Shoker!!! Kanu Nwankwo assets frozen by Lagos state govt. see why

In a bid to recover a debt of N924,788,754.56, a Federal high court sitting in Lagos, has ordered that all accounts belonging to former captain of the Super Eagles, Nwankwo Kanu and his company, The Hardley Apartments anywhere and in any bank or financial institution in Nigeria should be frozen pending the hearing of a suit filed against him and his company.

Also affected by the other of the court is a Director of Hardley Apartment, Ayoola Gam-Ikon.

The order of the court was as a result of a debt recovery suit filed by Asset Management Corporation Of Nigeria (AMCON) against the defendants.

In an affidavit sworn to by a Credit officer in the Directorate of AMCON Mr Victor Igabor, filed and argued by Barrister Niyi Olopade, the deponent averred that sometime between May, 2008 and January 10,2011 Skye bank offered The Hardley Apartments engaged in business of Hospitality located at Plot 46 Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Victoria island, Lagos a loan of N520,457,000.

The loan was secured by a mortgage on the company’s three blocks of 40 accommodation units estimated in open market value of N395million as well as unconditional personal, joint and several guarantee of Ayoola Gam-Ikon and Nwankwo Kanu.

The defendants failed to repay the loan with the accrued interest despite repeated demands, consequent upon which Skye bank Plc assigned the defendants indebtedness in the sum of N558,313,905.37 as at 1st April, 2011 to the AMCON as a toxic bank asset in line with the establishment objective of the said AMCON.

Mr Igabor averred further that, this development was communicated to the defendants by Skye bank who admitted their indebtedness but praying that the assignment to AMCON be revoked.
The defendants’ indebtedness as at the 15th October 2015 stood at N924,788,754.56 representing principal and interest while interest is still running.

Consequently, Igabor contended that The Hardley Apartments is in imminent of being dissipated, therefore if the application is not granted, Ayoola Gam-Ikon and Nawankwo Kanu could dissipate the assets of the company therefore urged the court to issue interim order of possessing of all movable and immovable properties known as Plot 46 Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Victoria Island.

An order attaching the debt due from Hardley Apartments as well as debts accurring from the defendants jointly and severally and freezing all accounts belonging to the defendants jointly and severally in any bank or financial institution in Nigeria.

The presiding judge, Okon Abang while acceding to the request of AMCON, ordered that, AMCON shall in the interim possess all the movable and immovable properties known as Plot 46 Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.

That in the interim the debt due or accruing from the Hardley Apartments as well as the debts accruing from the defendants jointly and severally and freezing all accounts belonging to the defendants jointly and severally anywhere and in any bank and any financial institution in Nigeria are hereby attached pending the hearing of this suit.

The matter has been adjourned for hearing.

I have not been paid by NFF, Oliseh cries out

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has debunked claims that he has been paid salary in advance by the Nigeria Football Federation.  

Yaya Toure clinch BBC African Footballer of the Year award

Cote d'ivoire captain, Yaya Toure, has been named BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2015. 

The annual award which recognises the performance of African players, is voted for by fans via SMS and online. 

Dream team VI set to be paid unpaid bonuses before Algeria clash

Nigeria ambassador to Senegal and Mauritania, Katyen Jackden, has promised players of the Dream Team VI coached by Samson Siasia that they will be paid the $126,000 bonus owed to them on or before Saturday,urging them to shun their strike knowing that the president and their families are counting on them.

The players had earlier threatened to boycott the final that will take place on Saturday,but reports coming out of the camp indicate the boys are willing to renege on their stance.

“Since yesterday, the President has been in touch with me, same as the Minister for Sports, that I should tell you to be rest assured that your complaints have reached their table, and hopefully before Saturday you will get what is due you, ” Jackden said to thenff.com “I want to therefore use this opportunity to appeal to you to call of your strike, go back to training and win the trophy for the nation, Mr. President and your family, so far I want to say you all have been great ambassadors of the nation, and am proud of you all.

The icon: Five Samson Siasia greatest moments

Samson Siasia is a household name in Nigerian football, having represented the country both as a player and coach.

The 48-year-old, who started his playing career in 1982 with local side, Julius Berger, had a successful 11-year stint with the Super Eagles with 16 goals to show.

NFF condoles Keshi over loss

The Nigeria Football Federation has released a statement consoling Stephen Keshi over the loss of his wife yesterday.

“This is devastating. To lose a spouse is the equivalent of a tragedy. I pray that Almighty God will give you and the children the fortitude to bear this huge loss. 

Keshi is a Nigerian hero and we mourn deeply with him at this time. This has come like a big blow, but we pray that he receives divine strength to cope with the situation, and we also pray that the Almighty God will grant the departed eternal rest.” NFF chairman Amaju Pinnick said

Kate Keshi died at 54 having been married to her husband Stephen for 32 years.

Ex super eagles coach loses wife!! sad

Former Super Eagles manager Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has tragically lost his wife.

She passed on last night in the United States after a brief illness. Confirming the sad news Keshi said "I'm still in shock, she was my rock"

Our hearts are with the big boss at this trying time and we pray that God grants him and his the family the strength to bear the loss.

Olympic Qualification an act of God says NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has commended the Dream Team VI for picking one of the African tickets for the 2016 Olympics football event scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF General Secretary, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, that the team’s Olympics qualification was in line with the federation’s desire to take the country’s football to the next level.

Sanusi described the Dream Team’s 1-0 defeat of host Senegal in the semi-final encounter as an act of God.

“We give glory to God for this victory; we are also grateful to the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Nigerians for their prayers and support for the team.

“The NFF is happy with the qualification and I know that members of the public are happy too.

“ We did not qualify the last time after we were eliminated by Equatorial Guinea; we thank this team because they have made us proud,’’ Sanusi said.

The NFF scribe said that plans would be intensified to ensure the team got the best preparation for the Olympics proper.

“When they come back, the coach is expected to submit his training programme which will be sent to the technical committee for the members to look at and of course we will start in earnest.

“This is because when you prepare well, you have prepared to win but if you are lagging behind in preparation, then you are preparing to lose.

“So, we are going to prepare very well for this Olympics,’’ he said.

Sanusi assured that the team would play top quality friendly matches as part of preparation for the Olympics.

He said: “ the team will move into camping and if there is any possibility of beefing up the team, the coach will do so.

“From local camping the team will embark on foreign camping where they will play quality friendly matches before the Olympics.

“We did it the last time and it paid off; we have lined up quality friendlies and by the time they come back, we will decide the way forward.

The NFF general secretary pointed out that the NSC was very much aware of its obligation to the team and would do everything possible to motivate the players ahead of the games.

Siasia in cloud-nine over Olympic ticket

The former Nigeria international is elated to pick an Olympic ticket despite several setbacks. 

Nigeria national U-23 coach, Samson Siasia, is in cloud nine following his wards qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Dream Team VI clinch Olympic ticket

The Dream Team VI edged Senegal 1-0 to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio ‎

Nigeria national U-23 team, the Dream Team VI, have qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics following a 1-0 victory over host Senegal on Wednesday.    

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The young Eagles defied all odds to become the first African side to be guaranteed a spot in Brazil with a spirited performance in the semi-final of the 2015 Africa U23 Championship at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium, Dakar. 

Warri wolves midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo scored his third of the tournament from the spot to earn his country their first Olympic place in eight years. 

The game stated on an even note with both sides playing with caution - but it was the host that had the most chances as the game progressed. 

Their dominance paid dividends in the latter stages of the first half when Nigeria goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel brought down Cheickou Dieng for a penalty. 

The goalie made amends by providing a wonderful save from a poorly taken spot kick by Ibrahima Sory Keita. 

With both sides struggling to find the target, Nigeria coach Samson Siasia brought on the top scorer from the recent Under-17 World Cup, Victor Osimhen, to replace God's Power Tower.

The match changed in the 77th minute when Nigeria were awarded a penalty after Senegal's Ousseynou Thioune, who was sent off, handled the ball as he collided with his goalkeeper, Pape Ndiaye.

Etebo stepped up in the 77th minute to do what Keita was unable to do earlier and net an emphatic effort that Ndiaye had little chance of saving.

The 10 men of Senegal pushed for the equaliser that would have taken the game to penalties but even with five minutes of injury time, they were unable to breakdown the stubborn Nigerian defence.

Samson Siasia's side has now kept a second consecutive clean sheet after conceding four in their first two games. 

The tactician will be making his second appearance at the competition - his last was a second-place finish in 2008. 

Nigeria face the winner of South Africa and Algeria in the final on Saturday. 

Etuhu cleared of all wrongdoing

A District Court in Sweden has dismissed charges of threat and assault on a police officer leveled against ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Dickson Etuhu.

Etuhu and another man were arrested on November 1 after allegedly being involved in an altercation with security guards and police officers outside a night club, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The District Court in its ruling dismissed in its entirety the charges brought up against Etuhu and his friend, stating that  he was not involved in any act of violence against the officials and was only being protective.

Etuhu , who was delighted with the verdict, described it as “ a great news.”

Nigeria male U23 look to get automatic Olympic ticket against senegal

The winner of the tie between Nigeria and Senegal will pick one of the three automatic tickets to Rio 2016 Olympic Games, while the loser will have to play in the third place game to determine if it will take the third ticket or go through a play off next year with an Asian country.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, said the players were in high spirit waiting to take on the Senegalese.

