Chelsea blames ex-player, Mikel for first goal against England

Despite having two international friendly matches left to play, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, at the weekend named his final 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup. The gaffer dropped Ola Aina and FC Porto midfielder, Mikel Agu after earlier delisting five players from his provisional squad.
However, former club of John Obi Mikel, Chelsea has blamed the Super Eagles captain for the first goal conceded by Nigeria in the 1-2 loss at Wembley Stadium to England.
In this report, ADEBAYO OLODAN rates the performances of the Super Eagles players against The Three Lions plus the transfer of Eagles’ outcast, Michael Babatunde and former Enugu Rangers defender, Kalu Orji to Moroccan clubs.
Russia 2018: Rohr drops Agu, Aina, names final 23-man squad
Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr has named former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, now of Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda, as captain and 22 others in his final 23-man squad for 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Also in the squad are six players from Premier League clubs have been included in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the World Cup.
Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi, Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses, new Brighton Hove Albion signing Leon Balogun and Leicester trio Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa have all made the cut.
Iwobi, 21, scored in the 2-1 friendly defeat by England at Wembley on Saturday.
Also included is striker Simeon Nwankwo, of Serie B side FC Crotone, who only made his international debut in last week’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo.
NIGERIA’s SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa Utd)
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong and Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor), Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag), Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV), Bryan Idowu (Amkar Perm), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC), Leon Balogun (Brighton), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa).
Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas), John Ogu (Hapoel Beeer Sheva), Joel Obi (Torino, Italy).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal), Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone).
Nigeria 1-2 England: How Mikel, others fared at Wembley
Although it was an international friendly match before they jet to Russia, Gernot Rohr’s, error-prone defence was punished by full attacking Gareth Southgate’s side.
Goals by Gary Cahill and Harry Kane was enough for England to claim a win over Nigeria with Arsenal ace Alex Iwobi grabbing a consolation for Nigeria.
The game was with several nervy displays, particularly in the first half of a testy encounter, but the Super Eagles’ performance was boosted by a 4-man substitution at the beginning of the second half which brought the consolation goal.
Here’s how the World Cup bound Super Eagles’ fared during the match at Wembley stadium against England.
Francis Odinaka Uzoho: He made several saves, dominated aerially, use of feet and command of his area. He however could have dealt with the second goal. He appears to be improving after each game. 6/10
Leon Balogun: Porous performance by him as he looked tensed and was unable to checkmate Sterling; fortunately the England forward couldn’t convert his chances. Balogun needs to work more on his pacing. 4/10
William Troost-Ekong: He looked calm and composed making some outstanding clearances which could have cost the Super Eagles more goals. 7/10
Shehu Abdullahi: Was caught out of position several times and with the ball at his feet, he looked uncomfortable. He deserved to be substituted and may be dropped to the substitutes’ bench by Gernot Rohr in Russia.3/10
Brian Idowu: Confident and steady. He played the full match, a signal that he has confirmed his position in the team for the World cup. Did well to track back and deliver a last-gasp block on Ashley Young’s shot from few yards when both centre backs were taken out on the counter. 7/10
Ogenyi Onazi: Again, he looked out of place and showed no connection with Joel Obi in the middle for Nigeria. He gave away the second goal by his inaccurate pass. Yet to confirm his relevance in the team even as vice Captain. 3/10
Joel Obi: Wasn’t on top of his game, but was more accurate and possessive than Onazi in the middle of the park. He was rightly substituted by the coach to give more life to the Super Eagles’ midfield. 3/10
John Obi Mikel: Failed to mark down his former Chelsea colleague, Gary Cahill, who scored from a free header. He didn’t really have any impact on the game as he would have loved playing from his favourite position in the middle. The captain however had a better second half display. 5.5/10
Victor Moses: Struggled to stamp his authority in attack. He was only visible in the last minute of the first half when he had a shot on target. The Chelsea man showed more energy in the second before he was substituted for Ahmed Musa. 4/10
