Super Eagles Players will take a break from training Today as the team gets set for its first test game since resuming the 2017 AFCON qualifier camp last week.

The Home-based players in Camp will square up against NNL side Spotlight FC at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina later in the day according to the Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye.

Ibitoye told www.footballlive.ng that the players will rest before their 5pm kick off time, therefore striking out trainig practice from their programme for the day.

He said: ” No training Today because its match day. They’re (Super Eagles) looking forward to having a great game against Spotlight FC of Katsina, later this evening, 5pm is kick off time.”

Following his invitation by head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi ahead of the 2017 AFCON qualifier against Chad next month, John Ogu says its a ‘ big plus’ for his career.


The Hapoel Beer Sheva midfielder told www.footballlive.ng he is thankful to God for the opportunity to serve the country again and hopes to help the Team meet its aspirations.

” I want to thank God for this opportunity to represent Nigeria again. Returning for the team is a big plus for my career so I just want to give my all and help our football grow to where we want it to.”

Stephen Keshi ’s stint with the Super Eagles has frequently lurched from absurd to inspired, and back again. It therefore is no surprise to see the composition of the maiden squad of his second coming – the foreign-based contingent that is.

This list of 15 was revealed on Sunday evening, and will join up with their Nigeria Professional Football League counterparts in camping for the Afcon 2017 Qualifier against Chad.

There is a lot to be gleaned from this list, especially considering (seemingly) arbitrary personnel decisions were the bane of his first stint in charge. For every Michael Babatunde and Sunday Mba, there was a Michael Uchebo, a Nosa Igiebor, a Ramon Azeez; this lent an air of potluck to Keshi’s successes – if you have enough knives in your hand, you are bound to cut something.

On the evidence of this list though, very little has changed.

The most high-profile omission is of Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, only this last weekend won another Premier League title. There really is not much to carp about on that front: Mikel has struggled for both form and fitness this year, and is hardly the sort of consistent performer on the international stage for whom an exception can be made.

The question then is: if this is the criterion on which Mikel has been left out, how is a player like Ogenyi Onazi included?

The Lazio man has made 18 appearances (nine as starts) for Lazio this term, but has served the Rome club better by staying out of the way mostly. He has also lost his place as the go-to option in the event of injury or suspension, usurped by 20-year-old prospect Danilo Cataldi. His form with the national side has also suffered – Onazi has looked half the player since Blaise Matuidi ended his World Cup in Brazil.



Onazi | Does he merit his return to the national side?

For that matter, how to justify the central defensive pairing of Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo? Since the Big Boss stumbled upon the pairing in the second game of the 2013 Afcon, these two have been virtually undroppable.

While the virtue of familiarity in defence is clear, neither of these two have played a good game for the national team in ages. Both are also bench players in such 'elite' clubs as Caykur Rizespor and Middlesbrough.

Some have argued the pickings are slim in Europe for Nigerian centre-backs; I say why pick for the sake of it then? This list is intended to augment the home-based call-ups, which includes the NPFL’s best defenders. In terms of form and fitness, they are clearly ahead, so play them.

This lack of coherence is also evident in the omissions as well. Aaron Samuel has quickly endeared himself to the public for his knack of the impact goal while not playing especially well. If his limitations could be overlooked on the grounds of lack of alternatives then, what about now with Emem Eduok and Osaguona Ighodaro in sparkling form in North Africa? The former in particular is a superb footballer, and would be an upgrade on the China-based blunt instrument. Ighodaro struck five times in six games in the CAF Champions League until his Raja Casablanca side were eliminated from the competition.

Most surprising is the call-up of Rabiu Ibrahim. The former U-17 world champion, whose style and ability evoked comparisons with wizard midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha, has struggled to fulfil his immense promise due to a spate of unfortunate injuries. After failed stints at former European champions Celtic and PSV Eindhoven, it is at Slovakian club Trencin that he has found a home.

After a relatively injury-free season, his first in a long while, he has been rewarded with an invitation to the Super Eagles. Whichever way you look at it, it feels wrong. Rabiu has hardly stood out - four goals and one assist in 17 appearances, and only thrice has he completed 90 minutes - instead it seems he is in the squad on the basis of that spark back in 2007 under the tutelage of the late Yemi Tella.
If his reputation precedes him, it is perhaps because it is easy for great players to make themselves the template, even for future generations. Okocha was a stellar footballer, but getting caught up trying to replace him ignores the fact that the national team predated him, and as such is perfectly capable of functioning without him or a plaster-cast clone.

