FIFPro is advising players against joining two of the 12 clubs in Malta’s Premier League after evidence emerged of poor treatment of foreign footballers, including youngsters from Nigeria and the United States.

Aiming to launch their career in European football, dozens of young players from outside the European Union have been lured to sign contracts with clubs in Malta because it is relatively easy to secure a working visa.

However, most players on the Mediterranean island earn less than $2,000 per month and, according to the recently-released 2016 FIFPro Global Employment Report, 79% are not paid on time. Almost half (49%) are not satisfied with medical support.

FIFPro has also spoken to several Nigerians who said they were among 15 foreign players squeezed into a four-bedroom house after signing to play for Mosta. Some complained of the cold because the home had no central heating.

Malta Premier League rules only allow clubs to field seven foreign players per match, meaning that they were easily expendable.

“They can bring African players at any time, they just get rid of the old ones,” one of the Nigerians said. “Nigerian players are better off in Africa.”

Little known Nigerian forward Olie Ndidi showed why Cameroonian star Alexander Song praised him few days ago with a goal for his Norwegian side Mjondalen IF in their 1-3 loss to fellow Norwegian side Strommen IF.

Ndidi lasted the entire duration of the game, and was once again one of the best players on the pitch for his side as they continue their build up to the start of the league in Norway.

Few days ago, the 22 year old Nigerian earned praises from former Barcelona and Arsenal star Alexander Song for his display when he came up against him in a test game against Rubin Kazan.

Still trying to settle down to life in Norway following his move last life, his current form in test games will gladden the heart of the technical crew of Mjondalen IF, as they aim to gain promotion to the top division in Norway.

Wycombe Wanderers 34 year old Nigerian forward Adebayo Akinfenwa scored twice to help them draw 2-2 against Accrington Stanley in a League Two game.

The goal continued his newly found vein of form in front of goal as it was his 6th goal from his last seven league games, his best run of form for a while.

Akinfenwa now has 10 goals this season from 30 games in League one, proving how lethal he is even at the twilight of a career that has seen him play for Northampton Town, Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon and Wycombe Wanderers.

Despite having never played in a division higher than League One in England, the striker is widely known all over the world thanks to his beast-like physique and enormous power. The 33-year-old can reportedly bench press 180kg – that’s nearly twice his own bodyweight. Such strength is virtually impossible to match in professional football, which is perhaps why he has previously been mistaken for an NFL star.

HIBERNIAN head coach Neil Lennon has accused Efe Ambrose’s critics of “deleting four years of history” as he launched a passionate defence of the much-maligned stopper.

The 28-year-old, who not played a competitive match since Celtic were beaten 1-0 by Lincoln Red Imps last July, has joined Hibs on an ‘emergency loan’ deal and could make a quick-fire debut against St Mirren this evening.

While his progress stalled in recent campaigns under Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers, Ambrose was a regular under Lennon, starring in a run to the Champions League last-16 in 2012/13 and impressing in wins over the likes of Barcelona, Ajax and Spartak Moscow.

Regardless of his high-profile errors in recent campaigns, Lenny reckons believes many snipers have short memories.

He said: “He has quality. He has been at Celtic for four or five seasons now and, while it maybe hasn’t gone as well as he would have liked in the last couple of seasons, under me he was fantastic.

“I think the first four years of his time at Celtic have been deleted from history, with the way people talk about him now. This is a guy who played in all my Champions League games and made the last 16.

“People always talk about the mistakes he has made of late, the high profile mistakes, but we have all made them. I have made plenty! I played with Bobo [Balde] who had a few in his time – but I don’t think he gets derided as much as people tend to mock Efe.

“What I want to do is get him back playing and being successful for us and then go back to Celtic full of confidence.

“Efe was a guy who was at the heart of a lot of unbelievable results at Celtic. He has won the African Nations Cup with his country so he has great pedigree. He is only 28, he is at his peak and he will be fresh because he has not played much football recently.

“We are very lucky to get him. I also think it is a coup for us that he wanted to come.”

Culled from Deadline News.

Not so many can flash their mind back to four years ago when the all conquering Nigeria Under-17 team of 2013 was been assembled by coach Manu Garba.

In 2012 one name stood head and shoulders above his peers, Ibrahim Alhassan aka Mu’azam was the talk of the team. He earned himself the nickname “New Kanu”, given to him by no other than the former Sport Minister of Nigeria Bolaji Abdullahi.

Abdullahi gave him the moniker after seeing the way the baby faced assassin took teams apart in friendly games and in their qualifiers against Niger Republic, where he scored a hattrick.

Tall, lanky and full of tricks, the nickname truly fits the young man who provoked memories of legendary Nigeria football star Kanu Nwankwo. Who also gained global attention after starring for Nigeria at U-17 level in 1993.

However what would have been the best pedestal for the then 16 year old to launch himself to the world, was truncated when he failed the mandatory age test for U-17 players.

His failed MRI test opened the door for the likes of Watford big money buy Isacc Success and Manchester City teen star Kelechi Iheanacho to make the step up as leaders of the team.

He returned to the team two years later when they graduated to U-20 but after a bit part role at the Africa Youth Championship. He was dropped from the World Cup squad.

While two of his former understudy are now part of the Nigeria senior national team. Mu’azam has just six months of professional football under his belt, no thanks to so many disappointments beyond his control and, a now healed knee injury.

Now at Nigeria Premier League side Wikki Tourist. The Kano state raised ace who missed out on three deals to take his trade abroad two years ago, insist he is still focused on making the most of his career.

” I’m not at all bothered. Am focused on making the most of my career. Have made mistakes in the past aside the disappointments of missing out on the various youth teams of Nigeria” He told popular Kaduna journalist Mohammed Suleiman.

” The career of Iheanacho and Success inspires me a lot, I see them as my role model, by that I mean if they can be playing at such a high level, very soon I will join them Insha Allah.

” I have no regret about what happened in the past. The future matters most above all, and that’s where I want to focus on”.

Guest Writer:

*Written by Mohammed Suleiman four months ago after a meeting with the forward during his recent trip to Bauchi.

The official twitter handle of the English Premier League has moved quickly to quell the arguments surrounding the number of tackles Wilfred Ndidi has won in a single game as against that of N’Golo Kante.

Ndidi was bought by Leicester City in January as a replacement for Kante who left for Chelsea in the summer transfer window after winning the league title with the Foxes.

Last night a big argument crop up on twitter following statistics released by a statistical twitter handle, which states that the Nigerian has set a new record of tackles won in a game this season in Leicester City 3-1 success over Liverpool.

The record according to them is level with that of Kante, who according to them has also won 9 tackles in a game ironically against same team Liverpool.

However the Premier League official twitter handle released a statement later, which cleared the air on the debate by saying Ndidi won 11 tackles last night, which keeps him second behind Kante who won 14 against Liverpool as well.

See post.

Arsenal and Chelsea have joined the queue of clubs keeping a check on Nigerian prospect Henry Onyekuru.

The 19-year-old winger plays for Eupen in Belgium and was a target for Celtic in January who had a bid of £1million rejected.

Onyekuru went AWOL for several days in the hope of pushing through a transfer to Glasgow but has since returned to action and has been given assurances he can leave in the summer.

The Belgians though are looking for £6million with the fee key to Onyekuru being able to gain a work permit in the UK.

Onyekuru has scored 12 goals in 26 games this season, including the winner against Tottenham’s European conquerors Gent earlier this month, when he impressed several watching scouts.

Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Monchengladbach and Lille have also sent staff to check on his progress in recent weeks.

Leicester City star midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has received the Belgium goal of the year award plaque for his goal of the year award he won for his goal last season while at Belgian side Genk.

Ndidi’s goal was scored for Genk against Club Brugge, but was absent at the ceremony where the award was given out as he has already concluded his move to Leicester City.

He however received the award in England, and posted pictures of himself posing with the award in England.

Manchester City have unveiled their new club suit designed by Italian fashion brand DSQUARED2.

The club revealed photos of the unveiling with Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho leading the pile in an all black three piece suite, which will serve as their pre match outfits for away Champions League matches.

Commenting on the unveiling of the suit, founders and designers of DSQUARED2, Dean and Dan Caten said: “We wanted the players to feel as confident in this suit as they do when they pull on their team jersey.

“Every element of the DSQUARED2 for Manchester City suit is designed to show modern tailoring sophistication: from its Italian refined wool fabric and the sartorial skill used in construction, and the contemporary fit, it’s a statement of masculine elegance.”