The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has started the process of weeding out age cheats from the U20 team who are currently preparing for the WAFU B tournament in Ghana, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament will run from 10th – 23rd July, with the Flying Eagles to play in group A alongside hosts Ghana and Benin Republic. Their first match is against Ghana on 10th July, before they play Benin Republic on 13th July.

Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Togo make up group B. Nigeria will use the tournament as part of their preparation for the U20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile from 27th September – 19th October.

Led by coach Aliyu Zubairu, new players were called up to the team that secured the world cup tickets via the AFCON, and some of them have been dropped due to issues around their eligibility to play for the team.

” It’s a continuous process for us on the issue of age cheats. Sometimes it’s not like the players are older than what they claim but irregularities in their documents mean we have to drop them. Some even had multiple names on different documents”, a source in the NFF said.

” Our determination to ensure that we present a team that is truly of the age required by FIFA is non negotiable. The idea is not to cheat to win because it’s a developmental tournament”, he stated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Five players used the recently concluded Unity Cup tournament in England to make a case to be a part of the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming world cup qualifiers according to head coach Eric Chelle, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in their first game 2-1 before beating Jamaica 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. The tournament afforded Chelle the chance to run the rule on certain players and also handed debut to a couple of players.

The coach who is presently supervising the training of the CHAN bound Nigerian B team, the coach listed five players who are now in his plans heading into the world cup qualifiers in September.

” Unity Cup afforded us the chance to see several players in different positions and also some new players. You can see Cyriel Dessers was very good in both games just like Frank Onyeka”, the coach told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

” It was also a perfect time to play some new players like Benjamin Fredrick, Uche Chrisantus and Felix Agu among others. They go into next season knowing that we have them in mind for the world cup qualifiers in September”, he concluded.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The decision of Cyriel Dessers to shun a move to Greek giants AEK Athens from Scottish side Rangers was influenced by the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Dessers agreed personal terms with the Greek side for a three years deal and while both teams were in discussion on his transfer fee, the 30 year old developed cold feets on the move.

We exclusively gathered that Dessers who won his spot back in the senior national team of Nigeria at the Unity Cup, where he scored against Ghana before supplying an assit to Moses Simon in the final win over Jamaica, fears that a move to Greece won’t help his cause to stamp his authority in the team of Chelle.

His dream is to be a part of the Super Eagles squad to the next AFCON and possibly the world cup if they make it next year. A move to Greece will dim his chances hence his decision to wait and evaluate other offers and possibly a stay at Rangers.

Dutch side Feyenooord where he was on loan for the 2019/2020 season are reportedly keen on his services, and Dessers is open to the idea of the move.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

19 year old Nigerian striker Victor Orakpo has agreed to join recently relegated Ligue 1 side Montpellier on a season long loan deal from OGC Nice, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Upon his arrival at Nice, he took the reserve team by storm leading to his first team debut last season. It was expected that he will be a mainstay in the first team after his fellow Nigerian Terem Moffi suffered an ACL injury in pre season.

Orakpo was handed his spot in the first team, but he also struggled with injuries and fitness issues leading to just four substitute appearances in Ligue 1 and one substitute appearance in the UEFA Europa League. He failed to net his first goal for Le Gym in that time.

The idea of the loan is to help him get sufficient game time to improve his fitness and also quicken his development, and he will undergo a medical later today as part of the process of completing the loan deal.

The coach of the senior national team of Canada Jesse Marsch says Victor Osimhen can be the perfect partner for Jonathan David in the attack of Juventus next season, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

David joined Juventus on a free transfer from Ligue 1 side Lille following the expiration of his contract, and his arrival has cast doubts over the reported interest the team has on Osimhen, who only returned from a season long loan deal from Napoli to Galatasary.

Napoli are willing to listen to offers for Osimhen, who isn’t totally opposed to the idea of staying in Italy where Juventus has been rumoured as his best best alternative before the close of the summer transfer window.

Marsch believe the signing of David doesn’t mean the team won’t be signing Osimhen saying the duo can play effectively in attack as a pair. “Absolutely! Osimhen is a centre-forward, David more of a second striker. I don’t know if it will happen but on paper it would be a fantastic duo. They would score between them at least 50 goals”, . “Marsch said in a interview with Gazzetta dello sport.

Daniel Martins

Italian side AC Milan have made Nigeria international forward Victor Boniface their prime target in the summer transfer window in their search for a new striker, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Bayer Leverkusen are open to letting the Nigerian leave after a failed move to Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr in the January transfer window. He lost his position after the collapse of the deal.

New coach Erik Ten Hag is open to keeping the Nigerian, but the club will listen to offers in the region of €40m for him, and reports in Italy says he has already said yes to the proposal of joining the Italian side.

Talks are expected to advance in the coming days between all parties involved, with the idea of concluding the transfer soon enough for him to join up for pre season training.

If all goes according to plan, he will link up with his international teammate Samuel Chukwueze at the Italian side , although his future isn’t certain.

Daniel Martins

Head Coach Eric Chelle has named 35 players, among them captain Junior Harrison Nduka, Papa Mustapha Daniel and forward Anas Yusuf in the provisional list of Super Eagles B for the 8th African Nations Championship taking place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next month.

First-choice goalkeeper Henry Ani is also called, alongside defenders Waliu Ojetoye, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Mohammed Kabiru and Uzondu Harrison, midfielders Saviour Isaac and Haddi Haruna, and forwards Sunday Megwo, Adamu Abubakar and Godwin Obaje.

Goalkeepers Kayode Bankole and Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Stephen Manyo Egbe, midfielder Adam Aminu, and forwards Atule Joseph and Temitope Vincent have also been invited.

Nigeria, 2018 runners-up, are housed in group D of the 19-team tournament, alongside Cup holders Senegal, Sudan and Congo. The Super Eagles will play their first two matches of the competition, against Senegal and Sudan, at the Amman Stadium on the island of Zanzibar,

before taking on Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. All invited players have been instructed to turn up at the Remo Stars

Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State on Monday, 7th July with their international passports and current club license.

35 PLAYERS FOR SUPER EAGLES B CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO

Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)

Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City); Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Mohammed l, Kabiru (Kwara United); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Mayo Egbe (Rivers United)

Midfielders: Adebayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Adejoh Ojonugwa (AbiaWarriors); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-KanemiWarriors); Haddi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Adam Aminu (Kano Pillars); Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars)

Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United); Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Atule Joseph (Enyimba FC); Ayomide Cole (Ikorodu City); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors); Aniekeme Okon (Rivers United); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International)

The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the appointment of management board for the Kano Pillars Football Club as part of ongoing efforts to further strengthen the team and enhance its performance in the upcoming Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

This follows the expiration of the one-year tenure earlier granted to the board, which successfully led the team to finish 9th on the NPFL table.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, it was revealed that after several consultative meetings with key stakeholders, it was collectively agreed to reappoint most members of the existing board for another year, with strategic adjustments aimed at boosting performance.

The newly approved management board is as follows:

1. Ali Muhammad Umar (Nayara) – Chairman

2. Salisu Mohammed Kosawa – Member

3. Yusuf Danladi Andy Cole – Member

4. Idris Malikawa Garu – Member

5. Nasiru Bello – Member

6. Muhammad Ibrahim (Hassan West) – Member

7. Abdulkarim Audi Chara – Member

8. Muhammad Danjuma Gwarzo – Member

9. Mustapha Usman Darma – Member

10. Umar Dankura – Member

11. Ahmad Musbahu – Member

12. Gambo Salisu Shuaibu Kura – Member

13. Rabiu Abdullahi – Member

14. Aminu Ma’alesh – Member

15. Safiyanu Abdu – Member

16. Abubakar Isah Dandago Yamalash – Media Director I

17. Ismail Abba Tangalash – Media Director II

In line with global best practices, the board also proposed the appointment of renowned international footballer Ahmed Musa, OON, MON, as the new General Manager of Kano Pillars FC.

This strategic move is expected to leverage his wealth of experience and leadership to reposition the club as a formidable contender in the league.

The government expressed confidence that the reconstituted board, under the leadership structure, will consolidate on the team’s achievements and deliver improved results in the forthcoming season.

Signed:

Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa

Director General,

Media and Publicity

Government House, Kano

Italian Serie A side Parma are interested in a deal for former Nigeria U20 and U23 midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru from English Championship side Watford, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The elder brother of Nigeria international midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have been at the club for six years since leaving Manchester City. He made 24 appearances last season with four goals and it caught the attention of Parma.

He has already made it known to the club that he wishes to join his younger brother who plays for Lazio in Italy, and Watford are open to letting him leave for a fee many believe will be around £8m.

Ipswich Town were also linked with the 25 year old, but according Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph while writing on X, Parma are the teams that have officially open talks over his signing.

Daniel Martins

FIFA-licensed football agent John Shittu has issued a formal legal demand to former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, seeking a full retraction and apology over alleged defamatory statements made against him about Nigeria’s 2008 Olympic football campaign.

In a letter dated and signed by his legal representatives, Shittu categorically denied Siasia’s claim—widely reported in the media that he offered Siasia a bribe of €50,000 to secure John Obi Mikel’s inclusion in the Nigeria U-23 team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

In a letter dated and signed by his legal representatives, Godwin Dick Inyang & Co., Shittu categorically denied Siasia’s claim—widely reported in the media including Sahara Reporters and Soccernet.ng—that he offered Siasia a bribe of €50,000 to secure John Obi Mikel’s inclusion in the Nigeria U-23 team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The legal notice, addressed directly to Siasia, described the allegation as “false, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” adding that it had caused “reputational harm and professional injury” to Shittu, who is widely respected in the global football industry.

“Your statement is false, malicious, and calculated to disparage and lower our client in the estimation of his colleagues, clients, and the public, particularly in the tightly regulated world of professional sports management,” the letter stated.

Shittu’s legal team is demanding:

A full and unreserved retraction of the alleged statement on Sahara Reporters, Soccernet.ng, and all other platforms that published it;

Publication of the retraction in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, including The Punch and This Day;

A formal, written apology addressed to Mr. Shittu and published on all aforementioned platforms;

A written undertaking not to issue or publish any similar statements in the future;

Payment of ₦250 million in damages for defamation, reputational injury, and consequential losses.

The legal notice further warned that failure to comply within 14 days of receipt will result in legal action against Siasia. The planned suit would seek aggravated damages, a restraining injunction, and full legal costs