Barring a last minute change of plans Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro will be appointed the new head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Peseiro was supposed to have been appointed last month but a disagreement between the ministry for youth and sports and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) delayed his appointment.

The ministry through the minister wanted the NFF to give all shortlisted candidates equal chance via interviews to stake a claim for the job as opposed to the decision by the NFF to appoint Peseiro because his terms happens to be the most affordable.

NFF had to conduct another round of interviews via zoom with the trio of Philip Cocu, Laurent Blanc and Ernesto Valverde but at the end stuck with the decision to appoint Peseiro.

The aforementioned trio asked for salaries above what the NFF is proposing and none seems commited to the demand of spending more time in Nigeria aside from Peseiro.

After deliberation with the minister for sports, Peseiro was unanimously agreed on by both parties as the best for the team and he will be announced later today as the new head coach.

He will be required to immediately meet up with the team at the end of the month in the United States of America when they take on Mexico and Ecuador respectively in two high profile international friendly game.

The Nigeria U20 team led by Ladan Bosso yesterday qualified for the semi final of the ongoing WAFU B Championship taking place in Niger Republic after a 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso.

It means they are now on four points after winning their opening group game 2-0 against Ghana. Burkina Faso will take on Ghana for the second available semi final spot from the group.

Nigeria twice led yesterday with Ibrahim Muhammed handing them the lead aided by poor goalkepping for his second goal of the tournament. Their lead was cancelled from the spot in the second half.

Two minutes later, the Nigerians went ahead again with Ibrahim Yahaya sending the goalkepper the wrong way from the spot following a foul on Ibrahim Muhammed, which eventually led to his substitution.

He collided with the Burkina Faso goalkepper and required lengthy treatment on the pitch before he was taken out of the stadium in an ambulance. He was however discharged later as he suffered no serious injury.

Shortly after the incident, a momentary loss of concentration by the Nigerian defence allowed the Burkina Faso side to once again claw their way back into the team to a earn a 2-2 draw.

Despite twice throwing away their lead in the game. One name stood out for Nigeria in the middle of the park in Daniel Daga. He was subsequently handed the man of the match award.

Strong in tackles, neat in possession and on point with his passes, the 15 year old who was originally billed to join the U17 team hasn’t looked out of place. He has held his own for the second game running.

Daga is seen as the most important player in the Nigerian team at the tournament with his ability to act as the link between the defence and attack helping the team to dominate games.

An explanation on why the quartet of Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu, Taiwo Awoniyi and Kelechi Iheanacho were not included in the Super Eagles 30 man list for the upcoming friendly games has been made known to OwnGoalNigeria.com.

First assistant coach of the Nigerian team Salisu Yusuf made public the list of players for the games against Mexico and Ecuador in the United States of America on the 28th of May and 2nd of June respectively. The above mentioned forwards were absent in the list.

We gathered Osimhen asked to be excused from the games in order to keep him fresh for the start of the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. A request which was granted by Yusuf.

Onuachu on the other hand will be getting married around same time when the games will be played hence the decision to leave him out of the game. For Iheanacho it is all about giving the chance to run the rule on other options.

Iheanacho is seen as one of the senior players in the team whose spot is already sealed. So Yusuf decided to leave him out to see other players at close quarters notably Rivers United’s Ishaq Rafiu.

For Awoniyi , Cyriel Dessers Inclusion on the back of a fantastic campaign in the Europa Conference League left the coaches with no option but to hand him a recall to press for a spot. Awoniyi is however very much in the plans of the coach.

Super Eagles and FC Porto left back Zaidu Sanusi says scoring the lone goal against Benfica that sealed the title for his team is the best feeling he has ever had since he started professional football.

The Nigerian scored the vital goal which handed his team a 1-0 win and gave them an unassailable lead over second place Sporting Lisbon. It was his third league goal of the season from 23 games.

Heavily criticised last season and almost shipped out before the start of this season. He buckled up and cemented his spot as the first choice left back of the team.

Speaking on the title winning goal, he said it is the most important goal of his career and says he hope to have many more important goals for club and country.

“Because of my position I haven’t scored much goals. However this to me is the peak of it. The most important of my career. We badly needed to wrap up the title and I’m glad I played a role in it. I hope to score more important goals for club and country in the future”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com in an exclusive chat.

Nantes of France Nigerian winger Moses Simon has revealed the details of his conversation with the president of France Emmanuel Macron.

Simon was locked in conversation with the president moments before the French Cup final between Nantes and Nice, which the former won to end their 20 year wait for a trophy.