Alex Iwobi: Excellent performance as he scored the consolation goal. He was always coming deeper to connect midfield with attack. Had the most completed dribbles in the game and undoubtedly man of the match for Nigeria. 8/10
Odion Ighalo: Eager to get on the ball and try something new. But was isolated in the first half and had to battle staying onside. He showed outstanding skills in the second half before being substituted. His shot was blocked but a rebound from Iwobi led to the consolation goal. 6/10
Substitutions
John Ogu: Came in for Onazi at half time and gave Nigeria more possession of the ball. He tightened things up in midfield and also made some interceptions at the back. 6/10
Tyronne Ebuehi: Proved in the second half that he is ready to battle Abdullahi for a starting spot on the right side of defence. Showed surprising strength and he was a threat to England defenders each time he joined the attack. 6/10
Oghenekaro Etebo: Came on at half time and the midfield regained its shape. He contributed to a quality and solid Super Eagles midfield in the second half. 6/10
Ahmed Musa: Came in for a flabby Victor Moses. Musa’s pace immediately electrified the arena. He motivated the attack and was always ready for the ball. 5.5/10
Kelechi Iheanacho: Very little time to have an impact. Fresh legs brought but no service to impact proceedings. 4/10
Kenneth Omeruo: Came on for Balogun and immediately made a good case for why Rohr should not only take him to Russia, but should also elevate him back into the starting eleven. 6/10
England v Nigeria: Chelsea blames ex-player, Mikel for first goal
Chelsea has blamed their former player, John Obi Mikel for the first goal conceded by Super Eagles in their 2-1 loss to England at Wembley on Saturday.
Blues captain Gary Cahill rose to power a header in after six minutes to give England the lead, and television replays clearly show that Mikel and William Troost-Ekong were caught ball watching as the ball was floated in by Kieran Trippier.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane added a second for the Three Lions in the 39th minute before Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi pulled a goal back just after the restart but the hosts managed to hold on to their lead.
In their review of the friendly, the official website of Chelsea stated : ”Gary Cahill was on target for England at Wembley this evening, as the Three Lions stepped up their World Cup preparations with victory over Nigeria.
”The Chelsea skipper opened the scoring after just seven minutes, powering home a trademark header after escaping the attentions of former Blue, John Mikel Obi, to meet a Kieran Trippier corner.”
Victor Moses, Kenneth Omeruo and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were the other Chelsea players that featured in the friendly, while Ola Aina was a non-playing substitute.
Why Nigerian fans booed Dele Alli at Wembley
If you were at Wembley or tuned into ITV for England’s 2-1 win over Nigeria, you will have heard the 10,000 Super Eagles supporters booing Spurs midfielder Dele Alli.
Any time the MK Dons youth product touched the ball, he was jeered by the visiting supporters – with the same loud noise also heard when he was replaced by Fabian Delph ten minutes from time.
And if you were wondering why the Nigerians were showing such animosity towards the 22-year old, it all stems from the fact he boasts Nigerian heritage through his father.
Alli was born in, and lived in England his whole life – hence his decision to the play for the three Lions at international level, unlike the likes of Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses.
2014 World Cup a disaster, says Mikel
Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has described the days leading to Nigeria’s exit from the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the campaign as “a disaster”.
Nigeria was knocked out of the tournament in the round of 16, losing 2-0 to France, but the Eagles, who had won the African Nations Cup just a year before, imploded before the defeat to Les Bleus at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasília.
Recalling the tortuous journey in Brazil, Mikel painted the picture of a fight club, because there was little discipline among the players; “There was no good feeling, no good vibe.”
“There were a lot of problems in the camp which a lot of people didn’t see, the media didn’t see – we kind of hid it under the table,” Mikel says. “The relationships between the players were not good and there was no discipline. There was no good feeling, no good vibe.
“It almost got to people being pinned up against dressing-room walls, although not quite. It was confrontation and arguments. Players wanted to do their own thing and they didn’t think about the team,” he disclosed.
ENGLAND
Tosin Kehinde, Nwakali to lead next generation of Super Eagles
Super Eagles are set for their sixth appearance at the world cup tournament and many are filled with contained optimism
The general consensus is while the current setup is not as complete as the legendary 94/96 set, they are still loaded with a truckload of talented individuals and coupled with the resolute efficiency their German tactician Gernot Rohr brings they should be capable of ruffling more than a few feathers in Russia.
