…as Rohr drops Iheanacho, Ajayi from AFCON squad
With curtain already drawn on the major leagues and a number of less fancied leagues in Europe, there was scarcity of Nigerian players in action at the weekend. However, Super Eagles players and prospects like their counterparts from other parts of the world have continued to attract interests from various clubs especially in Europe.
While Michael Olaha and David Okereke both made the leap from Vietnam and Italian Serie B to Israel and the English Premiership respectively, Kwara Football Academy (KFA) graduate, Dennis Emmanuel Bonaventure is primed for a move to French giant, Lyon. The player who is on the books of Belgian club, Club Brugge was earlier touted as a replacement for Danny Welbeck at Arsenal until Lyon reportedly entered the fray.
Meanwhile, one of the brightest sparks of the 2019 Flying Eagles squad, Tom Dele-Bashiru will now need to find a new employer following his sack by Premier League champions, Manchester City.
The News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN scouts Europe and Africa to serve you news as regard the future of Nigerian players.
ENGLAND
Olosunde to exit Man Utd
Manchester United has revealed their final decision on American-born Nigerian defender, Matthew Olosunde.
The club stated that the player will be departing once his contract expires on June 30, 2019.
The club confirmed this through a statement on their official website.
Olosunde who is eligible to play for Nigeria, joined Manchester United from New York Red Bulls in March 2016.
The player started with the U-18 team at Old Trafford before he was promoted to the U-23 squad in the 2016-2017 campaign and went on to make 33 appearances across three seasons in the Premier League 2.
He, however, struggled with injuries in his final season at the club.
Olosunde began his career at Princeton Football Club, where he spent seven years before shifting to NYRB.
Oluwayemi gets new Spurs deal
Goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi has been offered a new deal by Champions League finalists Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the new season.
Oluwayemi impressed last term, posting 8 shutouts in 17 appearances in the U18 Premier League while conceding 13 goals.
The 18-year-old joined Tottenham Hotspur full-time in July 2017 and is yet to debut for their U23 squad in the Premier League 2.
Although he has caps for England at U15 and U16 levels, the Waltham Forest-born Oluwayemi has committed his international future to Nigeria over his country of birth.
He comes from a family of goalkeepers as his father, Abiodun Ogunyemi, was a goalkeeper for Ogun State University while his sibling, Tobi is also a goalkeeper at Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur has confirmed that five Nigeria-eligible players have been retained : Luke Amos, Kion Etete, Timothy Eyoma, Jubril Okedina and Joshua Onomah.
Onomah, Amos and Eyoma have played for the first team of Tottenham.
… club signs Etete
Tottenham Hotspur has confirmed the signing of talented youngster, Kion Etete according to a statement on The North London side’s website.
However, the financial terms and duration of contract have not been disclosed by the North London club.
The 17-year-old was offered a contract by Tottenham following a successful trial.
The player was signed from demoted League Two club Notts County.
Etete scored twice in a trial game against West Ham in the U18 Premier League in March 2019.
He was born to a Nigerian father and English mom.
Etete joined Notts County at the age of fourteen, rising through the ranks before making his first team debut in a Checkatrade Trophy clash against Newcastle United U-21 in October 2018.
Omeruo eager to seal Leganes permanent switch
Kenneth Omeruo is likely to stay put at Spanish La Liga club, CD Leganes where he played on loan from parent club Chelsea during the recently-concluded 2018/19 season.
The 25-year-old had earlier stated his desire to sign a permanent contract with Leganes during an interview with top UK media outlet, BBC Sport.
Okereke joins Southampton for £13.5m
U-23 striker, David Okereke has joined English Premier League side, Southampton from Italian Serie B side Spezia.
According to reports the two clubs agreed a £13.5m deal for the transfer of the 21-year-old forward.
Okereke scored 10 goals and had 10 assists in 31 league games for the Italian club last season.
Man City sacks Flying Eagles star, Dele-Bashiru
Manchester City has released Flying Eagles midfielder, Tom Dele-Bashiru.
This was made known via the Premier League Champions’ official website on Friday.
The club also noted that they have retained Dele-Bashiru’s sibling, Fisayo, Tosin Adarabioyo, Felix Nmecha, Nathanael Ogbeta, Gavin Bazunu and Oluwatimilehin Sobowale.
Dele-Bashiru, a central midfielder, is leaving the club thirteen years after he first joined them.
He is leaving as a free agent on July 1 after failing to agree a new deal with the Manchester side.
The 19-year-old made his professional debut for City after coming off the bench in a League Cup match against Leicester City in December 2017.
Man City would be due for a compensation fee if the player joins another English club in the summer because of his age.
Moses must show willingness to work to succeed in Italy – Obiora
Former Inter Milan midfielder, Nwankwo Obiora has aimed a dig at fellow Nigerian Victor Moses claiming that the Chelsea-owned winger must increase his work rate to become a successful player in the Italian Serie A.
With fromer Chelsea gaffer Antonio Conte recently taking over the reins at the Nerazzurri, Moses’s chances of completing a permanent move to the 2010 European champions have increased but Nwankwo has sent a warning to his former employer.
Asked if Moses’ proposed transfer to Inter would be good for club and player, Nwankwo answered: I know him because I played with him. Honestly I didn’t hear anything about this news, but in the case it would be good for the player. But he will have to increase his willingness to work.
“The Victor Moses I know is a bit ‘relaxed’ … and in Italy, this is a big problem, because you prefer hardworking players.”
Obiora, who was a member of the Flying Eagles squad at the 2009 World Cup, made his first team debut for Inter Milan in a Champions League clash against Tottenham in November 2010 at the age of 19.
TURKEY
I’ve no Trabzonspor link – Ogu
Former Hapoel Be’er Sheva of Israel midfielder, John Ogu has dismissed out rightly reports that he is on the verge of linking up with Turkish Super Lig side, Trabzonspor.
Recent reports have hinted that the combative midfielder is set to join fellow Nigerian compatriots, Ogenyi Onazi and Anthony Nwakaeme at Trabzonspor this summer after his contract at Hapoel Be’er Sheva ended.
But during a chat with newsmen in Asaba where the Super Eagles were camped for a week in preparation for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Ogu said he knew nothing about the Trabzonspor move.
“Anything you heard about me trying to join Trabzonspor was not from me and it was also not from my agent as I have not spoken at all to the Turkish club, and I have no connection whatsoever with them.
“I can tell you that there is nothing concrete yet but all I know is that there have been offers from some other countries apart from Turkey because my agent told me about them.
“I have not signed anything yet and once I know where I will be playing next season, then I will update all of my fans and that will be on social media, but for now, I am focused on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.”
Ogu restated his dream to earn a move to a club in England, particularly in the Premier League before he finally calls it quits in his football career.
The 31-year old who has decided to leave Hapoel Beer’Sheva with whom he won a plethora of trophies during his five years stay said he was looking forward to playing for an English club.
BELGIUM
Lyon rivals Arsenal for KFA graduate, Bonaventure
Ligue 1 side, Olympique Lyon is reported interested in signing Arsenal target, Dennis Emmanuel Bonaventure who plays as a striker for Belgian side, Club Brugge.
After the release of England International, Danny Welbeck the Gunners are in search for a backup striker to compliment the duo of Alexander Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and as identified the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) graduate as a replacement for the former Manchester United striker.
The 21-year-old who scored five goals in 17 league appearances for the Belgian side is also attracting interest from Turkish giant Fenerbache, who are not willing to match the 12 million Euros offers from the duo of Lyon and Arsenal according to Turkish outlet Fanatik.
Brugge signed the Nigeria International from Ukrainian side, Zorya on a 4-year deal which cost 1.2 million Euros. Dennis had a good start to life in Belgium after scoring five goals in six matches, a goal in his debut against Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir is followed by a brace against Lokeren in the league.
