Nigeria U23 left fullback Godfrey Bitok ‎Stephen has recovered from coronavirus after testing negative twice, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The 19 year old was among the players who tested positive for the virus in Belarus two weeks ago that led to the decision to suspend the league. We gathered Bitok was tested after complaining of headaches and rise in body temperature.

Explaining to Owngoalnigeria.com, the representative of the player in Nigeria Babawo Mohammed revealed that Bitok has been discharged from the hospital after recovering fully from the virus.

Babawo also confirmed that Bitok’s roommate Abdulrazak Yusuf also tested negative for the virus after undergoing a 14 day period of isolation and also two separate tests that came out negative.

” Bitok is now negative and fully recovered to the glory of God. It was a trying time for anybody associated with him particularly his parents. I was on phone with him almost everyday. Also his roommate Abdulrazak Yusuf was also negative after a 14 day isolation period. So it’s all good”, he said.

Osas Mahawi

The Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) had concluded plans not to renew the contract of coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr but were beaten to it by the Franco-German coach who got wind of their idea, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

Rohr’s relationship with president of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) Amaju Pinnick has deteriorated to the point that they already contacted coaches to take his job when his contract expires in June.

The coach got to know about the plan and immediately used his contact with the minister for Youth and Sports Sunday Dare to complain about the slo‎w speed of his contract talks, something the NFF were deliberately doing to wind down the remaining months of his deal.

Owngoalnigeria.com gathered that the plan was to use the coronavirus crisis as an alibi on why talks on an extension couldn’t take place and let the coach leave when his deal expires but Dare ensured that the contract was drafted and sent to the coach.

The next plan was the public deriding of the coach in the media to provoke a response that will complicate talks and make them fire him on the grounds of insubordination. That too failed as Rohr refused to join words with Pinnick even when Joseph Yobo was appointed without his consent in place of his long term ally Imama Amapakabo.

A switch of plan was hatched with the inclusion of some terms that many felt were unrealistic like paying the coach in Nigeria’s local currency and also forcing him to reside in the country and scout for home base players in the team. The expectations were that he will reject it.

However to their surprise, he gladly accepted the terms and modified some areas before going ahead to even donate part of his wages in the remaining months of his contract to the NFF in the fight against the financial hardship caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Already plans have been perfected by the NFF with the duo of Hector Cuper and Harry Redknapp picked as the top two for the job ‎if Rohr gets fed up and decide to walk away. The coaches were reportedly recommended to the NFF by some former ex internationals.

We gathered they both agreed to work with same salary like Rohr is earning now and also reside in Nigeria. What was left was for Rohr to be frustrated out but a contact in the NFF hinted the coach and he beat them to their game leaving them thereby frustrating their attempts to replace him.

As at the time of filing in this report, Rohr has signed his own part of the deal and sent back to the NFF with an announcement on his renewal set to be announced in the coming days by the same body who wanted him out but got outsmarted by his counter tactics.

Osas Mahawi 

Francis Uzoho has spoken about the quality of his rival for the number one spot in the senior national team of Nigeria Maduka Okoye who keeps goal for the B team of German Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf, Owngoalnigeria.com reports.

Uzoho reestablished himself as first choice after impressing in the two friendly games against Ukraine and Brazil respectively but injury saw him miss the games against Benin Republic and Lesotho respectively in the race to be at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

He was replaced by Okoye in the 1-1 friendly draw against Brazil and in a live interview with a Lagos base radio station, the goalkeeper who spent last season on loan to champions of Cyprus Omonia Nicosia from Deportivo La Coruna picked the German born goalkeeper as one that is good enough to be first choice of the team.

“Of course, he does. It is not like I am trying to say other goalkeepers playing in Africa are not good. But there is a difference. You must have the opportunity,” Uzoho said.

“For Maduka to be at Düsseldorf, he is good, and he has the quality to play at the top, but it is also left for him to work hard and chase the dream,” Francis Uzoho insists.

“If you are asking whether he has the quality to get to the top, I will say yes because I have trained with him and he has the quality.”

Ade Emmanuel 

Heerenveen star Chidera Ejuke says his style of play is more like Brazilian superstar Neymar than that of Argentine legend Lionel Messi owing to the position he plays on the pitch.

