Eagles Watch

Rohr may drop League hotshot, Lokosa, Ajiboye, 3 others, today

 

With the 2017/18 European Leagues Season coming to a close last weekend, attention has now shifted to the 2018 World Cup as teams including the Super Eagles are stepping up their  preparation ahead of the trip to Russia.

In this report, the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN writes on events in the Super Eagles camp and news about the future of the players at their respective clubs abroad.

NEWS FROM EAGLES’ CAMP

Simon injured, doubtful for World Cup

Gent winger, Moses Simon on Thursday picked up a thigh injury in training. The player who is expected to miss out of the international friendly match against Democratic Republic Congo many also struggle to be fit for the World Cup with barely 20 days left.

The player is not training fully with the team.

It is however unclear whether Coach Gernot Rohr will name a replacement for Simon or pick his final 23-man squad from the available players in camp.

Ndidi not fully fit

Coach Gernot Rohr must decide when to bring Leicester midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi into full training. The player is not playing against Congo as Rohr said he doesn’t want to take any risk, that’s why he is giving him extra days. The coach is the one taking it easy as he wants to see if Ndidi can play the England game.

…Troost-Ekong too

The Samsunspor defender is yet to fully recover from injury though he is training very well. His skipping full training three days ago was just precautionary, the medical team don’t want to take any risk. Any time he feels pains, they tell him to go the sidelines. He is training regularly and playing in the practice games.

Awaziem picks up knock

Nantes defender, Chidozie Awaziem yesterday suffered a minor knock on Saturday but he is already walking well. Due to the knock, the player was excused from training and had to sit on the sidelines.

Rohr may drop League hotshot, Lokosa, Ajiboye, 3 others, today

Despite scoring 18 goals in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Junior Lokosa is likely to be dropped from the final 23-man squad of the Super Eagles ahead of the trip to Russia.

Coach Gernot Rohr has promised to drop five players after the international friendly match against DR Congo, today.

According to feelers from the camp, the 24-year-old striker will be dropped for ‘lacking the experience’ needed at the biggest stage of football which is the World Cup.

The argument like an annoying pimple on the face stares back and retorts at us that the player has scored his goals in the unheralded Nigerian league.

With the more experienced trio of Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Simeon Nwankwo competing for the same role as Lokosa, it is unlikely Rohr will name the Kano Pillars front man in his final squad.

Also likely to be dropped is Plateau Utd goalkeeper, Dele Ajiboye espeaically as he is yet to play under Rohr compared to the troika of Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi. Other potential absentees are; one of Uche Agbo and Chidozie Awaziem and any of Tyronne Ebuehi, Ola Aina and Joele Obi. Unless he recovers on time, lively winger, Moses Simon may be the most heralded player to be dropped from the World Cup party.

 How Team A and B lined up in training

Coach Gernot Rohr split the squad into two teams after the usual physical exercises, Saturday morning’s workout at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Team A who wore blue bibs on top of their green training jerseys contained: goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Ola Aina, Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem in central defense, Brian Idowu left-back, Mikel Obi, Mikel Agu, Uche Agbo and John Ogu in midfield, and Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi in attack.

Team B with just the green training jersey had goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Tyronne Ebuehi, central defenders Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun, left-back Elderson Echiejile, Joel Obi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Eddy Onazi in midfield, while Simeon Simy Nwankwo, Iheanacho and Junior Lokosa occupied the offensive positions.

Stephen Eze, Ahmed Musa, Abdullahi Shehu, Dele Ajiboye and Daniel Akpeyi were among the substitutes.

Team B won the practice game 3-1, with Iheanacho netting a hat-trick for his side and Ighalo scoring the only goal for Team A.

Though the Leicester City striker scored all the goals, it was Torino’s Obi that stood out for Team B with his passes from deep midfield but he also closed down the opponents and sometimes won the ball back.

Stephen Eze replaced Omeruo, who himself subbed in for Ekong in the other team, Ahmed Musa replaced Iwobi, Agu was substituted for Shehu, while goalkeepers Ajiboye and Akpeyi replaced Uzoho and Ezenwa respectively after the water break.

England vs Nigeria: Troost-Ekong welcomes Kane reunion

When Nigeria face England in Wembley, Harry Kane will be the man to watch out for and Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong welcomes the task.

Troost-Ekong has built a decent reputation for himself as an emerging center back since his Tottenham days when he shared the same locker room with the Three Lions’ top shot.

Gareth Southgate will likely unleash his captain and first choice marksman against the Super Eagles on June 2nd and Gernot Rohr certainly will do everything to stop the onslaught.

But, it’ll also be a reunion for William Troost-Ekong and Harry Kane he explained in a recent interview with Guardian Sport.

“It’ll be nice to play against Harry again after all these years, so it will be exciting. It will be a bit of a homecoming seeing as I spent some time in England and I have such strong ties in England. And quite a lot of the team play in England and so many Nigerians live in England, so it will be a nice atmosphere.”

ENGLAND

Obasi club hunting after Bolton sack

Former Super Eagles forward, Chinedu Obasi is presently job hunting after being released by English Championship club Bolton Wanderers after just two months following the expiration of his short-term deal with the club.

Bolton made the announcement of Obasi’s sack on their official website on Thursday.

According to the club, Phil Parkinson who is Bolton’s manager stated he would not be needing the services of Obasi and six other players after their deals ended.

Obasi, 31, joined Bolton in March after going on trial but did not make a single appearance for the first team, only featuring for the U-23s.

A statement on the club’s website reads: “Bolton Wanderers have today confirmed that seven players will not be offered new deals when their current contracts end on Saturday 30 June.

“Derik Osede, Dorian Dervite, Chris Taylor, Jem Karacan, Mark Howard, Jan Kirchhoff and Chinedu Obasi have all been informed by manager Phil Parkinson that they are free to look elsewhere once their contracts end at Macron Stadium.

“With the majority of the squad on overseas holidays, further meetings with the remaining out-of-contract players will take place in the next seven to 10 days.”

Obasi was in the Flying Eagles squad that finished second at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.

He was also part of the U-23 Eagles that won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China.

Obasi featured for the Super Eagles at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Also released with Obasi is another Nigerian, Derrick Osede who has featured at the U-21 level for Spain. Born to a Nigerian father and Spanish mother, Osede spent 13 years with the youth team of Real Madrid.

RUSSIA

Samuel returns to CSKA Moscow after loan spell

Aaron Samuel will not be extending his loan spell with Russian Premier League side Amkar Perm.

Amkar Perm wrote on its official website that four players Dmitry Belorukov, midfielders Alexander Ryazantsev and Said Ezzatollahi and striker Aaron Olanare will depart the club following the end of their loan agreements with the club.

Samuel was tipped to leave CSKA Moscow in the winter transfer window on a temporary or permanent basis following the return of Ahmed Musa to the club and he would have found himself further down the pecking order of attackers if he didn’t make the move.

He had a fine start to his career at Amkar Perm, netting two goals in his first three league games in addition to scoring in friendly matches against against Montenegrin club FK Buducnost Podgorica and Alashkert FC during his trial period.

Though the 23-year-old is contracted to CSKA Moscow until June 30, 2021, a departure from the club cannot be ruled out if he is not guaranteed game time next season.

Amkar Perm has not provided an update on the future of Fegor Ogude, with his contract set to run out at the end of next month.

SPAIN

Emenike vows bounce back from injury spells

Former Super Eagles forward, Emmanuel Emenike has vowed to bounce back from his injury worries after a no show on loan at Spanish club, Las Palmas.

The player who joined the club from Olympiakos in January did not play any minute till the end of the 2017/18 season.

The 31-year-old while speaking said he is now ready to return to Greece to finish off his contract.

Despite not being able to help Las Palmas avoid relegation from the Spanish top flight, the forward remains upbeat about his future.

“It’s been a tough time for me injury wise but I hope to bounce back next season.

“I t has been a disappointing and heartbreaking five months. I arrived with the hope to fight for the shirt. Unfortunately, the injury sustained while in Spain did not give me a chance to demonstrate the fight for the course.

“I want to thank the people of the Island. They were always welcoming and looked after me like family. In what has been a tough time; they always smiled and supported,,” he wrote on  his Instagram page.

Emenike at the weekend wedded his former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Iheoma Nnadi at the Divine mercy Catholic Church, Lekki and the pair already has a daughter who was born in the United Kingdom in 2017.

Emenike started all four of the Super Eagles 2014 World Cup matches in Brazil but announced his retirement in October 2015.

ITALY

Osuji closes in on Reggiana switch

Former Modena midfielder, Wifred Osuji is reportedly on the verge of joining Serie C club, Reggiana according to a club official, Alfredo Pedulla.

The 27-year-old who was born in Lagos last featured for Varesina.

PORTUGAL

Sporting Lisbon keen on Ajayi

Portuguese club, Sporting Lisbon, has emerged as favourites to sign Junior Ajayi from Egyptian side, Al Ahly this summer.

Ajayi, 22, joined Al Ahly in September, 2016 from Tunisian club, CS Sfaxien and has established himself as one of the key members of the team.

He has attracted interest from a number of European clubs with Al Ahly adamant they won’t part with one of their most important players.

According to a source close to the former Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan striker, Sporting Lisbon who finished third in the Portuguese league during the just concluded season and will compete in the Europa League next term, are now in pole position to secure Ajayi’s services.

“There is a possibility that Junior will leave Al Ahly very soon with Sporting Lisbon as his destination,” the source informed CSN.

“Talks are still ongoing but you know in transfer dealings, things can change at any time as they are not the only club who want to sign him.”

The former Shooting Stars of Ibadan player has made 32 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils this season and has scored nine goals and delivered 11 assists.

Super Eagles coaches didn’t select him in Nigeria’s 30-man provisional squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia despite earning his first call-up for the team’s friendly games against Poland and Serbia.

Agu ponders Porto exit

Mikel Agu has said he may likely consider his future at parent club, FC Porto after ending another loan spell at Turkish club, Bursaspor.

Speaking in an interview at the weekend, Agu said, “I’m still a player of FC Porto under contract until 2021 and it is up to them to decide what they want to do with me but I must return there for pre-season training first.

“If any good opportunity comes for me to be sold, I’m sure we’ll all sit down to talk about it and weigh my options. But seriously I don’t want to go out on loan from FC Porto at least for the next one season because I have already done three loan spells.

“I was at Club Brugge in Belgium where I won the league with them and then Vitoria Setubal in Portugal before going to Bursaspor. I don’t want another loan deal next season. “The way clubs treat you as a loan player sometimes is different from the way they treat their own players.”

Agu said he would rather be a second choice at FC Porto than embark on another loan sojourn.

Asked whether he would love to remain at Bursaspor should the club offer him a permanent deal, Agu said, “No, I will be honest with you, I don’t want to stay there any longer. The way they treated me this past season was totally unacceptable and showed a lack of respect. I was one of their top performers and the stats are there to bear me witness. I gave all my best.

“I fought for the club and for me to be treated the way I was treated when things were not going well for the team, I cannot stay in the club again no matter how much they offer to pay me.”

Checks confirmed Agu is one of his team’s leaders in tackles, clearances, interceptions and blocks per game even though he played fewer games. However he also led in fouls per game.

BELGIUM

Olayinka set for Gent return

Belgian side AA Gent, has reportedly planned to recall on loan striker, Peter Olayinka as they shore up the team in preparedness for their departing Nigerian duo of Moses Simon and Samuel Kalu

Olayinka was signed by Gent last season but was immediately loaned out to Zulte Waregem where he has flourished.

