The first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria Stanley Nwabali is studying offers from teams in two African countries following his decision to mutually terminate his contract with Chippa United, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Nwabali who was once again impressive between the sticks for Nigeria at the recently concluded AFCON, saw an offer from Tanzanian side Simba FC rejected during the January transfer window.

After terminating his contract, his agent said offers has not ceased to come with two top teams in Morocco already showing their interest. More teams from Tanzania have also joined the scramble for his signature.

There is also the chance of remaining in South Africa, where a mid table team have also made contact with his camp.

The option of going to Turkey is on the agenda, but it could see him play the role of second choice which might hurt his international career with Nigeria, where he is the undisputed first choice in goal.

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has made contact with the camp of on loan Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri to speak on convincing the 18 year old to play for the Nigerian team, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, Nwaneri is yet to represent England at senior level keeping him eligible for Nigeria despite his current status as a youth international for England.

Chelle is hopeful he will be able to convince him using the success of the current players in the team, who switched from England as a motivation during talks.

” Contact has been made already, but they didn’t meet when Chelle went to watch Marseille recently. He was there for Tochukwu Nnadi who recently joined the team in the January transfer window from Zulte Waregem”, a source said.

” There is nothing advances yet but contact is on and if anything changes I will let you know. The boy’s (Nwaneri) parents are full blooded Nigerians I think for now that’s the only update”, he stated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Alex Iwobi says the Super Eagles of Nigeria can still make it to the 2026 World Cup in the light of the protest against DR Congo for fielding ineligible players in the world cup qualifiers playoff, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria were beaten 2-4 on penalties by DR Congo in the world cup qualifiers playoff, effectively ending their hope of picking the remaining two available tickets via the intercontinental playoff next month.

However the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) petitioned FIFA on around seven players of DR Congo, who played in the game not being eligible for holding citizenship of other countries as against their constitution, which doesn’t allow for dual citizenship.

A ruling is expected in the coming days, and Iwobi who was at the 2018 World Cup was asked in an interview on if he would trade the Super Eagles winning the AFCON for a spot at the world cup in Canada, Mexico and USA.

“I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one. It’s a tough one because within AFCONs like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.

But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Coach of Atalanta Raffaele Palladino has opened up on what led to the exit of Ademola Lookman from the club in the January transfer window, OwngoalNigeria.com reports.

The club were adamant that the forward won’t be sold until at least the summer, but his subsequent transfer to Atletico Madrid left many surprised by the U-turn on their initial stand.

While reacting to the exit of Lookman, Palladino said the Nigerian forced his way out by demanding to leave the club when he got offers from other teams during the January transfer window.

“Lookman had this offer towards the end of the transfer session, he asked to leave and wanted a change of scenery, so the club made him happy. I am very pleased with the team at my disposal, it is what we needed to face three tournaments. We were going to an away match when he left, so there wasn’t much time to say goodbye, but we wish him all the best for the future,” continued Palladino.

Lookman wasted no time in settling in his new environment with a goal and assist in his debut game against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey yesterday. He scored the third goal and assisted the fifth in the 5-0 win.

Ebere Eze agreed to play for the senior national team of Nigeria according to former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Eze trained with the senior national team of Nigeria at their training camp in England, while still at English Champions side QPR but when he was invited he turned down the chance.

Former coach Gernot Rohr had him in his list for games in the AFCON qualifiers, but Eze decided to honour a call up to the U21 of England rather than honour the invitation.

Speaking about the entire issue, Pinnick who was the NFF president at that time and twice had a private meeting with Eze, explained what happened and his sudden u-turn on playing for Nigeria.

“Eberechi Eze came, I met the dad, and we had a long discussion, and he agreed to play for Nigeria,” Amaju Pinnick told the Playzone and Dangolo Way show. “His sister was his manager at the time, came to my flat, and we already had all the documentation in place.

“However, they told us to hold on, and that was it. Maybe then the elections came, and I left the NFF, and that’s probably why he didn’t play. Possibly, because Eberechi loved Nigeria, I can tell you that. I went through my messages with him at some point”.

18 year old forward David Oguejiofor has joined Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr from Kaduna based Nigerian football academy Simoiben Football Academy, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The deal was completed before the close of the January transfer window with Oguejiofor joining the team on a six months initial loan deal, with the option of making it permanent at the end of the season.

He will start with the U21s of the team from where his progress will be monitored for promotion to the main team. Although two days go he was summoned to train with the first time prior to the official signing of his contract.

Oguejiofor trained alongside players he was watching on television two weeks ago in the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Inigo Martinez among others.

” All paper works for the deal has been signed already and we wish him all the best while in Saudi Arabia hoping he will follow in the footsteps of our other players who have since gone on to make the best of their move from us”, the president of the team Ibukun Moses Simon, the wife of Super Eagles forward Moses Simon revealed.

Benjamin Fredrick of English Premier League side Brentford who has stamped his feet in the Super Eagles is the most illustrious graduate of the academy, but there is also Emmanuel Michael who plays for Austrian side LASK.

Michael made the Super Eagles provisional list of players for the recently concluded AFCON but didn’t make the final 28 man list, while injury cost Fredrick a spot in the team.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The reason why Ademola Lookman made a big career move to Spanish LaLiga side Atlético Madrid has been explained by football transfer expert Daniel Martins, in the wake of comparisons with the transfer of Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray.

Nigerians on social media compared the transfer to that of Osimhen who moved from the Italian Serie A to Galatasaray at the peak of his game. A move that came after a breakdown in his relationship with Napoli.

Lookman’s relationship with Atalanta also suffered a similar fate after he went on strike to push a move in the summer to Serie A rivals Inter Milan. The club blocked the move leaving him with no option but to return.

