Two Nigerians on Arsenal's bench today.

Chuba Akpom and Alex Iwobi are two Nigerians doing great things for Arsenal football club of England. 

There performances have been repaid by a place in the AFC squad for today's UEFA champions league game against Galatasaray of Turkey. 

Chuba as we can tell has been named in the match day squad of the UCL for his team, but it's a first for Alex who have been invited to the dream team vi by coach Sampson Siasia. 

Both players have represented England at junior levels, and we hear the NFF Will be working hard to get both players to represent their fatherland by December. 

Another Nigerian you might know at Arsenal is Semi Ajayi, but he's not listed in Arsenal's UCL first team for the champions league group stage.

Iheanacho, Nwakali gets £200M Academy Training Facility at Man city

Nigerian youngsters Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidi Nwakali will now train at the new, arguably the most sophisticated and high-tech Manchester city training ground.

City went through 19 different designs versions before settling on the final one and looked at more than 70 different sporting facilities in  Europe, USA and Australia for inspiration.

There are total of 16 outdoor pitches, including the main academy stadium pitch, a protected first team pitch for setpiece work and 14 other playing surfaces, plus two half-pitches for goalkeeper training.

Amongst other features, there are 32 en-suite bedrooms for the players and coaching staff, based on four-star hotels, all based on modern hotel designs and tailored to suit the needs of the players, including specifically-made beds and blackout blinds.

City's players used to stay in Manchester's Hilton Hotel before home games, but Zabaleta said staying in the purpose-built residential complex at the training ground was far better for the squad.

“It's better than a hotel because it's more private here,” said Zabaleta. “We don't see people around and it's more comfortable for the team.

“Then there's the facilities – the dressing-room, the spa, even the restaurant and canteen are fantastic. Everything you can imagine is in there.

“As a player coming in for training every day, it's much better here than in my house! I don't care if I spend eight or nine hours here.

“I remember when they were talking about City building a new training ground, but I didn't expect it to be this big.

Nigerians will be hoping City's latest facilities will aid the career of the youngsters which also means success in the national set up in the near future.

Isaac Success Becomes Youngest Goal Scorer in Spanish Laliga History

Nigerian striker Success Isaac made history on Sunday when he scored in the 89th minute of the Spain’s Primera División game between Granada and Valencia.

The former Golden Eaglets star did not start the game but was drafted in as a 69th-minute substitute for Jhon Córdoba.

He finally made his contribution less than 60 seconds from time in fortuitous fashion.

Valencia failed to deal with a throw in and the ball rebounded off Granada’s Dimitri Foulquier who was trying to force his way through on goal.

The ricochet fell to the unmarked Isaac who had the simple task of planting an emphatic finish into an unguarded Valencia net from two yards.

It was Isaac’s first league goal for Granada as he continues his professional football education.

That strike at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes on match day 14 was symbolic as Isaac now becomes the youngest player to have scored in the Primera División this season.

He achieved the feat at the age of 19 years, 11 months, one day.

The youngster will be looking to build on that feat and continue his progress under the Granada coach, Joaquín Caparrós, a man known for giving precocious talent ample room to develop.

Isaac has already made 12 league appearances for Granada this term.

Ike Uche Masterminds David Moyes's Downfall

 Nigeria international, Ike Uche was at the heart of things as Villareal inflicted a first defeat on David Moyes on his return to management in Spain. Villareal thumped visitors Real Sociedad 4-0 in a Spanish La liga game played on sunday.

On the back of four successive games without losing nor conceding, David Moyes's troops visited the El Madrigal with high hopes and a revenge mission in mind having been eliminated by same club from the 2005 champions league group phase during his spell at Everton.

Although the 30 year old couldnt add to his five goals this term, he was instrumental in dis-stabilising the visitors defence in the first half and also creating for others.

 The first of the goals was an own goal by Sociedad's keeper Enaut Zubikarai in the 64th minute.
Ike Uche now provided an assist for on loan Real Madrid Russian Wenger Denis Cheryshev who didnt waist any time in making it count for the host.

 He was however replaced by Moi Gomez in the 76th minute with the player continuing from where the Nigerian stopped, scoring an 85th minute brace to seal the mauling.

Sociedad registered just two shots on target all through the game and the win see the yellow Submarine climb to sixth in La liga while the Scots men drop to 14th place.

Joel Obi wins Inter Goal Of the Month

With an overwhelming majority, Nigeria international midfielder, Joel Obi won the goal of the month for november.

The  23 year old won the award for the goal in the derby draw against AC Milan which was his first goal of the season.

Obi’s 2nd half strike amassed more than 44% of the vote with the nearest competitor being Osvaldo’s winner against Dnipro(16%).

The ex Parma loanee was however an unused substitute as Udinese piled more mystery on returnee coach, Roberto Mancini who lost 1-2 at the San siro.

Nigeria Hotshots Across Europe

 Super Eagles speedy forward Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow led five other Nigerians who found the back of the net in various European Leagues.
Musa scored the games lone goal on the dot of half time finishing off a fine pass from Valron Berezutski to put his side 1-0 up against Kuban Krasnodar.

The goal was Musa's seventh of the season from 17 games this season and it was good enough to keep the Russian Champions in second spots 10 points behind leaders Zenith St Petersburg.

Jerry Mbakogu scored his 9th of the season for Serie A promotion hopefuls Capri their lone goal in a 1-0 win over Bari to keep them top of Serie B.

In Germany Anthony Ujah was on target for the 5th time this season but was unfortunate to be on the losing side as they fall 1-2 at home to Augsburg.

Former Nigeria Under 20 invitee Theophilus Solomon scored his first league goal for his loan side NK Zadar in the 2-5 loss to Lokomotiva Zagreb in the Croatia top flight league.

However in Turkey Gbenga Arokoyo scored at the wrong end, converting into his own net as his team Gaziantepspor lost 2-0 to Genclerbirligi.

Joseph Akpala scored his first and second goal of the season as club Karabukspor thrashed host Rizespor 3-0 in the turkish top flight with Godfrey Oboabona not featuring for the host.
The former Club Brugge man played the entire duration of the game ochestrating Rizespor and Oboabona's downfall.

Africa will miss Nigeria in Equitorial Guinea- Hayatou

 Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Issa Hayatou says Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations has not diminished the country's importance to the structure of African football.

Reigning champions Nigeria will not defend their title in Equatorial Guinea after they finished outside of their group's top two automatic qualification spots.
They ended the qualifying campaign with eight points - a total not good enough for the best third-placed team.

Hayatou told Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick that the entire African football family will feel the absence of the Super Eagles at next year's finals.
"The whole of Africa will miss Nigeria in Equatorial Guinea. But the absence will not in any way diminish your stature as a very big and influential nation in the African game," Hayatou was quoted as saying in an NFF statement.

"It would have been good to have the defending champions in Equatorial Guinea.
"Nigeria brings so much value to the Africa Cup of Nations. However, we know that you will come back much stronger, as you did in winning the Cup in South Africa last year after missing out on the 2012 championship."

The West Africa country suffered a troubled qualification campaign where they not only struggled with form on the pitch but were also affected by deep divisions in the NFF.
Coach Stephen Keshi's position was also unstable, and he was frequently in and out of the job.

Chelsea Fans React To Mikel's Perfomance Against Newcastle

The Nigerian midfielder was called in after suspension to Nemanja Matic.

Chelsea always knew that a trip to Newcastle United was going to be tough. In recent times, especially under Jose Mourinho, they have struggled to defeat The Toon, especially on Tyneside.

The task was made all the more tougher by the absence of Nemanja Matic. The defensive midfielder is an ever present in the side and without his influence from midfield many were concerned Chelsea would not be able to get the desire result.

But Chelsea have an extremely experienced replacement in the form of John Obi Mikel, even if he has not played on a regular basis in recent weeks and months. 

It was his first start of the Premier League season and his first since May, so his performance was always going to come under the microscope.

-Matic was a giant miss but John Obi Mikel was absolutely class. No quality in the final third, no end product whatsoever.
@Thibauted

-Brilliant game from John Obi Mikel, looks so calm in possession.
@FrankLampardUK

-Imagine abusing John Obi Mikel, Your player, loyal to this club since 2006, superb for the club in previous years, bossed it in Munich.
@AdamWojtkowiak

-Tbh if mikel was so bad I'm sure he'd of been sold long ago, so many managers and theyve all chose him. Says alot.
@Thibauted

-Mikel is just too slow. Takes him 5 touches to get the ball from under his feet.
@calum_Heseltine

What to you think of Mikel's performance? Have your say.

It's Battle Royal For Falcons

Super Falcons of Nigeria have been drawn in Group D of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup which takes place in Canada, alongside United States, Australia and Sweden.
The ceremony which was held at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, saw the seven-time African Women's Championship winners  drawn in the ''Group Of Death''.

The other 20 teams in the tournament are drawn into five groups of four teams each.
Hosts, Canada were the seeded team in Group A and would play its first two matches in Edmonton. 
The hosts now know that they will lock horns with China PR in the opening match on 6 June, before taking on New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Former champions Germany head into Group B along with Norway, Thailand and Cote D'Ivoire. 
Reigning champions Japan were placed in Group C and will get their campaign underway in Vancouver, as will section rivals Switzerland, Cameroon and Ecuador. 

Group E is a tricky one with Brazil, Spain, Korea Republic and Costa Rica all contesting for second round slot.
Group F features France, England, Colombia and Mexico.
The 52 scheduled matches for the 8th edition of the tournament will be between 6 June and 5 July in six host cities, namely Ottawa, Moncton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver.

The Full Draw
Group A: Canada, China PR, New Zealand, Netherlands
Group B: Germany, Cote d'Ivoire, Norway, Thailand 
Group C: Japan, Switzerland, Cameroon, Ecuador
Group D: United States, Australia, Sweden, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Korea Republic, Spain, Costa Rica
Group F: France, England, Colombia, Mexico

Keshi to begin talks with Equatorial guinea FA over managerial position

 Embattled super eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is rumoured to be going into contract negotiations with the football association of Equatorial Guinea over a possible job as head coach of the AFCON 2015 Hosts. 


Reacting to this new bit of information reaching All9jafootball, former Nigeria international  Chikelue Ilonyeosi told press men he would be Ok if Keshi did well if he gets the job

We’re hoping he’ll sign the contract with the Equatorial Guinea National team.We don’t want him back to coach the Eagles, we wish him well, hoping he’ll sign the contract this weekend, I’m sure that’ll please all football fans in the Country.”

” We hope he also wins the World Cup and all that’s at stake for the team to win,” the former International told reporters.

Martins Does It Again, wins MLS goal of the Year

Obafemi Martins has scooped the goal of the year award in the United States Major League Soccer, MLS, same day he was announcing his retirement from international football.

We talked about how he narrowly lost the MVP Award to robbie Keane see here.

The Nigerian forward, who scooped more than half the votes, got the award for his Week 11 chipped effort from close to the touchline that he managed to loft over San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper, Jon Busch, and into the far corner.

Martins, who currently plays club football in the United States with Seattle Sounders, has been overlooked for the past 18 months; a development that could have contributed to his decision to quit national team football.

Club sacks Apam

Super Eagles defender Onyekachi Apam will need to find a club for himself yet again having been listed among the eight players released by MLS giants Seattle Sounders for the end of the season.

The injury plagued defender who was hoping he could re-launch his ailing club career with Sounders will now have to look elsewhere yet again.

Aside Apam, other players on the exit list includes goalkeepers Josh Ford and Marcus Hahnemann, Defender, Djimi Traore, and forwards Tristan Bowen, Sean Okoli, Cam Weaver and Eriq Zavaleta (who is also a defender). It is also noted that defender Jalil Anibaba who is of Nigerian origin is also out of contract.

Sounders manger and co owner said it was a difficult decision which was necessary to axe Apam and the rest of the players sent packing.

"In our league it's a consistent challenge to keep successful teams together, and these types of decisions are always difficult," Sounders FC co-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer said.

"Having said that, conversations are ongoing with several players about their respective futures with our club, and as we continue to shape the roster for 2015 we'll have additional announcements to share.

The next destination for Apam is for now not known even as Sounders stay glued to the other Nigerian on their employ, Obafemi Martins who has already craved a legendary status for himself at the Century Link field.

Oshuola talks tough on World cup draws

Tomorrow is the draws for  2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, super Falcons attacker,  Asisat Oshoala talked to press men on the readiness of the Falcons for the event.

” The team is ready for any opponent and I don’t think we’re scared of any opposition.” the U-20 World Cup revelation enthused.

Asisat who plays for Rivers Angels won gold in the AWC this year and was voted MVP in the tournament, as well as being voted MVP in the female under 20 world cup and also winning MVP in the federations cup.

” We’ll wait till the draws are done and then we’d commence preparation towards the World Cup,” she said.

Give us your thoughts on this.

Omeruo sacrificed career for Nigeria

 A close  source to Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has revealed that the Middlesbrough  FC of England on-loan star copped an injury that ought to have ruled him out of the Nigeria’s last two qualifying matches for the 2015 AFCON.

Omeruo missed some matches for his Championship side prior to the last international break but risked the injury to play for the Eagles in the qualifying games for the 2015 AFCON against Congo and South Africa last month.

The move later backfired as he suffered a knock on the same problematic spot in Pointe Noire against the Red Devils which Nigeria won 2-0 but he was again fielded against South Africa barely three days after the tie against Congo as the Eagles sought a home win over the Bafana Bafana.

Omeruo who has been a pillar of sort in the Eagles backline was a shadow of himself against the Southern Africans and he was technically responsible for the second goal the country conceded in Uyo. It was that second goal that ultimately resulted in Nigeria’s ouster from the 2015 AFCON  and the nation missing out on the list of qualifiers during draws conducted last Wednesday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Speaking in an interview  the source noted that Omeruo’s patriotism almost landed him in trouble and that the player had been advised not to risk what he did again in the future for the sake of his career.