“I spoke with them a few minutes ago and they are fully ready for the match,” Pinnick said. “They have promised not to let Nigerians down in the game. I spoke with Coach Samson Siasia and he said they were aware of the huge task ahead of them because it takes a lot to defeat a host country in a competition of this magnitude. Senegal is a good team any day, but I believe our boys will cage them in front of their home fans. I wish them the very best of luck,” Pinnick said.

The U-23 Eagles missed out at London 2012 Olympic Games and the national female team, Super Falcons, had already been knocked out Rio 2016 Games, following their defeat by Equatorial Guinea earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, Kano Pillars defensive midfielder, Godspower Anefiok, is most likely to start in place of suspended Nigerian skipper, Azubuike Okechukwu in today’s semi-final against Senegal.

Okechukwu will miss the semi-final after he was booked against Mali and Algeria.

Godspower got his first start in the final Group B match against Algeria on Wednesday, but he was played out of position as a winger.

Officials said the former Akwa United star will now stabilize the team’s rather shaky defence as he will focus more on doing his defensive shift as against Okechukwu, who preferred to join the attack.

Bayelsa United winger, Toingoli Tonbara, is also expected to get his first start in Senegal in place of the injured Stanley Dimgba.

He was a second half substitute against Algeria and his mazy dribbles troubled the defence of the North Africans.

Ighalo blames frustration for actions

Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has revealed he was frustrated before he netted his last-gasp goal for Watford at home against Norwich City and that was why he celebrated by pulling off his shirt when he finally scored.

Watford won 2-0 on Saturday, but before then Ighalo missed several chances and even had a goal cancelled for offside even though television replays later showed that effort should have stood.

The 26-year-old Ighalo celebrated by pulling his shirt and earning a yellow card with the Nigeria striker saying he did so because he was frustrated before the goal.

“I was frustrated because I should have scored at least three goals before I did, including a good goal which was ruled out for offside,” he revealed.

Ighalo has now scored nine goals for Watford in the English Premier League. 

CHAN 2016: Oliseh invites Salami, Akas, 24 others

Nigeria coach, Sunday Oliseh, has invited 26 domestic Super Eagles players for the forthcoming African Nations Championship ‎in Rwanda between ‎16th January and 7th February, 2016. ‎

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The biennial event, formerly known as CHAN, is set-aside for players plying their trade in their nation's local leagues with Libya, the current champions. 

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Top scorer at the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League, Gbolahan Salami leads the way of invited player and could make his second appearance at the tournament. ‎

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Other first team regulars invited include goalkeeper, ‎‎Ikechukwu Ezenwa; defenders Chima Akas and Austin Oboroakpo; midfielder Paul Onobi and striker, Prince Aggrey. ‎

‎The Super Eagles ‘B’ team are drawn in Group C alongside Niger Republic, Tunisia and Guinea, with matches to be played at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo in Kigali.

Invited players have been directed to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, on Monday, 14th December.

Nigeria won bronze at the last edition held in South Africa in 2014.‎
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THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); David Obiazor (Heartland FC); Okemute Odah (Warri Wolves)

Defenders: Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers); Austin Oboroakpo (Warri Wolves); Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars); Mathew Etim (Enugu Rangers); Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Chris Madaki (Giwa FC)

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Bature Yaro (Nasarawa United); Osas Okoro (Enugu Rangers); Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Warri Wolves); Julius Ubido (Heartland FC); Ibrahim Salawa Attah (Shooting Stars); Christian Madu (Enugu Rangers)

Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Stars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars) ‎‎

Joe Hart warns Iheanacho

‎Manchester City goalkeeper, Joe Hart, has sent a stern warning to Nigeria youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho and other aspiring academy players to step up their game or step out. ‎

City has been criticised for their lack of emerging talents at the club since the takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development Limited in 2008. 

Iheanacho, 19, is the first and only youngster to successfully make the transition from City's Elite Development Squad - yet, Hart feels any aspiring academy player must prove they can improve the squad. 

City which has one of the best squads in Europe - boosting the likes of Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and most recently, Kevin De Bryune on their payroll. ‎

And Hart - current England no 1 - who is the last academy product in the present squad, believes youngsters "‎have got to be better than what we've got" before they can be considered for the first team. ‎

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"People have to appreciate we have come to a point and to a level where we are trying to win everything. So, the fairy tale of bringing someone who lives next door to the training ground through - we all want to see it - but you have to be realistic," Hart told Sky Sports on Monday. ‎

"The main thing is that the first-team does well, but we have a great set up now. It will only be a matter of time that players will start flowing from our academy, but they have got to be better than what we've got. 

"If you're not better than what we've got, you cannot expect to come through. They are the standards being set and that is what they have got to aspire to."‎