22 year old Ejuke had a very good season and was among the players with the highest successful dribbles before the league was halted due to the coronavirus crisis with ten goals and six assists to his name in all competitions.

” People called me Messi owing by how I go past my markers but to me I am more like Neymar because we play same foot and also same position. I like cutting in from the left like he does. So I’m a bit more like him”, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Linked with a possible move away from Heerenveen this season, the Kaduna born forward who is managed by Attah Aneke same agent who oversees the affairs of Odion Ighalo is however not in a hurry to make a decision on his future.

” I’m just getting started ‎and will rather focus on my job on the pitch and allow my club and agent handled that aspect of my career. I have absolute trust that whatever decision that is reached will be in my best interest “, he concluded.

Osas Mahawi

Everton and Nigeria international midfielder Alex Iwobi says the abundant talents in the Super Eagles of Nigeria means every player have to be at their best during training sessions and even in games.

Iwobi has cemented his spot in the team as the playmaker but even at that he says he is always putting in extra shift in training because others who he is ahead of are also pulling their weight to upstage him.

” It’s scary when we train. It’s like a competition because it’s very competitive. Nobody wants to drop out of the starting lineup while those outside it want to come in. The way it is for me is how it is for everyone. Only the best gets to play”, he said in an interview monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com.

The forward thumbs up the effort of the technical crew and the team spirit in camp saying it’s the best atmosphere for the team to progress as a unit as their goal is always for the collective purpose of making Nigeria proud.

” In camp we operate as a family. One tight unit for the sole aim of making Nigeria proud. From the coaches to the rest of the team the unity is for the good of the team. When you operate in such way it means celebration as a group isn’t far away”, he concluded.

Osas Mahawi 

Bournemouth midfielder Philip Anyanwu Billing has reacted to the viral news on his switch of allegiance from Denmark to Nigeria reported by this portal on Friday and picked up by several others.

Billing according to our report has already filled his papers with FIFA regarding a switch to Nigeria at international level but the 23 year old said while talks have taken place between his representatives and Nigeria he is still committed to playing for Denmark.

“I think there are some rumors that come out of nowhere. When I saw it, I thought it might be good just to make a Danish article about it so that people don’t start to believe it. I saw the last time people started to speculate that I don’t mind playing for Nigeria and blah, blah, blah, ‘Philip Billing told BT.

“It would be strange to stand up for Nigeria when I feel 100 percent Danish. Of course I have Nigerian roots and am half Nigerian, but I was raised and born in Denmark. I have Danish mother, Danish little brother and Danish little sister and a Nigerian father. But this is Denmark I want to stand for. That’s my big dream, ‘says Billing.

Explaining further he said he spoke with coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr who wanted him to complete the switch early in order to be eligible for the Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers but he told Rohr he is committed to representing Denmark.

“I’ve talked to the coach, but I know where I want to play. I want to play for Denmark, so it is no longer than that.

“He just said he really wanted me to play for Nigeria, because the upcoming World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations will be played soon. I made it pretty clear to him that I wanted to play for Denmark. That’s my big dream. ”

Since starring for the Danish U21 at the last European Championship, he is yet to make the step up to the senior national team but all will likely change after he revealed that he has spoken with the coach who is next in line to take over as the coach of the Danish national team.

“I’ve talked to Kasper Hjulmand over the phone. Not about anything specific, but we just had a great conversation to get to know each other a little. From what I hear, it’s something I look forward to very much. Playing with the national team and hopefully in the future a few minutes and make my debut. ”

‘Hopefully this is the last time I have to answer whether I choose Nigeria. I can say that I am 100 percent in Denmark. I only think these are rumors and that’s to get people talking. But there is nothing at all, ‘concludes Philip Billing.

The international future of QPR midfielder Ebere Eze is one that has lingered on for a while as the 22 year old is yet to make up his mind on representing Nigeria or England at senior level.

Eze has enjoyed one of his best season till date with impressive performance for QPR that has already given birth to talks about a possible move to the English Premier League in the summer with Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace reportedly keen on signing him.

However, the recently capped England youth international says he is undecided over his international future in an interview published on Owngoalnigeria.com on Friday. His comments has sparked a reaction from the camp of the coach of the Super Eagles.

A member of the backroom team in an exclusive chat with Owngoalnigeria.com said the idea is not beg any player to represent Nigeria as they have more than enough to make up for any disappointment that may arise from players refusing to switch allegiance.

” No player can be bigger than the Super Eagles. Rohr has repeatedly insisted on players who are willing and committed to playing for Nigeria not the ones who see Nigeria as a fall back option. Eze isn’t different. Infact he is not even guarantee an automatic shirt even if he switch allegiance tomorrow.

” We are building a team and the idea is to use the best legs available. If he turns out among the best then he will get a chance. Everything is strictly on merit “, he concluded.

Osas Mahawi

Former Nigeria international defender Taribo West says Rangers of Scotland midfielder Joe Aribo is yet to come to terms with the demand of playing African football judging by his performance against Benin Republic and Seychelles respectively.

Aribo started his Super Eagles career with a bang with two goals in his first two games in friendly games against Ukraine and Brazil respectively. However he is yet to score in a competitive game for Nigeria after two games.

Speaking on what could have brought a lull in the performance of the 25 year old, West who played for Nigeria from when his made his debut in 1993 till 2002 said it was clear from the games that he is yet to come to terms with African football.

According to West, the terrain in Africa suits Oghenekaro Etebo more as he is more physical and also very quick in moving the ball into the opponent’s half. Something that is very useful in African football.

” I really don’t know how to put it in another way but Aribo is not a bad player but he need time to adjust to African football which is totally different from playing against European or South America team. In Africa there’s little or no time on the ball and that’s where Etebo comes in”, West told Owngoalnigeria.com.

“Etebo is physical, quick at moving the ball from the back and also very much the type that understands and know how to apply himself properly in a game. I think he should take his spot back when he is fully fit”.

Ade Emmanuel

Belgium side Charleroi are warming up to the prospect of receiving a huge financial windfall if their former striker Victor Osimhen gets a big money move from French Ligue 1 side Lille this summer, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

Lille are open to the idea of letting the forward who scored 18 goals in all competitions leave the club for a fee in the region of around €80 million. A year after signing him for €12 million from Belgium side Charleroi.

However, the deal which could potentially rise to €15 million also has a provision that will see them earn a further 20 percent from his sale to another team from Lille which looks likely to happen this summer.

If the fee of €80‎ million is anything to believe then will bank as much as €27 million as there own share of the deal which will be an absolute record pay for a team in Belgium in terms of funds made from transfer.

Youri Tielemans move from Anderlecht to Monaco is still the most expensive transfer ever in Belgium for €26 million but if the sale of Osimhen hits the reported mark, Charleroi will receive a fee which is one million euros more than what Anderlecht got for Tielemans.

Daniel Martins

The captain of the senior national team of Nigeria Ahmed Musa says he would have remained at CSKA Moscow if he had known that Leicester City won’t be selling Riyad Mahrez before deciding to join them, Owngoalnigeria.com reports.

Musa joined Leicester City in 2016 for a deal worth around €19.50 million but failed to settle down at the club and which led to a loan back to CSKA Moscow before excelling for Nigeria at the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

After his exploits at the World Cup, he made a shocking move to Saudi Arabia where he joined Al Nassr on a three year deal with a salary reported to be in the region of $270,000 a week.

” Before they (Leicester City) bought me ‎they told me that Mahrez is leaving, but he didn’t end up leaving, if I had known that he is going to stay, I would not have joined Leicester City. I would have stayed at CSKA Moscow “, he told Carol Tshabalala in an instagram live interview monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com editorial team.

” When I came ‎, we had lot of wingers in Leicester City but I was still playing. Ranieri ( Claudio) always play me behind Jamie Vardy, sometimes I play from the right or left. But after they sacked him and appointed Craig Shakespeare I don’t know what’s going on anymore as I stopped getting games”, he explained.

Meanwhile in another development, the 27 year old has also left his agent DW Sports after the expiration of his two year deal with the outfit. For now it appears he hasn’t committed to any other agency but rumours has it that he is keen on leaving Saudi Arabia.

His plan is to return back to Europe as he hasn’t had the best of time this season which has resulted in some verbal attacks by fans of the club and also his wages have not been paid as and at when due. A loan move is reportedly the surest best for him right now.

Osas Mahawi