Kingsley Michael planned trip to France to kickstart his career with Monaco has suffered a huge setback after his visa application was turned down by the French Embassy, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

Fleet footed, quick and skillful, Michael agreed a deal with French giants Monaco few months ago after a scouting tournament in Abuja, where he was picked by scouts of principality outfit.

Michael was originally suppose to travel at the start of this month to join Monaco but as at the time of going to press, the 18 year old wing wizard is still in Nigeria.

A close source to the Jos Academy prospect revealed to Owngoalnigeria.com that, his visa application was turned down by the French embassy as some key informations and documents were missing.

” He is still in Nigeria, his visa application was turned down, he will reapply in the coming days, probably next month” a source told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Stanley Amuzie who is rumoured to have been released by Italian club Sampdoria, is still a player of the Serie A side, according to his agent Stephen Makinwa.

Reacting to some reports locally and internationally about his client contract termination by Sampdoria, Makinwa shut the rumours down by saying Amuzie is still a player of Sampdoria.

He reportedly joined the Serie A side on a five year deal but the deal suffered a major set back when he suffered a long term injury, which lead to reports that his contract has been terminated.

The lanky left full back who played in all of Nigeria’s game at the Olympics, played for Portuguese second division team Olhanense last season apparently on loan from Sampdoria.

“We are still dealing with Sampdoria, in the coming days, a decision regarding his next career step will be made public but for now, he is a player of Sampdoria”. Makinwa told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Former Nigeria U17s forward Sani Mohammed is back in Nigeria after a two weeks trial with Russian giants CSKA Moscow, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

His trial with the Russian giants was made possible by scouts of the team, who spotted him during a tournament organised in Abuja, which had scouts from Europe in attendance.

The 18 year old wasn’t offered a contract by the Russian outfit despite impressing in the three games he played for the U18s during his time in the country.

Mohammed trained with the coach Emmanuel Amuneke Golden Eaglet team of 2015 but didn’t make the cut for the World Cup which Nigeria won in Chile.

Manchester City and Nigeria teen star Kelechi Iheanacho was rescued from an on field slump during Manchester City 1-0 win over Steaua Bucuresti of Romania by an opponent.

Iheanacho in his first ever start for Manchester City in the premier league, and under new manager Pep Guardiola appeared to have pulled up a muscle while chasing a pass down the opponent box.

The 19 year old fell awkwardly after experiencing a pull behind his thigh, and was almost swallowing his tongue and going unconscious before Steaua Bucuresti defender Bogdan Mitrea came to his aid.

28 year old Mitrea, helped keep the Nigerian conscious by tapping on his jaw to help keep his tongue in his mouth before the medics arrive to take the Nigerian off on a stretcher.

There was no mention of the severity of the injury the Nigeria suffered by manager Pep Guardiola during his post match conference, but club sources suggest he could be set for a long spell on the sideline.

The exciting Nigerian teen duo of Tayo Edun and Dennis Adeniran, were instrumental in helping Championship side Fulham knock Middlesbrough out of the Football League cup.

Fulham came from behind to shock Boro 2-1 after extra time, thanks to an unfortunate own goal scored by Julien De Sart, who deflected a Scoot Malone strike into his own net.

Adeniran, 17 and Edun,18, were on from start to finish, with striker Adeniran booked in the game during the first half of the cup tie.

Talented Adeniran only recently made his first team debut for Fulham, although he started training with the first team at the age of 16. He is already an England youth international but qualifies to represent Nigeria as well, as his father is from the West African nation.

The versatile Edun, who can play in the defence and midfield, bossed the game with the authority of a seasoned professional even though he only made his first team debut on the 9th of August.

However, just like Adeniran he has also represent England at youth level, but still can represent Nigeria if he agrees to a switch of nationality.

Sadiq Umar will in the next few hours join his former Football Academy Abuja teammate Orji Okonkwo at Serie A side, following the conclusions of talks on a loan deal as exclusively reported by Owngoalnigeria.com on the 17th of June 2016.

Orji was yesterday signed on a long term deal by the Serie A side, but Sadiq who was at a time with Orji at Serie B side Spezia will join Bologna on loan for the rest of the season.

The 19 year old who finished as joint top scorer for Nigeria U23s at the Olympics shunned interest from German side Bayern Leverkusen and Serie A side Crotone for a switch to Bologna.