The issue of creativity from midfield is one that has raged on for years, and which Keshi was unable to address in his first stint. If his genius solution this time around is to try to resurrect an eight-year ghost in a player only just piecing his career together after much heartache, then the next two years of his contract will be exceeding long indeed.

24 year old Nigerian Super Eagles player and Chinese Super League, Guangzhou R&F striker, Aaron Samuel welcomed a baby girl with his girlfriend Nadia some weeks back. He showed the baby off for the first time on his instagram page today. Congrats to them. More photos after the cut...

Photos: Footballer, Aaron Samuel shows off his newborn daughter http://lindaikeji..com/2015/05/photos-footballer-aaron-samuel-shows.html

Nigeria striker Imoh Ezekiel was on target in Standard Liege's 2-0 win over Charleroi on Sunday, as the Belgian Juplier outfit secured fourth spot and a place in the UEFA Europa League next season.

The former 36 Lions star used his pace to full effect in the 26th minute, as he latched onto a through ball from teammate François Penneteau to beat Charleroi goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau with a fine strike.

The victory over Charleroi ensured the Reds finished fourth on the log with 53 points, eight points adrift of champions Club Brugge and two points above fifth-placed Kortrijk.

Imoh, who is on loan at Standard Liege from Qatari club Al Arabi, has made 13 appearances for Jose Riga’s side this season, scoring six goals.

The 21-year old initially left 36 Lion FC for Standard Liege in 2012, but was sold by the Belgian club to Al Arabi in July 2014 for around 8 million Euros, before returning to the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in February on loan.

Imoh – who is reportedly keen to make his loan move permanent - earned his first Super Eagles cap in March 2014 during an international friendly against Mexico, after coming on as a second-half substitute for Victor Moses.

Gbenga Okunowo’s comments this week have amplified the debate in the public sphere as to whether or not the national team should have a permanent address. The former Barcelona defender spoke up in light of the NFF’s decision to have the Super Eagles play their first Afcon 2017 qualifier against Chad in Kaduna.

The team has hoboed around in recent times, pitching tent in Calabar, Abuja and Uyo recently. None of these grounds are without a caveat though: claustrophobic Uyo is always routinely packed out but has a turf like the surface of the moon; Abuja is a capacious mansion without a soul, although this has much to do with the demographic of the city; Uyo is a modern edifice but has in a short time accumulated enough negative associations to last a generation.

There is a nice, sewn-up congruity to having a sort of cultural home for a national team, that one venue that is consecrated hallowed ground. Every home game then becomes a (bi-)monthly festival, ending with the sacrifice of the opposition before the baying masses in the stands, usually with some highfalutin political suit in attendance giving the figurative thumbs-down.

This is somewhat removed from reality though; various national associations in recent times have made it a point of order to wheel the national team around the country, the point being that the novelty of the occasion piques the local interest sufficiently to have the ground packed out. Former World champions Spain provide a fine recent example, even accounting for the latent political and nationalistic undertones, there is a sense of a roving circus: “Witness the greatest show the world has ever seen, ladies and gentlemen! Coming to a stadium near you!”

It would seem this is an even more appropriate course in a variegated society such as Nigeria, with its inherent lack of inclusiveness between ethnic nationalities. The only real way to make the Super Eagles ‘Nigerian’ – if it were possible to distil that identity into something patently meaningful – would be to give everyone (within the ambit of possibility) some sort of feel. The national team is after all one of the few things we all rally around in unison, other things being equal.

Worth considering also is that there is a sense of history, of cachet that only notable victories in a stadium can bring. Each ground has a unique soul, intangible but pendent and gravid, heaving with hope and sighs, joy and tears. Nigeria has one real claim to an iconic footballing shrine, and it rots in decrepitude to this day – the National Stadium in Lagos.

The right penalty box is where Segun Odegbami, the Mathematical one, swivelled on a sixpence to punt past Algerian goalkeeper Mehdi Cerbah in the final of the 1980 Nations Cup. The left goalmouth is the one that regurgitated Victor Ikpeba’s penalty against Cameroon in 2000. If ever there was a stadium that could bear the weight of 170 million dreams without caving in on itself, it is the citadel that the late Sam Okwaraji guards with grim, but ultimately futile determination.



Building another stadium up to the same level takes time, and raises the question: where should it be located? Lagos is apt for its all-encompassing, cross-sectional representation of the nation; it has acquired objectivity by heterogeneity, and consequently a Frankenstein mish-mash of a soul that makes it fierce to look upon, emitting a fear-inducing roar on matchdays. No other city in the country provides this.

So while it would be ideal to have a Wembley-style temple to return to, it is not a realistic possibility at this time. The more specific grouse may be the choice of Kaduna for the Chad game, but consider for a while that this is a stadium that holds no recent bad memories for the national team, and is guaranteed to provide a full house and the atmosphere to go with it.It is in this regard that football fans in Northern Nigeria have the edge over their Southern counterparts: they are less likely to be apathetic to the Super Eagles. The national team is in a lull presently, and no one is quite sure what to expect with the return of Stephen Keshi. With his association to recent poor performances, siting this game in the South, where the Big Boss has not presided over a win since 2013, could have seen disappointing turn-out.

If Southern supporters are a reluctant, uptight girlfriend, requiring careful coaxing and promises of eternal bliss, then Northern fans are – all right, you get the idea. Simply put, the choice of Kaduna will ensure the one thing the Super Eagles have not had a lot of recently: unbridled, unmitigated support for 90 minutes. At their lowest point, they could certainly do with it.


It is in this regard that football fans in Northern Nigeria have the edge over their Southern counterparts: they are less likely to be apathetic to the Super Eagles. The national team is in a lull presently, and no one is quite sure what to expect with the return of Stephen Keshi. With his association to recent poor performances, siting this game in the South, where the Big Boss has not presided over a win since 2013, could have seen disappointing turn-out.

If Southern supporters are a reluctant, uptight girlfriend, requiring careful coaxing and promises of eternal bliss, then Northern fans are – all right, you get the idea. Simply put, the choice of Kaduna will ensure the one thing the Super Eagles have not had a lot of recently: unbridled, unmitigated support for 90 minutes. At their lowest point, they could certainly do with it.

Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has set a June 3 deadline for all foreign based invited players to report to camp ahead of next month's 2017 AFCON qualifiers against Chad.

Keshi named fifteen foreign based players to join 26 other domestic league invitees for the June 13 clash scheduled to hold in Kaduna.

Captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who only recently won his 100th cap alongside established names like Ahmed Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona alongside some new comers are expected to hit camp in time to beat Coach Stephen Keshi's deadline.

Keshi in a statement on the NFF’s official website said;

"I want all the foreign based players in camp on or before midnight on Wednesday.

"Apart from Aaron Samuel who is still involved with his club and has been granted special permission to report to camp after that deadline,I expect to have everybody in by June 3.

"They are to report to the Bolton White Hotels and Apartments where their home based colleagues have been camped since May 21," Keshi told the NFF website.

The Eagles predominantly domestic league players will on Tuesday face Spotlight FC of Katsina in a friendly match to open the new Karkanda Stadium in Katsina.

The team is expected to return to the team’s camp in Abuja on Wednesday while training will resume at the Abuja National Stadium on Thursday.

Foreign pros list

Goalkeeper: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France)

Defenders: Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Leon Balogun (Darmstadt 98, Germany); William Troost-Ekong (FC Dordrecht, The Netherlands); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Anderson Esiti (Estoril FC, Portugal); Steven Ukoh (Biel-Bienne FC, Switzerland)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R & F, China); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England)

The presence of ‘eminence’ inspired one of the two sides in the Super Eagles v Spotlight FC friendly played at the Karkanda Memorial Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday.
It was a ding dong affair and how bespectacled the 12,000 fans at the grounds were is an episode not meant for this page.

At some point the lowly National League side must have impressed, dominated and perhaps threatened to spoil Keshi’s first official unofficial game since his return as Eagles boss.

