Eagles Watch

Mikel to play with cast against Argentina – Rohr

 

… Rangers boss, Gerrard keen on Sadiq

The Super Eagles face a daunting task to qualify for the Round of 16 as they square up against Argentina in their final group game. One player that may be key to the outcome of that match is Super Eagles skipper, John Obi Mikel. At the moment the China-based midfielder is battling a metacarpal injury and may have to play with a cast on Tuesday, according to Coach Gernot Rohr.
In yet another comprehensive report, the NEWS EDITOR, ADEBAYO OLODAN writes on events in the Super Eagles’ camp plus the performances of Super Eagles’ hopefuls in the Scandinavian countries.

NEWS FROM RUSSIA
Mikel to play with cast against Messi, others – Rohr 
Super Eagles medics are working round the clock to get Obi Mikel available for selection ahead of a crucial World Cup match against Argentina tomorrow.
The scan conducted on Saturday showed that the Tianjin Teda star suffered a fracture of the Metacarpal in the closing minutes of Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday, but Rohr has continued to play down the injury concerns, saying the midfielder will play with a cast against the South American powerhouse.
”Unfortunately there is one injury, we have the captain who has fracture of the metacarpal but I think he can play with a cast, the medical team is working on it,” Rohr stated in a video uploaded by the Nigerian Federation.
”Everybody had massage, special massages for the legs, for recovery. There are no injuries again, the weather is fine, yesterday we had rain, which was good for recovery.”
The Super Eagles trained on Saturday before they flew to St Petersburg, about three hours by flight from their base camp in Essentuki.
Rohr divided the squad into two groups and those players that started against Iceland were involved in physical exercises and football tennis, while the other group worked more intensively.

… wants Croatia’s best against Iceland
The captain of the Super Eagles, John Obi Mikel has called on Croatia to be professionals and play their best players against Iceland in their final group D game.
Coach of Croatia Zlatko Dalic said he won’t parade his best players against Iceland, a game which Nigeria need them to at least draw to stand a chance of progressing to the next round, if they are able to beat or draw against Argentina.
Dalic said he has players who are on the brink of suspension hence he won’t risk them against Nigeria as his side are already through to the round of 16, where a win or draw will see them finish as group leaders.
Mikel was asked about the plans of the coach and the captain of Nigeria who led his team to a 2-0 morale boosting win over Iceland yesterday showed hus displeasure over the move.
“I don’t think it’s the best thing to do. This is a massive tournament – you can’t rest people and give others a chance of qualification. They should be professional and play their best team. This is such a big stage that you can’t rest players just to help other teams to qualify.”

Drogba salute Musa’s first goal technique against Iceland 
Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend, Didier Drogba has applauded Ahmed Musa for the manner which he took his first goal against Iceland in Nigeria’s 2-0 win at the World Cup on Friday.
Musa scored both goals for Nigeria, but the manner which he took his first goal has earned him praise from the legendary striker who was on television commentary during the course of the game.
A cross from Victor Moses was brought down by the forward with a majestic touch before rifling home a well hit drive past the Iceland goalkeeper to give Nigeria the lead four minutes after the half time break.
Drogba said the technique he used in executing the finish is something that looks easy to the eyes but difficult to execute especially in a game where the team need a win.
“Ahmed Musa’s first goal is a beautiful goal, the difficulty makes it more beautiful. Simply wow. It’s a technique you have to admire because it looks easy to the eyes but very difficult to execute under pressure “, Drogba said
“I hope Nigeria go through but it will be difficult. What we have seen today is a team who are willing to play for a single course, they will need to do same against Argentina on Tuesday “, Drogba concluded.

