The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have asked the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle to drop six players from his preliminary list of 31 players called up for the world cup qualifiers games in September, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle’s original idea was to drop 8 players in order to have a squad of 23 players for the games against Rwanda and South Africa respectively, but the NFF want more players in camp for both games.

A top official of the NFF said the idea of having 25 players is because of the possibility of injuries and suspensions which could result from the first game against Rwanda in Uyo.

He said six players in the list made public by the coach are one yellow card away from suspension, hence the need to have a large pool to pick from in the event that any of them get a booking before the next game.

Per our source, the idea has been passed on to Chelle who is expected to trim the squad after the next round of games in Europe by the weekend.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

As the wait goes on for FIFA to make clear the decision on South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in the 2-0 world cup qualifiers win over Lesotho, former SAFA chief executive officer Raymond Hack, who is an attorney at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has predicted the verdict, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena who was supposed to be suspended for the game after picking up two yellow cards in previous games, an offence that is usually accompanied with a three points, three goals deduction.

While speaking on the saga, Hack said the football authority in South Africa as well as the players should be blamed for the fiasco which will see them lose three points and three goals.

“It’s very clear, the rules say you cannot play when you have been suspended, the onus is on the team and the player both to know,” said Hack as per KickOff.

The rules are very clear, if the player has been ineligible, they will forfeit the game with a 3-0 scoreline.

“The onus is on the association, the onus is on the player, because they all know it. Somebody dropped the ball. But it’s not just somebody, it’s the player as well. Because the player knows when he’s been booked,” he added.

“You know that when you’ve got so many [yellow cards], you cannot play. The player had a duty – he’s a professional, he’s playing for the national team – ‘I’m bringing the country into disrepute. I’m being dishonest’. That’s the bottom line.”

Ade Emmanuel

Getafe’s president Angel Torres has confirm the imminent transfer of Nigeria international midfielder Uche Chrisantus to English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chrisantus was on for the entire duration of their 2-1 win over Sevilla yesterday in the La Liga, putting up another top notch performance to follow up his opening day display where he picked a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.

However yesterday’s game will be his last in the colours of Getafe with a deal already agreed with Wolves for his transfer, a move the president said the only reason he’s selling the 22 year old is because of La Liga:

“We have to sell. We are ruining La Liga by continuously selling.”

“I am forced to sell him, I have no other choice. Tomorrow he undergoes the medical and the deal is signed with wolves.”

Reports say he will sign a five year deal later today.

Daniel Martins

Coach of the senior national team of South Africa Hugo Broos is facing criticism over his decision to include defender Ime Okon in his preliminary list of players called up to the team for their upcoming world cup qualifiers games in September, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Broos in his preliminary list picked the 20 year old who has a Nigerian father and a South African mother in his team for the games against Lesotho and Nigeria respectively. He was raised by his mother after losing his father at a very young age.

In the past, the former SuperSport United said he was open to playing for Nigeria before he was handed a first time call up to the South African team by Broos.

Now at German second division side Hannover 96, he is widely expected to make the main team for a competitive game for the first times after two previous missed opportunities.

That said his inclusion hasn’t gone well with a section of the football community in South Africa, who feels the defender isn’t fully sold out on their project, but plays for them because he wasn’t considered by Nigeria.

They feel he isn’t committed enough to play in a such high profile games that will potentially decide their fate in the world cup qualifiers , but legendary goalkeeper and former captain of the team Andre Arendse feels different and praised the quality of the defender.

“Ime Okon is a super talent, but we better be careful we don’t lose him,” Arendse said. “He is definitely one for the future. I know what I am talking about because I’ve had the privilege of playing behind some of the best defenders in South Africa.”

Ade Emmanuel

Nigeria international Victor Boniface won’t be joining Italian side AC Milan after a knee issue was discovered during his medicals which took place two days ago, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The player has already left Italy back to his club in Germany Bayer Leverkusen, where he has dropped down the pecking order to third choice in attack under new coach Erik Ten Haag.

However it seems all hope is not lost for him to stage a comeback to his form two year ago at the club, when he was voted as the league’s Rookie of the year for his role in their league and cup double in a domestic unbeaten run.

According to the managing director of the team Simon Rolfes, the 24 year old could yet have a future at the club if he works hard despite the two previous attempts to move him on in the last six months. In January a move to Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr broke down after a routine medical despite an agreement on transfer fee.

“[The situation has] already improved compared to the beginning. Boni needs to continue to build himself up. We believe he can take steps forward. But he has to take them”, Rolfes said.

On if the deal to AC Milan could be revived, the director ruled it out completely. “If [Victor Boniface] comes back [to Leverkusen], the Milan issue will be over. That’s no big secret. I don’t think that will happen.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Nigeria international midfielder Uche Chrisantus has been dropped from the team of Getafe ahead for tonight’s game against Sevilla in the LaLiga following an official offer for his services by English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The 22 year old who started his season with a bang scoring and assisting in their 2-0 win over Celta Vigo has long been seen as a player, who will likely be sold to help the club ease their financial issues.

Although the club president is reluctant to letting the Nigerian leave , but his hands are tied due to the fact that his sale will enable them to register more players using the money from his transfer fee.

For that reason they are considering the €20 million bid made by Wolverhampton Wanderers for his services, as it is the full worth of the player’s buy out clause as stated in his contract when he joined the club last summer from third division side Cueta.

On his part Uche is keen on the move and have already informed the club of his desire, and it’s why he has been left out of the team for today’s game against Sevilla.

Daniel Martins

As the wait goes on for FIFA to make clear the decision on South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in the 2-0 world cup qualifiers win over Lesotho, former SAFA chief executive officer Raymond Hack, who is an attorney at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has predicted the verdict, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena who was supposed to be suspended for the game after picking up two yellow cards in previous games, an offence that is usually accompanied with a three points, three goals deduction.

While speaking on the saga, Hack said the football authority in South Africa as well as the players should be blamed for the fiasco which will see them lose three points and three goals.

“It’s very clear, the rules say you cannot play when you have been suspended, the onus is on the team and the player both to know,” said Hack as per KickOff.

The rules are very clear, if the player has been ineligible, they will forfeit the game with a 3-0 scoreline.

“The onus is on the association, the onus is on the player, because they all know it. Somebody dropped the ball. But it’s not just somebody, it’s the player as well. Because the player knows when he’s been booked,” he added.

“You know that when you’ve got so many [yellow cards], you cannot play. The player had a duty – he’s a professional, he’s playing for the national team – ‘I’m bringing the country into disrepute. I’m being dishonest’. That’s the bottom line.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has invited four goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders and eleven forwards in the list of players called up to the team for the world cup qualifiers in September. Nigeria will be up against Rwanda and South Africa respectively as they battle to stay in the hunt for a world cup ticket, and Chelle has already drawn up his preliminary list which will be cut down to around 23-25 players.

He handed a first time call up to 15 year old Nigeria U20 goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt after his exploits at the WAFU tournament and also the AFCON. He was also in goal for the Super Eagles B in their only win at the CHAN tournament.

Chelle who led the team to their first win in the series will be looking for more of the same spirit they showed in the 2-0 win over Rwanda, and not the late minute collapse that happened in the 1-1 draw at home with Zimbabwe.

Super Eagles provisional list

GOALKEEPERS

STANLEY NWABALI

AMAS OBASOGIE

ADEBAYO ADELEYE

HARCOURT EBENEZER

DEFENDERS

WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG

CALVIN BASSEY

OLAOLUWA AINA

BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL

BRUNO ONYEMAECHI

IGOH OGBU

CHIDOZIE AWAZIEM

FELIX AGU

BENJAMIN FREDRICKS

MIDFIELDERS

ALEXANDER IWOBI

FRANK ONYEKA

ALHASSAN YUSUF

WILFRED NDIDI

FISAYO DELE-BASHIRU

RAPHAEL ONYEDIKA

CHRISTANTUS UCHE

FORWARDS

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN

SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE

VICTOR OSIMHEN

MOSES SIMON

VICTOR BONIFACE

NATHAN TELLA

CYRIEL DESSERS

SADIQ UMAR

TOLU AROKODARE

TEREM MOFFI

AKOR ADAMS

The Ligue 1 duo of Chidozie Awaziem and Gabriel Osho have been handed a recall to the senior national team of Nigeria for the upcoming world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and South Africa respectively, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Head coach Eric Chelle is said to have been impressed with the way they have started the season in France, and with William Troost Ekong battling to be match fit and Semi Ajayi unavailable due to injury, the coach has handed a return to the duo.

We can exclusively reveal that they were among the over 40 players who got letters or provisional invitations for both games, which is crucial to the chances of Nigeria qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Awaziem was solid for Nantes in their 0-1 defeat to PSG, while Osho stood tall for Auxerre leading them to a 1-0 win over Lorient. Both players will be hoping to make the final list when the coach picks his final 23 man list.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Reports that the president of CAF Patrick Motsepe is behind the delay in FIFA deducting three points and three goals from South Africa, for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 World Cup Qualifiers win over Lesotho has been termed as wide off the mark.

South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena who has picked up two previous bookings and should have been suspended in the game, which contravenes the rule of the tournament for which point and goals deduction is the punishment.

However since March FIFA has only charged South Africa leaving the punishment stalling, with speculations now rife that Motsepe is using his influence to delay the punishment and probably squash the offence.

” It’s the funniest thing I have seen on the internet since morning. How is that even possible? It’s a FIFA tournament so CAF can’t influence anything but I understand because FIFA since the charge to South Africa two months ago hasn’t provided a ruling and it’s sad”, a chieftain of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

” You can understand the frustration from a section of the Nigerian camp because we need clarity going into the next round of games in September. The sooner, the better”, he concluded.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman