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).

Robbie Keane Edges Martins To MLS MVP Award

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane was voted Volkswagen MLS MVP on wednesday beating Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins who finished second and New England midfielder Lee Nguyen who came third.

The Ireland international netted 19 goals with 14 assists in 29 games for LA Galaxy this season as the club finished second to Obafemi's Seattle sounders in the Supporters' Shield before beating themin the western conference finals to reach its third MLS Cup in four years.

Martins on the hand notched 17 goals with 13 assists in 31 matches teaming up with Clint Dempsey to hand Sounders the community shield. 

The award was voted on by media, MLS players and MLS club management based on regular season performance.

This is the third time An LA Galaxy player is winning the award following Carlos Ruiz in 2002 and Landon Donovan in 2009.

Sone Aluko Scores First Goal Of The Season

Nigeria midfielder Sone Aluko scored his first goal of the 2014/2015 season on wednesday against Roberto Martinez's Everton. A solo effort saw him beat two Everton defenders and got a goal from a tight angle with his weaker right foot.

The player came in for Senegaleese midfielder Mohamed Diame in the 52nd minute of play and didnt take too long to level things for the Tiger's who were a goal down, no thanks to Romelu Lukaku.

His goal was Hull city's first attempt on goal on the night and ensured Steve Bruce men shared the spoils with Everton at Goddison park. The player has so far made eight appearances this season with most coming as substitute and was also impressive at the weekend after coming on against Manchester united.

It could be recalled that all9jafootball brought to you that the 25 year old insisted he had no plans of leaving the club despite interest from several clubs. He has repaid his managers faith with a goal and fine string of performances.

The result hands City their first point in more than a month and end a run of four consecutive loss which also takes them out of the relegation zone.

The super eagles star had this to say after the game;
"It was a fair result - we dug in after giving away a sloppy goal,  Aluko said.

 "It felt very good to score my first league goal of the season. We were on bit of a slump so it was key to stop that. This result was massive - it was a very important result for us."  The Nigerian concluded.

Brazil Rejects Nigeria, Picks France

Brazil will no longer play an international friendly game against the national team, the Super Eagles. Rather, they will be playing against France.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio during the commissioning of the newly built stadium, ‘Nest of Champions’ in Uyo, announced that the Super Eagles would play a friendly there against Brazil.

Although the NFF did not confirm that, Akpabio went on to say that he spoke with the football federation and that Brazil will be in Uyo, next year in March, as part of the events lined up to celebrate the completion of the ultra-modern edifice.
However, it has emerged that in the same period, Brazil will be playing an international friendly game with France in what could be a repeat of the finals between the two countries at the 1998 FIFA World Cup tournament.

The French Football Federation announced that the game will be played at the Stade de France(venue of their 1998 triumph) coming up on March, 26 2015.
It is not yet known if the NFF are keen on pursuing a friendly game with Brazil, if they are, then it would certainly come up at a latter date as Brazil have already been booked by France.

Mikel throws Olga a romantic birthaday party

Super eagles and chelsea of England defensive midfielder John Obi mikel recently threw his girlfriend Olga Diyachenko a birthday bash at their favourite restaurant in London .

We hear they've been dating since January this year and the couple seem really happy.

This is the first time mikel is doing anything public with Olga since they started dating. Olga whos parents are extremely wealthy has since moved in with the midfielder. Her dad is based in London and owns multi million dollar businesses

We also hear Mikel proposed to the Olga sometime in August this year and she said YES.

See more photos from the birthday party.

Obafemi Martins Named In 2014 MLS XI

Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins have been named to the 2014 MLS Best XI, the league has announced. 

This marks the first for Martins who set a club record with 17 goals (fifth in MLS) and matched a club record with 13 assists (tied for fifth in MLS).

The Best XI recognizes the league’s top 11 players on the field – one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards.

His five multi-goal games were tied for second in MLS, and his four game-winning assists were tied for fourth. The 31 year old started 29 of his 31 appearances in 2014 and accumulated 2,600 minutes.

The Best XI members received the most votes from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

Below is a breakdown of the MLS Best XI by position and in alphabetical order:

2014 MLS BEST XI

GOALKEEPER (1): Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (3): Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC)

MIDFIELDERS (4): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Pedro Morales (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)

FORWARDS (3): Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders FC), Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls).

Keshi Gets His Money

Reports reaching all9jafootball is that Nigerian sports minister has paid coach Stephen Keshi for the past two months to further undermine the authority of the NFF over the coach.

It was understood that Keshi has been paid 14 million Naira (about $83,000) for October and November by sports minister Tammy Danagogo even though there is no contractual agreement between the coach and the NFF.

A top source said: “The minister has been paying Keshi directly from the NFF subvention without any input from the NFF.

“This cannot be good for the relationship between employer and employee.”

Keshi was in charge for the AFCON qualifiers double header against Sudan in October and then the qualifiers against Congo and South Africa last month.