Chelsea players were eager to know about Ogenekaro Etebo, after his four goals for Nigeria in their opening game at the Rio 2016 Olympics against Japan, according to captain of the Nigerian side Mikel John Obi.

CD Feirense of Portugal forward Etebo, stole the headline in Nigeria’s 5-4 win over Japan scoring four times in the nine goal thriller from just five shots on target,and it has brought the abilities of the former Warri Wolves ace to the world.

” I spoke with some of my teammates and about three of them wanted to know about Etebo, He has done himself a whole lot of good but that is just one game, I strongly believe he can do more” Mikel said in the pre match conference ahead of Nigeria’s clash against Sweden.

Nigeria will later today take on Sweden looking for a second victory which will seal their qualification for the round of 16 with a game to spare.

*First published on the 7th of August 2016

The performances of Bosnian based Nigerian shot stopper David Nwokolor who is on loan to Vitez from Croatian side HNK Rijeka has earned him a new nickname “Buffon Of Africa”.

The press in Bosnia gave him the tag “Buffon Of Africa” due to his performances which has seen him keep six clean sheets in ten league games in Bosnia for modest side Vitez.

The Rijeka loanee has played 25 professional games in Europe as a shot stopper, following his 16 games action for Croatian second division side Sibenik last season.

20 year old Nwokolor is the only Nigerian goalkepper playing for a top division side in Europe, outside France based Vincent Enyeama and Israeli based Dele Aiyenugba.

The current first choice goalkepper of the Super Eagles Carl Ikeme keeps goal for English second tier side Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Dele Alampasu although on the books of top division side CD Feirense, he is presently out on loan to Caserense in the third division.

Israeli giants Maccabi Tel Aviv are reportedly keeping a close watch on 19 year old Nigerian forward Jacob Njoku, who is presently turning heads at second division side Beitar TA Ramla.

Beitar TA Ramla have close ties with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Njoku’s recent form has caught the attention of the glorious side, who are reportedly weighing up a bid for him in the January transfer window.
This season he has scored two different hattrick and have been very solid in his overall performances, which has increased his ratings in the transfer market ahead of the January window.

19 year old Njoku spent time with Portuguese side FC Porto as a teenager, and was around the Nigeria U-17 and 20 team from 2013 and 2015 respectively, but didn’t make the team for any tournament.

He had trials with Liverpool early in the year but the Merseysiders delayed in offering him a deal, which lead to his transfer to Israel, where he has 8 goals for Beitar TA Ramla.

According to reports exclusively gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com Celtic outcast Efe Ambrose will in the coming days test with English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Nigeria international was offered the option of the trial by an intermediary who is close to the Kaduna born star, but he is yet to provide an answer on if he will honour the invitation or not.

Ambrose has been frozen out at Celtic, after series of poor performances, even though new coach Brendan Rodgers backed him publicly couple of times during his early days as coach of the team.

A late move to Standard Liege of Belgium on transfer deadline day broke down over contractual terms and loan duration, for the 28 year old who will be out of contract in the summer of 2017.

He is free to talk to interested clubs from January when he enters the final six months of his contract, and unconfirmed reports has it that he is on the wishlist of some teams in the MLS and China.

German journalist Roland Mark has dropped a big hint regarding the chances of Nigeria snaring talented German born midfielder Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee to play for the Super Eagles.

” I can confirm that contact has been made between coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr and Noah-Joel. Sometimes around last week I was told”, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” His switch won’t pose much of a problem, because he is yet to be capped by Germany at any level. He is highly rated and very exciting, it will be a big lose to Germany, if he gets to play for Nigeria”.

Sarenren-Bazee is widely regarded as one of the finest talents in Germany at the moments, where he currently plays for 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96.

The 20 year old is born to Nigerian parents in Germany, his father originally hails from South South Nigeria, Bayelsa State precisely, while his mother is German.

Portuguese side CD Feirense have ruled out any potential sale of Oghenekaro Etebo in the upcoming transfer window despite having almost ten offers for the 21 year old Nigerian.

Etebo is one of the most sought after Nigerian player at the moment, and his value has further risen after a commanding performance against Algeria in the World Cup 2018 qualifiers which Nigeria won 3-1.

However despite confirming receiveing inquiries from more than ten clubs, Portuguese side Feirense where he plays have ruled out any potential sale in January.

” He is very much in demand, about ten teams have inquired about his availability, but our reply still remains the same, he is not for sale this January”, coach Jose Mota was quoted as saying in the Portuguese press.

” We are a newly promoted side and we have ambition as well, keeping Etebo is one of our top priority in January. He is so vital to our plans of having a fine season in the top division”.

Nigeria U-23 forward Ubong Ekpai who is famed for scoring the lone goal that gave Nigeria U23s a 1-0 win over Brazil in a friendly game before the Rio Olympics, was one of the stars for Slovenian side Slovan Liberec in their Europa League tie against Qarabag.

A shock omission from the Nigerian male football team to the Olympic in Rio, Ekpai who is on loan to Slovan Liberec from Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, proved his worth as his team romp to a 3-0 win over Qarabag.

Although he didn’t get on the score sheet, the 21 year old was one of the liveliest player on the pitch for his side, defending and attacking whenever the need arises during interval of the game.

His performance in the game will no doubt enhance his chances of establishing himself in the team, where he will spend one year on loan to help him settle to the demands of European football.

The former Akwa United man has made two appearances in the Europa League but just like his form in front of goal in the league, he is still waiting for his first goal for the team.

Hapoel Be’er Sheva forward Anthony Nwakaeme, who is one of the players currently under watch by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr did his chances a whole lot of good against Inter-Milan.

Israeli side Be’er Sheva were trailing the Milan giants 2-0 before they rallied back to win the tie 3-2 with a late goal, which helped them complete the double over Inter Milan in the Europa League.

Nwakaeme kept his nerves with scores at 2-1 to draw his side level from the spot against 10 man Inter-Milan, aside his goal, he had a very good game full of energy, power and hardwork for his team at both ends of the pitch.

While the 27 year old had a game to remember same can’t be said of John Ogu, who was recently handed a recall to the Nigeria senior national team but failed to play in the 3-1 win over Algeria.

Ogu was slow in making up grounds and left lot of space in front of his defence, which Inter-Milan exploited to their advantage especially during the first half of the tie.

Highly respected German journalist Roland Mark says Germany won’t mind losing Kelvin Akpoguma to Nigeria, but will do everything to stop little known Felix Uduokhai from playing for Nigeria.

Mark insist that Akpoguma is highly respected and has abilities which are not in doubt, but Uduokhai has grown in leaps and bounds since making the step up to the main team of 1860 Munich.

Comfortable as a centre back or left full back, the 19 year old is viewed as one of the finest young defenders in Germany, and was reportedly on the wish list of Bayern Munich last summer.

So far he has made four appearances for 1860 Munich with a goal to his name, a sign of how much of an influence he is in the team, a fine run of form which earned him a call up to the German U18 team.

” Akpoguma is a talented defender no doubt but Uduokhai is the real deal, quick, good in the air and at the age of 19, he is already a regular for 1860 Munich” ,Mark told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” Uduokhai is the one talent Germany won’t want to lose at the moment not Akoguma. I read he is on the watch list of the Nigerian coach, it would be a shame if he plays for Nigeria instead of Germany”.

According to reports exclusively gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com Kingsley Michael whose move to Monaco has been held up by the French Embassy, has been issued travelling visa to complete his move.

The 18 year old left wing dazzler was scouted few years ago at a tournament in Abuja by scouts from the principality outfit, but his immediate move suffered visa hitch.

He was twice turned down by the French Embassy in Abuja. However it appears like his waiting days are over as he was reportedly issued a visa to complete his move in January.

Comfortable as a left full back or winger, he is expected to team up with the U-18s of the team, that once had Super Eagles Elderson Echiejile on their books.

The most popular Nigerian to have played at the club still remains Victor Ikpeba who was voted African Footballer of the year during his time there, and his fine performances earned him the nickname Prince of Monaco.