There has been discussions surrounding Alex Iwobi’s absence from the Super Eagles squad for tonight’s game against Poland, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Iwobi was among the players called up for the high profile friendly games against Poland and Portugal respectively, but he isn’t in camp and posted pictures of himself enjoying his holiday.

As expected it generated a lot to talks about his commitment, particularly with several other senior players not available for the game.

Reacting his father explained that it has a lot to do with his red card against Jordan in the Super Eagles last friendly game, and said he will be back in the team against Portugal on the 10th of June.

He made this known in a post on social media, made available to our editorial team.

“Wishing the super eagles good luck in the friendly tonight vs Poland. Alex will not be there because he is ineligible to play (as he is serving a one match ban having picked up a red card in the friendly vs Jordan). 

Alex will leave for Portugal tomorrow to play in the friendly vs Portugal. He might not be the best player on the pitch, but one can never question his true dedication to club and country and the sport he loves. 

We look forward to his 100th cap for Nigeria should he play vs Portugal. We as a family remain proud of his achievements and pray that he continues to soar. Best wishes Chuka “Mehalla” Iwobi”.

A major battle is underway for Nigerian wonderkid Zadok Yohanna, with Premier League giants Newcastle United making a huge move to secure the signature of the AIK sensation.

Sources close to the negotiations reveal that Newcastle have submitted a package worth up to €30 million, consisting of €25 million guaranteed plus a further €5 million in performance-related bonuses.

We can exclusively reveal that it’s more than what Brighton who were reported to be closing on his signing offered for his signature. Although they have already agreed personal terms.

The offer is understood to be one of the biggest ever made for a player from the Swedish Allsvenskan and places Newcastle firmly at the front of the race for the 18-year-old winger.

The development comes amid growing interest from several European heavyweights, including Real Madrid, Bundesliga clubs and top Ligue 1 sides, all of whom have been monitoring the rapid rise of the Nigerian star.

Zadok has enjoyed a breakthrough season with AIK, attracting attention across Europe thanks to his explosive pace, creativity, dribbling ability and maturity despite his young age. The player has become one of the most sought-after young talents on the market.

Sources indicate that discussions between Newcastle and AIK have accelerated significantly in recent hours, with all parties working towards a potential agreement. There is growing belief that the deal could be concluded within the next 48 hours if negotiations continue to progress positively.

With Newcastle now making a statement offer and other major clubs still closely following the situation, a transfer battle is reaching its decisive stage.

The next 48 hours could define the future of one of Africa’s brightest young talents.

Daniel Martins

Hellas Verona defender Daniel Oyegoke was a sure candidate for a late call up to the senior national team of Nigeria for the upcoming friendly games against Poland and Portugal respectively, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Head coach Eric Chelle was forced into looking for options after a host of invited players withdrew from the game, including the only right back in the team Bright Osayi-Samuel.

His withdrawal meant the team was forced into looking at options at right back, and 23 year old Oyegoke who played 15 Serie A games for Hellas Verona was one of the options.

The defender was available and won’t need a visa to travel to Poland and Portugal respectively since he holds a British passport, but he isn’t eligible to play for Nigeria in an international friendly because he doesn’t have a Nigerian passport.

It was why Chelle looked the way of Genk defender Christian Akpan who was man of the match in his debut game for the first team, and Abdullahi Bewene who is coming off a very good season in Czech Republic.

Both players can also play in multiple roles, and that versatility won Chelle over as they can also make up for other areas where other players won’t be available.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria yesterday had their final training session ahead of today’s friendly game against Poland in Warsaw, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

21 players trained under the watchful eyes of head coach Eric Chelle and the rest members of his technical crew, with emphasis on how to approach the game.

One player who caught the eyes during the training was Banik Ostrava midfielder Abdullahi Bewene. A late call up to the team following a spate of withdrawals by some key players ahead of the game.

Bewene who can play as a right back, central midfielder and also as a left back was almost impossible to shake off the ball. Gliding past his markers with ease.

Chelle was very impressed with the performance of the 21 year old, and there is a huge chance that he will get to play later today or in the game against Portugal on the 10th of June.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle gave a strong hint on how the team will line up for today’s friendly game against Poland in Warsaw, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

He gave the hints during yesterday’s training that has as many as 20 players following the arrival of winger Philip Otele and centre back Calvin Bassey.

Although it is subject to change, it’s most likely the way they lined up yesterday that the team will use in today’s game with Chelle sticking to his preferred 4-4-2 diamond.

Chelle had a back four of Igho Ogbu, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi with Maduka Okoye in goal.

During yesterday’s training, the coach had a midfield trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Tochukwu Nnadi, who was the most advanced.

Moses Simon will lead the attack from the left with Paul Onuachu, Jerome Akor Adams and Terem Moffi as the front four. The coach is going all out to ensure that they get a win which will boost their ranking by FIFA.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

English Premier League side Brighton are few details away from signing 18 year old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna from Swedish side AIK, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Zadok has emerged as the hottest property in Swedish football following a whirlwind start to the season, and was handed an invitation to the Nigerian team.

He failed to honour the invitation after picking up a thigh injury and hasn’t played since then. However it seems he is fully recovered, but been kept for a summer transfer which has now reach it’s final stages.

Brighton and Hove Albion beat all comers for his signing including German side RB Leipzig and French Ligue 1 outfit Rennes by agreeing to pay more. The move to Brighton is said to be imminent according to various reports in Sweden.

Personal terms have been agreed with the player’s representatives, and talks are now about payment of the agreed transfer fee to AIK. The club will use the proceeds from his transfer to ease their financial burdens.

Nigeria successfully defended the Unity Cup friendly tournament title with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Jamaica in the final played on Saturday in London.

Head coach Eric Chelle was without his regulars and used the tournament to give fringe and new players a chance to make an impression, which will subsequently earn them more opportunities.

In goal Arthur Okonkwo earned the trust of the coach with the manner which he controlled the defence, and also acquitted himself during both games, where he kept two consecutive clean sheets.

Kenneth Igboke of Enugu Rangers was by far the only player from the Nigeria Premier Football League who has put himself in the frame of the team. Chelle was impressed with the way he controlled games from the left back position and had a hand in the build up to two of the five goals scored at the tournament.

Tochukwu Nnadi really showed that he can be a reliable deputy to Alex Iwobi or Wilfred Ndidi with the way he broke up play and also initiated attacks. Chelle has now earmarked him for more games.

Alhassan Yusuf of MLS side New England Revolution can easily pass as the player of the tournament, and Chelle has already told him he will no doubt be a member of the team fully.

Millwall winger Femi Azeez got a brace in the 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in the semi final, capped it with an assist in the 3-0 win against Jamaica in the final. He was drafted into the team for the games against Poland and Portugal respectively but his club Millwall blocked the invitation.

He is also set to make a decision on his future at the club after they failed to gain promotion to the English Premier League. He is interesting a host of teams in the English top division, with newly promoted Ipswich Town failing with a bid of £20m.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The real reason why the duo of Ebenezer Akinsamiro and Yira Sor were not part of the Super Eagles squad for the recently concluded Unity Cup has been made known to OwnGoalNigeria.com.

Akinsamiro was handed another chance with the team after failing to get a minute at the AFCON, he also ended the season on a high with Pisa despite their relegation from the Italian Serie A.

He was however unable to honour the invitation as he was sick and needed medication and treatment which will last the duration of the tournament.

Sor of Belgium side Genk was initially omitted from the list of players for the tournament after failing to impress, when he was handed a chance during the last international break in the friendly against Iran and Jordan respectively.

Head coach Eric Chelle decided to give him another chance with the team, following the withdrawal of Zadok Yohanna due to injury but his club declined the invitation as it falls outside the FIFA international window.

In their absence, Super Eagles successfully defended the title by beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in the semi final, before a 3-0 trashing of Jamaica on Saturday in the final.

Genk defender Christian Akpan who was handed a late invitation to the senior national team of Nigeria for the high profile friendly games against Poland and Portugal respectively has gotten his arrival date, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively report.

Fresh from making his first team debut for Genk after impressing for the U21, he was voted the Man of the Match and shortly after he was given a shock call up by head coach of the Nigerian team Eric Chelle.

Chelle called up the 21 year old in the wake of the withdrawal of some invited players, and some couldn’t get a visa to travel to Warsaw for the game against Poland tomorrow.

Comfortable as a left or right back, he will arrive the camp of the team on Thursday, effectively ruling him out of the game on Wednesday. He has also shown that he can do a job in the midfield as well.

He will however be in contention to play against Portugal on the 10th of June in Lisbon.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is not losing sleep over his contract situation with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle led the team to a third place finish at the AFCON, and there was an offer to hand him a fresh two years deal which will run into the next tournament.

However talks on the deal hasn’t progressed as expected leaving the coach with less than a year left on his deal, which was the option the NFF had to extend his deal after the AFCON.

Looking ahead, the coach who is yet to lose a game in regulation time since his appointment as coach of the team is focused on the upcoming friendly games against Poland and Portugal respectively.

He will also be on the bench for the AFCON qualifiers, when it begins but he it isn’t lost on him that if his contract extension impasse isn’t resolved he might not be at the tournament.

The coach is said to be hopeful of the best, but also prepared for the worst which could be qualifying the team for the AFCON, but not on the bench for the tournament.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman