Austrian side SV Ried have announced the departure of one cap Nigeria international Kingsley Michael from the club bringing a premature end to his season long loan at the club, OGN can exclusively reveal.

Kingsley was originally supposed to spend the entire season at the Austrian side on loan from Italian Serie A side Bologna as he bids his way to full fitness after missing eight months due to injury. The idea is for him to get match fitness ahead of a return to the Serie A side.

It started really well with the Nigerian getting games but with two months to the end of his loan and the decision of the club to bring in a new coach, the 23 year old found it hard to work his way into the plans of the new coach as his game time became limited.

He left the club on the 30th of April to his parent owners with 13 games under his belt. No reason has been given for why the loan deal was terminated early but his focus will be on pushing for a spot in the first team of Bologna, when the team resumes for pre season, possibly add to his one cap for Nigeria which came on the 7th of September 2021 in the World Cup qualifiers.

That game was away at Cape Verde and he lasted the entire duration of the 2-1 win. A fine run of form will no doubt see him return back to the team particularly with the dearth of options available to Jose Peseiro.

Daniel Martins

The U17 Africa Cup of Nations is usually a hunting ground for top teams in Europe and this year’s edition is no different from others with scouts from top teams already in Algeria.

Nigeria is among the eight teams that have qualified for the quarter final and will take on Burkina Faso tomorrow for not just a semi final berth but a spot in the U17 World Cup, which will take place in India. The last four teams in the tournament will represent Africa at the global stage.

Scouts are sometimes wary of allowing the players go to the world cup before signalling their intent as it could lead to a bidding war. So right from the AFCON they have started keeping tabs and establishing contacts with representatives and clubs of players.

OGN gathered from sources in Algeria that so far scouts from Barcelona, Villarreal and Real Sociedad have been following the games and taking notes of players of interest for immediate contacts or further scouting.

The above mentioned are not the only ones in Algeria per what we heard with sources compiling a list of clubs at the tournament.

Clubs that have sent scouts to attend the AFCON U-17 currently in Algeria.

▪️Teams attending

🇳🇴 Nordsjælland
🇿🇦 Mamelodi Sundowns
🇵🇹 Porto
🇲🇫 Nice
🇲🇫 Marseille
🇪🇸 Real Sociedad
🇪🇸 Barcelona
Villarreal
🇵🇹 SC Braga

Daniel Martins

President of Liberia George Weah has sent his message of congratulations to Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen for surpassing his goal record in the Italian Serie, OGN reports.

Osimhen overtook the legendary forward with his goal for Napoli against Udinese, the goal which sealed their first league title in 33 years. For Osimhen it was his 47th league goal in Italy taking him one ahead of Weah, who hold the record for the highest scoring African in the history of the league.

He reacted to the feat with a post on his verified handle on Twitter, praising Weah who also holds the record as the African to win the prestigious Balloon d’Or award. He mentioned him as one who inspired him while growing up.

‘While growing up, I have always admired the great achievements of so many African legends and his excellency Mr George Weah is one of them,” he wrote.

“An icon in the world of football and also a leader to his people. Someone who has motivated and inspired millions of young talents alike.

“Yesterday, it was a great honour breaking his record as the top-scoring African player in Serie A history. An achievement I will forever cherish. Mr George Weah has set a foundation of excellence for individuals like me to emulate and his legacy will forever be remembered.”

Touched by the word of Osimhen, Weah has now replied him with a post on his verified handle on Facebook, urging him not to relent in his quest to win more Serie A titles, win the UEFA Champions League and score more goals. He even encouraged him to have his eyes on winning the Balloon d’Or.

Below is the post.

Congratulatory Message To Victor Osimhen:

My heartfelt congratulations to you, Victor Osimhen! I am very glad that you have accomplished a major milestone in your football career, after scoring your 47th goal in the Italian Serie A league.

The records show that with this goal, which you netted on Sunday, May 7, 2023 when your team Napoli went against Fiorentina, effectively makes you the African with the highest scoring record in the Italian Serie A league – surpassing my own account of 46 goals.

I am so proud of your exploits and congratulate you on this remarkable achievement which is a result of your hard work, dedication and tenacity. I am also pleased with your kind words of honor in tribute to me upon reaching such a giant milestone.

