Sala Search Re-start: League Players, crowds raise N76.3million

The search for missing Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala and pilot Dave Ibbotson could restart after a GoFundMe campaign supported by Premier League stars Laurent Koscielny and Ilkay Gundogan raised more than £160,000 about (N76.3million)within a day.

Over 2,000 people had responded to the appeal for funds. The target had originally been set at £129, 00 (€150,000) euros but was bumped up to £431, 00 (€500,00) after a spate of generous donations.

Footballer Adrien Rabiot boosted donations Saturday afternoon by putting up €25,000 (£21,500), to help with the private search for Sala.

Several other footballers, including Arsenal captain Koscielny and Manchester City midfielder Gundogan also donated large sums to boost the total.

The cash appeal was launched by Sport Cover, the name of Emiliano's agent Meissa N'Diaye's Paris-based football agency.

A message on the web fundraiser, which carries the Spanish language hashtag #NoDejenDeBuscar Emiliano Sala and means

'Don't Stop Looking for Emiliano Sala', said: 'This fund was created in response to the urgency of the situation and the authorities' decision not to pursue the search.

'Its sole objective, through a specialized non-profit organization, is to help the family of Emiliano and pilot Dave Ibbotson continue the search.

One fan who donated 20 euros wrote: 'Emiliano, if there's only the slightest hope I'm donating these 20 euros for the resumption of the search.

'You are in my heart and I want to help your family find you in any way I can.

'Whatever happens, you will always be in my thoughts. You are a great footballer and a wonderful person.

Debutant Mikel plays for 62 minutes in Boro's victory

Super Eagles captain john Obi Mikel made a starting debut for Middlesbrough Saturday, playing for 62 minutes in the 4th round FA cup tie against Newport.

 Mikel who had vowed shortly after signing the deal few days back to help the Championship side get back to the elite division was handed number 2 jersey for the match playing directly in front of the back four of the Tony Pulis tutored side.

The new club appears determined to give their new buy a fresh identity as his name on the lineup was indicated as Nchekwube Obinna.

The former Chelsea midfielder’s full name of course is John Michael Nchekwube Obinna.

The debut ended in a victory for Middlesbrough who shot into the lead in the 54th minute of the match thanks to Spain import Daniel Ayala. 

Middlesbrough dominated proceedings and no doubt deserved their victory with Mikel getting a replacement in Adam Clayton in the 62nd minute.

With the FA cup tie sorted out Mikel will turn his attention to the regular championship ties beginning from next Saturday when they take on West Brom away.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is happy with Mikel's move to the Championship side in England noting that it is important that he has a place "where he can play regular football".

Middlesbrough are 5th on the 24-team championship log with 47 points in 28 matches played so far.

Ahead of Middlesbrough on the log are Leads United, Norwich City, Sheffered Wednesday and West Brom in the 1st to 4th position in that order. 

In some other FA cup matches played on Saturday,Manchester City made mince meat Burnley, hammering the premier league side

5-0  while Swansea city beat Gallingham 4-1.

AFCON 2019: Salah Predicts Pharaohs vs Taranga Lions final

Liverpool talisman and Egypt international Mohamed Salah may have ruled out the possibility of Super Eagles making it to the finals of this year's African Cup of Nations in Egypt. 

The two time African footballer of the year rather predicted that the Pharaohs will play Taranga Lions of Senegal in the final. 

Interestingly Senegal international Sadio Mané who missed the African football of the year gong by whiskers is Salah's teammate at Liverpool and will be expected to lead Senegal in the continental battle of supremacy billed for 15 June and 13 July.

Salah is not only looking forward to Egypt who were handed the hosting right after Cameroon was disqualified hosting a very impressive tournament but also hoping that the Pharaohs will make it all the way to the final and win the trophy.

The 27 year old who had close to a rough ride at the World Cup in Russia, is eager to inspire his nation to the AFCON title, the 8th time they will be winning it if his dream comes to pass.

"It’s very exciting to play at home and we will do our best to win the title," Salah said on King Fut.(an English-based Egyptian website providing a variety of news and statistics for the sports in Egypt, especially the local football and covering the Egyptian expatriate footballers news).

The left-footed attacker predicted that they will face West African giants Senegal in this year's final.

“I think we will face Senegal in the final," the former AS Roma and Chelsea winger continued.

“This is the best time for Egypt to host the tournament. We may not have the best league in Africa, but we can be the best from now,” he added.

Egypt are the most decorated team in the history of the AFCON competition having won a record seven titles.  The last time they won the tournament was in 2010.

Super Eagles who qualified for the tournament with a match against Seychelles to spare in March missed the last two editions and will be hoping to bounce back to reckoning in the land of the pharaohs.  

Although Coach Gernot Rohr has not expressly been mandated to win the tournament many believe it is one title the team should aspire to win after a below par performance the World Cup in Russia.

The last time Nigeria won the title was in 2013 in South Africa, beating Burkina Faso by a lone goal in front of 85,000 spectators under late Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.

Liberated Moses happy to join Fenerbahce thanks Chelsea

Super Eagles forward Victor Moses has expressed joy following his successful Fernerbahce deal which was concluded Friday. 

The former Wigan Athleitic still basking in the euphoria of the move which many have dubbed liberation move judging from his bitter experience in recent times at the Stamford Bridge took the opportunity to prove that he was not having grudges for Chelsea, thanked the club and wished the team and the fans the very best in their future endeavors.  He further described his new club as a huge club with incredible fans and amazing history.

"Delighted to have joined @Fenerbahce 💯 A huge club with incredible fans and an amazing history 💪🏿 Can’t wait to get going!🇹🇷I’d also like to thank everyone at @ChelseaFC and I wish the team and the fans the very best for the future!"

Moses who made appreciable impact at the World cup in Russia despite Super Eagles eventual poor run announced shortly after the Mundial that he was quitting the national team to concentrate on club assignment, unfortunately the club assignment refused to come as Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri looked the other way most times preferring to leave the Nigerian on the bench.

An evidently excited Moses believes the move will return him to action on the pitch once more at a time when the super Eagles coach has made it clear that the doors of the national team remains open should the 28 year old decides to make a U-turn concerning his international career.

With his Chelsea contract due to expire next month strong indications abound that the move could become permanent after the agreed 18 months especially if he becomes an instant hit for the Turkish side that is eager to move up the ladder.

Moses who dons number 15 jersey at the Stamford Bridge and 11 with the Super Eagles, will don number 8 jersey at Fenerbahce.  Moses may debut for the club when they host Yeni Malatyaspor on Monday.

Heartland woo fans ahead Go Round clash in Okigwe

Still basking in the euphoria of their lone goal away victory over Nasarawa united at the weekend, Heartland have given their supporters a pat on the back for standing by the team all the way. 

The Nazi Millionaires who can be said to have re-structured ahead of the new season by engaging a whole lot of fresh legs, believe they stand a good chance of pulling weight this season.

The five premier league and three time FA cup winners believe the away victory will further serve as a huge ginger ahead of weekend fixture against Go Round Fc at the new Okigwe Stadium even as they called on their supporters to troop out in large numbers to support the boys.

One of the young chaps making it happen for the Owerri based side is Samuel Nnoshiri and the team did not hesitate to celebrate his contribution in tie against Nasarawa United. “What a way to get three points away from home than 17 year old Samuel Nnoshiri calmly beating his marker and banging the roof of the Nassarawa United goal. And what an assist from Nnamdi Egbujor! YES! Heartland is back! #NPFL19" the club enthused while announcing #NPFL our next game comes up this Wednesday at the sparkling new Okigwe Stadium. Once again, we will be counting on your support to cheer the lads to victory"

Heartland began the season with a lone goal defeat to Kano Pillars in Kano, recovered quickly to hammer Plateau United 3-0 in their second match before grabbing an impressive lone goal away victory against Nasarawa United.

The Nigeria Professional football league (NPFL) is featuring 24 teams for the first time, and many have hailed the successful take off of the new season.

Meanwhile a number of soccer fans who spoke  on the kickoff of the season say the League management board must do everything to curb incessant fracas that have been the trademark of the league.

A situation where the possibility of having a fight before, during, or after a match cannot be ruled out, they reasoned cannot attract the much needed fans to our match venues.

Some frowned at the banishing of teams and playing behind closed doors as punitive measure suggesting instead that deduction points in what they dubbed "Operation three goals and three points" will do the magic. “If a team knows three points will be deducted and three goals awarded to the harassed or attacked team, they will be more careful" they chorused while reacting to the fracas that occurred in the match between Remo Stars and returning premier league side Insurance of Benin.

Rangers seek icing on the cake as lobi battle Asec Mimosa

After an impressive away performance against Bantu FC of Lesotho in the CAF Confederation cup play off, hard fighting Rangers international will on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium consolidate on the smooth run so far.