The 22-year old has 11 goals and 13 assists in 31 games this season for Waregem

According to top Belgian reporter Stefan Smet Gent have all but resigned themselves to losing both Simon and Kalu who are “keen on leaving the club” and according to Gent general manager Michel Louwagie

are “dreaming of a transfer,”

The club have already snapped up 27-year-old Belgian Stallone Limbombe who also operates on the flanks. Limbombe who once played for the Gent youth setup had a good season at Antwerp.

Gent currently has three Nigerians in their first team as Anderson Esiti plays for the team asides the aforementioned duo.

GHANA

Alozie makes debut for Inter Allies

Uwandu Chekezie Alozie made his first appearance of the season for Inter Allies on match day 13 of the Zylofon Ghana Premier League.

The striker was handed his first start of the season by head coach, Kenichi Yatshuhashi when they defeated WA All Stars 1-0 at the weekend.

Alozie who joined Inter Allies last season had been out injured did not disappoint as he won a penalty for his side which resulted in the only goal of the match converted by his teammate. The Nigerian is in line for another starting role in the team’s FA Cup match against Immigration midweek.

MOROCCO

Chikatara cries out to NFF for help

Chisom Chikatara has asked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)has cried out for help after accusing his Moroccan club, Wydad Casablanca of seizing his international passport and refusing him to leave the North African country until he signs an ‘illegal document’.

Meanwhile, the club President, Said Naciri has described Chikatara’s allegation as false and baseless. He said the club at no time collected the player’s passports adding that Wydad wanted to clarify the Chikatara’s future before he went on holiday but he refused.

In a related development, fans of the Moroccan club have condemned the player for his below par performance since he joined Wydad.

According to El-Djamal Hajji, he wrote on his twitter handle, “It’s really a big mistake when we decided to get this player(Chikatara), it seems that he is careless, nonprofessional and he needs to go away.”

SUDAN

2 Ex- U-23 invitees pen 1-yr deal with Al-Hilal

Two former U-23 invitees in the shape of Sergio Uyi and Haruna Garba have been snapped up by Sudanese powerhouse Al-Hilal.

Also signed by the club is another Nigerian, Thomas Ulimwengu.

Former Torino youth central defender, Uyi penned a one-year contract with The Blue Wave, with a one sided option for an additional season inserted into the deal.

Garba joins Al-Hilal as a free agent from Maltese Premier League side Gzira United, for whom he scored 5 goals in 12 matches last term whilst on loan from Djurgården of Sweden.

If the striker does well when his loan deal expires on June 30, 2019, he would be signed on a permanent basis.

Uyi was invited to the Dream Team VI get-together in Abuja prior to the 2016 Olympic Games but could not train with the squad due to injury but Haruna failed to make the final cut after he was observed by coach Samson Siasia.

The Italian-Nigerian lists Usd Vanchiglia, Canavese, Dainava, Kruoja, Atlantis FC, SSV Reutlingen, Bangor City and Senglea Athletic amongst his former clubs.

The three new signings have not been assigned jersey numbers yet.

2 Ex-U-23 invitees pen 1-yr deal with Al-Hilal

Two former U-23 invitees in the shape of Sergio Uyi and Haruna Garba have been snapped up by Sudanese powerhouse Al-Hilal.

Also signed by the club is another Nigerian, Thomas Ulimwengu.

Former Torino youth central defender, Uyi penned a one-year contract with The Blue Wave, with a one sided option for an additional season inserted into the deal.

Garba joins Al-Hilal as a free agent from Maltese Premier League side Gzira United, for whom he scored 5 goals in 12 matches last term whilst on loan from Djurgården of Sweden.

If the striker does well when his loan deal expires on June 30, 2019, he would be signed on a permanent basis.

Uyi was invited to the Dream Team VI get-together in Abuja prior to the 2016 Olympic Games but could not train with the squad due to injury but Haruna failed to make the final cut after he was observed by coach Samson Siasia.

The Italian-Nigerian lists Usd Vanchiglia, Canavese, Dainava, Kruoja, Atlantis FC, SSV Reutlingen, Bangor City and Senglea Athletic amongst his former clubs.

The three new signings have not been assigned jersey numbers yet.

Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button