” It’s a done deal, he will join Bologna, before the end of the week it will be made official” a source close to the player told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Last season, the lanky forward made six appearances for Roma in the Serie A and scored two goals, but found games hard to come by when Rudi Garcia was replaced as manager by Luciano Spalleti.

Baraje, Bashir are NPFL-LBA winners for July

Plateau United coach, Zachary Baraje and Nasarawa United striker,
Abdulrahman Bashir, have emerged as the Manager and Player for July in
the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) – League Bloggers
Awards (LBA).

Baraje and Bashir were named among eight shortlists earlier this week
by the LBA to compete for honours in the month of July.

The Plateau United trainer beat the trio of Kabiru Dogo of Nasarawa
United, Imama Amapakabo of Enugu Rangers and FC Ifeanyiubah’s Rafael
Everton to win the manager’s award for the month under review.

The Jos club under Baraje, especially since his return from suspension
after an initial poor run of results at the start of the season, have
moved out of the drop zone and the month of July was instrumental in
achieving that feat as they lost just once at Lobi Stars. Baraje’s men
notched up 10 points last month, a feat only equalled by Nasarawa
United.

However, Baraje and his team did the job mostly on the road – winning
at Abia Warriors and MFM FC – and also getting just a win and a draw
against champions Enyimba and Akwa United respectively leaving his
other contenders Amapakabo and Everton, who guided their teams to
unbeaten run, with no chance to upstage his July performance with
Plateau United in July.

In the player’s category, there was no doubt about the man who would
claim the NPFL-LBA individual prize. Bashir was in the thick of things
attacking-wise for Nasarawa United and his goals helped them win 10
points out of 15 available last month.

He scored a goal each in all five matches in July against Rivers
United, 3SC, Sunshine Stars, Ikorodu United and El-Kanemi Warriors to
fend off any sort of challenge from Plateau United goalkeeper, Danladi
Isah, Fortune Omoniwari of Akwa United and Kingsley Eduwo of Lobi
Stars.

The LBA will present Baraje and Bashir their awards on a later date.

George Akpayen

For LBA

Chisom Chikatara had a debut to remember for his Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca by scoring a stunner which helped them to a 1-1 draw against Zambian side Zesco United in the CAF Champions League.

22 year old Chikatara made his long awaited debut for his new side after a protracted transfer saga, as exclusively reported by Owngoalnigeria.com two days back and instantly endeared himself to fans of the club with a stunning strike.

Chikatara fondly called the Kolanut boy in Nigeria struck in the 56th minute of the game to cancel out Zesco opener, as well as help his team maintain top spot in the group.

Wydad Casablanca will now play Zamalek in the semi-final and the poster boy of Nigeria CHAN 2014 campaign, is guarantee to be given some game time judging by his performance on his debut.

Former captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Daniel Amokachi has given a career lifeline to former Super Eagles midfielder Sani Kaita by signing him up for Finnish side JS Hercules.

Amokachi is presently the head coach of JS Hercules, a second division side in Finland, who are currently pushing to gain promotion to the top division.

“The Bull” like Amokachi is fondly called convinced the former Monaco, Lokomotive Moscow, Kuban Krasnodar, Olympiakos and Sparta Rotterdam ace to join his revolution and help boost his team chances of gaining promotion to the top flight league in Finland.

A delighted Amokachi posted news of the signing of the 30 year old two days ago and handed him his debut 48 hours later.

Kaita has been idle since leaving Nigeria Professional League side FC Ifeanyi Ubah over a year ago, no thanks to a severe knee complaints which appears to have given way as he made his debut for JS Hercules over the weekend.

Former captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Joseph Yobo has joined Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Kano Pillars for the rest of the season.

He will play for Kano Pillars in their remaining seven games of the season, under a special scheme arranged by the League Management Company to lure former internationals to play in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Pillars beat off competition from league leaders Wikki Tourist, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Warri Wolves and Akwa United to sign the 35 year old who last played in England for Norwich CitA
Yobo had a distinguished career in Europe, particularly in England where he spent seven seasons with Everton before joining Fenerbache in Turkey at the twilight of his career.

However, he starte
However, he started his Euroepan sojourn with a stint in Belgium with Standard Liege and a not too pleasant time at French side Marseille.