The Nigerian who scored the winning penalty during spot kicks that sent his team to the final was on the pitch for 75 minutes in the final game. He spoke to OwnGoalNigeria.com shortly before their 2-1 win over Rennes yesterday.

” My club president introduced me to the president and he replied by saying he knows me and that I am a good player. He founded up by wishing me luck. That was all we discussed. It was a friendly chat”, Simon told OwnGoalNigeria.com in an exclusive chat.

He was an unused substitute in yesterday’s win over Rennes, a situation which can be traced to the tight harmstring that led to his substitution against Nice in the final.

Yesterday the first assistant coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Salisu Yusuf released a list of 30 players for the senior national team of Nigeria upcoming friendly games against Mexico and Ecuador respectively.

Five players will be dropped from the list of players called up for both games which will take place on the 28th of May and 2nd of June respectively.

Yusuf, who is also Head Coach of the CHAN and the U23 teams, has included eight home–based professional players, including goalkeepers Adewale Adeyinka and Ojo Olorunleke, defender Ibrahim Buhari, and forwards Victor Mbaoma and Ishaq Rafiu.

Only 25 players will make the final list for the tour, which is preparatory to next month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone in Abuja (9th June) and São Tomé & Príncipe in Marrakech, Morocco (13th June).

OwnGoalNigeria.com takes a look at the players and what inform the decision to call up the players looking at every position.

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands); Adewale Adeyinka (Akwa United); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

– A look at the above name suggest a path towards growing the pool in an area where Nigeria has limited options. Logically one expect Adebayo Adeleye of Israeli side Hapoel Jerusalem to be in the list but it’s worth remembering that having options locally has always been a mooted idea.

Both goalkeppers have been way more active than Francis Uzoho who hasn’t tasted action since playing for Nigeria against Ghana, where his howler gifted Ghana the goal which sealed their spot at the World Cup ahead of Nigeria.

Leke Ojo is one player who hasn’t been lucky with senior national team football, lost his spot to John Noble, reclaimed it and doesn’t look like letting go of it anytime soon.  Adeyinka was by far the best goalkepper last season when Akwa United lifted the league and although he hasn’t reached same heights this season. He still ranks among the best in the NPFL this season.

Verdict – Nice one Salisu

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Isa Ali (Remo Stars); Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ibrahim Buhari (Plateau United)

– The name Isa Ali who plays for Remo Stars doesn’t ring a bell even for followers of the NPFL but it’s worthy to note that he was instrumental to Remo Stars whirlwind start to the season. However Ibrahim Buhari can’t be said to be unknown.

Two seasons ago in what was his debut season in the league following his signing from Rarara FC. He dovetailed nicely with Andrew Ikefe. Injuries weren’t kind to him last season but this season he appears to be back to same form which made him a target for several league teams two years ago.

Every other name on the list picks themselves. Although one has to look at the fact that the duo of Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey will likely miss the game as they are going to be involved in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt on the 26th. Two days before the first game against Mexico. Maybe that’s where a Kenneth Omeruo would have fit in.

Verdict – Thumbs up Salisu

Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Chiamaka Madu (Rivers United); Babatunde Afeez Nosiru (Kwara United); Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey); Samson Tijani (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium)

– The main talking point has to be the inclusion of Oghenekaro Etebo, who hasn’t done enough to warrant a spot owing to limited game time at relegated English Premier League side Watford. Then Azubuike Okechukwu return to the national team can be said to be two years late.

Alhassan Yusuf has been one the star performers for modest Belgium side Antwerp. His call up is well deserved. Samson Tijani represents the future and he has grown this season at RB Salzburg. Chiamaka Madu is a head scratcher but his inclusion has a lot to do with Yusuf’s trust in him after the years spent together at Rangers before his move to Rivers United.

Nosiru who first professional team was Kaduna United three seasons ago before moving to Niger Tornadoes after a season. Now at Kwara United he has shown his ability from set pieces. Aside that he is very assured in tackles and boast a good range of passes.

Verdict- Could be better.

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England); Cyriel Dessers (Feyenoord FC, The Netherlands); Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba FC); Ishaq Rafiu (Rivers United)

– Dessers getting called up is a reward for his performance in the Europa Conference League where he is presently the top scorer. Mbaoma is in on account of how well he has grown working with Finidi George, one of the assistants of Yusuf in the Super Eagles.

Ishaq is the revelation of the season with 12 goals. His left foot is one of the sweetest the League has experienced in a long while. Looks more like one who need to make the next step now rather than later.

