Super Eagles goalkepper Daniel Akpeyi has been invited by coach Gernot Rohr as a late replacement for injured goalkepper Carl Ikeme who has been ruled out of Nigeria’s World Cup 2018 clash against Algeria.

Akpeyi told Owngoalnigeria.com from his base in South Africa that he has been contacted by the Nigeria Football Federation to replace Ikeme, in the November 12th tie.

” Yes I have been called up. I got the invitation this morning. Am so glad to be invited once again, it’s a pleasure and honour to represent my country” He told Owngoalnigeria.com.

On the injury scare that lead to his substitution in yesterday’s PSL game against Bidvest Wits, the 29 year old who was Nigeria’s deputy goalkepper at the Rio 2016 Olympics said he is fine and will be fit for the Algeria tie.

“Am fine, it was just a scare. Am very okay and will be fit for the tie against Algeria” He declared.

The Nigeria senior national team have been rocked with the news of the withdrawal of goalkepper Carl Ikeme, from the list of players for the World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Algeria.

Ikeme went off injured for his clubside Wolverhampton Wanderers, with reports suggesting that he is suffering from a hip injury but Nigeria were hoping he will be fit for the Algeria tie.

But a the 30 year old shot stopper who is officially Nigeria number one shot stopper since Vincent Enyeama quit the team after a row with ex manager Sunday Oliseh informed the Nigeria Football Federation via email that he won’t be fit for the tie.

Chippa United shot stopper Daniel Akpeyi who was supposed to make the list but was surprisingly dropped at the last minute, was reportedly placed on standby by coach Gernot Rohr but the 30 year old went out injured in a league game yesterday.

It means Nigeria Ikechukwu Ezenwa who has not kept in any competitive games for close to two months, since the Nigeria League is on break could be in goal, with the inexperienced Dele Alampasu who has just eight professional appearances to his name as reserve goalkepper.

Former Nigeria international goalkepper Emmanuel Babayaro says Wolverhampton Wanderers shot stopper Carl Ikeme, is more technical between the sticks for Nigeria than erstwhile captain and former number one Vincent Enyeama.

Enyeama quit the Nigeria national team last year after a row with former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh and, since then Ikeme has taken over his spot as the number one shot stopper for Nigeria.

Despite the fine performances of Ikeme, new coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr confirmed he is still in talks with Vincent Enyeama over a return to the senior national team of Nigeria.

However Babayaro, shortly after seeing Ikeme post another man of the match performance for Nigeria in their 2-1 win away to Zambia in the World Cup 2018 qualifiers, believes the English Championship based shot stopper has more techniques behind the sticks than the Lille of France man.

” Am not saying he is better than Enyeama but in certain areas, Ikeme is more refined and those are key areas. The training Ikeme received at a young age naturally puts him ahead of Enyeama, who got to where he is now by sheer determination and hard work ” He told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” Ikeme has more techniques than Enyeama, for instance he is quick off his lines, has better foot works and above all has great positional awareness which means he doesn’t need to do more in terms of diving to make a save. Let’s not forget his reach as well due to his height”.

Former Chelsea star Celestine Babayaro says coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr, should not be blamed over the controversy that has enveloped Tyrone Ebuehi’s withdrawal from Nigeria’s squad for the tie against Algeria.

Dutch Nigerian Ebuehi was invited by manager Rohr for the Super Eagles World Cup 2018 tie against Algeria, but turned down the invitation to focus on improving his form for ADO Den Haag.

His rejection has brought about a whole lot of tongue lashing from soccer loving Nigerians, most blaming the NFF and Rohr for going ahead to include the 20 year old in the list without really having his consent.

However Celestine Babayaro has absolved the manager of any blame,as he has suffered same disappointment in the past, when he tried convincing former Chelsea teen prospect Carlton Cole to play for Nigeria ahead of England at senior level.

” It’s not entirely the manager’s fault. I know so because I suffered same with Carlton Cole years ago. We had an agreement that he was going to play for Nigeria. His parents gave their consent but just like Ebuehi, when he was invited, he turned it down” He told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” I was shocked and it made me look very stupid in the eyes of those I told he has agreed to play for Nigeria. This things happen. So we shouldn’t blame Rohr or anybody”.

Wikki Tourist striker Joshua Obaje who finished as top scorer in the recently concluded Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has reacted to rumours linking him with a move to Russian sides Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow.

Obaje finished as top scorer with 18 goals for Bauchi based Wikki Tourist, who finished third on the table, and rumours has it that the 19 year old is a rumoured target for the Russian giants.

The forward who made the bench for Nigeria in their last World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Zambia in Ndola, said he will most likely travel to Russia next week.

” I will be in Russia next week hopefully, am still waiting for my visa to be issued to me, but I need to clear the air that am going to Spartak Moscow and not CSKA Moscow” He told Owngoalnigeria.com

” Little issues have delayed my trip, but am confident it will all be sorted out this week. The agent behind the deal is working real hard to make it work”.

It won’t be the first time he will be having a sojourn abroad, as he spent time with AS Trencin of Slovakia before returning back to Nigeria after a contractual disagreement last year.

Manchester City 20 year old Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho who was left on the bench by manager Pep Guardiola in both legs of their champions League clash has reacted to their 3-1 win over Barcelona.

Two weeeks ago, City were mauled 1-4 by Barcelona in Camp Nou, with Iheanacho who played in the same stadium last season left on the bench by manager Pep Guardiola.

Yesterday they got their Champions League hopes back on track with a 3-1 win over Barcelona at the Etihad, but just like it was in the first leg, the Nigerian was left on the bench for the entire duration of the game.

However the joy of the victory, which has risen the hopes of fans of the club and increased their faith in manager Pep Guardiola, appears to have made the Nigerian forget his non participation in the game.

” Happy to be part of this great squad, we fight to the end. #CmonCity @ChampionsLeague” He posted on twitter with a picture of the team that played on the night.

If Alex Iwobi needed a reminder as to how good his uncle Austin Okocha was when it comes to mesmerising defenders, his teammate Mesut Ozil has served him a timely reminder.

Iwobi’s uncle, Okocha is well known for his dribbling skills and tricks which usually leaves defenders in their wake. The highlight of which was his goal for Eintracht Frankfurt against Karlsruhe in 1993.

The Arsenal forward was yet to be born with his uncle sent defenders sprawling and crawling with the ball at his feet 23 years ago making mincemeat of legendary German goalkepper Oliver Khan before slotting home.

Ozil’s goal against Ludogorets Razgard in the UEFA Champions League should give Iwobi an inkling as to why the goal is much talked about, years after it was scored and remind him of how much he needs to do to get to his uncle’s level.

The German midfielder received a pass from Egyptian midfielder Mohammed Elneny, which cut open the Ludogorets Razgard backline but Ozil still has work to do as the onrushing goalkepper was quick in coming of his line to close him.

However just like Okocha did 23 years ago, Ozil chipped the goalkepper, sold a dummy to two defenders who were covering up before slotting home what ended as the winner for Arsenal in style.

Portugal has turned out to be one of the best places for burgeoning Nigerian talents, with around 15 Nigerian players scattered around the various level of league football in the country.

However one player who has taken to life in the country is Patrick Igwe. Since leaving Pacos Fereira after spending time with giants FC Porto, the 19 year old has been scoring for fun for third division side Alcanenense.

Igwe increased his goal tally for the season with a goal and two assist in their game against Gafetense which they won 4-1. The goal took his season total to five in 8 games this season.

Nicknamed “Aguero” due to his similar playing style with the legendary Argentine forward, the quick footed Igwe is high on the radar of top clubs in January when the transfer window opens.

Top Portuguese side Benfica and Sporting Lisbon are part of the teams reportedly keen on his services this winter, although second division side Portimonense are so far leading the race for his capture.