Newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles Genort Rohr stopped Head Coach of the Super Eagles Salisu Yusuf from inviting the Flying Eagles duo of Lukman Zakari and Arsenal new signing Kelechi Nwakali.

Owngoalnigeria.com exclusively gathered that the former Kano Pillars coach had already drawn up plans to invite the trio of Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Nwakali and Lukman Zakari for the dead rubber tie against Tunisia but the German handler stopped him.

Although Osimhen is not guarantee to play against Tanzania in the AFCON 2017 qualifiers tie, he will benefit from mixing up with the Super Eagles big boys before he heads for Germany to begin his professional career with Wolfsburg.

However, same opportunity which Yusuf was planning to offer to Zakari and Nwakali was not approved by the German but they will in the nearest future have the chance to train with the team.

Rohr only approved for Osimhen to be called up as against the duo of Zakari and Nwakali because he wants to see some other Super Eagles players particularly as their position is not an area where the Super Eagles is presently lacking.

Liverpool teen wonder Ovie Ejaria missed out on a chance to be included in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON 2017 qualifiers tie against Tanzania due to the injury that has sidelined him for two weeks.

Ejaria is back in full training with Liverpool after spending time on the sidelines, no thanks to the knock he picked during a pre season game against Chelsea, which also denied him the chance to be a part of Liverpool team for their opening Premier League tie.

He was tipped to be handed his maiden call up for Nigeria’s AFCON 2017 tie in September but wasn’t’s included when the list was released this afternoon by the Nigeria Football Federation.

The 18 year old took his chances during Liverpool pre season games by posting eye catching performances which earned him praises from manager Jurgen Klopp.

” It’s unfortunate he has to miss out on the tie due to the injury, he was very high on the priority list of the Super Eagles coach”, a source close to the coach told Owngoalnigeria.com

” There are still many games including friendly ties, so all he has to do is to keep on working hard and his chance will come.

” He is a talented lad whose quality is not in doubt, he will definitely get his chance if he maintains his form that caught the attention of the coach in the first place.

Newly appointed Super Eagles coach Genort Rohr, didn’t draw up the list of invited players for the AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Tanzania, as against the announcement made by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

The German was credited by the NFF as the one who drew up the list of invited players for the tie in Uyo on September 3rd, but an NFF source revealed to Owngoalnigeria.com that the list was indeed drawn up by coach Salisu Yusuf.

” No, it was Salisu Yusuf that drew up the list, Rohr was made aware of it by the NFF and his only contribution was his advice to Yusuf to include players, who are guarantee to be a part of his team for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers” He said.

” The AFCON qualifiers tie is meaningless as Nigeria is already out of the race, but it will afford the newly appointed coach the opportunity to see some of the players he intends to use during the World Cup qualifiers which begins in October”.

The International future of the twin sons of former Super Eagles captain Daniel Amokachi could spark an international tug of war between Nigeria and Tunisia.

Kalim and Nazim joined Turkish champions Besiktas on a one year deal from Finnish side JS Hercules, where their father is presently the head coach and pending on how they progress, they could be offered an extension.

However, their progress could bring about an international tussle between Nigeria and Tunisia as they are eligible for both nations.

They qualified for Nigeria through their father, a former Nigeria international and captain but the 20 year old twins are yet to be capped by the West Africa nation at any level, which could open the door for Tunisia to steal the duo.

Amokachi is married to a Tunisian, which mean his sons are eligible to represent the Carthage Eagles. Furthermore their birth was registered in the North African country.

For now, their focus will be on making the grades at Besiktas as they are presently with the Under-21 team of the Turkish side from where their progress will be monitored for promotion to the first team.

19 year old Chidozie Awaziem who plays for FC Porto was among the new players called up by new Super Eagles coach Genort Rohr for Nigeria AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Tanzania.

Here are 11 facts you need to know about the young defender.

1. Chidozie Awaziem was born in Jos, Plateau State north central Nigeria although his parents are indigenes of Enugu State, Eastern part of Nigeria.

2. He didn’t play a single level of league football in Nigeria before joining FC Porto, he was signed directly from grassroot team El-Kanemi juniors of Jos.

3. He joined FC Porto last season helping their U-19 lift the Juniores title before he was promoted to the reserve team prior to the start of this season.

4. Ironically,Adjmar the scout who spotted him during a scouting programe in Nigeria termed Gee-lec football talent hunt search organized by Ramp football agency is no longer with FC Porto, he now works for Monaco.

5. Six of them were picked during the scouting exercise but only three are presently playing professional football, Awaziem and his Porto teammate Fidelis Irhene who is out on loan to Portimonense and Abass Ibrahim who is presently on the books of Pacos Fereira

6. Still only 19 years old but he stands at an impressive height which aptly describe his strong aerial abilities

7. He started off as a defensive midfielder before he was converted to a central defender at FC Porto probably why he is adept at picking passes in from his present position as a central defender.

8. Among the four Nigerians on the book of FC Porto he is the only one in the first team right now but just like Mikel Agu who is out on loan to Club Brugge, he also made his debut against Benfica at the Estadio da Luiz.

9. Babawo Mohammed presently manage his career as his agent and the former JUTH FC of Jos midfielder is slowly gaining a reputation in Nigeria when it comes to players transfer like well know Portuguese super scout Jorge Mendes.

10. His abilities saw him rise from the U-19 to the first team and subsequently making his debut after just 18 months at the club.

11. He has played 23 times for the B team picking up an unhealthy total of 8 yellow cards and one red card and even though he has just two appearances for the main team he has a caution to his name picked up in his first game for the A team, a League cup game against Farense.

Nigeria’s Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has invited 23 players, including Captain Mikel John Obi and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.

The match is a dead rubber, as both teams have been eliminated, but Rohr and the Super Eagles are using the game as rehearsal for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series Matchday 1 clash with Zambia in Ndola in October.

The Franco-German, named Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles by the NFF two weeks ago, has called up three goalkeepers, eight defenders, four midfielders and eight forwards for the game scheduled for the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 3rd September.

Captain Mikel John Obi, whose sterling leadership of the Nigeria U23 to the Bronze Medal match of the Rio 2016 Olympics has drawn global applause, is joined in the midfield by the energetic Ogenyi Onazi, Belgium –based former youth international Wilfred Ndidi and Israel –based Nosa Igiebor, who has not featured for Nigeria since missing the cut for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Emmanuel Daniel, who has done his reputation no harm with some breath –taking saves at the Olympics, joins Carl Ikeme and Ikechukwu Ezenwa to fight for the gloves, while home –based Jamiu Alimi finds a place amongst Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem, Abdullahi Shehu, Musa Muhammed, Elderson Echiejile and Kingsley Madu in the defence.

Rohr, a former defender, has also opted for a strong attacking line, with assistant captain Ahmed Musa leading Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Victor Moses, Imoh Ezekiel, Odion Ighalo, Brown Ideye and youngster Victor Osimhen.

All the players have been directed to report in Uyo on Sunday, 28th August 2016.

FULL LIST:

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Troost-Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Imoh Ezekiel (Al-Arabi Sporting Club, Qatar), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg FC, Germany)

Courtesy: NFF Media

The imminent signing of Christian Benteke could lead to the departure of former Nigeria Under-20 forward Freddy Ladapo from Crystal Palace, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

Ladapo will most likely head out on loan to a club where he is sure of getting game time as Benteke’s arrival from Liverpool will further push him down the pecking order at Selhurst Park.

23 year old Ladapo joined the team in March from National League South side Margate, after a short trial where he caught the eyes of manager Alan Pardew with a hattrick for the U23s.

He followed that up with a stellar showing during their pre season your and despite been widely tipped to play a part in Crystal Palace quest for honours this season, he could be heading out for a loan spell following Benteke’s arrival.

Still eligible for England and Nigeria at senior level, he was a part of the coach John Obuh Flying Eagles team of 2013 but failed to make the squad to the World Cup in Turkey.

Head coach of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, Emmanuel Amuneke will in the coming days travel to Spain for a refresher course in coaching, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The refresher courses have long been planned out before the Flying Eagles failure to qualify for next year Africa Youth Championship after a 4-3 loss to Sudan.

Amuneke will spend time with Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique who was his former teammate during his time with the Catalan based side.

We also gathered he will most likely visit another of his former teammate in England in Pep Guardiola who currently handles Manchester City, where one of Amuneke’s former youth team player Kelechi Iheanacho plays.

” There’s no end to learning, Amuneke is one man who is eager to better himself everyday, hence the reason why he is embarking on a refresher course in Spain with Barcelona, due to his close ties with Luis Enrique, the Barcelona manager” a source told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” Although he is yet to get a formal answer from Manchester City boss Guardiola, he will most likely spend time as well at the Etihad pending on the schedule of the club boss who was his teammate at Barcelona”.

Nigeria and Honduras both beaten semi-finalist at the ongoing Rio 2016 men’s football event will slug it out for the bronze medal.

Owngoalnigeria.com bring to you the date, time and venue of the clash, which the Nigeria Under-23s will be eager to win to claim their third medal in football after winning gold at the Atlanta 96 Olympics and Silver at Beijing.

Honduras on their part, are yet to win a medal in football but they have gone a step further this year than last time out when they were knockes out at the quarter final stage of the London 2012 games.

Date: 20th August 2016

Time: 5pm (Nigerian Time). 1pm (Brazilian Time).

Venue: Mineirao.

Nigeria first choice goalkepper Carl Ikeme says working under legendary Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga, who is now in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers will help him make him a better shot stopper.

Speaking to Expressandstar.com, the 30 year old said although the manager took over the team just a week before the start of the season, he has already made an instant impact on the players.

And of course, as a former goalkepper of international fame, Zenga will be keeping a keen eye on his one shot stoppers lead by the Nigerian Carl Ikeme.

Has Ikeme ever been managed by a goalkeeper before? “I think Bobby Mimms might have taken the reserves!” he said.

“No, it’s the first time. It’s good for me because you never know I might want to become a manager some day as well so it’s good to see a goalkeeper in charge.

“He has impressed so far – his ideas, his way of playing, his different philosophy.

“The new gaffer’s settled in pretty well straight away. Obviously he’s trying to get his ideas across, it’s difficult for him coming in a week before the season started, but he’s a good guy, he knows how he wants to play and I think it’s just about, with everything that’s going on, adjusting to the new way and new direction of the way the club’s going.

“Everybody’s been asking me about having a goalkeeper in charge. But it’s not as if he’s managing my sessions! Pat Mountain’s done a great job since he’s been here.

“He’ll always give me some pointers, as any manager would.

“But yeah I’ve been impressed. He’s willing to go with the team as well. He knows what he wants but he’ll be talking to us at the back asking what we think. He’s keen on other people’s input and is keen for us all to work together.