Verdict – Good one Salisu

The Nigeria U20 team yesterday got their campaign at the WAFU B Championship off to a flying start with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Ghana.

OwnGoalNigeria.com takes a look at the five players who excelled in what was a dominant team performance from the boys of coach Ladan Bosso.

Ibrahim Muhammed –  Deservedly won the official man of the match award. Full of running, energy and precision base on how he took this goal. He didn’t stop troubling the defence of Ghana. An early contender for player of the tournament.

Daniel Daga – Drove the team from midfield with ease. Won back possession effortlessly and linked up play with smart and clever passes. Didn’t look out of place and has for sure cemented his spot in the team.

Oluwatosin Adegbite – The captain of the team. Showed good leadership qualities with the way he defended with ease even when under pressure. Willing to put his body on the line and made several blocks to shield the goalkepper.

Mohammed Aminu –  Combined really well with Daga in the middle for the Nigerian team. His well timed over the top pass was well weighted for Muhammed to score the first goal. His ability to pick defence splitting passes was very noticeable yesterday.

Ahmed Abdullahi – Known for his goal scoring abilities right from his U17 days with Nigeria where he came on as a substitute and scored a brace in a 2-3 loss to Cote d’Ivoire at the U17 WAFU tournament of 2021. Yesterday he was again introduced as a substitute and he wasted no time in showing his predatory instinct with a solo goal. Certainly one for the future.

There are many Nigerian players who play in various leagues around the world, and this article will provide more information on Nigerian soccer players who most clubs will be interested in for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Southampton’s academy product is being watched by Watford and Brighton & Hove, according to Football League World. The 21-year-old has been directly involved in eleven goals in his last twelve Championship appearances, eight more than he had in the first eighteen league games of the season. Obafemi has been capped by the Republic of Ireland since he made his competitive debut against Denmark at the age of eighteen in a UEFA Nations League match in November 2018.

Prior to the opening of the transfer window, Swansea City were keeping tabs on Nigerian left-back Matthew Sorinola. According to Football League World, Sorinola is a target for Swansea City, and the club is considering a summer move for the defender. If the deal goes through, it will be a reunion of sorts between Sorinola and current Swansea City manager Russell Martin. Since the beginning of this year, the fullback has only played 25 minutes in 14 Pro League matches, which is a far cry from his usual starting role.

In an interview with La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Victor Osimhen reportedly stated that he prefers a move to Arsenal over one to Manchester United. Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Nigeria international Victor Moses this summer in order to bolster their attack at Old Trafford. Edinson Cavani’s contract expires at the end of the season, and the Red Devils are looking for a new striker to replace him. As a possible replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined Barcelona during the winter transfer window, the Gunners are also considering signing Osimhen.

Crystal Palace is reportedly close to agreeing on a deal to sign Nigeria international full-back Ola Aina from Torino, paving the way for his return to the English Premier League. Torino is willing to let the 25-year-old leave the club at the end of the season because his sale will allow them to generate funds to invest in other areas of the team that are deemed more important. This summer, Torino is interested in selling him to another club for a fee in the region of 10–12 million euros.

The latest English Premier League club to be linked with Taiwo Awoniyi is Leicester City. One of two Bundesliga players being considered by Leicester City for next season’s campaign, according to Sport Witness, is Hoffenheim midfielder, Christoph Baumgartner. Several “English middle-class clubs,” including Leicester, are reportedly interested in signing him this summer, according to a German newspaper. Awoniyi has had the best season of his professional career thus far, with a total of 18 goals in all competitions.

Conclusion

These are some of the players who may be moved in or out of a club depending on the situation. This also shows thatNigerian players are also great players who are gaining international recognition.

Feyenoord striker Cyriel Dessers has been handed a recall to the senior national team of Nigeria by Salisu Yusuf, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Dessers recall was made possible by his form for the Dutch side where he is on loan from Genk of Belgium. So far he has ten goals in nine games making him the top scorer in the tournament.

His goals propelled his team to the final of the tournament where they will be taking on Roma. He will be expected to team up with the senior national team of Nigeria after the final match.

With just a solitary cap to his name, the 27 year old will be a part of the sqaud for the friendly games against Mexico and Ecuador respectively in the United States of America. He will also be named in the sqaud for the game against Sierra Leone in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.

” It’s a no brainer. He will be in the list when it is released next week. If we want to be honest he hasnl shown he has what it takes to be a big player for the Super Eagles. He is back in the team”, a source told this portal on the condition of anonymity.