The impeccable source further added he was happy that the former junior international has recovered from the injury and even featured for Middlesbrough last Saturday in their league 1-1 home draw with Blackburn Rovers where he lasted the entire 90 minutes.

The source further said that Omeruo showed remorse after his injury layoff and that he has promised not to repeat what led to the complication of his initial injury again.

“It was a mistake for Kenneth to have come for the Eagles last two matches in the AFCON qualifiers. He knew he was yet to recover fromthe injury he sustained, but because he wanted to help Nigeria qualify, he had to come but at the expense of his career,” the source said.

He continued: “We have talked to him and he has learned his lesson from what happened in both games and some mistakes he shouldn’t have made during the games if he had been fit for them. I am happy he is back to the pitch playing and he even played 90 minutes for Middleborough in their last game. It showed he has fully recovered.”

Omeruo signed a contract extension with Chelsea before the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the deal will keep him with the

Stamford Bridge landlords till 2018 but he is currently on loan with Middlesborough who are presently sixth on the Championship log with 31points from 19 games. He and the Riverside side will travel to Millwall this weekend for a Match day 20 tie.

SIASIA invites Iheanacho for Dream Team

Nigeria Under-23 national team coach Samson Siasia has handed out invitations to 47 foreign-based players to try out for a spot on his team, including former under-17 playmaker Kelechi Iheanacho.

Siasia, who has been in camp for the past ten days working with the home-based players, has named a handful of players that won the Fifa Under-17 World Cup with the Golden Eaglets in 2013.

Leading that cast is Iheanacho alongside his teammates from that cup-winning team that includes Isaac Success, now with Granada in La Liga, Taiwo Awoniyi of Kalmar FF in the Swedish Allveskan and Musa Yahaya.

Barcelona's B team defender Godswill Ekpolo is also in the list that includes Semi Ajayi of Arsenal in England, Michael Olaitan of Olympiakos in Greece and the AS Trencin duo of Moses 'Daddy' Ajala and Kingsley Madu.

All invited players are expected to arrive at the Fifa Goal Project camp this Saturday.

Full list of invited players:

Goalkeepers: John Felagha (Eupen FC, Belgium, Sebastian Osigwe (SC Kriens)

Central Defenders: Noah Olawale Ojuola (St George FC), Godswill Elohor Ekpolo (FC Barcelona, Spain), Semi Ajayi (Arsenal FC, England), Nosa Egharevba (New York FC, USA), William Troost Ekong (DFC Dordrecht, Holland), Kelvin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim Germany), Amstrong Chidi (Lefke Turk Kulub, Cyprus)

Right & Left-Back: Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin), Dominic Iorfa (Wolves FC, England), Chima Okoroji (Bayern Munich, Germany), Musa Muhammed (Besiktas, Turkey)

Midfielders: Moses Simon Ajala (AS Trencin), Moses Odubajo (Brentford FC), Musefiu Ashiru (FC Midtjylland), Kehinde Amoo Owoeye (KS Kastrioti Kruje), Gerald Chibueze Diyoke (HNK Rijeka FC, Croatia), Fred Onyedinma (Millwall FC), Chidi Osuchukwu (FC Braga), Lawal Abdulazeez Abidemi (Naftan Novopolofsk, Belarus), Anthony Bassey (Kas Eupen), Shehu Abdullahi (Al Qadsia Kuwait), Samuel Owolabi Olajide (HB Koge, Denmark), Kevin Effiong Bassey (SBV Wehen, Germany), Oladele Oshobe (Plovdiv Lokomotiv, Bulgaria), Anderson Esiti (Estoril Praia, Portugal), Samuel M. Ayinoko (Angelholms FC, Sweden), Sunday D. Abalo (Rio Ave, Portugal)

Forwards & Strikers: Michael Olaitan (Olympiakos, Greece), Paul Ebere Onuachu (FC Midtjylland), Imoh Fred Friday (Lillestrom), Lucky Omeruo (Birkirkara FC, Malta), Aminu Umar(Samsunspor FC, Turkey) Imoh Ezekiel (Alarabi SC, Qatar), Cedric Omoigui (Real Mallorca, Spain), Odion Goodness Ajayi (HNK Rijeka, Croatia), Isaac Succes (Granada, Spain), Atanda Sodiq Ololade (FK Apolonia FC), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Fosayo Adarabioyo (Crystal Palace, England), Uche Ikpeazu (Watford FC, England), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England) Taiwo Awoniyi (Kalmar FF, Sweden), Musa Yahaya (Tottenham, England), Maxwell Onyewuchi Alozie (Beni Sakhnin FC, Israel).