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.

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