… how Omeruo dominated in defence 
The unsung hero of Super Eagles’ ability to defend properly against Iceland has to be Chelsea defender, Kenneth Omeruo who was part of three for the team in the 2-0 win.
Omeruo was introduced into the defence by coach Gernot Rohr and the 23-year-old who spent last season on loan to Turkish side, Kasimpasa proved the decision of the manager right with a near faultless display.
He started the move which led to Nigeria’s first goal with a firm header out of the back and also created the second goal scored by Ahmed Musa with a well hit ball out of the box, which was latched upon by the forward.
Often criticised by Nigerians for his lack of pace and decision making, he was solid in every defensive duty he had to do, a performance which even Chelsea had to applaud on their official twitter handle.
Below is a statistical fact on how he dominated in the defence of the Super Eagles for the entire duration of the win, which moved Nigeria to second in the group.
Tackles won         100%
Touches         63
Passes            50
Aerial duels won    6
Clearances        5
Interceptions        3
Chances created        2
Fouls won        2
Assist            1

… clash against Argentina’ll be war, says Ighalo 
Super Eagles forward, Odion Jude Ighalo has said Tuesday’s decisive World Cup Group D clash against Argentina in St Petersburg will be “a war”.
Argentina must win to reach the second round while the Super Eagles can qualify with either victory or a draw.
“It’s going to be war (and) a final of finals because they need to win,” Ighalo told BBC Sport.
“They are going to come all out and (use) every tactic that they know to win a game.”
The clash between Argentina and Nigeria will be the fifth World Cup meeting between the sides – with the Super Eagles yet to avoid defeat.
With maximum points in Russia following wins over Nigeria and Argentina, group leaders Croatia have already claimed one of the group’s berths in the Round of 16.
That has left Nigeria, Iceland and Argentina – runners-up at the 2014 World Cup – scrapping for just one place.
The Super Eagles’ 2-0 defeat of Iceland on Friday moved them second with three points, while both Iceland and Argentina have mustered just a solitary point apiece following their 1-1 draw on 16 June.
Should Croatia beat Iceland on Tuesday in Rostov-on-Don, the African side could go through with a point.
Argentina, by contrast, will qualify with a win if Iceland fail to win on Tuesday or, should the island nation emerge victorious, by outscoring them and so improving their inferior goal difference.
“I am expecting it to be a very tough game but I think we are capable of qualifying,” said Ighalo.
Despite being dropped, 29-year-old Ighalo was delighted by the change of tactics from Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr who switched to a back three and started with two strikers.
“It makes it easier because I was isolated (against Croatia) – alone with four different guys – which was very difficult but we played with two strikers (against Iceland), which is much easier for the strikers to move, to come, and you can see that we got goals,” he explained.

ENGLAND 
2-goal hero, Musa, unsure of Leicester future 
Ahmed Musa has said he is unsure of his future at Leicester after the 2018 World Cup adding that he would love a return to CSKA Moscow.
Musa stole the show in Volgograd On Friday, scoring twice as Nigeria overcame Iceland 2-0 in group D to set up an interesting tie with Argentina.
The 25-year-old joined Leicester from CSKA Moscow in 2016 but failed to settle in the Premier League before returning to the Moscovites on loan in January, scoring seven times in all competitions.
Though he revealed that a return to CSKA would be ideal, Musa has not ruled out staying at Leicester for the 2018/19 season.
“I have to go back to Leicester but the decision to stay- I can’t decide for now.
“In the next two weeks, I can decide if I am going to stay or leave.
“Coming back to CSKA, yeah, if it’s possible I would love to, it’s my die-hard club,” he said. Meanwhile, Galatasaray is said to have turned their attention to Musa, having held talks with his agent. The player may join the Turkish club with the prospect of Champions League football as an added incentive.

Bolton Wanderers eyes Akpan 
Bolton Wanderers is reportedly eyeing up moves for Burton Albion midfielder, Hope Akpan.
Akpan’s deal with Burton expires at the end of the month, so he would be available for free should Wanderers’ interest ring to be true.
The defensive minded midfielder scored twice in 29 games for Burton last season, one of which was against Wanderers in that disastrous performance at the Pirelli.
Whilst being born in Liverpool, the former Everton, Reading FC and Blackburn Rovers player has represented Nigeria at international level, having been capped four times.
Okonkwo snubs interest from Celtic for new Arsenal deal
England U-17 international of Nigerian descent, Arthur Okonkwo has ended speculations about his future after penning a new deal with Arsenal.
Arsenal youth-team guru, Jeorge Bird disclosed on his website that the goalkeeper has committed his future to the Gunners by signing a scholarship deal with the club.
Had Okonkwo turned down a new contract with the Emirates outfit, he would have walked away from the club as a free agent this summer.
The 16-year-old has shunned interest from Scottish champions Celtic and Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig to pen a scholarship deal with Arsenal.
Okonkwo was highly admired by ex-Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger and the goalkeeper trainers last season. He trained with the first team ahead of matches against Doncaster Rovers (League Cup) and West Ham (Premier League).
Next season, he will compete with Estonian whizkid Karl Jakob Hein, Daniel Barden and Tom Smith for the Arsenal U-18 goalkeeping position.