The flying Antelopes will not only be hoping to win again with a 2-1 first leg advantage but will also be hoping to use victory at the Cathedral to formally celebrate the birthday of team coach Gbenga Ogunbote whose effort so far has continued to yield positive result. The club has already wished their darling coach a happy birthday but there is no doubt that victory on Sunday will be like icing on the cake.

"Wishing our very hard working Coach, Olugbenga Ogunbote 'The Oracle', a happy birthday today,  as he adds one more year to his age. Happy birthday sir!!!!! #NeverSayDie" was the expression Ogunbote woke up to find on the club's twitter handle Friday January 18.

 It did not stop there as the club went ahead to announce time for the upcoming match in an apparent call on supporters to turn out in large numbers to cheer their team to victory

"We play host to @BantuFC this Sunday in the third round second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu from 4 pm" the club announced.

Meanwhile Champions league contenders Lobi Stars who have already hit the Ivorian capital Abidjan ahead of Saturday's clash with Asec Mimosa will be up against a side that will be all out like wounded lions at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.

Unlike Lobi who are heading into Saturday's match fresh from a 2-1 home victory against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Asec are heading into the match fresh from a 5-2 defeat by Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca. 

Wydad are leading Group A with Lobi stars in the second place and while Mimosa are occupying the fourth place on the log. 

Two players Mimosa’s Salif Coulibaly and Lobi Stars Yaya Kone might find themselves working a bit under pressure for taking the bull by the horns against opponents last weekend. 

While Salif Coulibaly,hit the back of the net against the Moroccans despite Mimosa's defeat, Kone  ensured Lobi enjoyed a well-deserved victory at the Cathedral against Mamolodi.

Many believe it promises to be full of fireworks with Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal set to be at the centre in the Mimosa versus Lobi battle.

Junior Lokosa joins Tunisian League side Esperance

Happy New Year and Happy new start, that is perhaps the best way to greet Kano Pillars forward Junior Lokosa after the 25 year old successfully sealed a two and half year contract with Tunisian giants Esperance on Monday.

The Tunisian club dished out a welcome message for the Badagry boy who emerged highest goal scorer of the Nigerian Professional football league last season.  His exploits just before the world cup in Russia triggered off 'Operation include Lokosa in the World Cup squad' campaign among soccer fans in the country. 

Although he was part of the shape up friendlies just before the last 23-man squad was released by Coach Gernot Rohr, he ended up not making the team to Russia with many insisting that he would have made a difference had he been given a chance. 

Excited Esperance are hoping that the coming of the Nigerian will boost their CAF Champions league campaign even as they prepare to take on FC Platinum of Zimbabwe on Friday. 

Esperance are in group B which also has Orlando Pirates of South Africa and Horoya of Guinea. The four teams in the group all boast of one point after pulling a draw in their opening matches.  

While Platinum played out a goalless draw against Orlando Pirates, Esperance held Horoya to a 1-1 draw in Conakry. Esperance host Platinum on Friday and has been tipped to pull a victory in that one.  

It is not however known whether they can unleash their new man Friday's tie. Esperance are defending champions of the CAF Champions league and have won the title three times, finishing as runners up four times.

CAF Award: Nigeria living on past glory –Peter Ijeh

Sweden based former international Peter Ijeh has declared that Nigeria is living on past glory and will have to change ways of doing things if she is to become a force to be reckoned with again in the round leather game

His submission is coming barely 24 hours after Confederation of African Football (CAF) rolled out names of winners of the prestigious African Footballer of the year award in both the men and women categories among other awards in Dakar Senegal.

Although Nigerian players have won the gong combined five times in the men's category and combined 10 times in the ladies category, Ijeh insists that the country is not making deliberate effort to discover and sustain talents good enough to compete at all levels.

Since the reign of late Rashidi Yekini according to him, consistency has been a teething problem." After Rashidi Yekini we have not had a goal machine that can really compete, we have had strikers that come up and fade  and that is because we have not been doing the right thing" he observed

The former Malmö and IFK Göteborg ace placed the blame on the door steps of the Nigeria football federation insisting that it will take a synergy between the football house and ex-internationals that have something to offer to adequately harness the talents at the disposal of Nigeria at home and in the diaspora.

"I will blame it on the football federation that is not ready to accommodate input perhaps believing they have monopoly of knowledge. When you call and even write to make contributions they will not even respond, so if you have ideas that can help and they are not ready to hear it there is nothing really you can do," he said.  Ijeh had earlier predicted that Liverpool forward Mo Salah will retain the award in Senegal.

The 41 year old who went into coaching after hanging his boot in 2012 boasts of Uefa advanced licensed certificate.

He made only one appearance for the Super Eagles in 2002.  His invitation to the national team then became inevitable after he emerged highest goal scorer in the Allsvenskan in 2002 with 24 goals.

Egypt to host 2019 first 24-team Africa Cup of Nations

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt beat South Africa, the only other country to bid for the tournament. The land of the pharaohs reportedly beat the Rainbow nation 16 votes to one to clinch the nod. Cameroon were stripped of its hosting rights in November because of slow preparations. 

CAF had earlier said he decision would be made on Wednesday 9th January just a day after the CAF Award but made a U-turn last minute to announce the hosts before the award

Egypt will thus be making history as the first African Nation to host the expanded 24 team edition which will take place between June 15 to July 13 tournament.

The usual presentations by bidding countries was deemed unnecessary as both Egypt and South Africa, have representation on the executive committee.

The North African nation will be hosting the competition for the fourth time, having hosted the continent in 1974, 1986 and 2006.

The final round of qualifiers for the tournament will be held in March, with 14 nations, including Egypt, having already sealed their place at the finals.

 In terms of winning the championship Egypt remain the highest winners of the event haven won a record seven times including a triple in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

African coaches lack confidence declares Samuel Etoo

African coaches lack confidence in themselves despite having the needed qualifications to excel in the round leather game. 

Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o who made the submission opined that lack of confidence has limited the chances of most African coaches to reach the zenith of their careers.  

He equally noted that the non-progressive state of African coaches may have affected the psyche of African player many who ultimately decide against going into coaching after their playing careers. 

The former Barcelona ace told Canal+: 'some former black players don't want to become coaches, even if maybe they'd like to.

'Of course, there are many African coaches who have qualifications, but there's simply no confidence in them, unlike other coaches," he noted

The 37-year-old Eto'o, who also played for Premier League clubs Chelsea and Everton, and is currently plying his trade with Qatar Sports Club in the Qatar Stars League also noted that coaches of colour are unfortunately treated as second class citizens. He however hinted that he is ready to change the narrative when he ventures into coaching after playing.

'Coaches of colour have been disheartened because they're viewed as second-class citizens.'Still, I won in Europe as a player so I have to win in Europe as a coach," he enthused

That is indeed true with Eto'o winning the Champions League three times as a player as well as four domestic titles in Spain and Italy. 

He is keen to manage at the highest level once he hangs up his boots. The four time African footballer of

the year and two time Nations cup winner is among crème dela crème of sports legends that  hit Dakar Senegal for the Annual African footballer of the Year award.

Eto'o was a proud winner of the award in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010.

Etafia to Lobi Stars: Note that Sundowns are perennial attackers!

The Nation's flag bearers in the 2018/19 CAF Champions League Lobi Stars, have been told to wear maximum concentration as a toga as they face South African opponents Mamelodi Sundowns in their two legged group stage clash.

Former Super Eagles safe hand Greg Etafia who gave the advice, said attacking football is Sundowns stock in trade noting that the Pitso Mosimane tutored side are known to play with the same momentum whether at home or away.

"They are a team who like to attack both at home and away" he told FootballLive Nigeria.

The former Moroka Swallows goalkeeper who has lived in the Rainbow Nation since 2002 and has uncounted Sundowns in the course of playing for the Swallows in the South Africa's Premier Soccer League (PSL), said the 8-time premier league champions seldom give opponents breathing space.

This is however not the first time the former Nigerian international would be volunteering advice ahead of a crucial encounter between either Nigerian club sides versus their South African counters or between the national teams of both countries. 

Recall that ahead of the two legged AFCON 2019 qualifiers between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana, Etafia had told Bafana Bafana to put an eye on Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi if they are to prevent a sudden break that could rattle their defence describing Iwobi who only few days ago missed the 3-man shortlist for African football of the year as an incredible player.

"The 22-year-old attacker has, since his international debut in 2015, made 23 appearances for Nigeria with five goals.  “Iwobi is the future of the national team. Everyone can see the incredible things he is doing at Arsenal,” Etafia told .South African publication, Sowetan.

The second leg of the tie interestingly ended 1-1 at the FNB stadium with the Eagles qualifying for AFCON 2019 despite losing the first leg 2-0 at home.

 Lobi stars who have been intensifying training since the group stage draw was made, will test strength against Mamelodi Sundowns next weekend at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium.