Former Nigeria international defender Efe Ambrose says Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu didn’t play like he was making his debut for the Super Eagles in the 2-1 win over Iran at the ongoing four team invitational tournament in Turkey, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nwaiwu was called up as a late replacement for the injured Calvin Bassey, forcing him to cut short his visit to his former team Wolfsberger in Austria. He trained just once before yesterday’s game.

Head coach Eric Chelle saw enough to introduce him for Semi Ajayi, and the 22 year old who moved to Turkey in the January transfer window didn’t look out of place.

His performance caught the attention of Ambrose, who won AFCON 2013 with Nigeria and he said the lanky defender didn’t play with any nerves.

” It’s normal for a player to show nerves in his first game in a senior shirt but that wasn’t the case with the tall defender (Nwaiwu). This is a performance he should be proud about as a good start but now is the time to continue to work hard”, he said in an exclusive chat.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Super Eagles welcomed back the fashion-themed olive green colours again with a victory in Antalya.

It was fashion and style earlier this evening as Eagles began their Four Nations Invitational tournament with a resounding 2-1 victory over troubled Iran.

Moses Simon and the new Eagles’ attacking sensation Akor Jerome compounded Iran on the pitch.

Eagles are well known for their fashion statements in the beautiful game with full FIFA recognitions as the football apex body tagged them as one of the best dressed sides.

Eagles and their official apparel designers Nike have long agreed to dress Eagles distinctively different and maintained sustained fashion statements.

Nike rolled out the olive green colours first in 2002 at Korea/Japan World Cup as the Eagles appeared resplendently different from other teams.

The olive green colour was a statement as they continued the tradition they started at the US’94 World Cup.

However, the statements remained on the pitch as the podiums saw the trace of the statements.

Eagles came out worse they did eight years earlier in USA but their colours caught the eye.

Were Eagles at the FIFA fashion World Cup, they would have won without a contest.

If Russia 2018 World Cup outfits were smashing as another screaming fashion statement, the latest designs unveiled earlier this afternoon in Turkey were pleasant to feed the eyes.

The welcome back party tonight was worth it as Eagles launched the new designs turning back troubled Iran.

Sadly, Eagles will not be at the World Cup to sell another fashion fair but the lovely colours have come to stay.

While the World Cup qualified teams converge in the USA, Canada and Mexico to fight for honours, Eagles will continue to add fashionable honours to the beautiful game.

By the time the next Mundial in 2030 comes around, Eagles could be rebranding better blazing olive green colours to continue their fashion glory that has brought them more admirers.

IKENWA ASHIBUOGWU NNABUOGOR

Vice captain of the senior national team of Nigeria Moses Simon has explained why the team is yet to lose a game in open play under Eric Chelle since he took over as coach, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Yesterday the team maintained their unbeaten record in open play with a 2-1 win over Iran at the ongoing four team invitational tournament in Turkey, and will next face Jordan on Tuesday.

Moses Simon who scores the opening goal in the win, before Jerome Akor set up the second in an exclusive interview explained their unbeaten run under the French-Malian.

” I think it’s largely down to how we approach games under him. The system requires everyone to be involved defensively and when we go on the offensive it’s the same team. His philosophy is if we can’t win it then don’t lose. Almost impossible to play for his team if you are not aggressive and also lack intensity”, Simon explained.

He also attributed the run to the fact that the players are very at home with the demands of the coach and his diamond formation. ” Regardless of who we play we usually have four forwards on the pitch in his preferred diamond. It’s an exclusive edge to press high which he always demand from all of us”, he concluded.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria yesterday started their campaign on a sound footing in the ongoing Four team tournament in Turkey with a 2-1 win over Iran.

Moses Simon and Jerome Akor got the goals that secured the win for Nigeria, which puts them in good stead ahead of their game on Tuesday against Jordan.

OwnGoalNigeria.com rates the players on parade for Nigeria in the game.

Maduka Okoye – Really impressed with his ball distribution. Not at fault for the goal and showed good command of his area. A good return to the team….. 7/10

Bright Osayi Samuel – Held his own really well. Proving that his showing at the AFCON is not a fluke…..7/10

Bruno Onyemaechi – Another performance that cement his position as the first choice left back of the team….. 7/10

Semi Ajayi – Always reliable and didn’t do anything wrong all through the game….. 7/10

Igho Ogbu – Until he was subbed off with a knock. He did really well although they were really tested at the back ….. 6/10

Wilfred Ndidi – Showed up to his reputation as the captain with a very industrious display in the middle and appears to have formed a very formidable partnership with Alex Iwobi….. 7/10

Alex Iwobi – Almost impossible to imagine the team without him in the middle. Orchestrated everything with ease, dropped line breaking passes with ease and kept the team going all through the game….. 8/10

Samuel Chukwueze – Not at his splendid best. Poor decisions in decision-making and also unable to escape his markers like he is used to. Little wonder he was subbed off….. 5/10

Akor Adams – A willing runner upfront. Timed his run to perfection for his goal and was always looking to probe behind. A good showing….. 8/10

Moses Simon – Set the team on the front foot with a trademark goal. Tracked back a lot and dropped into the midfield when needed…..8.5/10

Ademola Lookman – Set up Akor with a well timed pass. Fully settled in the row behind the striker in the formation of Eric Chelle…… 8/10

Substitutes:

Emmanuel Fernandez – Showed nerves expected from a debutant. Lost his man for the goal but subsequently grew into the game….. 5/10

Chibuike Nwaiwu – Settled very quickly into the game. Good on the ball, loves a tackle and showed good dominance aerially…… 7/10

Paul Onuachu – Didn’t get involved enough to warrant a rating.

Chidera Ejuke – Very comfortable on the right unlike on the left and didn’t really get going….. 5/10

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – Always full of energy and running. Did both really well….. 6/10

Frank Onyeka – Introduced to help see the game out but didn’t have to do much as Iran barely threatened.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

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