Nigeria Premier league to resume in January

The new Nigeria league season is scheduled to kick off next month so as to get the country’s clubs on the continent could get ready for both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.

Speculations were rife that the new league season will only begin after the CHAN in Rwanda, which is between January 16 and February 7.

“The league will not wait for 23 players (who will make the final squad for the CHAN) to start. We need to get going so that our clubs in the Champions League and the Confederation Cup will get some matches under their belt before their preliminary matches in February,” a top official disclosed.

Today’s Nigeria Football Federation Annual General Assembly will ratify a proposed January kick-off date for the new season.

Osimhen didn't travel to England -Reps

Representatives of Victor Osimhen have moved quickly to dismiss reports emanating from the local media that the Nigeria Under 23 international has jetted off to England to seal a deal with an unnamed English Premier League club.

The Golden Eaglets star left the Dream Team’s camp in Dakar for Lagos a day before the delegation returned to Abuja, as the date on his return ticket was different from those issued to his teammates.

“Victor Osimhen is in Lagos, he came back to Nigeria before the team. There will be a violation of international laws if he travels unaccompanied to England because he is a minor, ” Osimhen’s rep told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“He has been in Lagos since Sunday. The excuse they gave us was that his ticket was booked a day ahead. ”

After the Flying Eagles crashed out of the Fifa Under 20 World Cup in June, Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Granada’s Isaac Success departed New Zealand a day before the rest of the squad, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that Osimhen was booked on another flight.

The 16 - year - old Osimhen is attracting interest from clubs based in England, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Italy due to his recent displays for the national teams, most especially the Golden Eaglets.

Mikel wants to represent Nigeria in Rio Olympics

Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel has indicated his willingness to feature for the U-23 team at next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as one of three over-aged players, according to Mtnfootball.com.

However, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, told The Guardian yesterday that he was not aware of such move. “Sincerely speaking, I don’t know anything about such move by Mikel,” Pinnick said.

The 28-year-old Mikel has won almost every major trophy at stake, including the UEFA Champions League and English Premier League, but he has so far missed out on playing at the Olympics.

Incidentally, it was coach Samson Siasia who left him out from the Beijing 2008 Olympics after the midfielder had stayed away from the qualifiers for the competition.
“He has made it clear he wishes to play at the Rio Olympics,’ a top official of the NFF specially revealed to Mtnfootball.com.
“But it is left for the coach to pick who will be the overage players along to Brazil next year.”
For the 2008 Olympics, Siasia took along Ozase Odemwingie and Victor Anichebe as overage players.

Nigeria, back under Siasia, will lead Algeria and South Africa to the Rio 2016 Olympics in August after they clinched the U-23 AFCON in Senegal at the weekend.

Golden Eaglets hotshot off to England to complete transfer

Golden Eaglets’ star, Victor Osimhen, has jetted out to England, where he is expected to seal a deal with a top English Premier League side, officials said.

The youngster flew out to England from Dakar, Senegal, after he helped Nigeria win the U-23 African Nations Cup, africanFootball.com reports.

Osimhen, who netted a record-breaking 10 goals as Nigeria won a fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, has been linked with several top European clubs.

Ighalo breaks record with 10th league goal for Watford

Nigeria rave of the moment, Odion Ighalo, continued his superb goalscoring form in the Barclays Premier League with his 10th league of the season on Saturday. 

The 26-year-old scored the only goal as Watford beat struggling Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light. 

After a positive start from the visitors, Ighalo gave the Hornets an early lead with just four minutes played, from a beautiful pass from Allan Nyom on the right. 

The Nigerian wasted no time and nudged the ball beyond Sunderland keeper, Costel Pantilimon.

The former Granda goal machine becomes the first Watford player to reach double figures for goals in a single Premier League season. 

And he also joins an elite list of African strikers to have managed 10 goals from their first 16 games – the others are Didier Drogba, Demba Ba and Riyad Mahrez.

In total, Ighalo has now scored 30 goals in 37 starts - his 26th of the calender year for Quique Sanchez Flores side.

The victory is Watford's third successive away victory, a feat they have never achieved before in the Premier League, and lifted them within a point of fifth-placed Tottenham.

Iheanacho hit goal no 4 for City

Iheanacho sends Manchester City top of EPL

Nigeria youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho, was the hero again following another match-winning goal for Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday. 

The 19-year-old scored his fourth goal of the season - his second in the league as the Citizens defeated Swansea 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. 

Two minutes into second half stoppage-time, Iheanacho played hero again as his deflection from Yaya Toure‘s shot gave City all three points to regain top spot, at least untill Sunday's fixtures.

There were earlier confusion on who should be awarded the goal but the young Nigerian got the nod to the disbelief of his Ivorian counterpart. 

Yaya, however, claims the goal should be his as it was destined for the back of the net anyway. 

"When you see the action, the ball was going into the net," said Yaya.

"When you shoot on target I think it is your goal because the intention was to score so can we do? We'll see what the verdict it is but as far as I'm concerned, it's mine!"

Another Ivorian, Wilfried Bony gave the hosts the lead in the 26th minute, as Jesus Navas‘ corner kick found the player in the box for a free-header goal. 

Before Bafetimbi Gomis equalized in the 90th minute with a blistering shot that beat City keeper Joe Hart at his near-post. 

CHAMPIONS: Nigeria win U-23 AFCON

Nigeria national U-23 team have been crowned champions of the 2015 CAF U-23 Nations Cup in Dakar, Senegal. 

The Dream Team VI defeated Algeria 2-1 in the final of the tournament on Saturday evening to win the second edition of the quadrennial showpiece. 

Tournament top scorer, Oghenekaro Etebo, scored his fourth and fifth of the competition to hand Nigeria her first ever U-23 championship. 

Skipper Azubuike Okechukwu and FIFA U-17 World Cup record scorer, Victor Osimhen, were handed starts after the latter impressed as a substitute against Senegal in the Semi-final. 

Fresh from qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Dream Team began the stronger of the two sides and showed more determination towards goal. 

Etebo made a solo run from midfield towards the Algerian box in the 14th minute and was brought down for Nigeria's fourth penalty kick of the competition. 

The Warri wolves midfielder stepped up to convert from the spot to put Samson Siasia's team in front. 

Sixteen minutes later, the Desert Foxes drew level through a Segun Oduduwa own goal. 

Etebo restored the lead for Nigeria with a well taken strike five minutes before half time.

Oduduwa was the victim again in the 68th minute - this time he was adjourned to have fowled an opponent in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. 

Nigeria goalkeeper, Daniel Emmanuel, produced his second successive penalty save to deny the North Africans an equaliser. 

In the third-place play-off played earlier, South Africa defeated Senegal on penalties to claim the last available spot for the Olympic. 

The junior Bafana Bafana joins Nigeria and Algeria as Africa's representative at the biggest sports fiesta in the world. 

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.