Home Blog Page 491

You Might Regret Turning Down Nigeria U20 Call – Ex Nigeria International Tells Crystal Palace Goalkeeper

0

The decision by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Owen Goodman to turn down an invitation to be a part of the Nigeria U20 team for the Africa Cup of Nations was one of the issues that came to the fore at the start of preparation for the tournament.

As first reported by OGN, the goalkeeper who is in the frame for a first team debut at the English Premier League side was handed the chance to be a part of the team but he surprisingly turned it down. He is also eligible for two other countries in England and Canada.

We gathered he has already accepted an invitation to train with the English U19 with Canada also pushing to have him in their youth team set up. His decision appears to havs drawn the ire of former Nigeria international Efe Ambrose.

Speaking to OGN, Ambrose said his decision is one he might regret if he fails to make the grade at the other two countries he prefers ahead of Nigeria. He said going to the U20 AFCON would have put him in the best position to be Super Eagles number one this year.

” He could regret it because it’s the door to becoming the first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team. Presently there is no much competition in that department and a strong showing at the tournament would have opened the door for him to be a part of the set up almost immediately. He missed a trick that could backfire”, Ambrose rounded up saying.

Waziri Damian

Ex Chelsea Ace Tells Mourinho- Osimhen Should Be Dreaming Of Ballon d’Or Not Africa Footballer Of The Year

0

As Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen continues in his rich vein of form that has seen him score 17 goals in 18 Serie A games this season for table toppers Napoli, the talks have been about the forward winning the Africa player of the year.

That statement was made more popular by Roma coach Jose Mourinho, who said the forward has it in him to eclipse the performance of legendary Ivorian striker Didier Drogba. He even said he sees the Nigerian also winning the Africa player of the year award just like Drogba did in his playing days.

Ironically Osimhen idolizes the Ivorian and sees him as his role model. He made this known way back in 2015 when he emerged as the top scorer at the U17 World Cup where Nigeria emerged as champions.

Reacting, former Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro said it makes no sense for Osimhen to be in contention for just Africa player of the year as he has done enough to be mentioned in the category of Ballon d’or.

“If you ask the top three strikers in the world right now. Osimhen will definitely get a mention, so why is he not in the conversation for the best in the world? I don’t agree with Mourinho on that only. Osimhen should be in the conversation for the best player in the world”, Babayaro told OGN.

Buttressing his position, he said it’s clear to see that Osimhen is piloting Napoli to their first league title since the 80’s, an extraordinary achievement that should give him an edge in the debate at the end of the season if Napoli emerge as champions.

” Napoli for all they have achieved in recent times didn’t win the league title. It’s only normal for Osimhen to be given a shout if this extraordinary feat comes to pass. He is the modern day Maradona in the city of Naples”, he rounded up saying.

Waziri Damian.

The Top Five Performers In Nigeria U20 Team Friendly Win Over Congo – Super Sub Uchegbu Leads

0

The Nigeria U20 team secured a comeback 2-1 win over Congo in a pre U20 Africa Cup of Nations friendly game played at their training camp in Morocco.

Congo took the lead but Nigeria rallied back to win the game 2-1 with substitutes Emmanuel Uchegbu and Olamilekan Adams scoring both goals for the Ladan Bosso led team.

OGN has obtained exclusive details on the players who were on top of their game during the course of the game, which saw them extend their unbeaten run in friendly games to 18 without a loss.

1. Emmanuel Uchegbu – For the fourth game running, the GBS Academy of Jos graduate has scored coming from the bench effectively making him the super sub of the team. Yesterday he once again showed his usefulness to the depth of the team by drawing them level.

2. Adams Olamilekan – Came into the team as a winger but currently likely to be the team’s joker in a new role as striker. He followed up his goal and assist from the  bench against Zambia with another goal yesterday. Once again coming from the bench.

3. Nicholas Jonathan – Showed enough to earn the praise of even the president of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who watched the game live. Played for 82 minutes and can be said to be the man of the match. The Simoiben Academy prospect looks like a star to watch at the AFCON.

4. Haliru Sarki – Unplayable from the start and he could easily have scored a hattrick in the first half. Like he did against Zambia, he made it impossible for defenders to get close to him as he evaded them with ease. His finishing was the only drawback in his game yesterday.

5. Benjamin Fredrick – His quality was evidently clear that after his performance in the game against Zambia when he was introduced as a substitute for Sweden based Abel Ogwuche. Yesterday alongside captain of the team Daniel Bamaiyi they displayed an understanding that will make it almost impossible not to stick with them for the tournament. He is another from the stables of Simoiben Football Academy.

Mohammed Mowiz.

Should Punters Consider Online Casino Gaming?

0

Since the onset of online casino gaming, the industry has grown in popularity in recent years, and for a good reason. Gamblers can now access and unlock games of their liking with a click of a button. However, there are gamers who still enjoy their games from land-based casinos, wondering why they should join the online gaming world. There are several reasons why a gamer should consider giving it a try. Below are some reasons why a gamer should consider online casino gaming.

A wide variety of games

First and foremost, online casinos offer a wide variety of games. From classic slots and table games like blackjack and roulette to more modern options like video slots, slot gacor, and live dealer games, there is something for everyone. The variety ensures that players will always be energized and can always find a game that they enjoy. Casinos have invested in a wide of games to ensure they keep their clientele engaged at all times and keep increasing their customer base.

Convenience at its best

Another advantage of online casino gaming is the convenience it offers. Players can access their favorite games from the comfort of their own homes at any time of the day or night. This eliminates the need to travel to a physical casino and allows players to play whenever they want.

Promotions and bonuses

Online casinos also offer a wide range of bonuses and promotions. These can include welcome bonuses for new players, reload bonuses for regular players, and even free spins on popular slot games. These bonuses help players to increase their bankroll and play for longer.

Comprehensive options of payment options

In addition to bonuses, online casinos also offer a variety of payment options. This means that players can deposit and withdraw money using their preferred method, whether it be a credit card, e-wallet, or bank transfer. This makes it easy for players to manage their funds and avoid any issues.

The diverse range of stakes

Online casinos also offer a wide range of stakes, from penny slots to high-stakes table games. This means that players can choose to play for low stakes and have fun or play for high stakes and try to win big. This flexibility is an excellent option for both casual and serious gamers.

A safe and secure gaming environment

Finally, online casinos offer a safe and secure gaming environment. They use advanced encryption technology to protect player information and ensure that all transactions are secured. In addition, they are licensed and regulated by reputable gaming authorities, which means that players can trust that the games are fair and that their money is safe.

In conclusion, online casino gaming offers a wide variety of games like slot gacor, convenience, bonuses, payment options, stakes, and a safe and secure gaming environment. These are all great reasons why a gamer should consider giving it a try. It’s a great way to have fun, win big, and enjoy all the benefits of casino gaming without having to leave your home.

The Easiest Way to Double Your Money Fast While Playing Online Slots

0

Online gambling is an increasingly popular pastime, and many people are drawn to the thrill of playing http://iienetwork.org online slots in their spare time. However, if you’re looking to maximize your chances of making a huge return by playing online slots, you’ve come to the right place.

Know Your Game

Understanding your game is the first step to doubling your money quickly while playing online slots. You must become familiar with the different types of slot games available, from classic slots to progressive slots, and know your way around the in-game features and bonus rounds. Knowing which slots payout the most is just as important, so research your game and stay up-to-date with the latest slots’ releases. Read reviews and forums, play free slots to work on your skills, try out different bets, and use the free bonuses offered by online casinos to practice your strategy.

Manage Your Bankroll

Playing online slots is a lot of fun, but it’s also a serious business. You need to be disciplined and manage your bankroll carefully if you want to make money and avoid losses. Set yourself a budget, determine how much you’re willing to risk, and stick to it. Don’t chase losses, and avoid the temptation to borrow money to gamble.

Establish Your Maximum Bet

Slot games have different payouts depending on the size of your bet. So while it can be tempting to bet the maximum, it’s essential to consider the size of your bankroll and look at the volatility of a slot game. Some slots have higher volatility, and while they offer the potential to make bigger wins, they also have a higher risk of losing, so you don’t want to bet more than you can afford.

Choose the Right Slot

Picking the right slot is the key to making good returns on your bets. Look for progressive slots with high Return to Player (RTP) percentages, as these titles offer you the best chance of winning. Also, look for slots with low volatility and ensure the game has enough in-game features such as free spins and bonus rounds, to increase your chances of winning.

Claim Free Bonuses and Play Free Slots

One great way to double your money fast is by taking advantage of bonuses, free spins, and promotions offered by online casinos. Casinos typically give out bonuses and free spins when you make a deposit or when a new slot is released, so make sure you take advantage of these offers. In addition, keep your eyes open for loyalty programs and rewards, as they can go a long way in helping you double your money quickly.

Have a Strategy

And finally, it’s also essential to set up a winning strategy. You don’t have to aim to win on every spin because it’s impossible. But you can increase your chances of doubling your money by carefully calculating the risk and reward. The best way to do this is to divide your bankroll into smaller amounts and play it out over multiple rounds. This way, you’re less likely to make huge losses, and you may even build up a small win at the end of the day.