” I think we have too many people on the internet speaking about what they know nothing about. When Lookman was close to joining Fenerbahce the people from Osimhen’s camp were already pushing a narrative to justify his permanent transfer to Turkey in the summer”, Martins explained.

” However it’s two different scenarios. Osimhen signed an extension to his deal with Napoli while he was at this stage that Lookman was in his contract with Atalanta. Now Osimhen got bumper wages with Napoli hoping that a summer sale will help cover. However it didn’t happen as no club agreed to pay the agreed release clause expect Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, and Osimhen didn’t want to go there.

” On the other hand Lookman refused an extension leaving Atalanta in a position where they have to sell to protect his value. The transfer fee is even lower because of the contract which will have a year to go in the summer”, he explained.

Speaking further he also spoke about Lookman having a representative who works with a team of experts unlike Osimhen’s agent, who isn’t at that level yet.

” You also have to look at advisers and who is their representative. Lookman’s camp handled it better than Osimhen’s if we are being honest. Someone sold a dummy to the former agent of Osimhen unlike Lookman who worked with a very good agency”, he stated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The January transfer window around major leagues in Europe came to a close yesterday with so many Nigerian players taking advantage of it by moving to new teams, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

We pick five top transfers made by Nigerian players during the course of the window, which lasted for a month.

Ademola Lookman to Atletico Madrid – The best move of the window by a mile. Looked certain to join Turkish side Fenerbahce from Atalanta, but ended up at a top Laliga side on a four year deal. A perfect move to end his stay in Italy.

Sani Suleiman to RB Leipzig – His move to the German giants from Slovakian side AS Trenčín was one of the least expected, but it happened for a club record sale. Unfortunately a knee injury means he won’t be making his debut anytime soon.

Uchenna Ogundu To Augsburg – 18 months ago he was playing amateur football in Nigeria. A year ago he was without a club after the decision of third division side Şanlıurfaspor to not offer him a new deal. After six months in the top league in Turkey with Alanyaspor with two goals and two assists in 17 games, he moved to the Bundesliga.

Sadiq Umar to Valencia – For someone who has endured a torrid six months at Real Sociedad, where he was deemed surplus to requirements to join a top team like Valencia is no doubt a very good move. A return to where he spent the last six months of last season on loan should be the catalyst for him to regain his form, fitness and sharpness in front of goal.

Tochukwu Nnadi to Marseille – Heavily linked with a move to English Premier League side West Ham. His move to Marseille which is perfect for his development came on the back of his involvement with the Super Eagles at the AFCON.

Terem Moffi to FC Porto – His desire was to leave Ligue 1 side Nice after he was attacked by fans of the club in November. Securing a move to an European power house like FC Porto in January came as a surprise to many who thought he was heading for a dead end owing to the nature of his exit, and inactivity for almost three months.

Rafiu Durosinmi to Pisa – For someone who saw a move to Eintracht Frankfurt collapse due to a serious knee injury that kept him out for over a year. His move to Serie A side Pisa from Viktoria Plzen is no doubt an upgrade for his career development.

Philip Otele to Hamburg – Made a loan move to German Bundesliga side Hamburg from FC Basel. A move that will not doubt brighten his Super Eagles chances after making the provisional list for the AFCON.

Chibuike Nwaiwu to Trabzonspor – It took him just 18 months after leaving Nigeria to Austria for him to make a big money move to Turkey. He is now firmly in contention for a Super Eagles spot.

Salim Fago Lawal to Viktoria Plzen- A step up it was for him moving from Croatian side Istra to Viktoria Plzen of Czech Republic. A member of the Super Eagles squad to the recently concluded AFCON, the Czech Republic side is just perfect for his development.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Nigeria international defender Calvin Bassey snubbed a big money offer to move to Saudi Arabia in the recently concluded January transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Bassey who made the tournament’s best XI at the recently concluded AFCON where Nigeria finished third, has a year left on his deal at Fulham but the club hold an option of extending it for another year.

An offer from Saudi Arabia which is said to be four times what he currently earns in England was lodged for his services by an unnamed Saudi Arabia team, who were also willing to pay £25m for his transfer.

Fulham rejected the move with head coach Marco Silva insisting that the 26 year old who was the club’s player of the year last season isn’t for sale. Bassey’s head was said to have been turned by the offer.

It was largely the reason why he was left out of the team for the last two games in the Premier League, but with the window now closed they expect him to realign his focus on finishing the season stronger than he did last season.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The January transfer window came to a close yesterday for major European Leagues with so many players of the senior national team of Nigeria using the window to switch teams, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

However there were some who were not able to switch teams despite their desire. We take a look at five of them.

1. Wilfred Ndidi to Ajax – Besiktas turned down a bid of around €10m for the captain of the Super Eagles. The Turkish side were clear that their midfield ace still remains very valuable to their plans for the season.

2. Tolu Arokodare to Besiktas – Following the sale of Tammy Abraham to Aston Villa. Besiktas made an offer for Arokodare as his replacement but were snubbed by Wolverhampton Wanderers, who want to keep the lanky striker at least till the end of the season.

3. Raphael Onyedika to Wolfsburg – The German side thought they have reached an agreement for his signing, but were shocked when Club Brugge refused to sanction a January exit. Insisting on having discussion only in summer.

4. Moses Simon to Nantes – It would have been the story of the January transfer window in France, but a return to Nantes six months after joining Paris FC didn’t work out. His new side made it clear that his exit isn’t something they will entertain.

5. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to Bournemouth – Lazio pulled the plug on the deal following the refusal of the English side to accept their demand of an obligation to buy, rather than an option to buy at the end of his loan deal as proposed by Bournemouth.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman