The match winner for Leicester City in the 1-0 FA Cup win over Gillingham Kelechi Iheanacho isn’t  a name that requires introduction when it comes to the English Premier League.

Iheanacho was a part of the success Leicester City enjoyed in the FA Cup two years ago but despite the team struggling for goals which is something he can give the team, he still hasn’t been considered to be a starter.

The Nigerian has started just two matches this term. In the only Premier League game in which he has been in the 11, he scored inside 60 seconds.

His lack of game-time is in spite of the fact Patson Daka and Jamie Vardy are failing to hit the net as often as City would hope. Daka has not scored in his last nine outings, while three of Vardy’s four goals have come against lower-league opposition in the Carabao Cup.

Asked what is the reason behind it, Rodgers explained that it’s because of the way he sets up his team and how the other players respond to the demands of playing with a high press. The coach also hinted at the inconsistency of the forward as another reason.

“I think it’s because of Patson and his pressing and how he has done when he’s played,” the City boss said this week. “Obviously none of our strikers have scored a great amount of goals. I put that down to other aspects of their game, rather than them not finishing.

“He (Iheanacho) has played better in a two, rather than up there on his own. Kel’s a specific type of striker. When I have gone for pace, which I normally have through the central area, it’s been Patson or Vards who I’ve played.

“Obviously if ever I’ve needed to swivel it to two up front, then he’s been a part of that. But he’s a really good option for us, whether he begins on the bench or he starts. Sometimes Kel comes into the game and is amazing and then he’ll do something in the same game which is not so good.

“But what I always get from him is 100 per cent commitment. I’m always pretty sure, whether he starts or comes off the bench, he always gives his very best”, he stated.

The head coach of the Nigeria U20 team Ladan Bosso released a list of 35 players who will be in the camp of the team for the final phase of camping ahead of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

OwnGoalNigeria.com picks senior editor, Mohammed Yusuf Suleiman picks out five players who distinguished themselves during the first phase of camping and will most likely be at the tournament.

Benjamin Fredrick – The Simoiben Football Academy graduate was a part of the team to the WAFU B championship but didn’t get to play due to late registration. Ahead of the AFCON he has emerged as one of the mainstay of the defence. He has so far made it easy for Bosso not to be worried over the absence of Razak Adegbite and his partner Bolu Sholumade.

Abdulrahman Adam- The midfield is seen as one of the strengths of the Nigeria U20 team that won the WAFU tournament but Adam has forced his way into reckoning. Already he has displaced Mohammed Aminu, who was a regular in the WAFU win. Plugged from Abuja Academy Mahanaim FC, he is one to put an eye on.

Jude Sunday – He operates in a way not too different from Bayern Munich left back Alphonso Davies but he operates mainly as a winger. Goes past his opponents with ease and also delivers crosses with pinpoint accuracy. Jude might be one of the stars of the AFCON if he brings his A game to the party.

Nicholas Jonathan – Another one from Simoiben Football Academy just like Frederick mentioned above. Full of tricks, swerves and turns out of tight corners with ease. A late addition to the training party but seems like he is there to stay as he showed his abilities in the three top friendly games they played against teams from the Nigeria Professional Football League. He was involved in two games and was practically unplayable against Lobi Stars.

Adams Olamilekan –  To say he has warmed his way into the heart of coach Bosso is an understatement as he has indeed cemented his spot there. Deadly from set pieces and comfortable from any role in midfield, he has slotted in with goals and assists in the test games they played during the first stage of camping.

An idea of what to expect from new Super Eagles defender Tosin Adarabiyio has been provided by Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola who was key to the player’s growth, while he was with the youth team of Manchester City.

Tosin is now at Fulham and has been ever present in what is their best campaign in a long while. He used the opportunity to sort out his international future by inviting the technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Austine Eguavoen to watch his team against Crystal Palace.

Expected to be in the list of players called up for the next international engagement of Nigeria with coach Jose Peseiro keen on more young players in defence, what Tosin will add to the team was revealed by Guardiola years ago.

He was an academy hopeful tipped for big things by Guardiola upon the former Barcelona coach’s grand arrival.

Shortly after touching down in the Premier League, the Spaniard issued a glowing assessment of Adarabioyo, then aged 18.

Guardiola said: “He has all the quality. He is fast. He is faster than the people can believe it and he’s strong in the air. He has the quality to look behind the line for the next step, the next pass. He has a lot of things to improve on and I hope I can help him to develop his skills”, he said back then.

Now aged 25 and with a lot of senior games under his belt, he will be expected to bring all of that to the Super Eagles if his international clearance from FIFA goes through before the next break for international games. He will be needing a switch of allegiance process as he has represented England at various youth levels.

Former Nigeria international forward Odion Ighalo didn’t have the best of moment following his goal for Al Hilal whick helped them to a 1-0 win away to Al Ittihad in the Saudi Arabia top division.

Ighalo struck in the 12th minute to register his 8th goal in 12 games this season for his team, who are two points behind league leaders Al Hilal, the team that recently signed word football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite the fact that Ronaldo wasn’t on parade as he doesn’t play for any of the team, curious fans who invaded the pitch after the goal by Ighalo performed the Siuuuu celebration made popular by Ronaldo. The game was held up due to the encroachment.

