Home Blog Page 102

Hamburg Defender Hints At Availability For Super Eagles Despite One Cap In Two Year

0

Hamburg defender Jordan Torunarigha hasn’t given up on playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria despite picking up just one cap in two years, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Torunarigha who famously snubbed a chance to be a part of the Super Eagles squad for the 2018 World Cup made a U-turn two years ago, by switching his nationality from Germany to Nigeria.

Since that decision he has only played once for Nigeria although he has made the squad for five other games. His only cap came in 2023, when he played for 75 minutes in a 3-2 win over Mozambique in a friendly game under former coach Jose Peseiro.

Present coach of the team Eric Chelle called him up for the games against Rwanda in Kigali and also Zimbabwe in Nigeria, but he didn’t get to play and subsequently haven’t been invited.

Sources close to the 28 year old revealed that he is still interested in making his mark in the Nigerian, although he feels he hasn’t been treated fairly by the coaches.

Presently out injured, he is pushing to make the squad for the AFCON in December, and realise that only a good run of game will make that happen.

LaLiga Midfield Sensation Itching For Super Eagles Action Following Decision To Switch From England

0

27 year old former England youth international Ovie Ejaria who plays for LaLiga side Real Oviedo has pledged his international future to the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The midfielder made a surprise move to the newly promoted side at the start of the season after almost two years without a club. He has made four appearances this season, including his debut which came against league giants Real Madrid.

His progress was slowed down when he picked up a knock that kept him out for three weeks, but he returned last week and played in the final then minutes of their 0-2 defeat to Espanyol.

” I think it’s too early to speak about Ejaria playing for the Super Eagles, but that is the realistic long term goal and aspiration. For now he has to establish himself at club level to gain the trust of the coach of the Nigerian team”, his representative told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

” But it’s true that he is keen on representing Nigeria at the highest level and his association with England ended years ago. The way the season goes will be key to how his dream will be”, he stated.

Super Eagles Midfielder Demoted To U21 After Poor Start To Life At New Club

0

Nigeria international midfielder Uche Chrisantus has been demoted to the U21 of English Premier League side Crystal Palace following a slow start to life at his new side, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chrisantus joined the club on a loan deal from LaLiga side Getafe with obligation to buy at the end of the season. He has however failed to make his mark since his move.

Head coach Olivier Glasner decided to send him down to the U21s to help him adapt to the demands of playing for his team, and yesterday he was a part of the team that player against Stevenage in the football league trophy.

Stevenage triumphed 5-2 with the Nigerian who returned late from international duty playing the entire duration of the game, after missing out of the first team game over weekend due to his lateness.

Reports say his demotion to the U21 is also part of the punishment by Glasner for his late arrival from international duty, where he didn’t get to play for Nigeria in the games against Lesotho and Benin Republic respectively.

UCL: Super Eagles Defender Suffers Humiliating Defeat With Olympiakos Against Barcelona

0

Nigeria international defender Bruno Onyemaechi was part of the want of Greek side Olympiakos who were hammered 6-1 by Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) , OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Barcelona bounced back from the defeat against PSG in the last round of games to beat the Greek side 6-1, leaving them searching for their first win after three games in the tournament.

Fermin Lopez scored a hattrick with Marcus Rashford grabbing a brace. Lamine Yamal scored the other goal for the Spanish giants who got a perfect confidence booster ahead of Sunday’s big game against Real Madrid in the LaLiga.

Onyemaechi who was making his first appearance in the tournament came in as a second half substitute, and was part of the team that were hammered although largely due to the fact that they were reduced to ten men.

Barcelona substitute Ronny Bardji made mincemeat of the Nigerian before setting up Lopez for his hattrick.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Record Transfer- Sport Director Confirms Leverkusen, Rangers, Spurs Interest In Nigeria U20 Star

0

The sporting director of Slovakian side As Trencin Andrej Žáčik has revealed interest from top European teams for the services of Nigeria U20 winger Sani Suleiman, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The teen forward who was the sole bright spark for Nigeria at the U20 World Cup, where they exited the tournament in the round of 16 following a 4-0 loss to Argentina has been a revelation for Trecin in the UEFA youth league.

He missed the round of 16 defeat to Argentina at the world cup due to suspension, but he has done enough to remain a thing of interest to top teams around Europe according to Žáčik.

In an interview with TVNOVINY.sk Žáčik said it could be a transfer for the record books with the 19 year old the toast of teams in England, Germany, Spain, Netherlands , Belgium and Scotland.

Q- Information has appeared in the media regarding interest in Sani Suleiman from several top European leagues. Can you confirm this?

Žáčik – Yes, it is true. This interest is a logical consequence of the player’s performance over the past period. He also only recently turned 19, so there is still a huge possibility and potential for further development. CIES Football Observatory even ranked him among the most complex wingers in the world under the age of 21.

Q- Specifically, clubs such as Tottenham, Leverkusen or Glasgow Rangers were mentioned. Is it true that these teams are also among the interested parties?

Žáčik- These clubs are also among the interested parties.

Q- Within the English Premier League, there is talk not only of Tottenham’s interest. Can you tell us how many teams from this league have contacted you about Suleiman?

Žáčik- Some of the initial contacts often take place directly through the player’s agent, not always directly through our club. I personally don’t know about the interest of other clubs from this league, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t interest.