Simple Pickleball Tips and Tricks to Help You Improve Your Game Skills

0

When you are out to play pickleball, it is helpful to stop and check your body position. Check if you are flat-footed or not. It also helps to prevent if your paddle is at your side. Check if your feet are correctly positioned to move to the next shot swiftly.

It is easy to relax before the ball is served or between the shots and fall back into a non-focused position where you might be caught off guard. It is imperative always to be prepared for the subsequent trial. When it comes to professionals, they offer slightly different recommendations based on your position in the court. They may advise you on the best angle to hold the paddle leading edge to favor forehand or backhand return. Keep reading and learn tips and strategies to help you improve in a pickleball game.

Ensure you are in a Ready Position Always

Once you are on the court are ready to start playing, it helps to ask yourself what is pickleball, and follow the following steps:

Ensure your feet and shoulder are wide apart, and your knees bend slightly.
Ensure that you keep the weight on the ball of your feet, not your heels.

Our upper body and shoulder

Try to keep the pickleball paddle and arms away from your body and point slightly up.

At this point, it is essential to focus and work on training yourself to the extent that this turns out to be an automatic reflex.

Be Smart on Dink Shots

When it comes to pickleball, a soft shot drop shot originating from near the non-volley line might go over the net and the dropping over the opponent’s non-volley area. This is the same as a short drop shot at the net in tennis the dink is considered a significant aspect of the slow game when it comes to pickleball.

When new players begin to train in pickleball games, they primarily learn to hit longer shots. This allows them to get used to the paddle and master the basic strokes. However, many tend to stay back at the baseline and depend on the power game. They take a couple of weeks before they engage as an all-round player integrating power with a smooth strategic game. Some gamers are also ideally intimidated by getting into the non-volley area.

Perfection of the third Shot

Finally, What are pickleball and the third shot? Understanding that the third shot is also considered the serving team’s second shot of the point is vital. The third shot in every pickleball game can be tremendous and typically sets the pace for the entire points. It can also be a significant advantage for the serving players to transition to the net and take over the slow game. For the third shot to be set, it is helpful to get in the ready position using a neutral grip and prepare to either backhand or forehead return.

All the above tips and tricks are essential for starters to consider learning. Another significant thing they should know is that the receiver partner always stands at the kitchen line with their back turned to the partner. When playing pickleball, it is recommendable to shift slightly toward your partner for easy visibility and watch the lines.

Carlos Alcaraz: The Biggest NextGen Star of Tennis

0

Making a dynasty in a sport is a thing only a few can boast of, and passing on this supremacy to another is one thing many top athletes have failed to achieve. Cash out Big when you bet on NextGen star Carlos Alcaraz on iLOT Bet.

Roger Federer made a home for himself on the grass court but was unsuccessful at passing his artistry to any Swiss youngster; however, the story may just appear a little different for Rafael Nadal and Spanish tennis. When Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam in 2003, an abundance of celebrations and optimistic predictions followed his win at Wimbledon, but only a few had the idea that a future tennis star had been born two months earlier. A young Carlos Alcaraz was born in El Palmar near Murcia in Spain to the family of former tennis star Carlos Alcaraz González.Alcaraz was so good that he quickly racked up three ATP Challenger titles, joining an elite company of players, such as Novak Djokovic, Richard Gasquet, and Felix Auger Aliassime, who had done it before him. It was at this point the media hype for the youngster began. He was second to none – best proven by the fact that the next tennis player at his age is ranked only No. 550 in the world!

In February 2020, upon receiving a wildcard from the singles main draw, 16-year-old Alcaraz made his ATP main-draw debut at the Rio Open, after winning two ITF tournaments. There in Brazil, he defeated Albert Ramos Viñolas, earning his first victory on the main circuit. The Spaniard became the youngest player to win an ATP title on tour since Kei Nishikori won the title at Delray Beach in 2008. He also became the youngest title winner in Umag history and the third-youngest ATP title winner since 2000.

Alcaraz’s prodigious talent on the court finally became undeniable when he outclassed both Nadal and Djokovic at the Madrid Open in May of 2022; so it came as a surprise to only a few when the 19-year-old won this year’s US Open, becoming the youngest US Open champion since Pete Sampras’ triumph in 1990. A stand-out match for the Spaniard was his US Open men’s singles final against Casper Ruud. Displaying his unimpeachable quality, in this game, Alcaraz scored his 51st tour-level win of the season – the most by any player this year.

For a player who has fared better in his first 100 games compared to the legendary trio of Roger Federer, Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, it is hard to look past the youngster as the next era-defining talent in the tennis world. For the Best Odds on all Tennis games, iLOT Bet is the best sport betting platform in Nigeria to pick your games and win big!

Bayern Munich Star Reveals How Close He Was To Playing For Super Eagles Ahead Of Germany

0

Nigeria have been very active in the area of luring players who were born abroad to commit their international future to the senior national team.

The move was very much in full flight during the tenure of former coach Gernot Rohr. The German succeeded with as many as seven players born abroad making their debut for Nigeria during his time as coach.

However he failed with some like Bayern Munich and Germany national team star Jamal Musiala, who as first reported by OGN had talks with the then coach senior national team of Nigeria but opted against commiting his future to Nigeria.

“Musiala is coming from here. Musiala I have the regret, he could also play for Nigeria but he decided to play for Germany. Wonderful player. I met him when he was 17 and spoke with his agent and his parents. Around that time he couldn’t make a decision then a year later, he became what he is now and that’s all”, Rohr explained to OGN early this year.

That report has now been confirmed by the player himself in an interview with TeamNigeriaUK3. He said he gave the option a hard thought before deciding on sticking with Germany, where he is now an established member of their first team.

“I could have played for Nigeria because it crossed my mind, and I thought about it well. I had good talks with Nigeria and Germany,” Musiala told TeamNigeriaUK3.

“So it really just came down to me and where I’d feel the most comfortable. So I decided to go with Germany.”

Revealed – The Official Final 21-man Nigeria U20 Squad to U20 AFCON, Turkey Based Defender Ologo Dropped

0

The coach of the Nigeria U20 team Ladan Bosso has submitted his final list of players for the U21 Africa Cup of Nations to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), OGN can exclusively reveal.

A mail from Ademola Olajire, the director of communication of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) revealed the 21 players who made the cut with four of them placed on standby. The four players were part of the trip to Morocco for their final training camp.

Per his mail, there was no space for Istanbulspor defender Michael Ologo, who has been battling illness for a while and missed the friendly game against Zambia as a result of it.

He joins three others in Musa Usman, Shatima Umar and Kingsley James. The team is presently in Morocco and a test game against Benin Republic has been agreed for next week. Talks are also underway for a final warm up game against Gabon.

Below is the list.

Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu, Chijioke Anigboso, Saheed Akanbi

Defenders: Daniel Bamaiyi,Abel Ogwuche, Solomon Agbalaka, Augustine Njoku, Benjamin Frederick.

Midfielders: Daniel Daga, Onuche Ogbelu, Mohammed Aminu, Jonathan Nicholas, Caleb Ochedikwu, Samson Lawal.

Forwards: Jude Sunday, Ahmed Abdullahi, Adams Olamilekan, Haliru Sarki, Emmanuel Uchegbu, Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Ibeji’, Ayuba Francis.

Standby: Musa Usman, Shatima Umar, Kingsley James, Michael Ologo.

Napoli Coach Spalletti Confirms Taking Penalties Duties From Osimhen – He Isn’t The Designated Taker

0

The head coach of runaway leaders in the Italian Serie A Napoli Luciano Spalletti has revealed that Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen isn’t the teams designated penalty taker despite the player chasing the top scorer award with 15 goals so far.

Luciano Spalletti has been pressed to address the issue of who is the designated penalty taker of the team and ahead of the game against Cremonense he decided to end the debate on who has the role of taking spot kicks for the team.

Osimhen is well on course to finish as top scorer in the league, which will be the first time an African player will be winning the gong, and many believe taking penalties will no doubt increase his chances of making history with Napoli favorite to win the title.

Spalletti said Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the designated penalty taker ahead of other players but he didn’t sound like Osimhen is among. This is a departure from his statement in August last year when he handed penalty duties to the 23 year old.

Is Kvaratskhelia the penalty taker? “Yes, but there are others. I saw that they were talking today too, but since he’s an available boy today I didn’t want him to be available as usual”.

Just before the start of the season, the official Twitter handle of the team confirmed Osimhen as the designated penalty taker with a post on social media shortly after his penalty goal in their final pre season game against Mallorca which ended 1-1.

” Osimhen!!! 1-0. But the most important thing: He’s gonna be out penalty kicker this season”. An announcement heralding him as the successor to Lorenzo Insigne who left the club last summer for Major League Soccer side Toronto FC.

This hasn’t been the case so far with Napoli crushing as league leader with a healthy 13 points gap between them and second placed Inter Milan. There lead hasn’t been helped by the fact that they have won their last five games in a row.

Mohammed Mowiz