Newly invited defender Emmanuel Fernandez of Scottish side Rangers made a huge impression on his teammates in the senior national team of Nigeria in his first major training session, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The defender who is having his breakthrough season at the Scottish side showed no nerves in the way he acquitted himself among his new teammates.

Although it’s unclear if he will play some parts in today’s game against Iran at the four team invitational tournament, but he will no doubt make his debut in the tournament most likely against Jordan on Tuesday.

We sort to hear from a senior player in the team on if he thinks the defender will make an instant impression in the team, like Brentford defender Benjamin Fredrick when he made his debut at the Unity Cup in the summer.

” I don’t think he ( Emmanuel Fernandez) is the same with Fredrick even though he is a very good player. For Fredrick from the first day that he trained we could all see his level. It was straight up to the starting lineup and I don’t see that happening with this new boy”, he said.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Rangers’ central defender Emmanuel Fernandez’s Christmas came in March as he sensationally joined the Eagles’ Four Nations’ invitational party to Turkey.

The latest Eagles’ newbie was dragged into coach Eric Chelle’s Euro net as the gaffer continues to intensify his search for diaspora Eagles.

Fernandez, London-born, had long caught the eye of the coach as soon as all the necessary actions were done to effect his switch, Fernandez was in the Eagles’ basket.

Chelle’s open love for diaspora Eagles has always been with a reason and Fernandez comes in to add more steel to the Eagles’ defence.

The Eagles’ rear line is in need of quality numbers and Fernandez with a bag full of Rangers’ goodies came in at a very good time.

The Four Nations Tournament originally scheduled to hold in Iran was forced to switch venues to Turkey as the economic and political crisis continued to rock Iran.

Fulham’s battalion commander Calvin Bassey holds the four aces in the Eagles’ central defence but in dire search of a perfect connection.

The dots are yet to be fully connected at Eagles’ central defence as Semi Ajayi, the most current pair, comes with a slight mechanical fault.

Chelle isn’t yet ready to take on vacation on this and hence, his full time search for assurances.

This, Chelle has adequately digested and not relenting in his search led him to the doorpost of the towering Rangers’ defender.

Chelle did not have to bang loudly on his door as his underground network had done a very solid job for Fernandez to effortlessly open the door without having to peep on the door hole.

Fernandez, in the bag, comes with a quality, the one Chelle is prepared to spend his last dime to land and he’s glad he’s here.

With a huge bag of caps coming from the Ibrox, 27 and counting, and a huge mainstay in the rear of manager Danny Rohl’s Rangers, Fernandez comes at a massive defensive bargain.

Since arriving from Peterborough last summer, Fernandez has refused to look back on his uncompromising Rangers’ mission, enjoying a rare debut defensive stats.

From 27 games thus far, he’s amassed a massive 2265 minutes and chalked up an impressive 88 passing accuracy.

Chelle fell head over heels in love with his clearance ability, 166 from 1742 touches thus far, a very good pass mark for a central defence of Chelle’s choice.

Battler in the air, a huge attribute in Chelle’s eyes, himself a defender in his playing days, Fernandez came out better in 68 duels and beaten 35 times.

Interceptions? Fernandez has bagged 35 of them to keep his tails up for Chelle to tap appreciatively.

Hitting the back of the net is also one attribute Rangers refused to turn a blind eye to and Fernandez has refused to disappoint. His haul of six goals from the rear is a rare one for a defender and Chelle leaves a watering mouth for it.

Gritty and a steel merchant, just like Chelle’s spec, Fernandez has incredibly received just two cautions from the men in black despite fouling opponents 35 times. Not even a faint scream of marching orders has been heard thus far making Fernandez a huge candidate for a massive scramble.

Is he a huge loss to England and a supreme gain for his roots?

Chelle thought so and so was his frantic demand for him and now an Eagle, Chelle appears to have the last laugh.

Returning Chelle’s favours will be Fernandez’s first assignment on his to-do list and the rest is in his hands.

From Rangers’ debuting super regular to Eagles’ indisputable Bassey’s pair?

Is Bassey’s missing ribs finally found?

The games at the Turkey invitational will definitely put him in the public eye to swim or sink.

Fernandez could swell a growing number of diaspora players who dumped their countries of birth for their roots.

Since Coach Clemens Westerhof resurrected the diaspora search in 1991 for Reuben Agboola after a long lull when Brazil coach Otto Gloria dug up Tunji Banjo in 1981, the trend has admirably continued with successes.

Perhaps, Fernandez’s Rangers’ mate, Tochi Chukwuani could follow in his footsteps. The 22-year old defensive midfielder, capped at youth level to Denmark, could be ready for a switch.

Meanwhile, welcome to Super Eagles, Fernandez!

IKENWA ASHIBUOGWU NNABUOGOR

Not even the best coach in the world would ignore a solid defender like Trabzonspor’s Chibuikem Nwaiwu and without a doubt, he’s in the Eagles’ nest.

He’s deservedly in anyway, though through a default as a stop gap for Fulham star Calvin Bassey who’s missing the Four Nations Invitational due to an injury.

Logistics were far from a hinder, Nwaiwu just made an inter-city commute to the Four Nations tourney in Antalya from his Trabszon base.

Nwaiwu reunites with his team mate Paul Onuachu for tournament as the duo continue their impressive form this season.

Super Eagles’ coach Eric Chelle, a huge apostle of compact defensive style continues to make a statement with his latest newbie. He’s earlier put a seal on the invite of Glasgow Rangers’ star Emmanuel Fernandez to complete a frantic pursuit to tighten the defence to his full taste.

Nwaiwu comes as a great bargain for him as he’s spoilt for choices to complete the building process of a formidable fortress in the central defence with Bassey controlling.

The former Enyimba star comes with a smoking form and will surely impress Chelle to hand him a huge responsibility going forward.

Nwaiwu isn’t afraid of competition despite the presence of Fernandez, Igho Ogbu and Semi Ajayi as his Trabzonspor form proves he’s a tough nut.

Confidently built like a rock, with a good head and brilliant feet, Nwaiwu’s ratings thus far appear to make a huge case for him.

Tough in the air as well, Turkish Super Lig strikers never leave the pitch without sweating after encountering Nwaiwu. Such is the reputation he’s bringing to the Super Eagles.

With Bassey out injured, Chelle, a smart gambler and a lover of youthfulness, could throw Nwaiwu in for Iran and Jordan. A possible pair of Ajayi/Ogbu and Nwaiwu is simmering and Chelle is cooking.

Bassey/Ajayi’s communication lines have been tasted and Chelle appears not to be fully convinced with the signals.

Will Nwaiwu seize this chance to announce himself into the team and pitch a rent?

Nwaiwu could be rekindling “lost” Aba flames in the Super Eagles since homeboys Okechukwu Uche and Obinna Nwaneri left huge marks in the Eagles’ central defence.

Could he be the eventual Bassey’s permanent link in the Eagles’ central defence?

It remains to be seen how Nwaiwu fares in the tournament should be given a nod.

Perhaps, Chelle will now take his elusive holidays in the Mediterranean Beach Resort now that the missing link is here.

IKENWA ASHIBUOGWU NNABUOGOR

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle will stick to most of the players who represented the team at the AFCON in January for today’s friendly game against Iran, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Although the coach could hand debut to some newly invited players in Emmanuel Fernandez, Yira Sor and Philip Otele, he is however aiming for a good start to the tournament, hence will stick with most of his trusted players.

Nigeria will play the first of their two games at the invitation tournament today against world cup bound Iran, and Chelle has already picked the players for the game.

In goal Francis Uzoho will keep his spot with a back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi and Igoh Ogbu.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi will be the main anchor in the middle alongside Alex Iwobi. The front four will be Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu and Jerome Akor.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu has been handed a late call up to the senior national team of Nigeria as a replacement for the injured Calvin Bassey like we exclusively reported yesterday.

Bassey was ruled out of the tournament with a back injury earlier today leaving the team with just three centre backs heading into games against Iran and Jordan respectively.

Igho Ogbu who was a part of the team to the last AFCON is available to pair Bassey’s regular partner Semi Ajayi, leaving newly invited Emmanuel Fernandez as the only option on the bench.

Head coach Eric Chelle took the decision, and it was made public a while ago and he is expected to join the team in training as cover in the event that an extra defender is needed.

Since moving to Trabzonspor in the January transfer window from Austrian side Wolfberger, he has cemented his spot in the heart of the defence for his new side. He has also found the back of the net twice in ten games.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Former Jamaica international Deon Burton says Jamaica stand a good chance of qualifying for the World Cup when they take on DR Congo in the intercontinental playoff for a ticket at the world cup, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Jamaica under new coach Rudolph Speid will be up against the Africans, where the winner will book a spot in the final and by extension a ticket to the world cup in USA, Mexico and Canada.

Burton who is presently the coach of the U23 team of English Championship side West Brom said they would have have a lot to worry about, if they were to face Nigeria.

Super Eagles of Nigeria were defeated by DR Congo in the Africa playoff and lodged a protest with FIFA on the Congolese using ineligible players, it was dismissed and Burton says it could be a blessing in disguise to Jamaica.

” To be honest and fair to all including DR Congo, facing Nigeria would have been more difficult because they have the pedigree and star players who could change a game. You can’t say the same about DR Congo”, he said.

Ade Emmanuel

German giants Bayern Munich currently have three Nigerians on their books in Frank Egwuatu, Richard Ajayi and the well known Wisdom Mike who has already made his debut for the first team at the age of 17.

Wisdom has already made four senior appearances for the first team in the Bundesliga and one in UEFA Champions League. A reward for his performance for the U19 team.

He likely to be joined in the first team by Ajayi who made the headlines after training with his first team two days ago. His journey is way different from Wisdom who was born and raised in Germany.

Born in Nigeria, Ajayi who is predominantly a left back came to the Germany from Ukraine when the war broke out. He started from playing for non league teams before he was spotted and taking to the Bayern setup where he has cemented his spot in the U19.

Among the trio Egwuatu who is a forward appears to be the one with a very high ceiling as he has already made himself a mainstay in the U19 at the age of 16. He was also born in Nigeria.

All three are tipped to make the step up to the first team in the nearest future, however some may have to go elsewhere as it is usually the case with young players playing for the youth team of top teams.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Newly invited Super Eagles winger Yira Sor Collins has revealed his major attribute as he prepares for his senior debut at the four team invitational tournament in Turkey.

Nigeria will be up against Iran and Jordan respectively in the tournament which will run for four days. The team will later today conclude their preparation for the first game on Friday.

Belgium based Sor is among the new players called by head coach Eric Chelle for the four team tournament, and he arrive in camp with a reputation as one of the fastest wingers in Europe at the moment.

The Genk of Belgium winger has four goals and an assist in 24 matches, beyond his numbers Chelle handed him a spot largely due to his pace, intensity and ability to help the team in transition from defence to attack.

” I am a player with a lot of pace. I love the link up play so I hope I can give this to the team and together we can achieve. Just two months ago at the AFCON I was watching the team on television and I was nervous every game they played, because I was supporting the team”, he said to the official media channel of the team.

“Two , three months later I got called up to be a part of this squad. It was really a shock for me to be very honest but thank God for everything. To represent Nigeria with over 200 million people is something I always see as a honour and you know it’s a privilege and I don’t take it for granted. I have to push to the maximum”, he stated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Brentford defender Michael Kayode has been told that he should be playing senior international football with Nigeria and not with the U21 of Italy, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Kayode who was born to Nigerian parents in Italy was snubbed by head coach Gennaro Gattuso for the upcoming world cup playoff against Northern Ireland, despite his fine form for English Premier League side Brentford.

He was handed a late call up to the U21 by head coach Silvio Baldini who initially omitted him for reasons not made public. A sign of how isn’t rated by the football authorities in Italy, which is his first choice for international football ahead of Nigeria.

” He (Kayode) is wasting his time with the U21 of Italy. A player who should be playing senior football for Nigeria is gearing up to play against semi professionals in U21 games against North Macedonia and later Sweden”, Italy based Nigerian journalist Damian Waziri said.

” A proven English Premier League player at least he has been there for two seasons doing well at Brentford should be in the Italian team, that has failed to qualify for two straight editions of the world cup. That he isn’t there should tell him something”, he concluded.