Watch video below.

https://twitter.com/timelinecr7/status/1611093831180771328?s=21

https://twitter.com/TimelineCR7/status/1611093831180771328?t=4bU-ucZlXpGMhsZvuo-ikQ&s=19

Ronaldo was largely expected to make his debut today against Al-Ta’ee but as at the time of this report he wasn’t listed in the match day squad further postponing his debut, which is seen by many as the start of a new era for football in Saudi Arabia.

The woes of English Premier League side Chelsea extended yesterday when they were beaten 0-1 by Manchester City in an English Premier League game played in front of their home fans at Stamford Bridge.

Riyah Mahrez lone goal proved to be the difference between both teams but Chelsea had some moments to savour before the goal, particularly when Carney Chukwuemeka who was subbed on saw his effort come off the woodwork.

Signed from Aston Villa in the summer, the 19 year old played his way into the lips of several Nigerians who are keen on knowing his nationality, especially with the focus now mostly on luring players born abroad to switch allegiance to Nigeria.

The issue has been laid to rest by the player himself, who is a full fleged English international at youth level, he admitted that he is familiar with the players of the senior national team of Nigeria and he also follows them when he has the chance.

“Of course I’m Nigerian. My name says it all and I have strong ties with the country due to my parents. I watched their teams play when I am opportuned. I am familiar with most of the players in the team as well”, he said while speaking on his heritage.

The head coach of the Nigeria U20 team Ladan Bosso has wasted no time in replacing Sao Paulo of Brazil striker Balogun Azeez who won’t honour the invitation to be a part of the squad for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Balogun was tipped to make the final list of players for the tournament as Bosso seeks more reinforcement in attack, but he has now been forced to do drop the idea as Sao Paulo confirmed he won’t be released due to club commitments.

Bosso has now extended a call to ex Nigeria U17 striker Wisdom Ubani who was also a part of his squad to the last U20 tournament, where the team failed to make it to the U20 World Cup via the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ubani is currently on the books of Lokomotiva in the Croatian first division but was sent on loan to Jarun in the second division for the first half of the season, he scored two goals in 11 matches before his return to Lokomotiva upon the opening of the January transfer window.

He is expected to be in the camp of the team from the 15th of January ahead of their departure to Egypt for the U20 AFCON which will run from 19th February to the 11th of March in Egypt.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group A along with host country Egypt, Mozambique and Senegal. The semi finalist of the tournament will represent Africa at the U20 World Cup.

Former coach of the Nigeria U17 team Manu Garba says Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi is the most improved player from his 2013 all conquering U17 team.

Awoniyi scored his 4th goal of the season to help Nottingham Forest to a 1-0 win over Southampton, their first away win and which also lift them away from the relegation zone. The winning goal came four days after he was voted the man of the match in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

A member of the Nigeria U17 team of 2013, it has taken him a while to stamp his feet in Europe with ex teammates like Kelechi Iheanacho, Francis Uzoho and Isaac Success taking the shine in the early days of their career progress.

However, a loan move to Union Berlin steadied his growth and a permanent move was next ending his stay at Liverpool. He moved to Nottingham Forest in the summer and according to Manu he has improved tremendously in the last few years.

” Awoniyi has always been someone who thrives on hardwork and discipline. Level headed, cool and also very dedicated to his game. I see him as the most improved player from my U-17 team of 2013. That’s enough joy for me to see him progress this far. He was unplayable against Chelsea and decisive against Southampton. I am proud of him”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

The January transfer window will no doubt see some Nigerian players switch teams before it slams shut by the end of the month, OwngoalNigeria.com understands.

Following the official opening of the window, business is expected to pick up by next week as teams are presenting mulling over offers and bids for their players who have an undecided future.

One of such players who is not sure about his future is Nigeria international defender Ola Aina, who has six months time run on his deal at Italian Serie A side Torino. He has so far rejected the option of extending his deal which has made moving him on in this window a top priority for Torino.

According to popular agent Andrea Di Lella, the defender who is currently recuperating from an injury and missed yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Verona has three English Premier League teams interested in signing him from Torino in this January transfer window.

In a post on Twitter, he went as far as listing the teams as West Ham, Leeds United and Crystal Palace. The aforementioned trio are all interested in luring him back to England where he had his breakthrough at Chelsea and also a loan spell with Fulham.

Here is his tweet: ” #WestHam, #CrystalPalace and #Leeds are interested in Ola #Aina ​​(1996 || FB/WB). The player’s contract with #Torino expires in June 2023 #ilmercatodilella #transfers #WHU #CPFC #LUFC # PremierLeague #mercato #calciomercato #transferwindow #transfernews #Toro

The transfer window has started in earnest for several players from different countries across Europe and players of the senior national team of Nigeria are not left out of the business of trying to switch clubs before the end of the window.

One of the highly sought after player is Savior Godwin of Portuguese side Casa Pia. He has caught the attention of top teams around the world with a strong showing so far in the Portuguese top division, a follow up to the form that earned him the most valuable player of the second division last season.

Casa Pia are open to letting the winger leave but are holding out for a fee that will meet the valuation of Godwin, who is one of their key players as they bid to remain in the top division following promotion last season.

Already their resolve has been tested with a bid from Hoffenheim but the move broke down as both teams failed to agree on a transfer fee even though the player already agreed personal terms. Now Brazilian side Corinthians have also failed with a bid.

Corinthians made a bid of €1.5m but the offer was flatly rejected as Casa Pia are holding out for a fee in the region of €4m and possibly rising to €5m with several add ons. Talks have broken down between the parties involved and a new bid isn’t expected.