The Abuja-born striker who was cautioned twice in the 2018/2019 Belgian league season is part of the Nigeria U-23 side that overturned a 2-0 first-leg defeat against Libya to eventually qualifier to the next round of the 2020 Olympic 4-2 on aggregate.
GREECE
Daniel Adejo (Lamia): The former U-20 defender lasted the duration of his team’s 3-0 win at Apollon Smyrnis.
Suleiman Omo (Levadiakos): He was introduced in the 68th min of his club’s 3-0 loss at home to AEK Athens.
Chuba Akpom (PAOK): The former Arsenal youngster scored the opening goal in the 60th min as his club secured a 2-0 win over PAS Giannina.
ISRAEL
Ex-Abia Warriors striker, Olaha joins Hapoel Tel Aviv
Israeli club, Hapoel Tel Aviv has confirmed the signing of Miacheal Olaha from Vietnamese club, Song Lam Nghe An.
The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a four- year deal with the 13-time Israeli champions.
Olaha began his professional career with Abia Warriors before securing a move to Song Lam Nghe An, where he scored 16 goals in 63 starts and two and half seasons.
Last season, he was on target against Tampires Rovers in the AFC Cup.
The striker who can also play as a winger is represented by Israeli agent, Dudu Dahan, who brokered the deals that took Efe Ambrose, Inoh Ezekiel and Samuel Kalu to Celtic, Al-Arabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv respectively.
Francis Benjamin, Vincent Enyeama, John Chibuike and Nosa Igiebor previously played for Hapoel Tel Aviv.
FINLAND
Samuel Chidi (Haka): He gave his team the lead in the 23rd min of their 2-0 defeat of EIF.
NORWAY
Chuma Anene (Jerv): He was substituted in the 76th min of his club’s 3-1 win at Tromsdalen.
MOROCCO
Emeka Ogbugh (Mouloudia Oujda): He drew his team level in the 45th min of his club’s 1-1 draw with FAR Rabat.
Babatunde happy with Champions League final replay
Michael Babatunde has expressed his happiness over the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to order a replay of the second leg of the CAF Champions League final clash between his Moroccan club, Wydad Casablanca and Esperance of Tunisia.
Esperance led 1-0 in Friday’s second leg but their Moroccan opponents left the pitch after an equaliser they scored was disallowed.
Wydad wanted the video assistant referee to check if the goal should stand but the system was not working.
A CAF statement said on Wednesday, “conditions of game and safety were not met” and that the second leg should be replayed at a neutral venue.
Wydad is yet to officially react to the news but Babatunde said he is delighted that the match will be replayed.
Babatunde hopes that his team will grab the opportunity and fight hard to win the replay and the Champions League title fair and square.
“This really excites me, to be honest, the controversial way the game in Tunisia ended wasn’t right.
“CAF has taken the right decision now by ordering a replay at a neutral venue because the continent deserves it.
“This replay is the best way to determine the true champions of Africa and not the way it ended in Rades.”
Wydad Casablanca had put the controversies of the African Champions League second leg behind them to clinch their 20th Moroccan league title on Tuesday.
The championship was won with a game to spare with a 4-1 win over Olympique Khouribga which put them six points clear of city rivals Raja.
“We’ve won the league title and winning the Champions League trophy was the target at the start of the season,” Babatunde added.
“Now we have another chance to do it. The players are delighted and our fans are happy because a chance has been presented to have another go at it.”
2019 AFCON: Rohr drops Iheanacho, Ajayi
Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr has dropped Leicester City attacker Kelechi Iheanacho and Rotherham Utd midfielder, Semi Ajayi from the squad for the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Iheanacho endured a difficult time with his English Premier League club side last season, with Jamie Vardy preferred in Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers attacking formation.
The former Manchester City youngster only scored once in the league last season as he struggled for game time however he was a surprise inclusion in Nigeria’s 25 provisional squad for the tournament in Egypt.
Rohr had previously hinted that the forward lacks confidence and due to the competition in the squad, the coaching crew cannot continue to give players gift.
Rohr decided not play Iheanacho in Super Eagles friendly match against Zimbabwe in Asaba Friday night, a decision that sealed his fate.
Semi Ajayi on his part will find it difficult to accept the decision, as he was one of the most consistent Nigerian players in Europe last season, having featured in over 40 games for Rotherham Utd.
With Rohr welcoming Captain John Mikel Obi back into the team and with Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo in top form, the former Arsenal youngster was likely to be the casualty.
Meanwhile, the other 23 players and the technical crew has departed Nigeria for Ismaily in Egypt at the weekend to continue preparations for the tournament.
… says, decision to axe duo taken before match
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has inferred that the decision to axe Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Rotherham United defender Semi Ajayi was taken before Saturday’s friendly against Zimbabwe.
The German revealed that he had been monitoring the performance of Nigeria players before they stepped foot in Asaba, adding that it was difficult for him to rate the players because of the rainy conditions in the friendly vs Zimbabwe.
In truth, Rohr already made it clear from the word go that he was dropping a striker and a midfielder, and Iheanacho and Ajayi fall into the category of players.
”You cannot judge from one game in these conditions. We already have our opinion before the match because we observed them throughout the season and we saw what they did and also all week in the training sessions,” Rohr said post-match.
”We had seven training sessions to see the fitness and confidence of the players. It’s not this match alone that will give us a decision on the two players we have to drop.”
As many as seven players classed as offensive players were given a run-out against Zimbabwe, but Rohr has stressed that won’t be the case at the Africa Cup of Nations.
”You see that we played with seven strikers, all the strikers who deserve to play. We started with three strikers, the others came in.
”Normally in a match you cannot bring so many strikers. We played with a lot of offensive players.
”We have Chukwueze, Kalu, Henry, Osimhen, Paul, Simon also. The choice of dropping two players is really difficult for me,” the former Bayern Munich defender concluded.
…Mikel names 2 players who impressed him
Former Chelsea star, John Obi Mikel has named two talented players in the Super Eagles squad who impressed him in the goalless draw against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
The Nigeria captain is tipping Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze and Bordeaux’s Samuel Kalu to have a successful African Cup of Nations but admitted that they are not yet the finished product.
”The coach has invited the players that will do the job for us. It is a very good blend of young and experience. Like the coach said, we needed a little bit of experience – Shehu and Ighalo were not on the pitch,” Mikel said at the post match press conference.
“I think it is also good for the young players to play this game, you know Chukwueze, Kalu, you could see a bit of flashes of talent. They are very good players.
”I think we will work on when to run with the ball, when not to run, when to pass, but you could see the talent is there for them. I think they can do great things in this Nations Cup.
”We just have to keep talking to them, we the senior players, the coaches and hopefully we will have a very good plan in the Nations Cup and do great things.”
Mikel was outstanding in the goalless draw against Zimbabwe and was rightly named the Man of the Match in his first game for the Super Eagles since June 2018.
Nigeria’s final pre-Africa Cup of Nations friendly comes up against the top ranked team in Africa, Senegal on June 16.
…surpasses Kanu’s record for Eagles
John Obi Mikel surpassed Kanu Nwankwo in the number of international caps with the Super Eagles, climbing to third in the list after playing one game more than the latter.
On Saturday, Mikel made his 87th cap for Nigeria in the friendly against Zimbabwe at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
He returned as captain of the team after a leave of absence since Nigeria’s world cup campaign in Russia. Mikel missed 7 matches since then including all the 2019 AFCON qualifiers and a high profile friendly against Egypt.
Had he made himself available for selection, the 32-year-old midfielder would have seen his caps reach 94; just 7 short of the all-time record jointly held by Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo.
Alongside Mikel, Ahmed Musa (81) and Elderson Echiejile (62) are the only active players in the top 10 most capped Nigerian players.
