Coach of Napoli Luciano Spalletti says he is in support of the decision of the president of the club in the fight to stop Victor Osimhen and other African players at the club from playing in next year Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament in Cameroon will be played in January which is even many clubsides are involved in games which might potentially decide their season’s goals and aspirations.

Osimhen who is the go to guy when it comes to Napoli scroing goals this season could miss as many as one month of league action if Nigeria progress all the way to the final of the tournament.

His absence will potentially wreck the aspiration of Napoli to finish the season on a high after winning the first of their six games in the new Serie A season to emerge as early favourite for the league title.

Spalletti confirmed that president of Napoli Aurelio De Lurentiis is pushing an agenda to stop the players including Osimhen from leaving for the AFCON and he is in support of the move.

“President De Lurentiis is fighting on that front,” Spalletti said when asked what is being done not to release the players for the AFCON. I’m completely behind him.

“International fixtures do get in the way and there’s not much we can do’, he concluded.

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has defended his decision not to hand Calvin Bassey Ughelumba his debut with the senior national team of Nigeria.

Bassey was an unused substitute in the games against Central Africa Republic (CAR) which ended in a 0-1 loss and a 2-0 win respectively for the senior national team of Nigeria as they maintain top spot in their group in the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.

Rohr who revealed prior to the game that he hope to cap tie the left back who is eligible for Italy and also England explained that the outcome of both games made it impossible to hand the 22 year old his international bow.

The former Leicester City trainee has however commited his international future to Nigeria and was over the moon over his first call up and according to Rohr he will be given the chance to make his debut soon.

” In the first game, we were chasing the game so we needed a forward and in the second game, Balogun got injured and we have to make a substitute which wasn’t planned. So in the end we couldn’t bring in Bassey but we hope he gets to play in subsequent games with the team”, Rohr said.

Nigeria international midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is keen on a move from Leicester City following a poor start to the season by the Foxes according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

In the report they claim the Nigerian is keen on a move away from the team and Manchester United hold a strong interest in luring him to Old Trafford with coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen on reinforcing his midfield.

Although it’s public knowledge that a midfielder like Ndidi will transform Manchester United, a bid is not said to be anywhere close especially in the soon to happen January transfer window.

Regarded as one of the best in his role, Ndidi is said to be highly appreciated by top teams in Europe but with his deal at Leicester City still having three more years to run, clubs are scared that Leicester City will demand a premium as transfer fee.

24 year old Ndidi is currently sidelined with a harmstring injury which will keep him out for around four to five weeks according to coach Brendan Rodgers and will miss their upcoming games against Manchester United and Arsenal.

AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has once again sort to clear the air on his decision to pledge his international future to England ahead of Nigeria.

Tomori was approached by Nigeria to switch to the Super Eagles after representing England at youth level but he turned it down for a chance with the senior national team of England.

He was in the wilderness for a while but after a strong start to his career at AC Milan following his permanent transfer from Chelsea, he has forced his way into the set up of the English national team and he is in contention to play later today against Hungary.

Speaking to Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba, the former Chelsea defender explained that it took him two years of mulling over his senior international future before settling for England.

“It was difficult, obviously it was something I have been thinking about for a year or two. I played for England at the U20 Euros and I was thinking far ahead. There was a lot of talks people asking questions about it.

“It was just a decision, England raised me up, though it’s hard,” he said.

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr says CSKA Moscow winger Chidera Ejuke who won the hearts of many Nigerians with his dribbling runs isn’t a class act yet to command a regular spot in his team.

Ejuke started for the Super Eagles against Central Africa Republic in the shock 0-1 loss on Thursday but dropped to the bench for the away game which ended in a 2-0 win for Nigeria. He was introduced as a second half substitute and mesmerized with his dribbling skills

Explaining why the former Heerenveen ace was introduced as a substitute, Rohr while praising his performance said he still has some way to go before becoming a regular due to some players who are currently ahead of him in his role.

” Ejuke we know what he can do hence we weren’t surprised that he was very daring against CAR when he came on. That’s his quality and why he is part of the team. Becoming a regular is what is next but he has some ahead of him and he need to be working hard to go ahead of them”, the coach explained.

On if Ejuke’s emergence could signal the end of Ahmed Musa’s run in the team after reaching a 101 caps. The coach said Musa has a lot to offer the team and he did so in the game against CAR.

” His presence on the pitch brings confidence and off the pitch he brings calm. Against CAR we used his leadership qualities to good effect. He is very much a presence in the team for the future”, the coach said .

Malmö of Sweden ace Innocent Bonke says playing for the senior national team of Nigeria is much more a harder task than playing in the UEFA Champions League where he has been ever present for Malmö.

After starring in the qualifiers, he has played in the two group games in the UEFA Champions League against Juventus and Zenith St. Petersburg respectively.

Bonke’s form at club level earned him a call up to the senior national team of Nigeria and he has since gone ahead to pick two caps. Both coming in away games to Cape Verde and Central Africa Republic respectively.

While he was on from the start against Cape Verde he was a second half substitute in the recent win over CAR as he was introduced with the team needing to shore up the midfield in order to secure the win as they were leading 2-0.

Liked by coach Gernot Rohr of the senior national team of Nigeria for his bravery, the 25 year old says the pressure of playing for Nigeria is tougher than playing in the UEFA Champions League.