Presuming the reactions to follow the lull 0-0 result: – Sorry if we didn’t mention that earlier – the team had only just converged at the weekend and many had been involved in club duties, besides the Coaches wanted to evaluate the tactical state of the team.


Prozone could come in handy and eventually when the foreign pros join in the real structure of the team to face Chad will take shape.

All these are excuses not to many fans will be happy to read about anywhere. Regardless of which footballers wore the National colors the Super Eagles against Spotlight FC were the Super Eagles, no disparities; and that’s how the NFF will have us explain it.

The result wasn’t the worst of starts for the supposedly experienced bunch, it was a shame and some may even say the level of the NPFL players; a little known Coach many months ago had argued in favor.

Meanwhile, the biggest culprit here will be Stephen Keshi; without a doubt, and the how he addresses this is where the addendum to this piece will continue.

Can't the super Eagles learn one thing from the flying eagles ? Pure attacking football ,beat ur opponent silly

Daninya11:
Nigeria striker Imoh Ezekiel was on target in Standard Liege's 2-0 win over Charleroi on Sunday, as the Belgian Juplier outfit secured fourth spot and a place in the UEFA Europa League next season.

The former 36 Lions star used his pace to full effect in the 26th minute, as he latched onto a through ball from teammate François Penneteau to beat Charleroi goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau with a fine strike.

The victory over Charleroi ensured the Reds finished fourth on the log with 53 points, eight points adrift of champions Club Brugge and two points above fifth-placed Kortrijk.

Imoh, who is on loan at Standard Liege from Qatari club Al Arabi, has made 13 appearances for Jose Riga’s side this season, scoring six goals.

The 21-year old initially left 36 Lion FC for Standard Liege in 2012, but was sold by the Belgian club to Al Arabi in July 2014 for around 8 million Euros, before returning to the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in February on loan.

Imoh – who is reportedly keen to make his loan move permanent - earned his first Super Eagles cap in March 2014 during an international friendly against Mexico, after coming on as a second-half substitute for Victor Moses.

I just don'y know why Keshi no like this guy

Daninya11:
The presence of ‘eminence’ inspired one of the two sides in the Super Eagles v Spotlight FC friendly played at the Karkanda Memorial Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday.
It was a ding dong affair and how bespectacled the 12,000 fans at the grounds were is an episode not meant for this page.

At some point the lowly National League side must have impressed, dominated and perhaps threatened to spoil Keshi’s first official unofficial game since his return as Eagles boss.

Presuming the reactions to follow the lull 0-0 result: – Sorry if we didn’t mention that earlier – the team had only just converged at the weekend and many had been involved in club duties, besides the Coaches wanted to evaluate the tactical state of the team.


Prozone could come in handy and eventually when the foreign pros join in the real structure of the team to face Chad will take shape.

All these are excuses not to many fans will be happy to read about anywhere. Regardless of which footballers wore the National colors the Super Eagles against Spotlight FC were the Super Eagles, no disparities; and that’s how the NFF will have us explain it.

The result wasn’t the worst of starts for the supposedly experienced bunch, it was a shame and some may even say the level of the NPFL players; a little known Coach many months ago had argued in favor.

Meanwhile, the biggest culprit here will be Stephen Keshi; without a doubt, and the how he addresses this is where the addendum to this piece will continue.

@Daninya11 your updates are a top notch
Thanks for keeping us abreast of happenings over there.

lexyman:
Can't the super Eagles learn one thing from the flying eagles ? Pure attacking football ,beat ur opponent silly

Superflying Eagles beat Sportlight Fc of Katsina 3-1. While our heavy legged super chickens couldn't get just a single goal in this match nawaoo S.E which way na?

Stoke Boss Hopeful of Signing Moses on Long Term Basis.
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes remains hopeful of signing Chelsea's Nigerian winger Victor Moses on a free this summer.
Moses who is currently recuperating from an hamstring injury impressed Hughes during his loan spell at the Britannia stadium and the Welshman wants the 24 year old to be on the Potters books on the long term.
'It was good to see Victor back at the ground for the final game of the season,' Hughes told the Stoke Sentinel.
'I thought it was important he came, along with Bojan (Krkic), because they have obviously played their part in our season as well as those on show for the last game.
'He's (Moses) back at Chelsea now, but hopefully we can still do something. We'll have to see.'
And with his current deal running out this summer, Stoke will be Moses' first choice.
Moses who played 19 games and scored thrice was at the Britannia to watch Stoke batter Liverpool 6-1 in the final game of the season and gave Liverpool a nightmare farewell from the Premier League.
Stoke ended their season ninth in the Premier League with a club record.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/stoke-boss-hopeful-of-signing-moses-on-long-term-basis/

Orkpekyandega:

@Daninya11 your updates are a top notch
Thanks for keeping us abreast of happenings over there.

I appreciate you sir.. Uwc.

Orkpekyandega:

I just don'y know why Keshi no like this guy

Keshi sometimes can be very sentimental..

Former AC Milan centre-back Taribo West says Mikel Obi’s shock exclusion from the Super Eagles squad for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad in Kaduna is a blessing in disguise for the national team.

Taribo said after a long and strenuous season plagued with injuries at English champions Chelsea, Mikel needed a break from football before getting back to top shape.

The Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games gold medallist warned that the Eagles should not be overconfident, saying this was not the best of times for the country’s football.

He said, “This is not a good time for us because it’s the off-season and a lot of our players are tired. Thank God Mikel was ruled out of the team because he had a very tough season playing in the Champions League, Premier League and other competitions for Chelsea. He needs rest. Even goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was ever present at his French club side and deserves a rest as well,” Taribo said.

“That is why we need our best players in the domestic league to dominate the squad against the Chadians. The Nigerian season started few weeks ago and a lot of the home guys are still very fresh and fit to play, so let’s use them.”

Even though the 1998 and 2002 World Cups star is confident the Eagles would begin their 2017 AFCON qualifiers on a winning note, he advised the overseas-based players to report straight to camp.

Taribo added, “They (Eagles) will win but they need to prepare well. The overseas-based players should come to camp direct because if they get to their homes before joining the squad, there might be distractions, which won’t augur well for the team. Though Chad are not a big team, they are improving, so we shouldn’t take them for granted.”

Watford of England striker, Odion Ighalo Ighalo says he is looking ahead to the qualifier against Chad in Kaduna next month.

The striker who recently earned his International cap told www.footballlive.ng that he was excited with the opportunity of playing competitive games for the national team; which has always been a life long dream.

” Am very happy to be called up to the national team because its been my dream; to play for the national team.

” Right now though, am looking forward to the game because we must get off the block with 3 points and I believe that’s the main focus of the rest of the team.”

Ex international and former Eagles goalkeeper, Dosu Joseph has highlighted the importance for the Eagles to make sure they do everything possible not to miss out on yet another AFCON tournament.
In a chat with www.footballlive.ng Dosu said the game against Chad will not be an easy match and as such the team must fight hard to make Gabon in 2017.

” We need to qualify for the Nations Cup, playing against Chad might just turn out to be a banana skin. I think its not going to be an easy game so we must work hard to get past them.

” We shouldn’t say Chad isn’t a football nation, we can’t underrate them. They want to participate and have their flag fly along with the other 15 nations in Gabon and with that kind of determination from them, we know we must fight hard.”

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi says he was concerned more for other things than the result of the friendly between his Eagles team and National League side Spotlight FC on Tuesday.

Keshi told the media at the post match briefing that he would not read too much into the scoreline because that was his team’s first official practice game.

“The game ended goalless but that was not all I wanted to see,” Keshi said.

“Don’t get me wrong,I like to win every game but at this stage of our preparation I was looking for a lot more.”

“I wanted to see my players’ reaction in true match situation, see their application of all the tactical trainings we have been doing, see their movement, how they keep the team shape when attacking and defending as well as what they do with and without the ball.”

“And I must tell you that I was happy with what I saw. The team can only get better. There is still a lot of work to be done but we have also made some progress,” the coach told the media.

Elderson Echiejile was once a promising talent in the LB position for the Super Eagles and he looked like one of those destined for a landmark International career until recently.

All that seemed like a perfect masterpiece is appearing now like its miss some finer touch here and there for the 27-year-old defender whether at home or even with his Ligue Un side, AS Monaco.

A last minute casualty before the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Elderson Echiejile was dropped by Stephen Keshi when it became clear recovery from a sore injury would take longer than thought.