Q- Which other interested parties, or from which European leagues, are also interested in this player?

Žáčik- The list is really long and I dare say that clubs from most of the leading European leagues are already watching the player.

Q- You mentioned a wide range of interested parties from the leading European leagues. Can you give us a closer look at the most famous competitions, if we don’t count the already mentioned England, Scotland and Germany?

Žáčik- We are also talking about Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries.

Q- According to our information, there is also interest outside of Europe. If this is true, can you at least give us the leagues?

Žáčik- In addition to Europe, clubs from North America or the Middle East are also interested in the player.

Q- Is there any interested party with whom you are in an advanced stage of negotiations?

Žáčik- With some clubs, contact has been going on for a while, but I wouldn’t say that we are a day away from signing the transfer. However, things happen very dynamically in the football environment and tomorrow the situation could be completely different.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

 

Kanu Tells New Super Eagles Defender What He Must Do To Reach The Top In His Career

0

Nigeria football legend Kanu Nwankwo had a brief chat with new Nigeria international defender Benjamin Fredrick offering him some advice following his breakthrough into the team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Fredrick has played in the last four games of the senior national team of Nigeria excelling in centre defence and also as a right back in crucial games of the world cup qualifiers.

He was key in the team picking up two clean sheets in four games. The only goals they conceded was an own goal by captain William Troost-Ekong in the 1-1 draw against South Africa, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali committing a blunder which gifted Lesotho a goal in a 2-1 win.

Speaking to the 20 year old who is expected to be a part of the team for next month world cup qualifiers playoff, Kanu admonished him on what to do to continue his rise.

*It was a conversation of pure encouragement with words of advice on how to continue his growth. Kanu knows better when it comes to young players breaking into the Super Eagles, so it’s only normal to listen when he speaks”, a source close to the defender said.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

 

Osimhen On The Verge Of Setting New UEFA Champions League Goal Scoring Record For Galatasaray

0

Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen will set a new record in the UEFA Champions League if he finds the back of the net tomorrow for Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osimhen will go into the game against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt seeking to become the first player in Galatasaray’s history to score in seven consecutive international matches.

He is currently one of the two players, alongside Burak Yılmaz (2012-2013), with the longest streak for the club in European tournament, and after his hattrick for Nigeria during the international break in a 3-0 win over Benin Republic. He comes in to the game with his confidence on a high.

Head coach Okan Buruk rested him over the weekend to keep him fresh for tomorrow’s game, where he is expected to play from the start as against his substitute role in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir.

Super Eagles Star Prefers Nwabali In Goal For World Cup Playoff Despite Return Of Maduka Okoye

0

The return of Maduka Okoye for Udinese has sparked debates on Stanley Nwabali continuing as the first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Okoye made his return from a three months suspension owing to a betting scandal that happened last season in their game against Lazio. He was immediately reinstated as the number one goalkeeper.

He showed no rustiness with three one on one saves fouling any attempts by Cremonese to take the lead or snatch a win with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

His return coincides with when Nwabali is having a difficult time in goal for the Super Eagles with his error leading to a goal in the 2-1 win over Lesotho, aside many blunders which went unpunished.

Despite the calls, a senior player in the team insist that Nwabali will be in goal for the world cup qualifiers playoff next month, due to the fact that he is trusted by the defence in front of him.

” Maduka plays at a level higher than Nwabali but for the national team it’s not like that all the time. For now Nwabali has confidence working for him and also the trust of the coaches and the defence in front of him. But it’s good that Okoye is back because of what he adds either as back up or when he is required to be in goal’, he revealed.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Super Eagles Star Dropped From List Of Registered Players After Injury Setback

0

Nigeria international midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has been removed from the list of registered players by Italian Serie A side Lazio after his injury last month in the game against Roma, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

He has missed their last three games including games with the senior national team of Nigeria owing to that setback, and recent reports suggest that he will be out for a much longer time than earlier anticipated.

The earliest he can return is towards the end of January after undergoing surgery. A situation that has made Lazio to axe him from the list of registered players for the first half of the season.

Head coach Maurizio Sarri refreshed his list of registered players and left out the Nigerian, until the January transfer window when they will submit another list of registered players for the season.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was made a permanent signing by the club during the summer transfer window, when they triggered the obligation to sign him on a permanent deal from Turkish side Hatayaspor following the expiration of his loan deal.

Tosin Adarabioyo Won’t Play For Super Eagles Unless He Agrees To Play At The AFCON – Chelle Insists

0

Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo has been told what he has to do if he wants to represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the 2026 World Cup, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Adarabioyo who was in Nigeria during the summer holiday is said to be strongly considering switching to Nigeria with his chances of playing for England looking highly unlikely at the moment.

His idea is to play with the team at the world cup, where they are on course for qualification after booking a playoff spot following a 4-0 win over Benin Republic. They will now play in the intercontinental playoff for the two remaining world cup slot, starting with the African series next month.

” I don’t think head coach Eric Chelle will consider him if he doesn’t play at the AFCON and wants to be a part of the team if we make it to the world cup. Chelle is cleare on players committed to the course for the long haul and not just for a reason or tournament” , a backroom staff of the team revealed.

It means Tosin who represented England at various youth levels but none in competitive game has to commit to Nigeria now, since he won’t be needing a switch of nationality process from FIFA.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman