Red-Hot Ighalo dreams of Nigeria call-up

For most professional footballers it is their dream to represent their national team. Watford striker Odion Ighalo is no different.

The Nigerian striker is currently enjoying life with the Golden Boys. The 25-year-old has established himself in Watford’s starting XI and is the Championship’s in-form striker.

Ike Uche spurs Villareal to Europa victory

Nigeria international striker Ikechukwu Uche scored for Villarreal in Thursday’s first-leg, round-of-32 clash against Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg.

Villarreal were 2-1 victors over their visitors.

African-U17 championship: Eaglets hold Guinea

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets forced Guinea to a 1-1 draw in their second group game at the on-going CAF U17 Championship in Niger Republic on Wednesday.

Nigeria still lead the group with four points from two games, same as Guinea but lead on superior goals’ difference.

The world champions thus maintain their unbeaten run against Guinea U17s.

Guinea took the lead in the 14th minute from a penalty kick which was converted after danger man Yamodou was brought down in the box by Zakari.

Pre-AYC Friendly: Flying Eagles Overcome Ghana

Nigeria gave their preparations for 2015 African Youth Championship a major boost with a 2-0 win over Ghana on Wednesday in the second leg of their friendly.

Musa Mohammed converted from the spot on 70 minutes after Black Satellites defender Yakubu Mohammed handled the ball inside the box and a second goal in added on time destroyed the hosts at the Tema Sports Stadium.

Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba made four changes to the team which drew 2-2 on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

BAD BELLY: Ighalo form troubles Watford skipper

Angry skipper,Troy 

WATFORD FC skipper Troy Deeney seem to be having sleepless nights over the form of Nigerian teammate Odion Ighalo. The Hornets captain who had been a super regular over the past two seasons, has found game time hard to come by after only appearing five times this term.

Deeney admitted: "Obviously I am not going to be happy sitting on the bench because I am not that kind of person but everyone that came into the team did their job and added something to the game, which moving forward will only help because then you can't have people sulking - if that was to happen I mean - or questioning why they are not playing.

from left captain Deevey, Ighalo

Pinnick Meets Parents Of Future Eagles In London

Alex Iwubi

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has met with parents of some ravemaking Nigerianyoungsters across the top rank in England.

On his way to an official meeting with FIFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter at the Home of FIFA on Wednesday morning, the NFF boss stopped over in the England capital and watched Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round match between Arsenal and Middlesbrough at theEmirates.

INCREDIBLE: Ighalo T-shirt goes for just 12 pounds

Odion Ighalo T-shirt is available again in The Hornets Shop on Vicarage Road months after been taken off the stands.

Originally limited-edition only, the goal-crazy Nigerian features - along with a lyric from his superb terrace song - on the front of this popular T-shirt, priced at just £11.99.

Flying Eagles held by Ghana

The Flying Eagles of Niger gave up their lead twice to settle for a 2-2 draw in an international friendly against the Ghana U20 team, the Black Satellites on Monday in Accra.

The Coach Manu Garba tutored side who so far have been unbeaten in their build-up games ahead of the Africa Youth Championships billed for Senegal next month drew the first blood in Monday’s game as highly rated Musa Yahaya got the opener in the 22^nd minute.

Nigeria, Ghana to renew rivalry in international friendly

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have lined up a friendly against Ghana in an international friendly in London on 29 March, Nigeria Football Federation has announced.

According to reports, the match will be played in English capital but a venue is yet to be named by the organizers.

CAF Champions league: Enyimba bully Buffles

Two-time Caf Champions League winners, Enyimba, started their campaign with a three-nil win over Buffles du Borgou Fc of Benin Republic in Aba on Sunday.

Enyimba were forced to make a late change to their starting line-up as Abdulrazak Aliyu made way for Sikiru Lawal after suffering a slight knock in the warm-up.

Cameroonian striker, Rafael Boumsong started from the bench with coach Kadiri Ikhana preferring to play a front line of four pacy players, Peter Onyekachi, Andrew Abalogu, Daniel Etor and Chinonso Okonkwo.

Last season's top scorer in the NPFL, Mfon Udoh, was not listed in Enyimba's match day programme.

The Peoples Elephant, however, made it a tough task for themselves as they frittered away numerous scoring chances in the contest, and nearly handed Buffles the initiative when they had just a goal lead.

The Aba-based club got off the blocks faster and nearly got the lead in the opening three minutes when Buffles defence failed to clear Abalogu's cross properly.

Four minutes later, Etor finished off Onyekachi's cross into an empty net to give the Peoples Elephant a 1-0 lead, as the fans thought the goals will start to follow.

Just half an hour into the game, Etor, Abalogu and Onyekachi all missed gilt-edged chances to see off the Beninoise club.

It was the turn of Okonkwo in the 36th minute. He was played through on goal and left one-on-one with Buffles keeper Soffo Souradjou but instead he chose to pass the ball to Onyekachi in an offside position.

Three minutes to half time, Enyimba left-back Idris Aloma made it out a long way out of his defensive duty in a bid to score but Souradjou came out in time to block. That summed up Enyimba's first half.

The second half got into gear in same fashion. Kingsley Sokari threaded a pass to Okonkwo, who shot straight at the Buffles keeper just two minutes into the restart.

Etor could not replicate his first half strike when the ball dropped for him in front of Buffles goal as he fired wide.

In the 53rd minute, substitute Nzube Anaezemba saw his bolter come off the woodwork while Okonkwo was guilty once again with an unforgivable miss from close range as it was all Enyimba at this point.

Buffles had one rare chance, and could have evened score in the 70th minute but Aloma's outstretched leg cleared the scoring chance off the line.

Seven minutes later, Onyekachi was fouled in the box but Anaezemba could not make the spot kick count as he blazed it over the bar.

In the 83rd minute, one of the smallest men on the pitch, Sokari, nodded in Bright Esieme's cross from an unmarked position to double Enyimba's lead.

Finally, the man who pulled the strings for Enyimba on the afternoon, Onyekachi, got on the score sheet in the 90th minute.

The Peoples Elephant will now take a three-goal advantage to Benin Republic in a fortnight when Buffles will host them. in the second leg, preliminary round of the Caf Champions League.

Eaglets too strong for host, Niger

Golden Eaglets of Nigeria got off to a winning start in the African U17 Championship after they defeated hosts Niger 2-0 Sunday afternoon.

Yakubu, Ighalo on song in England

Nigerian striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored the winner for Reading in the club’s 2-1 victory over Derby County.

Yakubu netted after 81 minutes as the Royals held out for a priceless win at the iPro Stadium.

Ideye hands Valentine present to Albion fans

Record signing Brown Ideye scored twice as resurgent West Brom thumped West Ham to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals
for the first time since 2008. The Nigerian striker side-footed the Baggies ahead after 20 minutes before a 25-yard shot from James Morrison made it 2-0.