However, I want to admonish you not be contented. There are many more of my records for you to break. I wish you go on to achieve greater success.
I watched your goal against Udinese when your 52nd -minute header won the Scudetto for Napoli. Your movement, your passion, your determination and hunger brought back many memories to me. I wait for your 100th Goal in all competitions in Italy so that you can celebrate (but don’t remove your shirt like I did or you will get a Yellow Card) 😀

You have won one Scudetto. Great! When I won my first Scudetto with Milan, I said to myself, why one, why not two? I went on to win another Scudetto with Milan. I went on to win the Ballon D’or. So why not two or more for you Victor? The sky is your limit. With your dedication, commitment, humility, hard work, you can conquer the World. Africa needs another World Best. Africa needs another European Best. You Victor, can deliver that for us.

The records that I set were meant not as a challenge, but as a motivation to you and other African Players. We have the best of talents. You have to remain humble, tenacious and focused. Don’t be distracted.

There are many great African players in European leagues. They are already up against the hurdles of playing against many odds in leagues and stadiums so far away from home which present challenges for them; so to beat the odds and climb to the top is worth our commendation.

May you continue to surge forward. My prayers are with you. My blessings are also with you. I am rooting for you Victor!

H.E. George Manneh Weah
LEGEND
President of the Republic of Liberia

Mohammed Mowiz

The Nigeria U17 team secured their spot in the quarter final of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations after a 3-2 win over South Africa in their final group game yesterday, OGN reports.

OGN editor in chief Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman rates the players who have represented Nigeria at the tournament so far in the the three games, where they picked up a 1-0 win over Zambia, loss 0-1 to Morocco before yesterday’s second group stage win.

Richard Odoh – None of the goals conceded can be said to be his fault. Commanded his area really well. Distributes play with ease and his reflex in all three games is top notch. He look very comfortable with the ball at his feet as well….. 8/10

Yahaya Lawali- Back to man of the match awards in the first two games showed his usefulness to the team. How he is yet to score or grab an assist will no doubt come as a surprise to many considering how he has combined defending with the act of roaming forward. His decision making in the final third need work but showing his versatility when he went to the middle in the second half shows how talented he is….. 8.5/10

Adewale Quadri- Hard to tell the difference in his game and that of Lawali. So far he has made just one substitute appearance but the way he took the game to the opponents shows how much of a weapon the team have in him when needed….. 6/10

Emmanuel Michael – The free scoring left back has been doing more job defensively as opposed to WAFU, where he was the first line of creativity for the team. One shocking fact from the tournament’s stat is one that says he has only been dribbled past once in three matches. Yet to score his trademark free kick, he scored three at WAFU. His first goal contribution came yesterday when he laid the assist for Abubakar Abdullahi to score what ended as the winner….. 8.5/10

Tochukwu Ogboji – One aspect of his game that has gone unnoticed is his ability to pick a pass from even 40 yards. That’s his strength plus the way he uses his body. Still raw in his application of some basic skills in defending, which is expected at this stage. Solid in all three games….. 7.5/10

Jeremiah Olaleke – Might be a bit harsh to say he isn’t playing at his level as seen at the WAFU tournament but all he has shown so far isn’t anything close to what we saw at the WAFU tournament. An improvement will do the team a whole lot of good although it’s not like he is playing badly, he can however do better….. 7/10

Hope Linus – A mix bag of pleasure and pain so far. He has impressed with his ability to receive the ball under pressure before dictating the pace for the team. That said he is guilty of over playing most times, trying fanciful passes and hitting wayward shots particularly yesterday. Still remains the engine room of the team….. 6.5/10

Usman Owoyemi – Fair to say he has put in more work than any other offensive player in the team. Works really hard to give the team balance in attack and defence. He doesn’t seem to be the flashy type of player rather he can be said to be one who makes the entire team play better when on the pitch. He has shown he can also play in several positions….. 8/10

Tochukwu Ogbabido – Very much in the same league like Owoyemi. Can do all the stuff others will shy away from. He didn’t play badly yesterday which was his first start. Obviously showed he can be a force if the team progress further….. 6/10

Abubakar Abdullahi – Full of energy and hard to shake off the ball. Wants the ball at all time and can get past his markers with his combination of skills and strength. His poor conversation rate is why he scored just one goal in the group stages. Looks quite a player but has to be more clinical and decisive in the box….. 7/10

Precious Williams – One can’t really tell why the captain whom much is expected from hasn’t lived up to the high standards required of him. Guilty of indecision, lack of effort in recovering possession and wasteful. Dropped to the bench yesterday and will need to do much more than he did when he was introduced yesterday if he wants to reclaim his spot back….. 5/10

Divine Favour – Scored Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament, a feat he couldn’t repeat in the next game which cost him a starting spot in the third game. He has a fight on his hands to displace the duo of Light Eke and Charles Agada judging by how well they played yesterday….. 6/10

Light Eke – Loves to score goals and he can actually score goals. His composure around the box of the opponents is unexpected for a player of his age. Bounced back from missing a penalty in the first game with a goal yesterday. He was very lively in what was his first start….. 7/10

Charles Agada – I didn’t know when I refered to him as Mbappe lite. Blessed with speed, control and dribbling abilities. A goal and an assist yesterday showed how roundly gifted he is. Has to be the man if the team want to achieve their aim of picking a world cup ticket….. 8.5/10

Anougu Aondoaka – The coaches seems to have an unwavering faith in him. He hasn’t repaid that trust yet and will be hoping to in the crucial stages of the tournament. Three substitute appearances tells of how the coaches see him as a player to see out games be it from a winning position or when they are losing….. 5.5/10

The rest players who have tasted action haven’t done enough to warrant a rating.

Mohammed Mowiz

Head coach of the U20 team of Nigeria Ladan Bosso picked 21 players who will represent Nigeria at the U20 World Cup in Argentina, the team and the technical crew left Nigeria yesterday for the final leg of preparation before the start of the tournament on the 20th of May.

OGN editor in chief, Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman takes a look at the players picked in goal, defence, midfield and attack.

Goalkeepers: Chijioke Aniagboso, Nathaniel Nwosu, Saheed Jimoh

Mowiz – The battle for who will be first choice is down to the duo of Nwosu and Anigboso. The former was the best goalkeeper when the WAFU tournament but lost his spot after the first game at the AFCON to the latter.

Anigboso can’t afford to rest on his oars as the same way he was handed the number one spot might work against him.

Likely To Start – Chijioke Anigboso.

Defenders: Daniel Bemeyi, Benjamin Fredrick, Solomon Agbalaka, Augustine Njoku, Abel Ogwuche, Israel Domingo.

Mowiz- This was one of the strength at the U20 AFCON. Only Domingo who is a left back is new in the set up. From all indications, the back four of Bameyi, Agbalaka, Frederick and Ogwuche that will still remain the same. However Njoku who was voted as the best right back at the AFCON will fancy his chances of reclaiming his spot from his captain Bameyi.

Likely To Start – Bameyi, Agbalaka, Frederick, Ogwuche.

Midfielders: Samson Lawal, Daniel Daga, Tochukwu Nadi, Victor Eletu, Joshua John, Ibrahim Abdullahi.

Mowiz – Much changed in terms of personnels from the AFCON. The team’s star man in the middle Daga who got injured very early into the first game at the tournament and missed the rest of it returns but without his trusted partner Onuche Ogbelu, a shock omission.

Aminu Mohammed also missed out on the cut and Bosso explained that it’s because he badly wanted to improve that department and saw players he feels will give the team more in that department. For instance Botev Plodiv enforcer Nnadi have been a revelation in the middle so far, while John is seen as the joker in the team.

Aside the duo, Bosso has high hopes on AC Milan Victor Eletu to the extent that he reserved a spot for him in the team. Abdullahi comes highly recommended but side by side with the other names. He looks the odd choice in the mix.

Likely To Start – Nnadi, Daga, Lawal

Forwards: Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Beji’, Jude Sunday, Lawal Salem Fago, Emmanuel Umeh, Haliru Sarki, Kehinde Ibrahim.

Mowiz – Only the trio of Beji, Sunday and Sarki survived from the squad that was at the U20 AFCON. Among the new boys Bulgaria based Umeh is the one certain to get into the starting lineup with Ibrahim and Fago rated below him. Sunday and Beji will no doubt keep their spot on the right and left side of attack respectively.

Likely To Start- Beji , Jude, Umeh.

Head coach of the U20 team of Nigeria Ladan Bosso has submitted his final 21 man list for the World Cup to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of the start of the tournament, OGN can exclusively reveal.

Later today, 20 of the 21 players will depart Nigeria for Argentina with AC Milan midfielder Victor Eletu now granted permission to join the team in Argentina after experiencing a flight hitch to the camp in Abuja.

Below is the list of the 20 players who will be on the plane to Argentina for the U20 World Cup, where Nigeria will be facing Dominican Republic, Italy and Brazil in their group games.

Goalkeepers: Chijioke Aniagboso, Nathaniel Nwosu, Saheed Jimoh

Defenders: Daniel Bemeyi, Benjamin Fredrick, Solomon Agbalaka, Augustine Njoku, Abel Ogwuche, Israel Domingo

Midfielders: Samson Lawal, Daniel Daga, Tochukwu Nadi, Victor Eletu, Joshua John, Ibrahim Abdullahi

Forwards: Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Beji’, Jude Sunday, Lawal Salem Fago, Emmanuel Umeh, Haliru Sarki, Kehinde Ibrahim

Head coach of the U20 team of Nigeria Ladan Bosso has submitted his final 23 man list for the World Cup to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of the start of the tournament, OGN can exclusively reveal.

The team will leave Nigeria on Saturday for Argentina with a squad of 25 players which includes four goalkeepers, from which one will be dropped alongside another player to bring the list to 23 players.

Per our search, the coach listed three goalkeepers, seven defenders but we have names of just six of them and in the midfield he picked six players, in attack six players were picked to lead the charge for their goals at the tournament.

Below is the list of players, we were able to confirm.

Goalkeepers:

Chijioke Anigboso
Nathaniel Nwosu
Saheed Akanbi

Defenders:

Benjamin Fredrick
Daniel Bameyi
Solomon Agbalaka
Augustine Njoku
Abel Ogwuche
Israel Domingo

Midfielders:

Daniel Daga
Victor Eletu
Tochukwu Nnadi
John Joshua
Ibrahim Abdullahi
Samson Lawal

Attackers:

Ba’akaka Aji
Vincent Augustine
Emmanuel Umeh
Mohammed Beji
Haliru Sarki
Jude Sunda

Head coach of the Nigeria U20 team Ladan Bosso has picked the 23 players who will represent Nigeria at the U20 World Cup in Argentina when it begins in two weeks time, OGN can exclusively reveal.

Bosso has been in camp with the team for three weeks largely with players from the local scene before the foreign based players arrived last week to join the preparation for the tournament. Nigeria is in the same group with Italy, Dominican Republic and Brazil.

OGN exclusively gathered that Bosso refused the decision of Inter Milan to allow Ebenezer Akinsanmiro join the team a week to the tournament by omitting him from the squad for the tournament.

There was also no spot in the team for Arsenal teen star Joel Ideho who missed out once again due to administrative issues. We gathered Arsenal didn’t reply to any of the three mails sent to them on his availability for the tournament.

He came to the camp after the club said a mutual agreement has been reached with his family. Their agreement came late as the preliminary list has already been submitted without his name and per FIFA rules, unless in the case of injury, no player outside the preliminary list should be included in the final list.

Yesterday as well, the camp was left in state of shock when the coach announced the decision to drop the duo of Aminu Mohammed and Onuche Ogbelu. They were ever present for the team at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sources however said the decision was taken in good faith as they found two players in Tochukwu Nnadi and John Joshua who are in their eyes better options than the aforementioned duo.

The list will be made public on the 10th of May.

Mohammed Mowiz

The coach of the U17 team of Nigeria Nduka Ugabde has explained the reason behind his team 0-1 defeat at the hand of Morocco at the ongoing U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.

An own goal in the 2nd minute of play handed Morocco all three points in a game largely dominated by the Nigerian side. Who were also made to pay for their wastefulness with Morocco picking all three points with a disciplined performance at the back.

Explaining the defeat,  Ugbade blamed it on their wayward finish saying his boys did everything expected of them bar the finishing that cost them all three points and handed Morocco a spot in the next round of the tournament.

“Everything worked absolutely well. We controlled the game but tactically Morocco controlled the outcome. We had some few mistakes as well but we created so many chances, and the only problem is that we couldn’t score,” the former World Cup winner with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets said.

He added; “it does happen in football. It is not a strange thing, but it is important to correct and ensure we are more efficient infront of goal.”

Despite the defeat, he said he is optimistic that Nigeria will still make it to the next round of the tournament with their final group game against South Africa now a make or mar encounter.

“We must be more efficient with the chances we have. We will try to look for some different ways tactically to impact the outcome of the game. We have a chance, but also, that chance can fade away. We have to work hard,” the coach noted.

Mohammed Mowiz