Nigeria qualifies for Wafu Cup final after beating Benin Rep.

Nigeria's Super Eagles B have qualified for the finals of the Wafu Cup
currently going on in Ghana after beating neigbhours Benin Republic
1-0.

Kano Pillar's Rabiu Ali scored the all important goal in the 10th
minute for the Eagles.

Benin Republic's chances of getting an equaliser suffered a setback
when they were reduced to ten players in the 33rd minute after
Marcellin picked up a second yellow card.

Nigeria had chances to put more gloss on the scoreline, but they
spurned the chances that came their way. Gabriel Okechukwu had a late
chance cleared off the line in the 86th minute.

Nigeria now await the winners of the other semi finals, where host
Ghana would be favourite to advance.

Wafu Cup: Nigeria beat host Ghana 2-0 to qualify for semi final

The Super Eagles of Nigeria book their passage to the semi finals of
the Wafu Cup after beating host Ghana 2-0 at the Cape Coast stadium on
Monday.

Salisu Yusuf tutored side failed to find the net in their first two
group matches against Mali and Guinea with a goalless scoreline in
both games.

However needing a win against Ghana who had qualified coming into the
game, the Nigeria Professional Football League players distinguished
themselves with a dominant performance to advance to the next stage of
the competition.

They opened the scoring in the 54th minute of the second half through
Tony Okpotu and doubled the lead three minutes later through Peter
Eneji to add more gloss to the scoreline.

The Super Eagles have now scored four goals in four matches against
Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea and Ghana without conceding.

The semi finals would hold later this week.

WCQ Preview: Nigeria v. Cameroon

Nigeria v. Cameroon
World Cup Qualifiers
Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo
Matchday Three
Friday, 1 September, 2017
Time: 5pm

Nigeria would attempt to move closer to a sixth World Cup appearance when they play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Friday, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are top of the group with six points after victories over Zambia and Algeria in the first two matches. Cameroon are two points behind after two draws against the same opponents.

Cameroon come into the match as African Champions after winning the  Cup of Nations in February. They took part in the Confederations Cup in June where they struggled against Chile and Germany.

The last competitive match between both sides was at the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia 2004 when Nigeria came out tops 2-1 in a quarter final match with goals from Austin Okocha and John Utaka.

The last time both sides were in the same group for a World Cup qualifiers was in the race for italia 1990.

In World Cup Qualifiers between both sides, Nigeria have won two,  drawn one and lost one from four meetings.

In total, there have been twenty meetings between Nigeria and Cameroon, Nigeria have won 10 times, drawn 6 and lost 4.

Possible Line-Up

Nigeria would be without Alex Iwobi who pulled out with an injury. While Carl Ikeme is sick. The line up from Gernat Rohr should look like this:

Ezenwa, William Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile, Mikel John Obi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses 

WCQ: Iwobi, Moses, Mikel, Iheanacho and Igaho amongst 23 invited for Cameroon double header

Nigeria and Super Eagles coach,  Gernot Rohr has released his list of players for the World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon in September. The first leg of the tie takes place in Uyo on Friday 1st September while the return leg holds three days later in Yaounde on Monday 4th September.

Key players that missed the African Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to South Africa in March make a return to the squad.

They include Mikel Obi,  Odion Ighalo, Victor  Moses and Leon Balogun.

There is however a new debutant to the squad in the person of Nigeria born Ola Aina who is a England youth international that came through the ranks at Chelsea but currently plays for Championship side Hull City. Tyronne Ebuehi from Holland is also included for the first time.

Nigeria lead the group with six points after two matches. With Cameroon in second place with two points. While Algeria and Zambia have one point apiece.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Dele Alampasu (Cesarense FC, Portugal)

Defenders:

William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Elderson Echiejile (Sivasspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Ola Aina (Hull City, England)

Midfielders:

Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey)

Forwards:

Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

STANDBY:

Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Henry Onyekuru (Anderlecht FC, Belgium); Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Alhassan Ibrahim (Akwa United); Stephen Eze (FC IfeanyiUbah); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United)

What Can New Coach Gernot Rohr Bring To The Super Eagles?

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appointed 63 year old German,
Gernot Rohr as the new Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles on
Tuesday. The appointment puts to a close the protracted attempt by the
football house to bring in a foreign coach after Paul Le Guen rejected
in the job in July.

Now with an appointment in place, the attention has shifted to the
upcoming World Cup qualifiers which starts in October against the
Chipolopolo of Zambia.

Gernot Rohr is not a stranger to coaching teams in Africa. He has
previously managed Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Gabon. He was also
one time manager of Tunisian club side Etiole dul Sahel.
As a result, he would not have to adapt to conditions that are
prevalent in Africa in terms of having to deal with the difficult
traveling around the continent and the unforgiving playing surface in
some African countries.

He remarked that he is a German, and he is a winner in his first
comments when his appointment was confirmed. He went further to state
that Nigeria not only has the potential to qualify for the World Cup,
but they can get to the latter stages of the tournament.
Yet, every new person coming into a new job would always be upbeat
about the chances of the team.

At the moment, the Super Eagles are in their lowest ebb with their
failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations in 2015 and 2017. As
a result, the team has fallen to 71st in the FIFA rankings.
The Super Eagles have never been short of talents, but issues of on
field indiscipline and the inability of past coaches to mould
individual talents into a formidible team.

In terms of emerging talents, that could transform the fortunes of the
Super Eagles, Nigeria have not had it so good for a long time. With
the likes of Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Leon Balogun, Moses Simon
and even the uncapped Sadiq Umar, who is currently setting the Rio
Olympics football events alight.

In terms of attacking players, there is alot of players coming through
at the moment and others that have been around for a number of years
in Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses.
However defensively and in midfield, the team cannot fully boast of
talents coming through like others in the attacking areas. But such
shortcomings could be mitigated against by using the sum of the teams
part to achieve a greater cohesion defensively.

Though Gernot Rohr has worked in Africa before, he would not have
worked with the kind of quality players that would be at his disposal
when he finally resumes his job fully. The pool of talents available
to him would be bigger than anything or anywhere he has been involved
in in the past.

At his age, experience is not an issue. He would bring his wealth of
experience to the team as a old warhorse. His experience of having
previously worked on the continent would be especially valuable as he
doesn't have to adapt fully to the demands of the job here.

The German would be Nigeria's first foreign coach in six years after
the ill fated spell of Lars Largaback who was in charge for the 2010
World Cup. Previously Clemens Westerhof (1989-1994) and Philippe
Troussier (1997) were the last foreign coaches to qualify the Super
Eagles for the 1994 World Cup in the United States and the 1998 World
Cup in France. Although, Bora Milutinovic was the coach that took
Nigeria to the tournament in France as Troussier was sacked after he
qualified the team for the tournament with a game to spare for the
bizarre reason that those in the football house were not comfortable
with his 3-5-2 system.

It was Amodu Shaibu and Stephen Keshi that qualified the team for the
2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cup respectively.

Gernot Rohr would be attempting to be the third foreign coach to
qualify Nigeria for its sixth World Cup. And this qualification should
be the toughest yet with Algeria, Cameroun and Zambia the opponents
that Nigeria would have to overcome in order to qualify for the World
Cup in Russia in two years time.

Amaju Pinnick has staked his reputation with the appointment of a
foreign coach. He has been vocal about this since Sunday Oliseh
resigned from the position. Now that he has gotten what he wants, its
left for him to create the enabling environment for the German to
perform his duties. Something he failed to do when Stephen Keshi and
Sunday Oliseh were in charge. Still date, they are still being owed
salaries and allowances the NFF never paid.

Gernot Rohr is fully aware of what it takes to work in Africa,
although Nigeria is not Burkina Faso, Gabon or Niger Rep. as the
pressure of these jobs are different.
And the organisation is better in those country than Nigeria. It is
his ability to cope that will determine whether his two year stint
will be a success.

Above, the issue of sentimentalism should be a thing of the past,
invitation should be based purely on merits. Something our local
coaches aren't particularly known for.

A Tired U23 Dream Team Pulls Off Miracle of Manaus

Score line: Nigeria 5, Japan 4

Team Line up: Emmanuel DANIEL (GK), Seth MUENFUH, Abdullahi SHEHU,
William TROOST-EKONG, Oghenekaro ETEBO,Imoh EZEKIEL, John Obi
MIKEL(C), Sadiq UMAR, Azubuike OKECHUKWU, Stanley AMUZIE, Usman
MUHAMMED

Scorers: S. Umar 6'
E. Oghenekaro 10', 42', 51', 66'
S. Koroki 9'
T. Minamino 11'
T. Asano 70'
M. Suzuki 90'+5

Nigeria's U23 football team pulled off a remarkable win over Japan in
the football event of the Rio Olympics. The result was remarkable
because of the circumstances that surrounded the team's departure from
Atlanta and arrival in Brazil.

After training and camping in Atlanta, United States for over three
weeks ahead of the tournament, the team was scheduled to leave on
Monday, but with less than 24 hours to the match, they were still in
Atlanta without an iota of certainty that they would be at the
tournament. After their initial flight was delayed, a chartered flight
was arranged, but it turned out that the plane was too small to take
all the players and officials.

Eventually it was Delta Airlines that came in at the last minute to
take the team to Manaus with less than 15 hours to the match. The team
boarded their flight at 8am Eastern Time, in the United States. They
arrived Manaus in Amazon, Brazil at about 2:15pm Eastern time, less
than seven hours to the match.

With the terrible travel arrangement that the team had to endure
arriving few hours before the match, after over six hours flight,
having to deal with jetlag and other inconveniences.

So it was no surprise that the U23 team tired visibly towards the end
of the match. S. Umar and Oghenekaro Etebo were inspiring in the
match. The former Warri Wolves O. Etebo was in its usual elements
arriving late from his midfield position to score four goals. With the
fourth goal the pick of the bunch being a 30 yard shot. He picked up
from where he stopped from the U23 African championships in Senegal
where he was the highest goal scorer when them won that tournament.

Roma's S. Umar was a menacing presence up front for Samson Siasia's
team holding up play and getting an assist with the penalty he won for
the Dream Team.

Samson Siasia's teams have always been known for entertaining
football. They would always score goals, but defensively, his teams
are always suspect. But due to the peculiar circumstances which
surrounded the team's travel arrangement, that they can be forgiven
for some of the defensive lapses that plagued the team in the last
quarter of the match as some of it was due to the tam being leggy.

The team was comfortably 5-2 up with 20 minutes left to play, but
conceded two goals to endure what was a nervy finish.

When taken into context, what the team achieved was nothing short of a
miracle. Physically and mentally the players would be drained after
arriving for the match. That they could pick up themselves to play
they way they did against a very energtic Japanese team is a huge
feat.
The Japanese had been in Brazil for a number of weeks, and they were
settled unlike the Nigerians that were in disarray before the match.

Several pundits have asserted that when a Nigerian team is not under
pressure they then to play well, and well beyond expectation. Few
expected them to even win the match due to the untidy nature of their
late arrival in Brazil, but when a draw would have been a bonus, they
got a win which was more than many bargained for.

With the other group match between Colombia and Sweden ending 2-2, the
Dream Team can secure passage to the quarter finals with a win over
Sweden when they play their second group match on Sunday.

Samson Siasia has a remarkable record and success in managing
Nigeria's youth teams. Coming runners-up with the Flying Eagles in the
2005 U20 World Cup, and winning Silver Medal for the Dream Team in the
Beijing 2008 Olympics footbal team. And at both times, his team lost
to Lionel Messi inspired Argentina.

It remains to be seen how the team goes from the high of this
remarkable win over Japan to approach other matches.

Why Players Born Abroad Should Be The Future Of The Super Eagles

Over a decade ago, FIFA regulations prevented players who were either born or grew up abroad but who have African parentage or other nationality that did not switch nationality before the age of 21 from playing for the country of their parents birth. Nigeria did not suffer much from this regulation at the time, but the same cannot be said of some Francophone countries that lost key players to other countries. Senegal lost Patrick Vieira to France; Zidane to Algeria, Cape Verde lost Nani to Portugal and a host of other African countries lost players who have gone on to be world class players.

However, it was fitting that it was an African country that brought a proposal before the FIFA congress for the previous regulation to be changed. It was the Algerian FA that tabled a proposal that players that have dual nationality should be able to switch allegiance at any time without restriction of age. It did not come as a surprise that since the change, the Algerians have been the highest African beneficiary of this change, with more than half of the Algerian squad to the last World Cup in Brazil being players born in France. Also, other Francophone countries have benefited also from this change. Cape Verde has seen players that grew up in Portugal now part of the national team. Both the Island of Cape Verde and Algeria currently have the two best teams in Africa going by the latest FIFA rankings, and this has been achieved through their ability to court players that grew up in foreign countries under better football training.