The song was not so much of a palatable rhythm either back in France with bit part roles for Leonardo Jardim’s side. Two appearances in the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League for a team that played as far as the quarter-finals should stir genuine concerns.

The reels continues with 12 League appearances meaning he was second fiddle to a preferred starter- French youngster Layvin Kurzawa has been il Preferiti most part of the season.

For what its worth though, he’s scored as many goals (1) as Liverpool’s striker Mario Balotelli this season for Liverpool in the League; finishing as 1 of only three defenders to do so for Monaco this term.

But in more like for like comparison, Echiejile has not faired to badly. His stats against PSG and Ivory Coast’s Serge Aurier; who’s had more game time are descent

Katsina Pitch Excites Eagles.
•Rates it as the best in the country
The Super Eagles have declared the turf at the Karkanda stadium, Katsina as the best in the country.
The Eagles on Tuesday played out a goalless draw at the magnificent arena with national league side, Spotlight FC in a friendly which they used to shape up for the June 13 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifier against Chad in Kaduna.
Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye in a telephone chat with the media from Katsina after the game described the stadium turf as excellent, even as he added that it is a place Eagles would love to return and play.
“What they have here in Katsina is an excellent turf. The boys and coach Stephen Keshi couldn’t believe it. It is a different breed of synthetic turf that is cool and lush green. If only all the synthetic turfs in the country were like this, the Eagles wont complain and insist on playing on natural grass turf,” Ibitoye said.
He commended the Katsina state government and the corporate body that constructed the turf Monimichelle for doing a good job.
The Managing Director of Monimichelle, Ebi Egbe who was in Katsina to watch the Eagles play told newsmen that the Katsina turf would be the same as that of the stadium in Nnewi which his outfit is also constructing for Ifeanyi Ubah FC.
“I m happy the Eagles have played in Katsina and have seen that the different is clear when it comes to the job Monimichelle is doing. The turf in Katsina is built with cocoa nut fibre technology, so the pitch cant be hot and it will remain lush green and smooth as far as it is well maintained,” Egbe said.
Egbe charged other state governments to emulate the Katsina state government that has gone for the very best, even as he insisted that the kind of synthetic turf in Katsina is one endorsed by FIFA and cheaper to maintain when compared to natural grass.
thenationonlineng.net/new/katsina-pitch-excites-eagles/

More photos from Katsina Stadium

More pics.....

Onazi Begs Fans to Support Eagles.
Nigeriainternational Ogenyi Onazi has told AfricanFootball.comhe and his Super Eagles colleagues have got another chance to restore the pride and glory of the national team.
The Eagles failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea, but now have a chance to reach the 2017 tournament to be staged in Gabon when they begin their qualifying tournament next month beginning with a home game against unknown Chad.
Lazio midfielder Onazi said the Eagles have another opportunity to restore the country’s pride and that there will not be any room for excuses.
“This is another opportunity for us to bring back our glorious days and restore our pride as a team and nation,” Onazi told AfricanFootball.com.
“Now is another great chance for us to show the world what we can do. There won’t be any room for excuses, we need to win all games right from the Chad game, by the grace of God.
“Now is another great chance for us to show the world what we can do. There won’t be any room for excuses, we need to win all games right from the Chad game, by the grace of God
“We had the chance before but we didn’t make good use of it then. I am, therefore, calling on the fans and other football stakeholders in Nigeria because countries like Italy do encourage their players.”
Onazi is one of the foreign-based pros called up by coach Stephen Keshi for the AFCON 2017 qualifier against Chad in Kaduna next month.
thenationonlineng.net/new/onazi-begs-fans-to-support-eagles/

