Valentine Ozornwafor is closing in on a move to Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse from Belgium top division side Charleroi, OwnGoalNigeria.com understands.

The 23 year old spent last season on loan to the Belgium side from Turkish giants Galatasaray and at the end of the loan deal he was signed permanently with the idea that he will be sold almost immediately.

Vitesse for now wants the left footed central defender on loan while Charleroi are pushing for an outright sale. Sources reveal that it’s a matter of time before an agreement will be reached as the player has already agreed personal terms.

The Dutch side lost Danilho Doekhi to Union Berlin, Riechedly Bazoer and Jacob Rasmussen were both on loan from Fiorentina. Leaving Vitesse are eagerly looking for central defenders. Made worst as well with Dominik Oroz still missing from the long term injury he picked up in Austria. Hence the push to sign the fringe Nigeria international.

He has three senior international caps for Nigeria to his name and he was recently called up in the expanded squad for the 2O23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers but later dropped from the final list of players.

Nigeria international forward Taiwo Awoniyi has all but completed his move to newly promoted English Premier League side Nottingham Forest, OwnGoalNigeria.com understands.

We first broke the news that he has agreed terms on a move to the club from German side Union Berlin but Forest as at when we reported were yet to agree terms on his transfer fee with Union Berlin.

That isn’t the case anymore as both teams have signed the required documents for the move to be made official and an announcement is expected by Thursday or Friday.

Awoniyi per what we gathered has already told his teammates at the club that he will be leaving and already has a shirt number in mind at his new club. We exclusively gathered that he wants the jersey number 14.

If the number isn’t available he will settle for number 9. He is expected in England for a routine medical check by tomorrow. The deal is worth a little over €20 million.

The Nigeria U17 team secured a spot at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Cote d’Ivoire 3-1 to progress to the final of the WAFU B Championship which serves as qualifiers.

Yet to be defeated in three games, the Nduka Ugbade led team have been very impressive as a team however OwnGoalNigeria.com picks five players who have stood out for the team and are currently courting interest from top teams.

1. Emmanuel Michael – It goes without saying. The Simoiben Academy prospect has stolen the headline at the tournament with three consecutive man of the match award. The freekick specialist who had scored thrice from his role as a full back remains the most potent weapon of the team.

2. Yahaya Lawal – His energy level is on a different level and his ability to join attack  where as a right full back is top notch. Two assists already including one yesterday. Very much one of the pillars of the team not just in defence but as a whole.

3. Ebube Okere – Can spot a pass with his eyes close. Wins back possession with ease, so much that he most times have more touches than any other player. His ability to link defence from attack has bailed the team out severally. A midfielder whose ceiling for improvement knows no bound.

4. Miracle Ogwor – He didn’t start the tournament so well but recovered very quickly. Gave away a penalty yesterday but he was still the most involved in the back four. Solid in the air, good in one on duels. He is the leader of the team from the rear. A good dancer off the pitch as well.

5. Precious Williams- The captain of the team who showed he can also be helpful in defence yesterday. Won back possession four times yesterday in addition to his calmness in front of goal. It’s easy to see why he is the captain of the team.

The head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro has drawn up a list of players he will run the rule on in view of a possible call up to the team when the season in Europe gets underway.

Sources reveal to OwnGoalNigeria.com five names on the list which will likely be expanded to accomodate more players particularly if there is a player having a breakthrough season in Europe top leagues.

We take a look at five names on the list starting with Saviour Godwin who led Portuguese second division side Casa Pia to promotion. Godwin was voted the best player in the Liga Pro which is the Portuguese second division after scoring ten goals with three assists in 29 games.

His form hasn’t gone unnoticed and Peseiro will have his eyes on him to see how he performs in the top division. 25 year old Godwin played for the Nigeria U17 team of 2013 and also the U20 team of 2015.

Out of contract Derby County winger Malcolm Ebiowei has also been mentioned with reports linking the former Nigeria U17 trainee with a move to Manchester United. He is the nephew to Finidi George, the first assistant of Jose Peseiro that alone could push him up the scouting list.

Antwerp of Belgium Alhassan Yusuf was originally named in the expanded list of players called up before the confirmation of the appointment of Peseiro. Upon his resumption Peseiro trimmed the list and left out Yusuf. The idea is to work with the players he is familiar with but Yusuf will no doubt get his chance.

Midfielder turned right wing back Bright Osayi Samuel caught the attention of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following rave reviews from Turker where he plays for
Fenerbahçe. His name was proposed to Peseiro who isn’t entirely satisfied with the lack of options at right back.

Another team that came from the NFF is Raphael Onyedika who plays as a midfielder for Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland. The 21 year old was voted as the best young player in the Danish league last season. He is seen as one who could be an option in an area where the team appears to be short in number.

Lorient of France midfielder Innocent Bonke says his aim going into his first full season with the French team is to further establish himself as a regular and hopefully pin same spot with the senior national team of Nigeria.

Bonke joined Lorient from Malmö in January and made 12 appearances Ligue 1 helping the team to beat the drop to the second division. He aims to be available for all of the games next season.

” I played 12 out of 16 games after I signed from Malmö. We had a nice run and maintained our status for next season. The idea next season is for me to play all games which I believe is possible and hopefully we will finish high up the table”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com in an exclusive chat.

He has five senior caps for the senior national team of Nigeria but he still isn’t seen as a regular mainly due to the fact that he plays in same role as one of the stars of the Nigerian team in Wilfred Ndidi.

” I really think we are two different players even though we play same role. It’s about what the team wants and if need be we can play in same team. I see him as my teammate. There is a new coach (Jose Peseiro) and it’s a fresh start for everyone. My aim like that of several others is to cement a spot in the team”, he concluded.

As many as five players who featured for Nigeria in the last round of international games are not sure of where they will be playing club football next season with their future uncertain ahead of the start of pre season.

OwnGoalNigeria.com picks five players who appear to be in the plans of manager Jose Peseiro but will need to sort their club future in order to stay in the team the Portuguese is building.

Leon Balogun – He played in the second half of the 10-0 AFCON 2023 qualifiers win over Sao Tome and Principe, he however doesn’t know where he will be playing club football next season as he was recently released by Rangers following the expiration of his contract.

Shehu Abdullahi – Seen as the utility player of the Super Eagles due to his ability to play several role, he announced his split from Cyrpus side Omonia Nicosia few days after playing a substitute for Nigeria in both AFCON 2023 qualifiers. His next destination is still unknown.

Ademola Lookman – Spent last season on loan to Leicester City from German side RB Leipzig but despite playing 26 games in the English Premier League and scoring four goals, there is still no talk of making his deal permanent. Again he doesn’t seem to be in the plans of RB Leipzig next season.

Chidozie Awaziem – The idea of him going to Turkey on loan from Boavista was to boost his marketability but that move backfired as he was a bit part player at Alanyaspor. Boavista are not keen on having him play for them as their intention still remains to trade him in order to recoup the high fee that made him their record signing when he joined from FC Porto.

Oghenekaro Etebo – Injuries didn’t help his aim of earning a permanent deal at Watford. He missed almost to entire season due to injury during his loan spell. Stoke City his parent owners don’t seem to see him as a part of their plans for next season. There are also reports that they might terminate the one year left in his deal just to take him off their wage bill.

Former captain and coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Sunday Oliseh has been appointed as the new manager of German regional side SV Straelen, the club has announced.

Oliseh will be the coach of the team for one year according to the president of the team “Sunday Oliseh will be our new coach. In the last 24 hours we have also been able to agree on an employment contract until June 30, 2023. We look forward to working together,” the President Hermann Tecklenburg told “Reviersport”.

Oliseh’s last coaching job was in 2018 when he worked for a little over a year as coach of the second division Dutch side. He was sacked after a row with the hierarchy of the club. Prior to that job he worked as coach of the senior national team of Nigeria but left less than a year into the job.

His first assignment will be against second division side FC St. Pauli on the 30th of July in the first round of the DFB Cup.