In the case of Nigeria, it has been a mixed case as regard the number of players that have switched nationality. However, despite the slow pace at which players with Nigerian parents that were born abroad switch nationality, the trend is currently changing, the likes of Leon Balogun who has a German mother and a Nigerian father and a player at bundesliga side Mainz has been part of the national team set up for almost three years after he choose to play for Nigeria. The defender was part of the Mainz side that defeated Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena for the first time this season.

However the most high profile switch to date has been that of Alex Iwobi of Arsenal who happens to be the nephew of Nigerian legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha. The 19 year old has seen his stock grow in recent weeks after some stellar displays in Arsenal FA cup campaign, but it was his display against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and against Everton at Goodison Park when he opened his account for the gunners, that has made many to sit up and see what he is made up.

What is interesting about these players that grew up abroad is that their actual age can easily be ascertained because there are database of records. What this means is that they can be relied on for a number of years to form the nucleus of the national teams. A player that is truly nineteen has at least 15 years with the national team. If this approach is adopted in the way players are selected for the various national teams, it can further the development of football as planning with certain players would become easy as you know that these players would be around for a certain period of time without the fear that their performance would not decline because of a false age.

A clue of this is the recent turnover of players from Nigeria’s successes at the Under17 level. They have not gone on to replicate the same performances at a higher level because of a physical decline due to age. Some of the players from the 2007 winning Golden Eaglets have practically disappeared from football radar, meanwhile players like Real Madrid and Germany’s Toni Kroos from that tournament, and Bojan Krkic are still going strong in football. Even some of the players from the 2013 winning Golden Eaglet have not gone on to anything good in football terms. Only Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho can be said to be a shining light from that squad. While the jury is still out on how the players that won the 2015 tournament would turn out in a few years.

The only way for Nigeria football to overcome the scenario where players suddenly disappear from radar after a few performances is for the authorities and coaches to carry out a paradigm shift in focusing on players who have dual nationality but where born abroad, It is then actual sustainable football development can truly occur in terms of what Nigeria can achieve with the Super Eagles and other national teams.

Odion Ighalo Joins The Okocha & Odemwingie club

Super Eagles and Watford striker Odion Ighalo has been named the
Barclays player of the month for the month of December. The 26 year
old helped Watford to 10 league points last month by scoring 5 goals.

He becomes the third Nigerian that has won the award, joining the
likes of Jay Jay Okocha who won it while at Bolton, and Peter
Odewingie who had it during his time at West Brom.

He was the top scorer in the top four leagues ( Premier League,
Championship, League One and League Two ) in England in the calender
year 2015 with 30 league goals spanning over his time with Watford in
the English second tier, the Championship, and the league goals he has
scored in the Premier League since the season started.

It was a joint award for the North London club as the manager of the
month award was won by it manager Quinte Flores.

Watford are currently in 10th position in the league with 29 points
after a strong first half of the season.

They resume their league campaign next monday with a visit to the
Liberty Stadium as guess of the struggling Swansea City.

Nomadic Stadium Movement makes for inconsistent Eagles

Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna ( Photo:panoramio.com)

There are many factors that have affected Nigerian football in respect of how the national team has fared in recent times. While the obvious maladministration has been talked about more times than many can remember as well as the inconsistency in player selections. No doubt the quality on offer in terms of the players available to the national team selectors leaves much to be desired. little wonder Sunday Oliseh has struggled in his bizarre experiments in the three competitive matches he has superintended over as the team's coach.

However there has been a particular side that few have dwelled on as to why the country's national team has remained like a wave of the sea that goes up and down.

This issue lies in the way the venue of matches is chosen. The lack of a particular venue that is known to all has made for some measure of inconsistent displays by the Super Eagles. What is prevalent now is that there have been different stadia that Nigeria have had to play on, which most times denies the players the familiarity they would have enjoyed in playing in just one stadium that would serve as really a 'home stadium' for the players.

During the great years of Clement Westerhof as coach of the Super Eagles, virtually all the competitive matches during his five year stint at the helm were played at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The country's qualification for it first World Cup in the USA was built on a solid home performance in Lagos when consecutive 4-1 victories over Algeria and Ivory Coast went a long way in qualifying Nigeria for that tournament. The spectators in Lagos had a way of driving a team home to victory.