 Ikeme winning leukaemia battle
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme has said he is on the road to recovery after undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia.
The 32-year-old English-born star – capped 10 times – posted on Instagram that he still faced obstacles but things were looking far more positive than a year ago when he was diagnosed with the illness.
Ikeme– who has been with Wolverhampton Wanderers for his entire career and has played almost 200 games for the club as well as another 60 in spells on loan at other English clubs —  returned “abnormal blood tests” during pre-season testing.
“After a tough year and intense chemotherapy throughout I would like to let everyone know I am in complete REMISSION,” he posted on Instagram, alongside a photograph of him with his children.
“I still have hurdles to get over to be cured but I can hopefully now move forward with some normality. I would like to thank my family/friends to start with who have gone above and beyond for me.”
Ikeme, who laced his battle with humour posting a picture of himself on transfer deadline day in August 2017 saying he was transferring from one hospital room to another, said he had been touched by the support he had received.
“The support I have received from Wolves/Nigeria, the football world and from people from all over the world has been hard to put into words,” he said.

ITALY 
Obi on Celta Vigo, Sporting, Benfica radar
Spanish club, Celta Vigo, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica have all joined the race to sign 27-year-old Torino midfielder, Joel Obi.
According to reports, Celta Vigo has met representatives Obi as the midfielder with the aim of completing the deal before the end of the World Cup in Russia.
Obi was earlier scouted by Crystal Palace but it now looks likely that the former Inter Milan youth product will now play his football next season in Spain with Celta very interested in him.
Similarly, Sporting is also said to have commenced negotiation and the player could link up with his former boss, Sinisa Mihaljovic at the Portuguese club. Obi’s market value is presently €5m, but Sporting might get him for less seeing as he only has one year left on his contract.
However the player impressed at the World Cup, his market value may rise with more clubs likely to show interest in the diminutive midfielder.
The former Inter Milan player is yet to taste action in Russia with John Obi Mikel, Oghenekaro Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi ahead of him in the perking order in the national team.
Despite an injury ravaged season, the player has scored six times in 25 matches, providing two assists for the Granata last season.

SCOTLAND 
Rangers boss, Gerrard keen on Sadiq
Rangers is closing in on the signing of Roma striker, Umar Sadiq.
The Ibrox club is reportedly in advanced discussions with the striker and Roma over a season-long loan deal as Steven Gerrard looks to bolster his attacking options for the forthcoming season.
Rangers are hopeful a deal will be completed in time for the player to join the squad at their training camp in Spain.
Sadiq has caught the eye after spending the second half of last season on loan at NAC Breda, where he scored five goals in 13 games.
Roma signed the forward after he impressed during a loan spell from Spezia. The 21-year-old hasn’t been part of the first-team picture in the Italian capital yet but had spells on loan at Bologna and Torino before his stint in the Netherlands.
Now, Rangers are hopeful that the next step in his development is in Glasgow as the club aims to make a challenge for silverware next season.
Sadiq made just five appearances for Roma since, scoring two goals and due to a lack of game time he’s been farmed out to a number of clubs on loan, including Torino and Bologna.
Arsenal was once linked with a £16million move for the youngster after he joined Roma.
Most recently Sadiq spent the second half of last season on loan at Dutch side NAC Breda where he netted five goals in 13 games.

NORWAY 
Babajide David and Ikenna Ikedi (Haugesund) & Ifeanyi Mathew and Charles Ezeh (Lillestrom): Mathew and David lasted 90 mins while the duo of Ikedi and Ezeh were unused substitutes as Haugesund and Lillestrom drew 2-2.
Afeez Aremu (Start): The former home-based Super Eagles midfielder was substituted in the 84th min of his team’s 2-0 defeat of Kristiansund BK.
Samuel Adegbenro (Rosenborg) & Chidera Ejuke and Sam Adekugbe (Valeranga):
Adegbenro was missing, Ejuke benched while Adekugbe lasted 90 mins of his team’s 0-2 defeat away at Rosenborg.

DIV II 
Aniekpeno Udoh (Viking) & Abubakar Ibrahim Aliyu (Hamarkameratene): Udoh came on in the 67th min of his team’s 2-0 defeat of Hamarkameratene for whom Aliyu was an unused substitute.
Michael Ogungbaro (Aasane) & Igoh Ogbu (Levanger): Ogungbaro and Ogbu were on for the duration of their clubs 3-3 draw.
Ibrahim Shaibu (Kongsvinger): Shaibu was in action as his team suffered a 1-2 reverse at home to Stroemmen.

SWEDEN
Ebere John Ekeh and Sean Okoli (Landskrona BoIS): Ekeh and Okoli were both unused substitute as their club lost 0-1 at Norby.
Samuel Nnamani (AFC Eskilstuna): He played for 90 mins as his club played a goalless draw with Oesters IF.

MOROCCO
CHAN Eagles star, Gabriel tries out at Wydad
Former CHAN Eagles forward, Gabriel Okechukwu, is currently on trial at Moroccan club, Wydad Casablanca, on the recommendation of Michael Babatunde, according to sources. The 22-year-old, who scored twice in the African Nations Championship earlier this year, plays for Akwa United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
He was called up in March for Super Eagles international friendly against Poland in London.


DID YOU KNOW?

1.    Ahmed Musa has scored each of Nigeria’s last three World Cup goals, with this goal meaning he is the highest goal scorer at World Cup tournaments for the Super Eagles.
2.    Nigeria is the first team to not have a single shot in the first half of a World Cup game since South Korea vs Algeria in 2014.
3.    At 19years 237days, Super Eagles keeper, Francis Uzoho is the second youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in World Cup history, older only than Li Chan-Myong (19y 198d) who famously shut-out Italy in 1966.
4.    There were 25 uninterrupted passes played by England before their 6th goal vs Panama; the longest sequence for a World Cup goal since 1966 and one more pass than Esteban Cambiasso’s goal for Argentina v Serbia in 2006 (24).
5.    Harry Kane is only the third England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, after Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final and GaryLineker vs Poland in 1986.
6.    Harry Kane is the current leading scorer at the 2018 World Cup with five goals, scoring with all five of his shots on target in the tournament.
7.    Toni Kroos’ strike (94:42) was Germany’s latest ever World Cup goal scored during regulation time (excluding extra time).
8.    John Stones is the second Manchester City player to score for England at the World Cup, and the first since Trevor Francis in 1982.
9.    England’s defeat of Panama is only the fifth time in World Cup history that a team has scored 5+ goals in the first half of a match, with Germany vs Brazil in the 2014 semi-final the most recent occasion.
10.    Eden Hazard has been directly involved in 22 goals in his last 21 appearances for Belgium, scoring 10 and assisting a further 12.
11.    Harry Kane’s penalty was the first converted by an England player at the World Cup since 2002, when David Beckham scored from the spot against Argentina.
12.    Senegal is yet to lose any of the previous 14 international matches that Sadio Mané has scored in, winning nine games and drawing the other five.
13.    England named a unique starting XI in all 20 of Gareth Southgate’s matches in charge.
14.    Harry Kane is the first player to score a brace in his first two World Cup appearances since Poland’s Grzegorz Lato in 1974, who went on to win the Golden Boot at that tournament.
15.    Only in 1966 (11) have England scored more goals in a single World Cup tournament than they have in 2018 (8 – also in 1954 and 1990).
16.    Senegal has won three of their six World Cup matches, giving them the best win rate of any African nation to play in the competition (50%).
17.    Carlos Vela’s penalty was the 14th taken at the 2018 World Cup; already one more than in the entirety of the 2014 tournament (13).

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