At least 10 grade A friendlies planned for Eagles by NFF..

Putting the AFCON 2015 right behind us?? We've been keeping tabs on the NFF and their plans for the super eagles, and yea there was some activity.

The NFF general secretary Barrister Musa Amadu while speaking to journalists in the glass house assured Nigerians that the team will execute nothing less than 10 grade A friendly games. Stating that the Federation will ensure that the Super Eagles are engaged in all FIFA windows next year.

He declined to comment on the NFF plans for the technical crew but said plans would be made to bring our football back to the glory days.

“Next year there is going to be FIFA windows, at least about 10 of them. We intend to fill those windows with quality friendly matches. The coaching crew will use the matches to look at players that will bring back the lost glory of Nigerian football".

Commenting on the dream team, Amadu said

"Quality friendly proposed by the chief coach, Siasia, and I want to make it clear that as soon as we receive that request, we will put the machinery in motion to organize matches for him. Don’t also forget that the U-23 team is the second most important national team after the Super Eagles.”
“We have qualifiers for the All African Games and the Olympic Games, we will do everything possible to ensure that we give support to these teams, including the Super Falcons. Certainly"

Siasia laments time schedule of Dream team VI

Head coach of the national un-23 side Samson yebue Siasia aka Sia-one has bemoaned the time constraints facing his team.

Presently we know that seven foreign based players have graced the side, but the gaffer still believes his side is behind schedule regarding preparations for the forthcoming Olympic qualifiers

” We’re a little behind schedule, the foreign pros just came in. We’ve cancelled a game in bauchi, but we’ll make the best of that situation and spend time working with them and continue to play the local teams.”

” Its the off-season, so we’re looking to get some very good games with League clubs" Siasia told footballlive.

Today's Newspaper Headlines

2015 AFCON: Equatorial Guinea running against time -Tribune

EQUATORIAL Guinea is running against time to ensure that all facilities are ready with the kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations just 36 days away.

The central African country was announced as host in place of Morocco last month after the north African country asked for a shift in date over of Ebola fears.Equatorial Guinea consequently named four cities - Bata, Ebibeyin, Mongomo and Malabo - to host the 2015 AFCON matches....

5 More foreign based players land in U-23 camp -Tribune

The number of foreign-based players invited to the camp of the national men's U-23 football team, Dream Team VI has increased from two to seven as the coach Samson Siasia led technical crew battles to separate the boys from the men.A release by the media officer of the team, Timi Ebikagboro disclosed that the latest arrivals are Nansil Selbol of Sporting Kansas, Fred Friday of LSK Norway, Amuzie Stanley of Sassuolo Calsio, Italy, Oladele Oshobe of Lokomotive Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and.. 

Africa Nations Cup begins in Lagos -Punch

The 29th edition of the Mock Africa Cup of Nations football championship has kicked off in Lagos. A total of 20 teams, including 2013 champions Ethiopia, are participating and have been divided into six groups. Other top teams include Nigeria, Congo, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, Mali and Zambia. The matches will be played at...

Babangida sings praise of FC Taraba's skipper - African Football 

Former Nigeria international Tijjani Babangida has tipped FC Taraba skipper Usman Mohammed to make his mark with the countrys Olympic team...

Exclusive: Amodu's Eagles List -The Sun

As we pomised in the exclusive story we served you yesterday on why the Super Eagles failed to qualify for AFCON 2015, below is the list of players Coach Shaibu Amodu initially pencilled down for the matches against Congo, South Africa, and the international friendly against Ghana, which was prosecuted by home-based players...

Flying Eagles calls up 3 Jamba Academy players -Daily Trust  

Nigeria's Men U20 football team (Flying Eagles)'s coach, Manu Garba has invited three players from Jamba Academy to train with his team from Friday after they impressed in a test game.The Flying Eagles beat Jamba Academy 4-1 on Thursday, but Manu said he was impressedwith three players from the Kaduna team.The players are; midfielder Peter Bala, defender Jankasa Adams and forward Rabah Isiaku.Bala in particular caught the eye of most spectators with his accurate long balls and...

How Mikel Obi scored first Champions League goal for Chelsea after 8 years - Net

Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel yesterday scored his first ever UEFA champions League goal since signing for Chelsea 8 years ago...

I didn't forge FIFA letter 'Amodu' -Vanguard
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) scribe Musa Amadu has denied allegations of forgery of a Fifa letter that upheld the 'majority' decision of the NFF Appeals Committee on the general elections held in Warri on September 30.The post I didn't forge Fifa letter Amadu appeared first on Vanguard News...

Ideye Returns to Reckoning at West Brom -Thisday

Izilien harps on early camping, tips Oshoala for best player award -Guardian

FORMER Super Falcons coach, Godwin Izilien, believes the women senior national team, Super..

Iorfa rules out son from Siasia's Dream Team -The Sun

Ex-international, Dominic Iorfa, has sensationally, ruled out his son and Wolverhampton Wanderers' of England defender, Dominic Iorfa Jnr, from Coach Samson Siasia's Under 23 national team...

We give you the riders on most of the newspaper headlines we bring, but you still have to get the papers if you need full details *wink*

NO Pannick For Pinnick As FIFA Endorses NFF Board

Good morning football lovers..and we start off with some good news.

FIFA have formally endorsed the Nigeria Football Federation board which was elected during a congress in the Delta State on September 30.

Football’s governing body was asked to intervene when it was established that there were differing views on what transpired at the meeting where Amaju Pinnick was elected to serve as the NFF’s president.

During an Appeals Committee hearing, chaired by Okey Ajunwa, a minority group at the federation had disputed the legitimacy of the current board. The NFF subsequently decided to forward both versions of reports to FIFA for their perusal.

"We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 8 December 2014 including details of the ruling of the Nigeria Football Federation Appeals Committee," FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said in response.

"We note the majority decision of the Electoral Appeals Committee to uphold in their entirety the results of the Elective Congress held in Warri on 30 September 2014.

"We are therefore pleased to be able to start working with the office bearers headed by the NFF President, Amaju pinnick. We will contact you in the coming days to organise an introductory meeting between Mr Pinnick and FIFA president in Zurich."

RecordStoreThursday: FIFA U17 World Cup

Are You Aware That:

-Nigeria is the most successful team in FIFA U17 history with four titles('85, '93,'07,'13) and three runners up('87,'01,'09) ?

-Nigeria defeated West Germany 2 nil in 1985 to win the maiden edition of the tournament?

-Nigeria has never lost in the semi finals in the fifa U17 world cup competition?

-Three Nigerians has won the FIFA U17 golden ball, namely; Philip Osondu(1985), Sani Emmanuel(2009) and Kelechi Iheanacho(2013)?

-Wilson Oruma(1993) with 6 goals and Macauley Chrisantus(2009) with 7 goals are the only Nigerians to have won the golden shoe award for most goals scored?

-At Japan 1993, Trinidad and Tobago 2001, Nigeria 2009, UAE 2013, were when Nigeria won the FIFA fair play award?

-Dele Alampasu(2013) is the only Nigerian to have won the golden glove award as the best goalkeeper of the competition?

-Nigeria holds the record for most goals scored in a single tournament with 26 goals in the 2013 edition?

Musa slump with CSkA Moscow

African footballer of the year nominee, Ahmed Musa was on display for 90 minutes but could do little to save his side from a humilating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Goals from Thomas Muller, Sebastian Rode and Mario Goetze ensured the Bavarians ended Ahmed Musa and Moscow's hopes of progressing in the competition. 

Manchester city pulled off a shocking 2-0 away victory over Roma to qualify as group runners up. The result means CSKA Moscow will not even feature in the Uefa Europa league which is the second tier of Europe elite club competition.

The Nigerian featured in all CSKA's six group games and scored once in the process.

TWITTER GOES CRAZY As Mikel Scores

Player goals are usually greeted by reactions from fans all over the globe, it becomes extra special when it comes to a player that rarely find the back of the net. It's become a daily culture for fans to use the social media to either mock or applaud the performances of their heroes.

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel caused a twitter riot last night as he's name was trending and the social media was agog to to celebrate this uncommon feat. At one point he was number six trend in the world and even the commentator joined in the excitement as he said " what a ruthless finisher he is" after he scored with his first attempt on goal.

Here are some notable tweets from last night:

@GaryLineker:
You know you re in an easy group when when John Obi Mikel scores.

@championsleague:
Mikel scores only his second @chelseafc goal, getting the final touch to Fabregas's free kick.

@MirrorFootball: 
GOAL! Chelsea. John Obi Mikel. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THIS IS NOT A DRILL 

@jamesezimoha
Mikel scores and the internet breaks down!

@BelieveCFC:
Mikel had taken lesser UCL games to score first goal over Garry Neville and Puyol. #lad #cfc.

@MawanuKayode:
If Mikel could score his first UCL goal after all ds years, then there is hope that Nigeria will be better.

@flowrymz:
Wait first ooh, Chidinma losses DAD, Mikel score #UCL goal, is that not GEJ transformation Agenda? *just asking*  

@AholicHazard:
I was alive when John Obi Mikel scored in the CL....

Football Newspaper Headlines today

Adebayor flies home - Punch 

Emmanuel Adebayor will miss Thursday's Europa League tie against Besiktas after Tottenham allowed him to return home to Togo. In a brief statement on their website, the club said: 'We can confirm that Emmanuel Adebayor has been given permission to return home for personal reasons...

Adebayor returns home for personal reasons -Vanguard

Togolese international striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been allowed to return to Togo by his Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur for personal reasons, the team tweeted on Wednesday...
2015 AFCON OUSTER: Why Eagles failed -the Sun

How Keshi dumped Amodu's list EXCLUSIVE: BY GEORGE ALUO The last has not been heard of the Nations Cup ouster that has left Nigeria in the doldrums of African Football.Daily Sunsports can reveal authoritatively...

Afelokhai, Ojo eye LBA award -Daily independent 

Two players nominated for the 2014 League Bloggers Awards in the Best Goalkeeper category, Theophilus Afelokhai and Olorunleke Ojo, believe the shortlist is full of quality. Kano Pillars goalkeeper, Afelokhai, stated that the other three nominees have put in massive shift in the immediate past season...

Afelokhai, Ojo sure of LBA award win - Daily Trust 

Two players nominated for the 2014 League Bloggers Awards (LBA) Best Goalkeeper Award, Theophilus Afelokhai and Olorunleke Ojo, believe the field of shortlisted players is full of quality...

Agbim backs Nigerian clubs to shine in CAF tourneys -Africa football

Chigozie Agbim has tipped the countrys four representatives to get as far as the finals of both Champions League and Confederation Cup next year...

Agbim hints on overseas move -Vanguard

Gombe United goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim has said he is mulling offers from Asia after his club were relegated this past season.The post Agbim hints on overseas move appeared first on Vanguard News...

Ajagun extends Panathinaikos contract -African football

Nigeria midfielder Abduljaleel Ajagun has extended his contract at Greek club Panathinaikos by a year, AfricanFootball.com has learnt...

Amadu: I received FIFA's letter -Daily Trust 

The General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Musa Amadu, has dismissed report being circulated online that he denied receiving the letter from world football-governing body, FIFA, which firmly supported the...

Amadu: NFF now have peace to focus -African Football NFF general secretary Musa Amadu, has said he believes the country can now focus.. You can grab any of the above dailies to get details. 

SPECIAL TALENT: Man city apply for work permit for Iheanacho

English Premier League champions, Manchester City have applied for a work permit for Nigeria youngster Kelechi Iheanacho.
Iheanacho has yet to be capped at full international level by Nigeria but he has been capped at the U-17 and U-20 levels and City are most likely to use the special talent argument to get the Home office to grant Iheanacho the right to ply his trade in the UK.

It was the same argument that helped Chelsea to give Mikel Obi a contract in 2006 even when by then he was not an established Nigeria international.
“City have applied for a work permit for Kelechi this week,” one of the player’s representatives informed
“We believe he will be granted the chance to play in England.”
Iheanacho was the MVP of last year’s FIFA U17 World Cup, which Nigeria won in fine style with the forward finishing also as the second leading scorer of the tournament.

Last week, he was called up by Nigeria U23 team with coach Samson Siasia admitting he is a big fan of the U-17 World Cup winner.
He equally shone during City’s pre-season training tour of the United States of America, scoring a couple of goals with class and composure.
Iheanacho turned 18 recently and has been training with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Colombus Crew.

Earlier this year, City said they may loan out the starlet when he is 18 and can sign a pro deal, but recent reports suggest they may keep him at the Éttihad Stadium.

Mikel scores first goal in Europe

Can You Believe It? John Obi Mikel Scores first Ever Goal in Europe

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel scored his first ever goal in Europe in the champions league for Chelsea against Sporting club of Portugal.

Mikel rounded up Chelsea riot on the Portugeese side as he netted his side third in the 55th minute when he tapped into an empty net off Cahill's flick header from Cesc Fabregas free kick to make it 3-1 for the blues. 

It was the Nigerian 55th UEFA champions league appearance for Chelsea and has now scored five goals in all competitions since arriving Stamford bridge in 2006.

Spurs give Adebayor leave to resolve family issues

Tottenham hotspur and Nigerian/togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been given a time off  by the London based outfit to resolve family issues.

We gather that things for the attacker has grown from bad to worse following him accusing his mom and family of witchcraft.

Earlier on All9jafootball brought you a couple of stories of  the whole accusation saga  see here.

The spurs striker have only managed 2 goals this term, and has been given time off by coach Puchetino.

Earlier on Adebayor's elder brother accused him of believing in strange healers,  "Emmanuel has been brainwashed by these Muslim alfas - spiritual men - who prophesise when he scores goals and why he is not playing well.

"They have convinced him his sister and mother put juju curses on him. My mother is very sad. Every day she is crying. I just talked to her on the phone and she was crying again.

"My family is Christian but it is not unusual to visit Muslim spiritual healers. He is seeing bad alfas and they are manipulating him." he told daily mirror.

WEDNESDAY COACH'S SPECIAL(2007-2010)

We conclude our series on foreign tacticians to have handled our darling super eagles in time past.


- Berti Vogts (Germany) 2007-2008

The German had vowed never to return to football management after dumping the Scotland team but a lucrative deal with Nigeria made him change his mind. 

His four-year contract abruptly came to an end 13 months later after he resigned following the poor performance of the Eagles at the 2008 Nations Cup in Ghana. 
Rating: 3/10.

-Lars Largerback(2010)

On 26 february 2010, Largeback signed a 5 month(renewable) contract that would see him lead Nigeria in the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa.  

Despite a poor outing at the World cup, the Nigeria football federation(NFF) offered Lagerback a contract extension for another two years. The manager declined the offer, around this time He was a candidate for the Welsh national team job.
Rating: 3/10

In case you missed earlier editions of our wednesday coach's special see here.

Elderson Makes champions League Round of 16

After beating Zenith St. Petersburg 2 nil at the Stade Louis II in the final round of the 2014 Uefa Champions League, Monaco with 11 points qualified as group leaders for the knockout stages of the competition ahead of German side, Bayer Leverkusen who finished as runner up on 10 points.

The french giants are qualifying for the latter phase of the competition for the first time since 2004 and Nigerian, Elderson Echiejele was instrumental in As Monaco's success story.

The 26 years overcame an injury setback to be part of the match day squad but did not feature for the host.
He has played for the 2004 finalist just once in a 0-1 victory over Bayer leverkusen in the UCL.

Elderson couldnt hide his joy despite not featuring and was full of praise for his team-mates.

His words. "Good result at home, the team kept it compact. Well done boys, happy to be through to the second round of the competition."

Ideye Fires Warning Signal: Scores Twice in Training Match

Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye, scored a brace in West Brom's friendly with Northampton Town FC played behind closed doors on Tuesday afternoon. 
The former Bayelsa United star, Ideye scored a goal in each half as the Baggies thumped League Two side,Northampton Town FC 5-2 in the practice game. Ideye and Kemar Roofe each got a brace while Adil Nabi's goal made it five for the Baggies.

Ideye, who showed off his customized gold plated edition of the iPhone 6 with his name Ideye Brown written on it on Instagram a couple of days back, hasn't scored goals aplenty since his celebrated club record move to West Bromwich Albion, but goals in such practice games might put him in his sweet spot in real match situations. 

In the 16th minute, Brown Ideye made a fantastic solo run to double West Brom's lead, while his second came in the second half, the 66th minute precisely, Ideye making a cool finish after being played in on goal by Varela to make scores at 4-2.

Brown Ideye made a £10m move to Premier League side, West Bromwich Albion on Friday, July 18, 2014 and has so far scored just one goal.

Nigerian referee selected by CAF for AFCON

And here's some good news concerning Nigeria and AFCON 2015, this cute man you see above is a FIFA badged referee named Peter Edebi, he's been doing great things for our country and he isn't relenting.

On Monday the Confederation of Africa Football released a list of 30 referees to officiate at the AFCON 2015 to be held in Equatorial Guinea and his name was included in the list.

All9jafootball gathers that CAF has since sent a letter to the NFF Requesting that Edebi reports to Bata on January 7th 2015 for a fitness test.

Peter Edebi officiated in the world club championship held in Morocco last year.  And Equatorial guinea won't be a strange land to him as he also officiated there at the AFCON Held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon as well as the AFCON In South Africa 2013.