Coach of English Premier League leaders Manchester City Pep Guardiola has lifted the lid on why the club decided to allow Kelechi Iheanacho leave the club after his first year in charge.

Guardiola met Iheanacho after his breakthrough season at the club and was pivotal in the striker signing a new deal with improved terms but at the end of the season he was cut loose on the advice of the manager.

He joined Leicester City where after a two years struggle he is finally beginning to match expectations with his form of late earning him the English Premier League player of the month for March.

Leicester City rewarded him with a new deal which will run till the summer of 2024. A move which naturally had people asking why City let him leave in 2017. Guardiola explained before his team’s 2-0 win over Leicester City over the weekend.

“Incredible,” Guardiola said when asked about Iheanacho’s form.

“

The quality was there. He was a young player here and I think with Gabriel (Jesus) we didn’t have enough space. He is a fantastic person, we had a good relationship, and I’m glad to see him playing well.”

“He’s playing for the injured Maddison and he links really well with the midfield and he’s good in behind. He’s fast and in the final third he has the right tempo, he is so clear in front of the goal.”

How well do you trust your betting sites?

Betting online is an extreme sport, that is why you need to have certain important criteria you consider when choosing a betting site. Most bettors overlook these criteria, that’s why they are usually suspicious when placing bets online, because they could be swindled.

Unfortunately for bettors who are too scared to go into online betting because they don’t want to be ripped off by their bookmaker, you need bookmakers to bet because someone has to accept your money.

Choosing good betting site is an important step for your betting experience, and with so many options online, it is difficult to find one or two bookies that are trustworthy.

What criteria would you pick your bookmaker based on if you had to? In case you missed them on your first bets, this post highlights the most important criteria to consider when choosing a bookmaker.

Keep reading…

1. Good Payout Process

A lot of bookmakers don’t pay you your prize money when you win, most bettors have beat bookmakers at their own game and they didn’t get paid for it. While this is a thing, it is unacceptable.

The point of placing bets whether it is on the internet or in person is for you to win more money, so if your bookmaker isn’tpaying you when you win, then you shouldn’t be using them anymore.

Bookmakers should pay you everything you are owed, when you are an existing customer and if you decide to clear out your account with them as well. Huge bonuses, special bets are good benefits, but a good payout is better.

2. Licence To Practice In Your Region

Choosing a bookmaker that has legal permission to practice in the region you’re betting from could be difficult because there is usually a grey area in the betting industry, and it is easy for new bettors to get persuaded into betting with an organisation that doesn’t have the license. However this can cause problems for you, when you miss out on a huge payout and can’t complain because you registered with a bookmaker that doesn’t have a license.

A licensed bookmaker is an important criteria to consider when choosing one, because when things go wrong with monetary transactions or you have any issues with the bookie, you can lay your complaints to the proper people in charge instead of a random bookie you found online with no office or legal permission to practice.

Going to random bookies is risky, instead stick to the ones who took the right step by getting registered.

3. Quality Of Odds

The quality of odds offered by a bookmaker is another important factor to consider when making your choice, this is because quality odds are the most important determinant as to whether your bet will be profitable.

Wagering on the highest odds increases your chances of winning, limiting your losses and maximising returns by choosing high odds is the key to a good bet.

The quality of a betting site’s odds depends on their margin size (under round). The lower that margin, the more enticing and higher the odds will be for you. To know which bookmakersoffer the highest odds to their bettors, compare various bookmaker’s quotes for an event.

Another important consideration is that bookmakers vary in margin size, as well as odd size on different games and sports events.

4. Your Betting Interests

Most bookmakers usually place bets on popular sports like football,  and others place bets on other sports as well. The important thing to consider is to find a bookmaker that can serve your betting interests, for the sports you love, or one that has a wide variety of sports that suits any betting tastes.

5. Excellent Customer Service

Choosing a bookmaker with excellent customer service is an added advantage for you, especially if you are betting online, they can promptly answer your enquiries about the safety of the betting site and assist you with difficulties you face.

Good customer service ensures prompt response and makes resolving issues often involving huge sums that go missing faster.

When it comes to placing safe bets online or offline, we recommend that you use check out this article on the best bookmaker to choose from.

These sites are recommended because you need a football betting tips website to use as a guide when using a bookmaker, and these football sites we’ve mentioned provide this to experienced and new bettors alike.

The Technical Director of Enyimba Football Club of Aba Jude Anyafudu has defended the decision of the club on the €1 million transfer fee slammed on winger Anayo Iwuala.

The former Delta Force prospect was called up to the senior team of Nigeria by coach Gernot Rohr base on his recent run of consistent form for Enyimba in CAF tournaments and also in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

22 year old Anayo made his senior international debut for Nigeria against Benin Republic as a substitute in the 1-0 win and he followed that up with another cameo against Lesotho three days later.

Prior to his debut for Nigeria six teams were jostling for his signature but that has now improved as expected with as many as nine teams now pushing for him when the summer transfer window opens.

Enyimba on their part have insisted on a fee of €1 million which many see as exorbitant but according to Jude it is what was written in his deal when he signed for them two seasons ago.

“ It’s not like we woke up and say bring €1 million for Anayo. The fee has been there since we signed him. Our demand hasn’t in anyway sky rocketed after his debut for Nigeria. It’s same as it has always been and we are in talks with some teams over him”, Jude told Owngoalnigeria.com. in an exclusive chat on the future of the forward.

On loan Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has committed his international future to Ireland ahead of Nigeria after making his debut for the senior team.

Bazunu was in goal for the team in a 0-1 loss suffered against Luxembourg in a 2022 World Cup qualifiers and also in a friendly game against Qatar days later.

The 19 year old who is on loan to English League one side Rochdale from Manchester City was rewarded for his consistent run of game with a promotion to the senior national team , two years after playing for the U21 following his promotion from the U17s.

Nigeria reportedly have him on a list of young goalkeepers to be closely monitored with the likes of Daniel Jinadu of West Ham, Joshua Oluwayemi of Tottenham Hotspur and Arthur Okonkwo of Arsenal also in the list.

However for Bazunu he has pledged his future to the Irish team insisting that it has always been his dream to play for the team since he picked football as a career.

“I’ve dreamt of playing for Ireland for as long as I can remember. Some of the lads that I can now call teammates were once my heroes. I thank everyone around me who has helped me to this point in my young career”, he posted on Instagram after his debut.

“Still a lot to work on and learn from for the future. I will wood as hard as I can to remain a part of this group and will always fight when I’m given the chance to wear the shirt”.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria rounded up their AFCON 2022 qualifiers with a resounding 3-0 win over Lesotho in Lagos to end the entire series unbeaten.

Victor Osimhen, Oghenekaro Etebo and Paul Onuachu scored the goals that handed the win to Nigeria. Owngoalnigeria.com rates the players on parade for Nigeria in the encounter.

Francis Uzoho – Lucky to see the flag of the assistant referee up after his punch landed kindly for a Lesotho man to head home. Should have punched away from goal. Otherwise he wasn’t troubled…..6/10

Tyronne Ebuehi – Very comfortable and composed in possession. Joined the attack at will with telling crosses. Didn’t do much wrong. Such a quality display…..7/10

Zaidu Sanusi – Not quite at the same level like he was in Benin Republic but still showed why he is now the undisputed first choice of the team…..6/10

Leon Balogun – As usual he was assured in possession but didn’t looked fired up for duels earlier on but got better as the game went on. Another solid performance…..7/10

William Troost Ekong – Got booked from giving away a needless freekick which almost resulted in a goal for Lesotho. Very much the weak link in the Nigerian defence….. 5/10

Oghenekaro Etebo – Ran the show like a boss. Combative, full of energy and endeavour. His best game for Nigeria in a while. Capped it with a goal and deservedly picked up the man of the match award…..8/10

Wilfred Ndidi – Started the game nicely but ran off steam before the end of the half. Recovered in the second half to post a performance not too different from his regular showing for Leicester City in the English Premier League…..7.5/10

Alex Iwobi –  Brought urgency to the way the team attack but looked like someone who struggled with the uneven nature of the pitch…..6/10

Kelechi Iheanacho – Set up Osimhen’s goal with a well weighted pass and was always willing to get involved. He was however played far away from the opponent’s goal where he has been deadly playing for Leicester City lately…..6/10

Samuel Chukwueze – Still the most enterprising in the Nigerian team but need to work on his decision making in key situations. Twice went for the wrong opposition after getting himself into promising position…..6/10

Victor Osimhen – Got the goal his all round approach deserved. Very much a modern number 9 with his runs behind and hold up play which helped him set up Etebo for Nigeria’s second goal…..7/10

The Super Eagles of Nigeria rounded up their AFCON 2022 qualifiers with a resounding 3-0 win over Lesotho in Lagos.

Victor Osimhen opened the floodgates of goals by beating the onrushing goalkeeper of Lesotho to a through ball from Kelechi Iheanacho.

Nigeria turned on the style in the second half with Oghenekaro Etebo finishing off a lay off by Osimhen in the Lesotho box to extend the lead of the Super Eagles.

Substitute Paul Onuachu rounded up a beautiful team move with a smart finish inside the box to kill the game off as a contest as Nigeria proved to be too much for Lesotho.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will later today take on Lesotho in the last round of matches in the qualifiers for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

As what has been the case in previous games, most Nigerians are concerned over how and where to watch the team play live on television as the conventional pay television in Nigeria no longer broadcast the games.

Owngoalnigeria.com can confirm that the game will be live on Nigeria Television Authority for those residents in Nigeria and also on the NPFL.TV app. The Facebook and YouTube account of the Super Eagles will also broadcast the game live.

However those resident abroad might not be able to view the game on the above mentioned platforms as it will result to infringing on the broadcast right of CAF games in their various regions.

That was the case when the Super Eagles played against Benin Republic on Saturday but they can catch a glimpse of the game on popular sports steaming website Hesgoal.com.

Kick off time for the game is 5pm Nigerian time.

The result of Alex Iwobi second coronavirus test has turned out to be negative just three days after the authorities in Benin Republic said he tested positive to the virus,.

The result in Benin Republic saw him dropped from the squad for the game where he was billed to start but without him Nigeria went ahead to win the game 1-0 courtesy of a late goal from Paul Onuachu.

Coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr contested the result of the test terming it as fake and ordered a fresh test which was conducted two days ago. The result was made known earlier today by the official handle of the Super Eagles.

It means he will now return back with the squad for today’s dead rubber tie against Lesotho as said by coach of the team Gernot Rohr after yesterday’s training session, where he also confirmed that Joe Aribo will miss out of the team for the game.

“The training was okay, we had a long time getting here because we want to beat traffic. We had one hour, fifteen minutes of good work”, Rohr said after yesterday’s training.

“ Unfortunately one player is not with the team which is Joe Aribo he has stomach problems. So we are not sure to make him play tomorrow and we are also waiting for the result of Alex Iwobi coronavirus test. If he is not, we will play again Henry Onyekuru on the left side like we did the other day.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will today play the last game of a successful AFCON 2022 qualifiers when they take on Lesotho in Lagos in a dead rubber tie.

Nigeria has already qualify for the tournament in Cameroon with two games to spare following the 0-0 draw between Lesotho and Benin Republic prior to their game against Sierra Leone.

Nonetheless, Nigeria still defeated Benin Republic 1-0 courtesy of a late goal from Paul Onuachu in the third and final minute of time added on as they maintain their unbeaten run in the qualifiers.

Ahead of today’s game, Rohr has confirmed that Rangers of Scotland midfielder Joe Aribo won’t be in the lineup due to a stomach issue with Alex Iwobi also feared out after failing a coronavirus test.

Henry Onyekuru will keep his spot according to Rohr, who also confirmed that he won’t be making too many changes as he see the game as the first step in their preparations for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

“The training was okay, we had a long time getting here because we want to beat traffic. We had one hour, fifteen minutes of good work”, Rohr said after yesterday’s training.

“ Unfortunately one player is not with the team which is Joe Aribo he has stomach problems. So we are not sure to make him play tomorrow and we are also waiting for the result of Alex Iwobi coronavirus test. If he is not, we will play again Henry Onyekuru on the left side like we did the other day.

“ We will change a little bit but I want to bring the best team as we are already preparing for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. We will start in June, end of May we will be here again to start preparations for the game against Libya then go to Central Africa.

“So already is a preparation. We don’t have so many games. So I cannot give the chance to play to everybody. Some of our players are still missing. Our wingers Simon Moses , Samuel Kalu perhaps Iwobi again and then we will see. There’s already space to see other solutions like we saw in Benin Republic so we will be ready for the match”.

Fulham defender Ola Aina says his decision to play for Nigeria is the best thing he has done in his career after helping Nigeria qualify for another Africa Cup of Nations.

Aina started the 1-0 win over Benin Republic on Saturday but was substituted with Chidozie Awaziem before Paul Onuachu scored what ended as the winner in the third and final minute of time added on.

Nigeria have already secured top spot of and qualification for the AFCON even before the game on Saturday making it almost a possibility for Aina to play in another Africa Cup of Nations. His first was the 2019 edition.

“ I can’t wait to play in another major tournament with the Super Eagles and bring joy to Nigerians. The national team means so much to the people here”, he said after this evening training in Lagos ahead of tomorrow’s dead rubber tie against Lesotho.

He was asked if he thinks his decision to settle for Nigeria after representing England at several youth levels has paid off, the defender who is on loan to Fulham from Torino said it is for now the best decision of his career.

“ No regrets or whatsoever. It is for now one of the best decisions I have taken in my career. In several ways playing for Nigeria has made me a better player”, he concluded.