One person who shares this belief is Manchester United’s wonder-kid Tosin Kehinde who himself recently declared his readiness to don the nations green white green
The 19-year-old Lagos born Tosin who admires the unbridled skill of the legendary Jay Jay Okocha is convinced the current squad is going to cause more than a few upsets in Russia
“Of course we can make an Impact at the world cup” Tosin told Soccer Assembly
“We have a tricky group but we should make it out…. from there we have to stay solid in the back and work our way up the field with confidence.”
“We have players that are good on the ball that can do that”.
“When the opportunity comes we have to be clinical… once we earn our respect and a good reputation early on in the competition, we have a good shot to do something special!”
Tosin Kehinde told Soccer Assembly after Nigeria’s exhibition game against Europa league Champions Atletico Madrid in which Arsenal youngster, Kelechi Nwakali scored a sensational goal.
“Kelechi is a beast” Tosin said of Nwakalis goal with unhidden admiration, “Amazing! His technique and range is simply amazing”
“Ebere Eze is another young Nigerian player with so much promise. He has very good feet and can do amazing things with the ball”
QPR’s Eze also looks set for a role with the Super Eagles in the near future and trained with the team in London back in March
Surely a team with him, Nwakali, Kehinde and the many other youngsters is a tantalising prospect to envisage.
Tosin has had an excellent season with Manchester Utd’s U-23s and while he may not have closed particularly too well no thanks to injuries he has been severally tipped to be a first teamer come next season.
SWEDEN
Monday Samuel, Edafe Egbedi and Sean Okoli (Landskrona BoIS): Samuel and former U-20 midfielder, Egbedi lasted the duration of their club’s 1-0 defeat of GAIS.
NORWAY
Afeez Aremu (IK Start): The former CHAN Eagles midfielder scored his second goal of the season in the 33rd min for his team in their 3-1 defeats away at Molde in the Aker Stadion.
VIETNAM
Edward Ofere (Thanh Hoa): The former Enugu Rangers and FF Malmo forward played a cameo role when his team was held to a 1-1 draw by Nam Dinh.
SWAZILAND
Kola signs short term deal with Swallows
Mbababe Swallows has signed Aladeon Kola on a three months contract and the striker has been immediately included in the team’s 2018 CAF Champions League squad.
Swallows who retained the Swaziland Premier league are second in group D with 4 points same as Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia and the two will meet in a two leg fixture as the rounds resume in July.
Kola leaves Manzini Wanderers and has been signed purposely to bolster Mbabane Swallows squad for the continentals.
Kola’s earlier move to Tanzsnia’s Yanga failed after the Dar club failed to send him an invitation letter and was turned at the airport .
MOROCCO
Babatunde signs 3-yr Wydad Casablanca deal
Michael Babatunde, has signed a three year deal with current holders of the CAF African Champions League, Wydad Casablanca.
Babatunde who severed ties with Qatar SC after helping them gain promotion to the elite division last season, signed a deal worth $1.5m, with Wydad Casablanca.
The 2014 World Cup star becomes the first player in the history of Moroccan football to play for two rival clubs, Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca.
“I am happy to be back in Morocco and I want to help defend their titles,” the 25-year-old disclosed shortly after his unveiling in Casablanca on Friday.
Babatunde previously played for Volyn Lutsk and Dnipro both in Ukraine.
The winger joins compatriot Chisom Chikatara – although reported to be moving towards the exit – in the books of the Moroccan giants.
Babatunde played a starring role in Nigeria’s campaign at the last World Cup in Brazil, though his journey ended prematurely in the final group game against Argentina.
Kalu Orji joins Mouloudia Oujda
Kano Pillars defender, Kalu Orji, has joined Moroccan club, Mouloudia Club, Oujda on a three-year contract.
Orji, 25, last featured for four-time Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Kano Pillars. The centre-back signed a short term deal with Pillars in April this year after severing ties with another NPFL club, Enugu Rangers.
He also once had stint with Rangers’ oriental rivals, Heartland FC of Owerri.
The defender was a member of Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles that finishes second at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) hosted by Morocco early this year, his second appearance in the competition after participating in the previous edition in Rwanda in 2016.
Moloudia Oujda will play in Morocco’s Botola League next season after gaining promotion from the Botola League 2.
The Les Verts came tops in the division with 60 points, four more than second placed Club Athletic Youssoufia Berrechid. The modest club play their home games at the 35,000 sitter Honneur Stadium.