Keshi to Home Based Eagles: You Have Done Well.
•Big Boss confident they will improve
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has said his band of domestic league players can only continue to improve despite seeing them fail to score against Nigeria National League side Spotlight FC in Katsina on Tuesday.
Keshi told the media at the post match briefing that he would not read too much into the scoreline because that was his team’s first official practice game.
“The game ended goalless but that was not all I wanted to see. Don’t get me wrong, I like to win every game but at this stage of our preparation I was looking for a lot more,” Keshi opened up.
“I wanted to see my players’ reaction in true match situation, see their application of all the tactical training we have been doing, see their movement, how they keep the team shape when attacking and defending as well as what they do with and without the ball.
“And I must tell you that I was happy with what I saw. The team can only get better. There is still a lot of work to be done but we have also made some progress,” he told the media.
The Super Eagles dominated for most of the game played at the brand new Karkanda Stadium after struggling to get their rhythm in the opening periods of the match.
All 20 players that made the trip were also given the opportunity to be part of the very lively encounter watched by over 20,000 fans.
Substitute Idris Aloma had the ball in the net in added time off a sweet build up but the goal did not stand.
The Super Eagles will resume training at the National Stadium, Abuja today after returning from Katsina on Wednesday.
thenationonlineng.net/new/keshi-to-home-based-eagles-you-have-done-well/

Nigeria: Udeze Hails Keshi Over Mikel's Omission
Lagos — Former Super Eagles defender, Ifeayin Udeze, has applauded Coach Stephen Keshi for dropping Mikel Obi from the list of invited foreign based players that will play Chad June 13 in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Kaduna.
Mikel was overlooked following alleged communication gap between him and Keshi and not based on form.
Udeze said that Keshi had every right to select any player based on choice but still believed that Mikel deserved a place in the list.
"He's the Coach, he has his reasons and I don't know why he didn't invite Mikel, though I feel Mikel is supposed to be in the team. But I think he has his reasons which are best known to him.
"I know the Coach, the players and the Federation are not going to take chances against Chad, so I say we go all out and get a straight win," Udeze said.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles midfielder, John Ogu has expressed joy on his return to the Super Eagles.
Ogu played a key role in Nigeria's 2013 Africa Cup of Nations victory in South Africa and has expressed readiness to play out his best against Chad.
"I want to thank God for this opportunity to represent Nigeria again. Returning for the team is a big plus for my career so I just want to give my all and help our football grow to where we want it to."
allafrica.com/stories/201505270642.html?viewall=1

Eagles Poised to Hire John Obuh.
There are very strong indications that former Flying Eagles coach John Obuh will soon be named a second assistant coach of the Super Eagles, AfricanFootball.com has exclusively learnt.
“Obuh will be soon be announced as an Eagles assistant coach, it could even be as early as next week,” a top source informed AfricanFootball.com
“The proposal is for him to work with Stephen Keshi and his first assistant Salisu Yusuf, who replaced Daniel Amokachi.”
Obuh led Nigeria to win the 2011 African Youth Championship in South Africa, two years after he guided the Golden Eaglets to the final of the FIFA U17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria.
His last job was as coach of Nigeria premier league Enugu Rangers last season. The one-year contract was not extended.
Obuh was on a recent trip to London for a course with the NFF technical study group led by former Eagles skipper Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.
He was widely linked with several league clubs this season including Akwa United and Wikki Tourists, but he is currently a league overseer for ambitious Gabros FC.
He is known for giving youngsters a chance and he lays a great deal of emphasis on physical conditioning.
africanfootball.com/news/534821/Eagles-poised-to-hire-John-Obuh

‎ Kanu Reacts To Mikel Eagles’ Snub.
Nwankwo Kanu Makes A Dig At Obi Mikel And Says Players Must Understand The Importance Of Representing Nigeria.
Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo ‘Papilo’ Kanu has challenged Nigerian players to understand the importance of representing the country, following reports that John Obi Mikel refused Stephen Keshi’s advances to be a part of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.
The former African footballer of the year said players should understand that they represent a whole country whenever they play for Nigeria, and opined that playing for the National Team is bigger than playing for a club side.
“One thing they (players) always forget is that the Super Eagles, and by that I mean the national team, is bigger than a club side,” he told SL10.ng.
“And I think it is high time we let whoever comes in to understand the importance of wearing that National shirt.
“They have to understand that whenever they do that, they are carrying the hopes and expectations of 170 million Nigerians on their shoulders, which is a very big task.
“We don’t ever want to come second because it is not a good mentality and that is the way we can get them to get results for us.
“Whoever is coming in there, has to understand that wearing that National jersey is bigger than wearing your club colours. Whoever you are and wherever you are coming from, even if you play for the biggest clubs in the world because the National Team is bigger than that and there is pressure there,” he said in an apparent reference to the Mikel situation.
www.sl10.ng/news/articles/categories/super-eagles/nwankwo-kanu-makes-a-dig-at-obi-mikel-and-says-players-must-understand-the-importance-of-representin/210785