” As a child growing up. The aim is to represent Nigeria at senior international level. So that brings excitement and a bit of pressure when it happens. To me playing for Nigeria, carrying the hope of over 120 million people who don’t want to hear excuses if you lose is tougher than playing in the Champions League”, Bonke told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Fresh from scoring his first senior international goal for the Netherlands Arnold Groeneveld Danjuma has backtracked on his statement per his interest in switching nationality to Nigeria.

Danjuma was in the international wilderness for three years before his latest call up and shortly after signing for Villarreal, the 24 year old revealed he is open to playing for Nigeria if he doesn’t get his chance with the Dutch national team.

His statement sparked excitement back in Nigeria especially after the 24 year old was left out of the Dutch squad for their games during the international break. He was however called up as replacement for the injured Cody Gakpo.

He played in yesterday’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers game against Gilbraltar and was among the goals in the 6-0 win for the Netherlands following his introduction as a substitute in the game.

After the game he cleared the air on his statement on a potential switch to Nigeria if he doesn’t get a chance with the Dutch national team. ” It wasn’t as it was reported. My statement was blown out of what it means”, he said after the game.

“I feel Dutch and I have always wanted to play for the team after my heart. Nigeria is a country I love but playing for them is an option I see as a fall back if I don’t get my chance here. I’m here now and I want to make it count”.

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has hinted that the team will likely maintain the same formation that helped them to a 2-0 win away to Central Africa Republic in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Rohr is known to favour playing the 4-3-3 formation since his appointment as coach of the senior national team of Nigeria but he has occasionally alter the set up to play either 3-4-3 or 3-5-2.

Against CAR on Sunday, the coach resorted to 3-5-2 and it ended with Nigeria scoring twice to bounce back from the defeat they suffered against same opponents on Thursday in Lagos playing 4-3-3.

Speaking on the formation and on if they will stick with it in future games, the coach said it’s possible but it depends on the way they intend to play and the type of opponent that they are up against.

” I think we were very comfortable and played brilliantly with the shape we used in the win over CAR. It’s something we might stick to for future games but it also depends on the opponent and what we intend to do in certain games. It’s interesting because we have players who can adapt to different roles”, Rohr told Owngoalnigeria.com.

The first choice goalkepper of the senior national team of Nigeria Maduka Okoye is in talks over a move to French Ligue 1 side Nice per reports in the Netherlands.

22 year old Okoye has impressed for Sparta Rotterdam and was heavily linked with a move to Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam and later AZ Alkmaar.

Recent reports monitored by our editorial team has it that his representatives are already in France for talks with OGC Nice who are interested in signing the shot stopper in January.

Although the shot stopper renewed his deal in January, Dutch outlet Rheinische Post claim he could leave as early as next year January if talks with Nice go smoothly as expected by all parties involved.

Okoye’s form has also shot him into international limelight as he is now the first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria with his most recent action ending in a clean sheet as the team ran out 2-0 winners over Central Africa Republic (CAR).

The Super Eagles of Nigeria got back to winning ways with a convincing 2-0 win away to Central Africa Republic (CAR) same team that defeated them on Thursday.

OwnGoalNigeria.com rates the players on display for Nigeria in the dominant win.

Maduka Okoye – Didn’t have much to do but commanded the box well when he had to particularly when dealing with crosses…..6/10

Chidozie Awaziem – Monstrous performance from the Alanyaspor defender. Set up Balogun for the first goal and overall was by far the best player on parade for Nigeria…..8.5/10

Leon Balogun – Took his chance like a striker and looked very comfortable playing in a back three. Calm, cool and assuring in possession. Top display…. 7/10

William Ekong – Quick and very dominant in duels. Got a rare assists with a low cross for Osimhen’s goal. One of his best performance in a Super Eagles shirt for a long while…..7/10

Moses Simon – Played as a right wing and was his usual self. Tactically discipline and more than anything else still remains the player who gives the team balance…..7.5/10

Jamilu Collins – His starting position as a wing back saw him get more of the ball but wasn’t adventurous enough resorting to playing it simple. Defensively very assured…..6/10

Frank Onyeka – Screened the defence properly and helped in the transition from defence to attack. Got stuck in and got a caution for his bravery…..6/10

Joe Aribo – Solid performance in the heart of the midfield for Nigeria. Held up play well and made use of the ball. Covered lot of grounds as well and was a threat in the opposition box. Easily among one of his finest display in a Super Eagles shirt…..8/10

Kelechi Iheanacho – Worst player on the pitch for Nigeria. Heavy touches, indecision in key areas and wasteful under no pressure. Didn’t cover himself in glory…..4/10

Ahmed Musa – On the occasion of his 100 caps didn’t do much wrong with his pressing but disappointed with the ball at his feet. Not quite at his past level…..6/10

Victor Osimhen – Led the line brilliantly with his strength, willingness to get on the ball and was keen to make things happen in the final third. Took his goal well but could easily have gotten a brace if he was composed after rounding the goalkepper…..7/10

Substitutes:

Chidera Ejuke – A very good dribbler who shockingly has one of the worst through balls. Very exciting to watch and will be a top player if he works on some of his obvious flaws…..6/10

Kenneth Omeruo – Helped stable the defence with his assured positioning and movement off the ball…..6/10

Innocent Bonke – Didn’t get involved enough to warrant a rating.