The same was replicated for much of the qualifiers for France 98 as Philippe Troussie successfully guided Nigeria to qualification while matches remained in Lagos.

The qualifiers for the Olympics in 1996 were also played in Lagos. The 0-0 draw and 3-2 victories over Kenya and Egypt came at the National Stadium.

The last time the Super Eagles enjoyed a sustained run in front of Lagos fans was during the 2000 African Cup of Nations when they played all their matches there, but lost the finals to Cameroon under the guidance of Bonfere Jo.

After the inconsistent start to qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup following losses to Sierra Leone in Freetown, Shiabu Amodu came into the saddle, but of more significance, the country's last round of matches were played at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt, thereby setting a trend of moving matches out of Nigeria's traditional home of Lagos. The Super Eagles recorded victories over Ghana, Liberia and Sudan to qualify, and Port Harcourt served as a change of tonic for the team.

The construction of the Abuja National Stadium for the All Africa Games in 2003 led to the National Stadium, Lagos to be abandoned, and it inevitably fell into disrepair. The National Stadium in Abuja has never really attracted a full house because of it location, which is very far from the suburbs where football fans live.

The advantage of the newly built Abuja National Stadium was that the Super Eagles and other teams had the chance of playing on a good pitch.

It was now the new home of the Super Eagles. It qualified for the 2008 Cup of Nations from there. But the heartache of losing out on qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany remains notable. Ironically, the key match in Nigeria's group was played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. A decision that ultimately backfired, with the team drawing 1-1 against Angola. It was the match that cost Nigeria that ticket.

And such irrational decision of changing venues has in itself cost Nigeria on several occasions. There was the usual hue and cry after that result, with many lamenting the decision to play that match in Kano instead of Abuja.

The qualification for the Cup of Nations and World Cup in 2010 was secured playing in Abuja. It was now the home of the team, but it seldom attracted a full house in the 60,000 capacity National Stadium.

Following Samson Siasia's failure to qualify Nigeria for the Cup of Nations in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea in 2012 after a nervy 2-2 draw with Guinea at the Abuja National Stadium, the unwritten rule to start moving matches across the country became enshrined in the way the football house takes decisions. As it seems a bad result was always a recipe to seek another venue.

One thing the Super Eagles never lacked while playing in Abuja was the complement of playing on a good pitch.

The UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar subsequently became Nigeria's new home. And like the National Stadium in Lagos, it became something akin to a home for the Eagles. It qualified for the Cup of Nations in 2013 playing all its matches there, and also the 2014 World Cup qualifiers were all played there too.

It seems the certainty that matches would be played in Calabar aided the consistent performance of the Super Eagles as they went unbeaten while their stint lasted in Calabar. However, that all changed after the 3-2 loss to Congo Brazzaville. Since that loss in September 2014, Nigeria has not played any match in Calabar.

Strangely the remaining home matches were played in different venues with contrasting results. The match against Sudan which ended in a 3-1 victory was played in Abuja marking a return to the Stadium. But the key match against South Africa where victory was needed was played in Uyo at the Akwa Ibom Stadium. The team never felt at home in a 2-2 draw against Bafana Bafana a year ago. I doubt if any National team has played three homes matches at different venues for a qualifying campaign of the Cup of Nations.

In March, 2015 Stephen Keshi's last match as Super Eagles coach was played against Chad at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, in what was largely a bumpy pitch. Since then another venue has been used for Super Eagles matches which was the World Cup qualifiers against Swaziland played at the Adoke Amesiemeka Stadium in Port Harcourt in November.

The lack of a particular stadium where the Super Eagles can actually call home as resulted in several inconsistent home performances and this trend might not change.

However, when the situation in Nigeria is compared to what obtains in other African countries, there is clearly a pattern that is different. As most of the power houses of African football restrict their matches to a particular stadium, and where there is a shift in venue it never more than one city. The Black Stars of Ghana alternate between the Accra Sport Stadium, Accra or the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. The Elephants of Ivory Coast are at home at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. Tunisia plays their matches at the Stade 7 November, Rades, Zambia’s matches now takes place at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Cameroun’s Indomitable Lions ply their trade at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé or the State de la Reunification in Douala, while the Desert Foxes of Algeria have settled for the Mustapha Tchaker in Bilda, which has served them well in their recent resurgence in the African football scene.

