Norwegian side FK Haugesund have completed the loan signing of 18 year old Nigerian midfielder Anthony Ikedi from Belgian side Gent.

Ikedi was signed by Gent two months ago, but won’t join the likes of Rabiu Ibrahim, William Troost-Ekong, Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu and Anderson Esiti yet, as he will spend a year on loan with FK Haugesund.

Haugesund had Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong on their books on loan for 18 months before ‎he returned to Gent in January. Same route Ikedi who stands at an impressive height of 198 metres will be hoping to toe.

Physically strong and good in aerial duels, the defensive midfielder was spotted by Haugesund director Jostein Grindhaug during a scouting trip to Nigeria in 2016, but Gent pipped them to his signing.

However they have now gotten their man on loan, a signing which excites Grindhaug, who will be hoping ‎the Nigerian proves to be a success during his loan spell, where he will team up with Ibrahim Shuaibu and Anthony Izuchukwu. Two players who were also signed from Golden Boot Academy.

Ikedi will be eligible to make his debut once his work permit comes through from the Norwegian authorities as he has was registered before the close of the transfer window in Norway on the 31st of March

Daniel Martins

Chelsea flying wingback Victor Moses has revealed his willingness to play in any role he is asked to play by his coach for the betterment of his team.

Originally a forward minded player, the 26 year old has reinvented himself as wingback in coach Antonio Conte 3-4-3 formation for the Premier League leaders Chelsea this season.

“I don’t see myself in one position. I’m an all-round player. Wherever the manager asks me to play, I do it to help the team”, Moses said.

Moses credits Conte for the opportunity given to him by the Italian in pre season to express himself without showing preference for one player above the other after taking over the team in the summer.

“We’ve got a manager now who gives everyone the opportunity to express themselves, there’s no favouritism.”

Michael James

The agent to John Obi Mikel, the captain of the Super Eagles‎ has confirmed that the 30 year old will not be fit for Nigeria’s AFCON 2019 Qualifiers against South Africa on the 10th of July in Uyo.

Responding to the exclusive news posted on this portal, Mikel’s new intermediary who took over from long term agent John Ola Shittu told Owngoalnigeria.com in a telephone chat, that his client won’t make the tie against South Africa.

” It’s true, he will most likely not be fit for the game against South Africa. He told me yesterday after I called him to confirm, if it’s true that he has suffered a setback in his quest to be fit”, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” He is in London as we speak, and seeing doctors who are familiar with his health case. The initial news is not pleasant. These things happen, so we have to take it the way it is.

The absence of the Tianjin Teda midfielder will no doubt worry coach Gernot Rohr, who although has options in the middle regards the experience of the captain as invaluable.

Daniel Martins

The coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has once again left out the three active members of his team who are plying their trade in China, in the list of players who are to camp in France.

Rohr first omitted the trio last month when the Eagles converge in London for two friendly games against Senegal and Burkina Faso, but the team could only play one game as the full compliment of the squad of Burkina Faso were not given entry visa into the United Kingdom.

The reason for omitting the trio back then, was to allow them settle in their new surroundings, and this time around the coach left out the trio of Odion ighalo, Brown Ideye and John Obi Mikel who is the captain as they will be having club commitment when the team open their camp in France.

Although Ideye and Ighalo are yet to really get going for their respective teams with the latter having one goal to his name, while the former has two, Mikel has found the back of the net and was largely man of the match for his team in their first three games before picking up a thigh muscle injury.

Their absence has opened the door for the manager to hand first time call up to KAS Eupen hot in demand forward Henry Onyekuru who has 18 goals for the Belgium side in his first season in the top flight.

However, the bulk of the team which the manager has used in previous games and camping exercise will be called up as well to make up the numbers for the team, who are going to take on Burkina Faso during their camping exercise in France.

The essence of going to France for the camping is to allow the players prepare adequately for the June 10 AFCON 2019 Qualifiers against South Africa in Uyo.
Daniel Martins

Former West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Cardiff City forward Osaze Odemwingie scored his second goal in three games for his new side ‎Madura United in their 2-2 draw against Mitra Kukar.

Odemwingie joined the team last month on a free transfer, and after scoring in his debut game last week against Bali United, he fired blank against Persela before scoring as early as two minutes into their game against Mitra Kukar.

His team were however unfortunate as a late goal eight minutes from time helped Mitra Kukar snatched a point ‎to leave the home fans of Madura United disappointed.

Aside the two goals he has scored, the 35 year old has also picked up a booking after he was shown a yellow card against Persela, the only game he has failed to score so far.

His team are currently 8th on the log in the Indonesia Ligue 1, following a not too perfect start to the season which has seen them win just once, with a draw and a defeat in their other games leaving them on four points.

Ade Emmanuel

Out of favour Leicester City star Ahmed Musa has hit out at people criticising him as his planned wedding with his second wife draws near after divorcing the mother of his two kids Jamila.

Musa will in the month of June marry Juliet, the lady who reportedly lead to issues between the 24 year old, and his first wife that almost landed him in trouble with the law enforcement agency in London.

The marriage has drawn criticism from some section in Nigeria ‎, who feel the Super Eagles forward treated his ex wife badly as she stood by him even when he was a local footballer with Kano Pillars.

“Who are you to judge the life I live? I’m not perfect and I don’t have to be! Before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.#JULMUS”he wrote on Instagram.

Osas Mahawi

Former Nigeria U-17 forward Joseph Femi Olatubosun has confirmed to Owngoalnigeria.com that he will most likely make his senior debut for Angola soon, as he is set to receive his Angolan passport next month.

Femi was a late exclusion from the late coach Yemi Tella lead all conquering U-17 team of 2007 that won the World Youth Championship in South Korea.

He is presently the top scorer for his team Grupo Deportivo Sagrada Esperanza who are top of the table in Angola. The former Pepsi Academy graduate is also the second top scorer in the league.

” I will get my international passport as a citizen of Angola next month hopefully. I can’t wait to play for Angola, this country is home to me. Their football has suffered some setbacks in the last few years, and I want to be a part of the rebuilding process”, Femi told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” There’s a new coach for the national team, and all I have to do is keep on scoring and be at my best. I honestly believe he will select me if I maintain my fine start to the season in Angola”.

Osas Mahawi

Former Manchester United and Manchester City midfielder Owen Hargreaves says Pep Guardiola decision to stick with Raheem Sterling ahead of Kelechi Iheanacho can only be explained by the manager.

Iheanacho was a late substitute in Man City 1-2 loss to Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Emirates FA Cup played at Wembley, making history as the first ever player to be used as a fourth substitute in the history of the competition when he came on for Sterling in extra-time.

Yesterday he wasn’t listed for action by Guardiola in his matchday squad for the Manchester Derby against Manchester United, a decision which shocked Hargreaves considering the Nigerian netted the winner in the reverse tie at Old Trafford last year.

” Maybe there’s something the coach (Guardiola) knows that we don’t know else Iheanacho who scored the winner should have at least made the bench, ahead of Sterling”, Hargreaves said.

” Sterling has struggled for form and goals this season, unlike Iheanacho who has been prolific in front of goal despite limited playing time. I can’t understand picking Sterling ahead of Iheanacho only Guardiola can explain”.

Michael James

The future of Super Eagles defender Uche Agbo at struggling Spanish La-Liga side Granada is yet to be decided, if the words of coach of the side Tony Adams is anything to go by.

Agbo is on season long loan from Premier League side Watford, and as exclusively reported by Owngoalnigeria.com he will return to the club in the summer for pre season training ahead of the start of next season.

Agbo’s future will most likely be sorted out in few days time, but for now Tony Adams doesn’t seem to have the Nigerian in his plans ahead of next season

Granada’s new coach Adams confirmed Ghanaian forward Mubarak Wakaso who is on a six months loan from Greek giants Pana‎thinaikos will stay at the club, even if they are relegated at the end of the season.

He also mentioned ‎Rene Krhin and Matthieu Saunier as two players who will stay at the club regardless of the division they play next season, but he made no mention of Uche Agbo whose loan deal is close to expiration.

Daniel Martins