers,” Konyar said.

“Even if he does receive official bids he has no intention to leave Fenerbahçe, he is happy at the club and wants to win the league title.

Enyeama makes top 3 - glo CAF Awards

  Super eagles captain and Lille metrople of France shot stopper Vincent enyeama have been nominated among the 3 best players in Africa, as the race for who wears the crown as king of Africa football for the year continues. 

Enyeama was nominated alongside Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and ivorian Yaya Toure. 

The winner will be unveiled on Thursday January 8th 2015 at the glo Award gala in Lagos. 

Nigeria Mixed XI for 2014(Unisex)

Nigerian football was characterized by mixed feelings, the female football teams excelled while their male counterparts faltered.

We pick out the stand out performers in all positions in 2014, putting into consideration both national and club form in the year under review.

1. Vincent Enyeama

In a year where Nigerian football was blighted by many controversies, Vincent Enyeama was one reason Nigerians shook their heads and smiled. Undoubtedly Nigeria's best player in 2014, the Lille shot stopper continued from were he left after the FIFA world cup in Brazil with fine string of performances for both club and country. A nominee for CAF African footballer of the year, the Nigerian skipper could be the first goalkeeper in history to pick up the prestigious award.

Keshi must go- Taiye Taiwo

 Super Eagles defender, Taye Taiwo, has made an unusual declaration saying Coach Stephen Keshi is not fit to continue as the national team coach
especially after his failure to qualify the country for the Africa Cup of Nations starting next month in Equatorial Guinea.

The Turkey-based defender said based on precedence, it was only normal for the Big Boss to be relieved of his job after the AFCON miss.

All9jafootball's Official Logo unveiled!

After making its debut less than 3 months ago, All9jafootball has made giant strides towards the development of football in Nigeria. 

As part of activities lined up to mark the end of the year, #teamA9F finally unveils its official logo. 

Thank you all for the journey so far, 2015 will definately be better.

Welcome!! Kwara united to the Nigeria premier League

We brought you guys a story earlier on how trouble broke out in a rescheduled NNL game between Ranchers bees and Kwara united see here.

Well we wanted the offenders punished and they have, the NNL ruled that Kwara United forthwith gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier League. 

The NNL in a letter to the two clubs signed by its scribe Mr. Lawrence Katken, awarded three points and three goals to the Afonja Warriors in line with article 4.3(1) for Ranchers' encroachment on the field of play which caused the discontinuation of the match.

"It was reported that the attack on the match officials was initiated by player Taju Ojo and was followed by Omo Attah and Mansir Adamu.

The reserve bench of Ranchers Bees led by Team Manager Ali Nayara and Tele Ibrahim the assistant coach invaded the field of play and physically inflicted body injuries on the match officials," NNL stated.

While Kwara United got the ticket to the premier league, Ranchers Bees was fined N1.2 million and three of its players and two officials were banned for one year each.

The NNL said Ranchers is fined N1, 000,000 in line with article 4.3(1) and 4.3(5) as well as pay the sum of N200, 000 for assault on the match officials.

The players namely Taju Ojo, Omo Attah and Mansir Adamu and the two officials Ali Nayara the team manager and the assistant coach Tele Ibrahim were blamed as being the main architects in the invasion of the pitch and physical assault on the match officials.

Katken said the fines must be paid to the NNL within 14 days pending the ramification and further necessary decision by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Kelechi Iheanacho down with ankle injury

Nigeria and Mancity  starlet Kelechi Iheanacho has once again succumbed to injury after he suffered an ankle injury in training due to a heavy tackle by a team mate at MLS side Columbus Crew.

Iheanacho who has been training with the MLS outfit, has since returned to Manchester to recuperate. 

We gather that iheanacho suffered a similar injury in August this year that sidelined him for several weeks.

The reigning Africa Youth Player of the Year, who also was MVP at the last FIFA under 17 world cup has been invited by Coach Samson Siasia and coach Manu Garba to the Nigeria under 23 and under 20 sides respectively.

The Nigeria under 20 side face a daunting challenge in their bid to win the Africa Youth Championship, after being drawn against Cote D'Ivoire, Congo and Hosts Senegal. 

The tournament kicks off in March next year.

NFF divided over Keshi stay

 The Nigeria Football Federation at the moment is said to be divided on the matter of whether to over coach Steven Keshi a new contract or not.

All9jafootball gathers that a greater majority of the NFF Members are opposed to offering the big boss a new deal, while some still believe Keshi is the man for the job.

Now this is still an issue because the minority that wants Keshi in is the leadership of the football body, hence the dilemma continues.

A source close to All9jafootball tells us that this minority group that wants Keshi in believes he has some "powerful friends" that can make things happen for them if Keshi is retained.

As we all know, ex coaches like Onigbinde, Shuaibu Amodu and christian Chukwu have all advised Keshi to leave the job but their pleas has fallen on deaf ears.

Lets all watch how this drama unfolds, but be sure that  we at All9jafootball will bring the story to you as and when it breaks.

Dickson Etuhu moves to Sweeden

 Former Eagles defensive midfielder has secured a move to Sweeden, a move to revitalise his footballing career.

Etuhu this week signed a 2-year contract with AIK Stockholm.

Etuhu who featured for the super eagles at the 2010 world cup has since hit a career low after a long injury lay off forced him out of EPL side Fulham. 

He told soccer channel "I do not know much about Swedish football but I learn very quickly. I have good friends in the Swedish national team and Martin Olsson has said that it is a good league that is making steady progress,".

"This is the best club to play for."

We gather that Etuhu had offers from England but chose to move to Sweeden instead. 

Wednesday Coaches Special: Ladan Bosso

Ladan Bosso is one of the best managers in the Nigeria Premier League.   

Bosso started as an assistant to several coaches in the Under17 team before moving to the Under20 team and led Nigeria to the 2007 World Youth Championship. 

He was back as coach again with the Under20s in 2009 and qualified the team for the World Cup in Egypt after the African Championship, in Rwanda, but was sacked before the competition.

As a manager in the Nigeria Premier League, Bosso has recorded modest acheivements.

His club career started at Niger Tornadoes after replacing Bernard Ogbe in 2001 and he ensured Tornadoes returned to the top flight to be part of the newly introduced Premier League strycture in 2003.

Bosso's best record in the domestic campaign was at Wikki Tourists.With a modest budget, Bosso led Wikki to the Super Four twice in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

After guiding Bayelsa united to a third place finish in the 2012/2013 season, Bosso threw in the towel and opted out of renewing his contract with the Yenogoa side. 

He was snapped up by new comers Abia Warriors for the 2013/2014 season and led the side to seventh place on the log after picking up an impressive 58 points from 38 games. 

They were the only side to win three away matches and scored 51 goals which was only bettered by champions, Kano pillars, who had 57 goals.

The Niger state born tactician recently extended his contract with the Umuahia side.

Clubs Managed:

Niger Tornadoes 2002 - 2003

Wikki Tourists 2006 - 2007

Niger Tornadoes 2010

Kano Pillars 2011

Wikki Tourists 2012

Bayelsa United 2013

Abia Warriors 2014-

Odemwingie back on his feet

  Super Eagles striker Osaze Odemwingie is 
on course for a full return from injury having announced that he has started running three months after he undergone surgery.

The Stoke-City forward tore a ligament in his knee as he tried to control a ball during the Potters 1-0 win at the Etihad over Manchester City and that has since sidelined him from action as far back as September.

However, Odemwingie was understandably quick to announce that he has dropped the crutches and now involved in light running.

"Big day for me today as I got to the 3 months mark and had my first run on the pitch since the op. Hope our boys make the day even better!" Odemwingie wrote on is twitter page prior to Monday’s loss to Chelsea.   

Indeed Stoke City will be happy with the progress been achieved by their Nigerian players as the club recently announced that Victor Moses is also on course to return.  

Liverpool re-ignite interest in Onazi

  Super Eagles star, Ogenyi Onazi might be the next Nigerian heading to the English premier league if reports emanating from Anfield is anything to come by.

Troubled Liverpool are in search of a midfield re-enforcement after Red star Lucas seem to be on his way out to Napoli in the january transfer.

Onazi, unlike other african players will be available in january due to Nigeria's inability to qualify for the 2015 African cup of Nations in Equitorial Guinea and this boosts his chances of joining the merseyside club.

When Supersport asked Onazi about a possible move to Anfield, he said: “Ofcourse (I will say yes) if Liverpool comes for me. They are a great club and I have always wanted to play in England.

“The (2014/15) is still on now and the transfer window is yet to be opened.

“There will be a lot of offers from everywhere but it depends. It’s a very complicated issue,” he added.

Onazi was a super regular for Lazio last season making a total of 29 appearances in the Serie A but has only started four games this season and the Italian side is said to be willing to sell the player for £8m.

Super Fans!!!

 Less than three months since all9jafootball was born, we have had massive followership from you our fans, frequent comments, contributions and criticism which has been of massive help to this course.

    In the spirit of the season, #teamA9F will be unveiling its official logo tomorrow, 24th december. Together wev made A9F a reality, together we will make it a success.

Am not selfish, Ujah reiterates

Super eagles invitee and Cologne of Germany goal poacher Anthony Ujah has once again insisted that he is not a selfish striker, also denying he has also set some target for himself this campaign. 

The Ugbokolo born striker is enjoying  a new lease of life under coach Peter stoger.

Ujah said "I never have a target for goals. I go into every game to give my best, so when I’m not scoring goals I’m helping the team achieve victory.”

”I know as a striker it’s expected of me to score and so far we’ve not started badly. I wouldn’t want to be selfish about opportunities because that could hurt the team.

” In other words the team comes first, so survival in the Bundesliga is key, the number of goals I score becomes an after thought.”

Untapped Resources: Introducing Barca's Godswill Ekpolo

 Born in Benin City, Nigeria, the 18-year-old left Nigeria as a toddler and grew up in Spain where he started his football education at the age of eight with CD Torreforta. After three seasons there Barcelona came calling, and the youngster packed his bags and headed to Barcelona's famed academy.

Ekpolo is primarily a right-back but is comfortable as a centre-back and can also play as a defensive midfielder. He also has a penchant for scoring goals from his position on the field as his three goals from six matches in the Uefa Youth League shows.

Ekpolo is highly rated in the Blaugranas circles and is tipped to become a first team star very soon to follow the footstep of his more illustrious and established La Masia graduates like Carles Poyul, Sergio Busquets, and more recently Cameroonian youngster Jean Marie Dongou.

The Nigerian defender, highly rated in the Barcelona ranks is no more a secret in Spain, but he is hardly known in his native Nigeria, and for good reasons too.

"It's been a good journey for me and I'm grateful for the opportunities here at Barcelona. I train with fantastic players and coaches who have been wonderful," he said.

"The experience is the best any young player can have anywhere in the world and for me I am working hard to make sure I make the first team soon."

He also expressed his desire to play for the Nigerian national team if given the opportunity as that has been his dream for a very long time.

"I am a Nigerian boy, I feel Nigerian despite growing up in Spain. The national team has always been my dream apart from making my debut for Barcelona.

"I admire (John) Mikel Obi, he is my favourite Nigerian player, but I also like the others too. It will be a dream come true if I wear the Nigerian colours," he said.

"I just want to play and do my best and hopefully I will progress here. If I do well here, It will definitely put me on the right path for a Nigerian selection.

"Not many people know me in Nigeria. Truth is, I haven't gone back home since I left, but maybe this year I can create time and go visit.

"I follow Nigeria's games and we have doing well recently. I pray it continues," Ekpolo added.

The lad definately has been doing well as he has caught the eyes of dream team XI coach Samson Siasia, who recently invited the youngster for the Olympic/All African games qualifiers.

2015 CAF Club Championship: Easy Draws For Nigerian Contigents

 NIGERIA'S representatives in the 2015 CAF club competitions have been handed relatively easy opposition in the first round of both the Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

Nigeria Premier League winners, Kano Pillars will face Malakia Football Club of South Sudan in the first round and will play host to the Juba-based club in the first leg.

Malakia won the South Sudan National Cup in 2014 to represent its country in the 2015 CAF Champions League.

Nigeria's other representative in the Champions League, Enyimba of Aba, will confront Buffles of Benin Republic in the first round with the former African champions welcoming the Beninoise in the first leg.

Nigeria's two standard-bearers in the 2015 Confederation Cup competition - Dolphins of Port Harcourt and Warri Wolves - will play away in the first leg of the first round of the competition.

Dolphins will visit Leones Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea before the second leg in Nigeria, while the RCB of Burkina Faso will welcome Warri Wolves first.

The first legs of the preliminary round fixtures will be played between 13-15 February with the second legs two weeks later.

Meanwhile, African Champions League runners-up AS Vita Club of DR Congo were given a bye into the first round of the 2015 Confederation Cup. 

Vita will face the winners of the preliminary round tie between Petite Rivière Noire from Mauritius and Mozambique's Ferroviario da Beira.

The 2014 Confederation Cup winners Al Ahly of Egypt and the runners-up Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast are both taking part in the Champions League next season.

Ivory Coast's Asec Mimoas, Zamalek of Egypt, Mali's Djoliba, South Africa's Orlando Pirates, Al Ahly Shandy from Sudan and Tunisian sides Club Africain and Etoile du Sahel were the other sides given byes. 

Mikel mark 250th Chelsea start in grand style

Mikel (left) battles for the ball with Stoke's Jon Walters 

 Nigeria midfield maestro John Obi Mikel made his 250th start as a chelsea player in a fascinating fashion as Chelsea defeated Stoke city 2-0 at the Britannia stadium.

Goals from skipper John Terry and ex gunners skipper, Cesc Fabregas ensured the London side will go into christmas as the Barclays Premier league leaders, three points above closest rival, Manchester city.

The 27 year old ex Lyn oslo star seem to be having a career revival few months after being left out of match day squads. In the absence of Nemanja Matic, Mikel got a rare start away to Newcastle and ever since, the Nigerian has never looked back.

He has started in Chelsea's five straight games and seem to have finally gotten back to his best. Playing alongside Serbian star, Nemanja Matic, Mikel has flourished and given the team the much needed balance and shape.

"The first time he played(from the start in the premier league) was Newcastle and he was our best player.". Mourinho said about Mikel.

"How can he be our best player if he didn't play in three months? Because he was working everyday at the top level. Sad, frustrated, not happy? Maybe. But professional- that's what I expect from the players." Mourinho preached.

Chelsea will also benefit from Nigeria's Afcon 2015 miss as the Nigerian star will be available for the former European champions in January. 

Since joining Chelsea in 2006, Mikel has won one EPL title, Uefa champions league, Uefa europa league and league cup. He has also picked up four FA cups and a community shield medal.

Flying Eagles will Fly - Manu Garba

Head coach of Nigeria's Men U-20 football team, Manu Garba has expressed confidence that his team will triumph at next year's African Youth Championship (AYC) even though they have been drawn in the toughest first round group.

The coach was reacting to the draws in Cairo, Egypt yesterday which pitched Nigeria against hosts Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and Congo in Group A.

"Our group seems to be tougher than the other group which has Ghana, Mali, Zambia and South Africa, but I believe we will qualify to the semi-finals along with Cote d'Ivoire.

"There will be no easy groups or matches. We therefore have to prepare very well and be motivated to achieve our targets," said Manu.

The Flying Eagles class of 2015 was built around the country's U-17 team who won the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year in the United Arab Emirates.

Last year, they suffered defeats at the hands of African U-17 champions Cote d'Ivoire at the U-17 championship in Morocco.

However, Manu has insisted they will not be seeking revenge when both teams clash again in Senegal.

"We are not driven to avenge the loss in Morocco because this will be a different competition and we will have two different teams from the ones from last year," he argued.

"We respect Cote d'Ivoire because they have a great footballing culture, but we hope to beat any team we come up against."

The African Youth Championship will be played between March 8 and 22.

The Flying Eagles have won a record six AYC titles with their last triumph being in 2011. They finished third last year in Algeria.

The semi-finalists will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

The Flying Eagles will play the opening game of the 19th edition of African Youth Championship against hosts Senegal.

The opening match will take place at the Leopold Senghor Stadium in Dakar on 8 March 2015 before Congo welcomes Cote d'Ivoire later in the other game of the first day.

Three days on, Nigeria will face Congo while hosts Senegal lock horns with Cote d'Ivoire in an-all Francophone affair, both at the Leopold Senghor Stadium. 

Nigeria's final group game will be against Cote d'Ivoire at the Caroline Faye Stadium in Mbour, located along the coast of the West African country.

Nigeria Tackle Host Niger in Africa U17 Championship

Nigeria's under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, will start their campaign at the 2015 African U-17 Championship against hosts Niger Republic in the opening match at the Gen. Seyni Kountche Stadium, Niamey.

This was decided after the draws for the tournament, held on Sunday, paired Nigeria in Group A with Niger, together with Guinea and Zambia.

The draws were conducted in Cairo, Egypt by the General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Hicham El Amrani.

El Amrani was assisted by CAF Executive Committee member, Mohamed Raouaroaua, who doubles as President of the Organising Committee of the African U-17 Championship.

For Nigeria's other group matches, they will face Guinea on Feb. 18, before taking on Zambia in the last Group A match on Feb. 21.

The other pairing in Group B has Cote D'Ivoire, South Africa, Mali and Cameroon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the eight team tournament is billed to hold from Feb. 15 to March 1.

The semi-finalists will represent the continent at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

Bad Day At Work For Nigerians In Europe

Nigerian stars in Europe had bad outings on saturday with their respective clubs with non finding the back of the net and most on the losing side.

England

QPR 3-2 Westbrom
Brown Ideye started his second consecutive game for WestBrom but still coudnt break his goal duck. The baggies let down a three goal advantage away to QPR with Charlie Adams leading the charge. 

Hull City 0-1 Swansea
A Jonjo Shelvey deflected goal piled more pressure on Steve Bruce as the Tigers fell at home to Swansea. Sone Aluko made a substitute appearance for the home team.

Ipswich Town 2-0 Middlesbrough
Kenneth Omeruo return to the first team was marred by Boro's loss. The Nigerian saw 62 minutes of action and was booked in the 28th minute.

Germany

Wolfsburg 2-1 Fc Cologne
Anthony Ujah had no answers to Dieter Hecking's men when they visited Wolfsburg in the German bundesliga. The Nigerian has scored six times in 16 games for the modest side.

Turkey

Sivasspor 0-2 Istanbul Basaksehir
John Utaka returned to Sivasspor first team after missing two games due to a straight red card. The Nigerian was booked in the 45th minute and substituted in the 84th minute. 

Eskisehirspor 1-1 Karabukspor
Nigerian duo Raheem Lawal and Joseph Akpala featured for the two sides as they both shared the spoils. While Lawal played 78 minutes, Akpala was on for 80 minutes.

Nigerian Sanni Issa Hands FIFA Club World Bronze To Club

From left -Aukland forward Sanni Issa

Auckland City have finished in third place at the FIFA Club World Cup after beating CONCACAF champions Cruz Azul 4-2 on penalties in the third and fourth place playoff match.

After scoring the winning penalty kick against Moroccan champions, Moghreb Tetouan.              Sanni Issa was once again the hero as he scored the winning spot kick against CONCACAF champions, Cruz Azul. 

It caps a truly remarkable ten day period for the Auckland part-timers having lost only once at the tournament which was to South American champions San Lorenzo in the semi-final, and even then, the match went to extra time.

Apart from the Nigerian, Tim Payne, Darren White and James Pritchett all scored penalties for Auckland, while John Irving, who has been Auckland's standout player of the tournament, missed after crashing his shot off the cross bar.

The Oceania side  will bring home an extra $640,000, bringing their prizepool total to a staggering $3.22 million.

Issa, 23 who only recently joined Aukland, won the OFC Champions League golden boot award two seasons ago when he bagged nine goals for Fijian giants Ba. 

He then made a switch to Vanuatu outfit Amicale where he helped the team to a runners-up finish in the same competition.