While the venue of matches is determined most times in Nigeria by financial consideration, it will serve Nigeria football well if the football house would stick to prosecuting matches involving the National team in a particular venue so that the players and coaching staff can enjoy the benefit of truly playing in a home stadium. 

Joseph Yobo joins Norwich City

Awayfans

Nigeria and Fernabache defender Joseph Yobo has joined Norwich city of the English Premier League from the Turkish league leaders. He joins on loan until the end of the season. He is expected to aid a Norwich defence that has shipped in 35 goals in 23 league matches.
Speaking on the move the Nigerian captain who last feature for the Super Eagles in AFCON finals in South Africa a year ago said:

"This the league i understand and i hope to give my best to Norwich". He went further
"Fenerbahce understand how important it is for me to play regular football and I'm grateful they sanctioned this move," .
"It's a very important decision and I'm happy with the opportunity to return to England."

Joseph Yobo has a total of 95 caps for Nigeria and will be hoping to win a place in Stephen Keshi's squad to the World Cup in the summer in what will be his last major tournament at age of 33years.

CHAN: Super Eagles to Play Ghana's Black Stars in semis

Ghana overcame Democratic Republic of Congo in the last quarter finals of the African Nations Championship holding in South Africa through a penalty scored by Kwabena Adusei in the 69th minute. They will now play Nigeria in the last semi finals on Wednesday. While Libya will play Zimbabwe in the other semi finals after they won 4-2 on penalties after the match was deadlocked at 1-1 for 120 minutes.

Super Eagles come from three goals down to reach semi finals of CHAN

Morocco 3
Nigeria 4

The Super Eagles team B recorded a fit really seen in international
football when they came from three goals down to win in extra time and
booked their place in the African Nations Championship semi finals.
The Eagles looked sluggish in the first half with the players playing
the ball to feet instead of into space. There was no movement from the
players especially in the first half.
A match that looked even turned on it head with three goals in a space
of seven first half minutes. The first came from a needless give away
in midfield which left Morocco with three on two
Nigerian defenders. There was nothing Agbim could do as Mohsine
Moutaouali chipped the ball over him in the 33rd minute. The second
came in the 37th minute from a free kick as the Nigerian wall stood
still as Iajour Mouhssine curled the ball over the wall inspite of the
despairing dive of Agbim. The third Morocco goal in the 40th minute
also from Mohsine Moutaouali looked to have won the match. As Nigeria
looked death and buried.
But a resurgent Nigeria with goals from Ogonna Uzochukwu in the 49
minute, Rabiu Ali in the 59th minute and Uzoenyi in the 90th minute
took the game to extra time. Although Imenger had a chance to win the
match within regulation time when he cut in from the right and let fly
inside the box. But Nigeria had the last laugh in extra time when the
Morocco goalkeeper spilled a simple cross from Uzoenyi, and
Aliyu Ibrahim was there to give Nigeria the win in the 111st minute of
extra time.

When asked what he told his players at half time, Keshi said

"I told the boys at half time that this is not us, showing too much
respect for Morocco and they said 'We are not going home tonight."

Osazee Odemwingie to sign for Stoke City

Cardiff and Nigeria's striker Osazee Odemwingie is on the verge of
signing for Stoke City from Cardiff.

It is understood that Odemwingie has already completed his medical and
is waiting for the club to confirm the transfer.

He was signed in the summer from West Brom for a fee of 2 million
pounds, but saw limited playing time in Cardiff after his
controversial stint with West Brom.
The deal is expected to be announced soon according to the BBC.

Super Eagles' Elderson Echiejile joins Monaco from Sporting Braga

Elderson Echiejile formerly of Rennes, and Sporting Braga has joined
Monaco of France on a four and a half year deal.
Bearing his mind on the transfer, he had this to say to the Monaco website

"I am very happy and proud - Monaco is one of the best clubs in Europe,"
"They have a great reputation in Africa since George Weah played
here." he went further:
As well as former Liberia striker Weah - three-time African Player of
the Year and 1995 World Player of the Year - he concluded by saying:
the "great Nigerian players who have worn the Monaco jersey, like
Lukman Haruna and Victor Ikpeba"

He now joins the select group of Nigerians who have featured for Monaco.
He was part of the successful Nigerian team to the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
This move represent a career high for Echiejile has Monaco are once
again a rising power in European football because of their huge
investment on players such as Radamal Falcao.

Mikel Obi has to reinvent himself

John Mikel Obi has endured some difficult times in his career particularly
at the early stage. Where his proposed move from Lyn Oslo of Norway
to Manchester United in April 2005 collapsed shortly after he was
unveiled in Norway. But ownership issues scuppered the deal.
Eventually he had a stellar Under 20 World Cup in Holland, where he
single handedly conducted the orchestra from midfield as Nigeria
lost narrowly to Lionel Messi's inspired Argentina in 2005. Yet his
future was still unresolved.
Austin Eguaveon surprisingly included him in the Super Eagles squad to
the 2006 African Cup of Nations in Egypt where he scored his first
ever international goal for the Super Eagles in a group stage match.
Yet his unresolved future rumbled on.
Finally, succour came his way when Chelsea agreed a deal of 16 million
pounds to secure his services in the summer of 2006. That eventually
settled the lingering battle for one of Nigeria's talented footballers.
His early days in Chelsea's colour saw him make few appearances, but Jose
Mourinho in his first spell as Chelsea's Manager converted Mikel to a
defensive midfielder and with Claude Makalele, he learnt his trade
from the master. Yet the question remains was this conversion of
benefit to his overall football abilities?
He has played under several coaches in Chelsea's hire and fire regime
of Roman Abramovich. With Chelsea's triumph in the 2012 European
Champions league being one of his finest moments. Together with
Nigeria's triumph at the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

Mikel Obi though has not really reinvented himself by adding more
attacking verve to his game. He has two goals this season which by his
own standard is a remarkable return of goals.
His position in the National team, the Super Eagles, is always
assured, with the added incentive of playing further forward, a
testament to this was the goal he scored against Uruguay in 2013
Confederations Cup in Brazil.
However, the real issue lies with his club future especially with the
arrival of Nemanja Matic for 21 millions pound from Benfica, Mikel
Obi will have to adapt his game completely to make himself an all
round midfielder by increasing is goal tally so that he will not
suffer from the dying breed of pure defensive midfielders. Where the
vogue now is now deep lying play makers in the mode of Xabi Alonso
and Arturo Vidal.
Only time will tell how is journey continues at Chelsea as competition
for his position becomes fierce.

CHAN:Nigeria outplayed by Mali

Mali 2 Nigeria 1 In the second match of the African Nations Championship played Saturday in Capetown, a tournament met for players plying their trade in their domestic league. Nigeria were outplayed, out thought and were lucky to escape with a final of score at 2-1 as the players looked out of their depth in their first ever appearance in the tournament. Goals from Abdoulaye Sissoko in the 17th minute and a second half cracker from roving left winger Adama Traore gave Mali a stunning start to the competition. Mali took the lead in the 17th minute with a ferocious drive from Sissoko after breaking free on the right flank after Mali had cut open the Nigeria defence. His fierce shot gave Chigozie Agbim no chance from inside the box. The Malians started very enterprisingly and could have notched a second on quick succession on the 20th and 21st minutes but on both occasions their attempts went agonisingly wide. Nigeria then tried to fashion their own attacks through a long range effort from Abubakar Ibrahim but the attempt was parried away for a corner by Malian goalkeeper, Soumaila Diakite soon after. The Malians began the way they started the first half and forced a dangerous corner in the opening minute, again after piercing through the Nigeria defence but from a resultant corner, the Super Eagles cleared a goal-bound shot from the line. With Mali taking the match to their more illustrious opponents, it came as no surprise when Adama Traore made it 2-0 with another vicious shot which went through the legs of Agbim in the 49th minute. However, Nigeria urgently hit back with a glancing header from substitute Fuad Salami to set up a frantic finish. As the match turned into a ding dong affair, both sides wasted some gilt-edged chances with the most glaring being another powerful shot from Mali’s Cheick Doumbia midway through the second half. Christantus Ejike then made a tantalising cross into the Malian box but the inviting ball found no takers as the tempo of the game became brutal. Traore was always proving a handful and had another shot well saved by Agbim in the 78th minute. Nigeria replied with a sweeping counter-attack in the 88th minute in a last ditch attempt but the final attempt flew over the bar. In all fairness, it would have been cruel for Mali to lose or draw the match as they looked by far the more polished side and had more verve when going for the attack. (c) cafonline