Kanu: Eagels Reliance On Benched Foreign-Based Stars Is A Worry.
Legendary Nwankwo Kanu ‘Bothered’ With Lack Of Playing Time For Super Eagles’ Euro Stars.
With several of the Super Eagles’ overseas-based invitees struggling to get regular playing time for their respective clubs over the past season, former Super Eagles skipper Nwankwo Kanu has said that it is a huge worry.
Speaking to SL10.ng, Kanu stated that though the players being fit and good enough should be an advantage, he posited that their playing for their country should be based on them playing regularly for their clubs.
“Of course it bothers me,” he told SL10.ng. “But if you’re a good player, you’re a good player.
“We just need them to be fit but they must understand it won’t be me playing for them, they have to go out there and play.
“They should know that they must play for their clubs and if they do that regularly, the chances of playing for Nigeria is enhanced and that is how it should be based and I hope the players understand this,” he said further.
Fifteen overseas-based players have been called up for the Afcon Qualifier against Chad, and they’re now expected to report to camp on the revised date of June 3.
www.sl10.ng/news/articles/categories/super-eagles/legendary-nwankwo-kanu-bothered-with-lack-of-playing-time-for-super-eagles-euro-stars/210775

Ighalo Speaks On Invite For Chad Game.
Watford striker Odion Ighalo Speaks On His Super Eagles Invite For The Chad Game.
Watford striker Jude Odion Ighalo has spoken of his delight at getting another opportunity to impress in the colours of Nigeria, after his invitation to the Super Eagles ahead of June’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Le Sao of Chad.
The 25-year-old had an impressive season with Watford in the English Championship, scoring 20 goals as the Hornets returned to the Premier League.
He was rewarded with a call-up to the Eagles for two friendly games against Uganda and South Africa in March, and he says he’s delighted to have been handed another call to the team.
“I will say that I am very happy getting another call-up to the Super Eagles,” he told SL10.ng.
“I believe every footballer dreams of playing for his national team and it is no different with me, so I’m happy to be called again.”
The former Udinese, of Italy, striker played under Daniel Amokachi the last time he was with the team, but will be working with Stephen Keshi this time, and he says he has to work hard to give his best.
“I have to work hard to give my best under the Big Boss. I know he’s a good coach and I will work hard to understand what he wants from his players,” he concluded.
www.sl10.ng/news/articles/categories/super-eagles/watford-striker-odion-ighalo-speaks-on-his-super-eagles-invite-for-the-chad-game/210696

Moses Still A transfer Target For Hughes.
Chelsea’s Victor Moses Remains A Transfer Target For Stoke Manager Mark Hughes.
Super Eagles striker Victor Moses, who was on loan from English Premier League champions, Chelsea FC, to Stoke City, is still a transfer target for manager Mark Hughes.
Victor Moses, who was at the 2014 FIFA World Cup with the Super Eagles, struggled to impress at Liverpool during his loan move to Anfield two seasons back but the former Wigan winger impressed during his loan move to the Britannia last term and Mark Hughes is considering signing him permanently.
The Nigeria international played 19 Premier League matches for Stoke City but a hamstring injury ended his season earlier than he planned and had to return to Chelsea. Hughes, however, hasn't ruled out either a permanent acquisition or second loan signing of the powerful winger.
Victor Moses, whose current Chelsea contract expires at the end of the month was at the Britannia to see Stoke City thrash Liverpool 6-1 in the last game of the season.
"We've done okay ourselves with loans over the last couple of years," Hughes told stokesentinel.co.uk.
"It was good to see Victor back at the ground for the final game of the season. I thought it was important he came, along with Bojan, because they have obviously played their part in our season as well as those on show for the last game.
"He's back at Chelsea now, but hopefully we can still do something. We'll have to see," Hughes stated.
www.sl10.ng/news/articles/categories/nigeria-players-abroad/chelsea-s-victor-moses-remains-a-transfer-target-for-stoke-manager-mark-hughes/210699