Coach of Manchester City Pep Guardiola has spoken out on the goal scoring abilities of Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

Iheanacho marked his first game for City since January with a goal in their 5-1 thrashing of Huddersfield Town, converting a low cross from Jesus Navas into the net for his 7th goal from 20 games this season.

However the manner in which he took his goal won’t come as a surprise to coach Pep Guardiola who has spoken out about the finishing of the Nigerian striker few hours before the game.

“I know his quality. I know, of course, he’s young and has a lot of things to improve – especially in winning duels and be strong in some positions.

“But he’s a guy who, in the boxes, is really good. He likes to come a little bit out of the box to play, but arriving at the right tempo and attacking the first post is amazing.

“So, as a guy, he doesn’t need many, many chances to score a goal.”

Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has reacted to his goal in their 5-1 win FA Cup replay win over Huddersfield Town on his first appearance for City since January.

Iheanacho was introduced by coach Pep Guardiola ten minutes from full time and the 20 year old reminded the manager of his goal scoring abilities with a goal on the dot of regulation time to seal a comfortable 5-1 win for City.

” Great results for the team tonight. So blessed to get on the pitch, and the goal a bonus! On to the next round #MCFC #KI72 #GodisTheGreatest”, he posted on social media.

The Nigerian turned in a low cross from fellow substitute Jesus Navas, a goal which brought out smiles from Guardiola who has charged Iheanacho to improve on his game if he wants to have a future at the club.

Super Eagles left full back Elderson Echiejile had a debut to forget for his loan side Sporting Gijon as they were thrashed 1-6 by Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

The Nigerian who joined the Spanish side during the January transfer window on loan from French league leaders Monaco was handed a start on his debut by coach Rubi.

Echiejile was on for the entire duration of the game as goals from Lionel Messi, Luiz Suarez, Neymar, Rakitic and Francisco Alcacer gave Barcelona a commanding win further compounding the woes of Sporting Gijon.

While Barcelona enhanced their title chances with the victory, Sporting Gijon’s relegation worries has worsen as they are only above two teams in the La-Liga, just one point ahead of 19th placed Granada who have a game at hand.

It wasn’t much a problem for Super Eagles latest call up Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee to pledge his international future to Nigeria ahead of Germany, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee was included in the list of Nigerian players called up for the upcoming friendly tie against Senegal and Burkina Faso. The first time the 20 year old is being called up to the senior team of Nigeria.

Bazee was approached by coach Gernot Rohr towards the end of last year as exclusively revealed by Owngoalnigeria.com, and the Hannover 96 rising star agreed to switch allegiance to Nigeria after holding positive talks with the German coach.

The son of a Nigerian immigrant to Germany however requested for a little bit of time to think over the request to switch allegiance to Nigeria, and got back to Rohr after consulting with his family.

The reason behind the shock omission of some senior players of the Nigeria national team from the list of players for Nigeria’s friendly tie against Senegal and Burkina Faso has generated lot of talks.

Owngoalnigeria.com gathered from sources close to the German coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr, that some senior players were omitted as the coach wants to give opportunity to the young players at his disposal.

The need to give opportunity to players like Chidozie Awaziem was partly the reason why Rizespor’s Godfrey Obaboana was omitted in favour of the FC Porto defender.

Victor Osimhen was preferred ahead of the likes of Anthony Nwakaeme who is the top scorer in Israel where he plays for Hapoel Be’er Sheva, while Isacc Success has always been in the plans of the manager.

” This is a friendly game, and the manager wants to see the young players he has been monitoring for a while. We have to give them the chance to stake their claims for shirt. It’s just so normal”, the source told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Nigeria youth international Chidera Ejike is pushing hard to earn a contract with Norwegian side Valerenga with fine performances for the team in test games where they are camped in Spain.

Ejike popularly referred to as “Nigerian Iniesta” has been with the team for three weeks and has played in three of their four games in his bid to earn a professional deal with the team.

The Nigerian is yet to find the back of the net but his performances has reportedly impressed coach of Valerenga Ronny Delia with his overall play on the flanks.

A source close to the team told Owngoalnigeria.com that Ejike has impressed in batches during the game, but clearly has proven to the coaches that he has the goods to become a better player in the future.

Comfortable as a winger or a role behind the striker, the 18 year old had trials with Liverpool last season but the move didn’t work out due to issues surrounding a loan move to a team, where he is guarantee playing time before he becomes eligible for a work permit in England.

According to reports gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com Gernot Rohr has concluded plans to replace injured captain Mikel Obi with Wilfred Ndidi in the midfield when Nigeria take on Senegal and Burkina Faso in two highly profile games this month.

As reported by Owngoalnigeria.com , Mikel the captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been granted permission by Rohr to miss the upcoming friendly ties, to allow him settle down at his new club Tianjin Teda of China.

To that effect Ndidi who has in the past replaced Mikel in the Super Eagles midfield during competative games will be handed a start against Senegal and Burkina Faso.

Ndidi’s form for Leicester City has been one of the bright side of a dour 2017 for the Foxes, and he could line up in the midfield alongside Ogenyi Onazi and Oghenekaro Etebo who will play just behind the main striker.

The search for two good goalkeppers for the Super Eagles of Nigeria has forced coach of the team Gernot Rohr to reopen talks with former captain Vincent Enyeama over a possible return to the team.

Ade Ojeikere revealed in his report for The NationSport that Rohr has been very impressed with Enyeama’s recent form for Lille which has seen him nominated into the team of the week in France severally this season.

Rohr on his part is also not comfortable with the options he has as back up to current first choice Carl Ikeme, and unconfirmed reports has it that he has tactfully reopened talks with the 33 year old.

Few months ago, Rohr ruled out trying to persuade Enyeama to return to the Eagles citing the refusal of the goalkepper to take or return his calls, a claim Enyeama termed as false in a response to Owngoalnigeria.com story on Rohr’s claim.

However it appears Rohr has patched up his differences with Enyeama and talks are currently progressing nicely on his possible return from a self impose exile from the Nigeria national team, after a disagreement with former coach Sunday Oliseh.

Some members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who are aware of his contact with Enyeama over a return to the team are not opposed to the idea, since selection of players rest squarely on the coach.