Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is watching development around the international future of Everton’s midfielder Tim Iroegbunam, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Tim has been on the radar of the coach for almost a year, but initial approach drew a blank response from the 22 year old who has his sights on stepping up to the senior national team of England.

Still eligible for Nigeria despite representing England at various youth levels, latest reports say he is now open to the idea of representing Nigeria and will likely hold talks about it in the summer.

However a source close to Chelle said, while the news is everywhere online they are yet to officially hear from the player after his representative told them around last year that he isn’t interested in switching his nationality yet.

The source said Chelle is however on alert and in the event that an official communication is made by the player, then an invitation will follow suit after the completion of a switch of nationality process by world football governing body FIFA.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Millwall winger Femi Azeez who is on the radar of the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is prime for a big move in the summer transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, he is yet to represent any of the country at international level and before the last international window, he was recommended to Chelle.

The 24 year old who has 8 goals and 8 assists this season has played a huge role in helping Millwall remain in the promotion playoff. They are currently fourth but level on points with third placed Ipswich and just two points behind Middlesbrough in second.

While the dream of an automatic promotion is a possibility, the club will be hoping to keep some of their standout players in the event that they fall to gain promotion.

They will however face a battle to keep Azeez, who has been drawing interests from teams in the top division, and according to Bryan Kings he will be a good addition to the Aston Villa setup.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “Azeez has been an exciting player this year.

“He’s got real pace, and he’s really come to light this season.

“He’s got great ability, and his future will all depend on whether Millwall go up.

“I think they have a good chance, but if they don’t, they’ll struggle to keep hold of him.

“If I were at Villa, he’d be someone I would look at.

“He’d cost £30m in today’s market even if Millwall don’t go up.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria will once again take part in the Unity Cup after lifting the last edition with a penalty shoot out win over Jamaica in the final , OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria’s participation in the tournament was confirmed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) , while speaking on their availability for the summer friendly tournament.

It will run from the 26th of May to the 30th between four teams, but while India, Jamaica have been confirmed there is no word yet on the fourth team that will join Nigeria in the tournament.

Sources say the team will likely be an African team with Ghana taking part in the last edition. ” “The Unity Cup features nations with large communities in the UK,” a senior official of AIFF was quoted as saying by TOI on Wednesday. “India have been invited for the first time.” There is no word yet on the fourth participating team, though it’s likely to be from Africa.

The tournament is on a knockout basis with the semi final winners moving to the final , while the losing teams will play for third place.

The senior national team of Nigeria is now rather the third best team in Africa by world football governing body FIFA following the release of the ranking of national teams for the month of March, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria ended the window in March with a 2-1 win over 24 ranked Iran before drawing 2-2 with Jordan who are ranked 64th in the world in the recently concluded four team invitational tournament in Turkey.

Despite the setback against Jordan, Super Eagles pulled enough points to maintain their position as the third best team in Africa, only behind Senegal and Morocco respectively.

Globally the Nigerian team is ranked 26th in the world, the same position they held last month.

Below in the current ranking of African national teams as published by FIFA.

1️⃣ Morocco 🇲🇦 — 8th (no change)

2️⃣ Senegal 🇸🇳 — 14th (-2)

3️⃣ Nigeria 🇳🇬 — 26th (no change)

4️⃣ Algeria 🇩🇿 — 28th (no change)

5️⃣ Egypt 🇪🇬 — 29th (+2)

6️⃣ Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 — 34th (+3)

7️⃣ Tunisia 🇹🇳 — 44th (+3)

8️⃣ Cameroon 🇨🇲 — 45th (no change)

9️⃣ DR Congo 🇨🇩 — 46th (+2)

🔟 Mali 🇲🇱 — 52nd (+2)

English Premier League side Fulham are willing to sanction a permanent deal for Nigeria international winger Samuel Chukwueze who is on loan to the club from Italian giants AC Milan, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Chuckwueze joined the team in the summer on a loan deal that gives them the option of signing him permanently for a fee in the region of €24m potentially rising to €28m, in bonuses.

So far Chukwueze has warmed his way into the heart of coach Marco Silva, and is prime for a permanent stay at the club but not for the initially agreed fee between both parties.

Fulham want a deal that will be less than €24m but with bonsues taking it to that mark. A stark difference from what was agreed in the summer when he joined on loan.

A deal is expected to be complicated but not impossible with Chuckwueze keen on a permanent stay with the London side, rather than return to Milan where he still has two more years to run on his deal.

Daniel Martins

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle will invite more players born abroad to the senior national team of Nigeria after the recent capture of Emmanuel Fernandez of Scottish side Rangers, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, Fernandez crowned his first taste of international football with a goal for Nigeria yesterday in the 2-2 draw against Jordan at the recently concluded four team invitational tournament in Turkey.

The defender who has five goals in the Scottish top division this season is one among a host of players born abroad, that Chelle wants to add to the team in the second phase of his game project.

We can exclusively reveal that more players born abroad will be a part of the team for the friendly games in June. There is also the possibility of having some players from the Nigeria Premier Football League in the team.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is sure to be available before then as he would have gotten the clearance needed from the English FA to switch to Nigeria.

He won’t be the only new player in the team according to sources close to the coach. Six players are currently heavy on his radar and at least three will likely be available in June.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

One of the goal scorers for Jordan in the 2-2 draw agains Nigeria yesterday’s game at the recently concluded four team invitational tournament in Turkey has rated the Nigerian team as the best in Africa, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Rennes forward Musa Mohammad Sulaiman Al-Taamari who opened scoring for Jordan with a well hit free kick gave his opinion after his team’s second draw in a role at the tournament. They drew 2-2 with Costa Rica in their first game.

Nigeria went from falling behind in the game to taking a 2-1 half time lead before a second half rally from Jordan helped them to draw level, and tie the game to 2-2.

” It was a good test against a very good team. Maybe one of the best we have faced in the build up to the world cup”, he started by saying after the game.

” We have to find a way to stop throwing away lead, because it has happened twice in five days. But you have to also consider the strength of the team which just played against in Nigeria. The best team in Africa and we should take some positive from the game”, the 28 year old concluded.

Emmanuel Fernandez says he can play a lot better than he did yesterday for the senior national team of Nigeria in their 2-2 draw against Jordan at the recently concluded four team invitational tournament in Turkey, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Fernandez made his debut in the first game of the tournament against Iran coming on as a substitute in the 2-1 win. Yesterday he capped his first start with a goal in the 2-2 draw against Jordan.

He finished with the calmness of a seasoned pro to give Nigeria the lead, but they lost it to draw 2-2 in their final game of the tournament. He was largely rated as the best player for Nigeria in the game.

Reacting after the game, the 24 year old said it’s only natural for him to be unhappy because they didn’t win and he was a part of the defence that conceded twice in the game.

” While it’s a great moment for me and my family. It wasn’t quite how I expect it to go because we didn’t win and conceded twice. As a defender you can’t be happy to be a part of it”, he said in an exclusive interview.

” I can do better and it’s my goal to improve continuously for the good of my club and country. That’s the aim anytime I get to play”, he concluded.

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle was not the happiest man yesterday when his team let lead their 2-1 lead to draw 2-2 against Jordan at the recently concluded four team friendly tournament in Turkey.

Nigeria started the campaign on a sound footing with a 2-1 win over Iran , and after falling behind yesterday in their final game of the tournament, they turned it around and were leading 2-1 before conceding towards the end of the half to draw 2-2.

OwnGoalNigeria.com picks five valuable lessons the coach learnt from the tournament.

1. Alternative To Semi Ajayi – The Hull City defender left the tournament after the first game after picking a knock. He has been battling with fitness issues for a while and it’s about time one of the duo of Emmanuel Fernandez and Chibuike Nwaiwu step up as an alternative.

2. Maduka Okoye Will Replace Nwabali – Chelle showed no remorse in handing Okoye a call up despite snubbing the AFCON team , and he proved that in the absence of Stanley Nwabali who is clubless at the moment. He can be relied on.

3. Diamond Formation Is Best – The team initially struggled to come to terms with the demands of playing in his preferred formation, but from what we have seen from the two games it’s obvious that they now under better.

4. Fernandez Is A Set Piece Threat – Newly invited Emmanuel Fernandez came into the tournament with five goals for Rangers. An impressive tally for a centre back having his breakthrough season. All five goals came from set pieces and yesterday his first goal from Nigeria came from the same source. He was a threat all through the game.

5. Right Wing Is Still A Problem – Chelle used four right wingers in two games at the tournament and none in Samuel Chukwueze, Yira Sor, Philip Otele and Chidera Ejuke played to satisfaction. That’s a concern to be addressed before the next set of games in June.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior team of Nigeria ended their participation at the four team invitational tournament with a 2-2 draw against Jordan, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Moses Simon and newboy Emmanuel Fernandez got the goal for the Super Eagles and we rate the performance of the Nigerian players during the course of the game.

Francis Uzoho – Could do nothing about the goal he conceded as he was left badly exposed by the collapsed wall. Made three big saves before he was subbed off with injury…… 7/10

Bright Osayi-Samuel – Not one of his best display but he was solid in defending. He made limited impact high up the pitch and made it really tough for debutant Yira Sor to get going….. 6/10

Zaidu Sanusi – Slipped at an unfortunate time while trying to adjust before the second goal. Showed his ability in defending. His all round play could have been better…… 6/10

Igoh Ogbu – Started off poorly but grew into the game. Still didn’t show enough in duels as he was beaten way too easily on three occasions…… 6/10

Emmanuel Fernandez – Struggled to get going with Ogbu as they were playing together for the first time. He picked up late into the first half and capped an impressive first start with a calm, composed finish……. 8/10

Frank Onyeka – Broke up opposition play with ease and covered every blade of the pitch. Didn’t offer much going forward and his partnership with Raphael Onyedika lacked creativity……. 7/10

Raphael Onyedika – Had a goal correctly disallowed and that was his major contribution before he was subbed off. Guilty of sideways and backward passes for the period he was on……. 6/10

Yira Sor – Had a debut he will love to forget in a hurry. Looked lost and totally bereft of ideas, while his talent is not in doubt he didn’t seize the moment to make a statement…… 5/10

Moses Simon – On target again and once more showed why he has always found favour with all Super Eagles coaches since his debut around ten years ago……. 8/10

Ademola Lookman – Forced his way into promising positions and kept it simple when he had to. Unfortunate not to get on the score sheet…… 7/10

Jerome Akor – A hardworking forward who is good at dragging defenders out of position. He did that very well. It’s probably why he didn’t get into goal scoring position…… 6/10

Substitutes:

Adebayo Adeleye – Showed he is very good with the ball at his feet. Not the tallest hence struggled to deal with basic over the top crosses. He wasn’t at fault for the goal though…… 5/10

Philip Otele – Didn’t get involved enough to warrant a rating.

Wilfred Ndidi – Not his usual commanding self…… 5/10

Alex Iwobi – Brought spark to the midfield and created openings with ease. Blotted his impressive display with a red card…… 5/10

Samuel Chukwueze – Did nothing really to warrant a rating.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman