Mikel in full action as Guangzou downs Tiajin Teda 2-0

Succor is yet to come the way of Chinese Super League side Tiajin Teda as the John Obi Mikel captained side went down 2-0 away to Guangzou R&F at the Yuexiushan Stadium on Saturday.  

The Super Eagles captain and his Tiajin Teda teammates found their hosts a hard nut to crack conceding the first goal in the 27th minute and the second in the 76th minute.

The club has not been able to sing victory song in the last four matches, with the last win dating back to 10th August against Henan Jianye at home.

 The four last matches have ended in two draws and two defeats including a 5-2 demolition by Beijing Guoan.

Ghanaian import Frank Acheampong was in aciton for 73 minutes but found the Guangzou R&F defence difficult to rattle .

Tiajin Teda will have to wait till 14th September to see if they will earn three points from visiting Shanghai SIPG.

Mikel who will be missing Super Eagles Afcon 2019 qualifier against Seychelles next Saturday in Victoria after pulling out of the tie, has nonetheless expressed optimism that the Eagles will achieve a good result. 

While Mikel will be missing in action in Victoria, China based Odion Ighalo will be action against the Pirates. 

Ighalo was on target August 26th as Changchun Yatai avoided home defeat holding Hebei CFFC to a 2-2 draw. 

Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr believes Victoria tie will afford Ighalo ample opportunity to rediscover his scoring skills for the team.

Europa League: Iwobi, Moses get Sporting, PAOK Challenge

Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi and his Arsenal teammates will open their Europa league campaign against Portugal side Sporting CP following the draw which was dished out on Friday. The Nigerian international who has been in great shape for the Emirates landlords will be looking forward to help the side compete for title after missing a place in the Champions league finishing in the 6th place last season with 70 points. Compatriot Victor Moses who recently announced a decision to retire from the national team and concentrate on club assignment will be facing Greek side PAOK with his Chelsea teammates.  

The 27 year old who reportedly is being approached by the Super Eagles coaching crew to have  a rethink into what has been dubbed his 'shocking and early retirement from international football'was left out in the Blues 2-1 away victory over Newcastle last week prompting some of his mischievous critics to predict that it will be hard for him to get the required playing time under new coach Maurizio Sarri.  

He was equally an unused substitute earlier when Chelsea hosted Arsenal in a tie that ended 3-2 in favour of Chelsea with Iwobi enjoying 75 minutes action garnished with a 41st minute goal to his credit. In other Europa league fixtures AC Milan face a more difficult campaign against Olympiacos, Real Betis and Dudelange in Group F.

Steven Gerrard's Rangers are also facing a difficult group stage, having been pitted against Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow in Group G.

Last season's semi-finalists Marseille will meet Lazio, Eintracht Frankfurt and Apollon in a competitive Group H

Below is the full picture of the groups.

Group A: Bayer Leverkusen, Ludogorets, FC Zurich, AEK Larnaca

Group B: Salzburg, Celtic, RB Leipzig, Rosenborg

Group C: Zenit St Petersburg, Copenhagen, Bordeaux, Slavia Prague

Group D: Anderlecht, Fenerbahce, Dinamo Zagreb, Spartak Trnava

Group E: Arsenal, Sporting CP, Qarabag, Vorskla

Group F: Olympiacos, AC Milan, Real Betis, Dudelange

Group G: Villarreal, Rapid Vienna, Spartak Moscow, Rangers

Group H: Lazio, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt, Apollon Limassol

Group I: Besiktas, Genk, Malmo, Sarpsborg

Group J: Sevilla, Krasnodar, Standard Liege, Akhisar

Group K: Dinamo Kiev, Astana, Rennes, Jablonec

Group L: Chelsea, PAOK, BATE, Vidi

Enyeama, Ligue 1 side LOSC end 7-year romance

Former Super Eagles number one goalie Vincent Enyeama has ended his seven year romance with French Ligue 1 side LOSC

Lille, the club confirmed on Friday. The parting according to the club was on mutual consent in a no victor no vanquished agreement.

In a brief statement on the club's website, Les Dogues confirmed that the 36-year-old's contract had been terminated by mutual consent.

"Beyond his performances, LOSC and its supporters will remember Vincent's smile and his enthusiasm," the statement read.

"The club wishes him the best from now on in his future projects."

The Nigeria international joined the club from Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2011, but hasn't featured for the Northern side since April 2017.

He was deemed surplus to requirements by previous coach Marcelo Bielsa, and was overlooked by his successor Christophe

Galtier.

The stopper played 164 games for Lille, and came close to breaking Gaetan Huard's record for consecutive Ligue 1 minutes without conceding in the 2013-14 season.

The former Bnei Yehuda ace , who won the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013, was part of the side that were

defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the 2016 League Cup final.

Enyeama in what could pass as confirmation of frictionless departure, shared a message of thanks to the LOSC LilleSupporters

"The adventure has ended," Enyeama began, writing on his @Vinpee Twitter handle. "I thank the Lille supporters for their incredible support during these seven years, which were, for me, years of happiness and joy.

"Thank you, a thousand times, thank you, for this love that you've given me."

Enyeama arrived at Lille from Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2011, and would go onto make 164 appearances for the club. The highlight perhaps came in the 2013-14 season, when he went within 114 minutes of equaling Gaetan Huard's record for consecutive Ligue 1 minutes without conceding.

"You will always have a special place in my heart," Enyeama added. "Your songs and your cheers will stay engraved forever. Love you guys!

"Thank you also to all of the staff of LOSC, the medical staff, with a particular mention to all of the reserve team in N2 [The French Championnat National 2], and their medical staff." submitted Enyeama who has been to three world cups 2002, 2010 and 2014 with the Super Eagles but exited the national team under controversial circumstances under former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh.

Davido to Nigerian youths: Tie up every loose ends!

*signs up for National Youth service Corps

Nigeria's music sensation David Adeleke otherwise called Davido may have sent a direct advise to Nigerian youths to put their records right as they undertake the journey of life.  The Music graduate who has made a huge career of his passion registered for the mandatory one year National Youth Service corps on Tuesday while indirectly urging the Nigerian youth not to take anything for granted. Otondo OBO ... 🇳🇬 #Nysc .. Tying up  every loose end!" The 25 year old dished out on his twitter handle @iam_Davido

The twit was followed by a picture of the musical idol in NYSC Uniform as he sat on one of his eye popping rides.

Davido who only recently celebrated the arrival of his private jet will no doubt inspire many academically inclined youths in the country with his decision to key into the mandatory one year service three years after bagging a bachelors degree in Music.

Davido graduated from Babcock University, Ilisan- Remo, Ogun State, in 2015 after completing his course in music. His graduation ceremony it will be recalled attracted crème dela crème of the society including respected producer of popular track ‘Doro buchi’ done in collaboration with high flying female artist Tiwa Savage.

Davido who has been hailed by some of his fans for taking the step will expectedly partake in all the known sporting activities in camp viz endurance trek,inter platoon football competition, tug of war to mention just  few.  There are strong indications that while in camp Davido may be drafted to play a role in the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS) which aside from passing information/announcement to corps members in camp also conducts live interviews and request shows.

The compulsory one year National Service for graduates in the country was introduced in 1973 under the regime of under General Yakubu Gowon.

Recall that Davido featured in the World Cup theme song for Super Eagles ahead of the last world cup in Russia in the form of video with commercial soft drink company pepsi.  The video which became instant hit also featured other pop stars like Wizkid and Tiwa Savage alongside midfield maestro Jay Jay Okocha and Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi.

AFCON 2019: Rohr not under pressure to deliver

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is not a man under pressure. The former Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso coach is leading Nigeria to 2019 Nations cup in Cameroon and from all indications he has no need to have sleepless nights.

Perhaps sleepless nights can only come, if he fails to qualify the Eagles for the championship which Nigeria has failed to qualify for on two occasions since lifting the trophy under late Stephen Keshi in 2013.

The Eagles were conspicuously missing in the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea and the 2017 edition in Gabon.

Prior to the World cup most Nigerians set what some analyst dubbed their 'private world cup target' that the Eagles should go beyond the round of 16 which has been the highest point we have reached and which we have repeated thrice 1994, 1998 and 2014.

Rohr was told to 'do well’ in Russia and was saved the usual "deliver or take a walk “headache for which coaching has come to be known.

Ahead of the series of qualifiers leading to the Nations Cup in Cameroon, President of Nigeria football Federation Amaju Pinnick has declared that the Glass House wants the coach to make "meaningful Impact" in Cameroon.

The NFF boss says the desire of the Glass House is not necessarily to win at all cost but to build a football culture with special emphasis on grooming younger players.

“Our vision, as we have indicated from day one, is to build a sustainable football culture for our dear nation. To do that, youth development is key,” said the NFF president.

“That is what we are trying to do with the U-15 squad which recently reached the final of the African Youth Games in

Algeria, and which will form the bulk of the next U-17 team.

“We will approach the matches one game at a time. Our objective is not only to qualify for the finals, but for the Super Eagles to also make a meaningful impact at the finals in Cameroon in the summer of next year,"

Well with that template in mind, Rohr on Friday dished out his squad in continuation of the qualifier against Seychelles.

The Eagles lost their opening match of the qualifying 2-0 at home to South Africa in June last year and resume away to Seychelles who have been dubbed minors in some quarters.

It is safe to assume that Nigeria will qualify for the main event and emerge from her group currently led by Libya with three points followed by South Africa with three points and Nigeria and Seychelles occupying the bottom without points.

As the Eagles begin the quest for qualification, and with strong believe in our minds that the team will ultimately pick one of the slots for the final tournament, the question is' what performance in Cameroon in your own thinking would translate to "Meaningful Impact?

FIFA Ban: Not yet Uhuru for Nigeria football

Aborted ban of Nigeria announced Monday by world soccer ruling body FIFA, has been described as a temporary succor and a time bomb waiting to explode.  

A cross section of soccer fans who bared their minds Tuesday on the issue on various platforms including live programs said the forced peace will not last insisting that finding a permanent solution to perennial war every world cup year at the Glass House should be the focus of all.

An Auchi based fan who gave his name as Durojaiye, likened what is happening in the football house to what is happening in the political arena in the country, and challenged Nigerians not to fold their hands and watch as  selfish individuals hijack the nation and the little that make them happy.

"I equate what is happening to our football today to what is happening in political arena.  We have seen that in spite of their promises and boasting both PDP and APC have failed to provide purposeful leadership so Nigerians should rise up in 2019 and look for a material outside these boastful parties to move the country forward. 

In the same vein the NFF election is in September, the two warring parties should be told in plain terms to take a walk so that we allow new people to contest elections. 

They don’t have monopoly of knowledge so they cannot be the only ones that can run football in a country of over 200 million," he said.

Another caller took the debate to the next level alleging that the brouhaha could be a gang up against the country for purely selfish reasons. 

"How are we sure that both factions are not fighting in the morning and partnering at night like our politicians who throw stones in the morning and fraternize at night while the people suffer and even kill themselves on their behalf?" she queried and yet another alleged that the squabble is merely diversionary with a view to ensuring that no question is asked about the funds used for the World Cup.

 "For me this unending disagreement is deliberate and diversionary.  

We went to world cup after so much swag and noise; we raised a lot of funds from corporate bodies and got funds from FIFA. 

If the squabble continues nobody will have the time to ask for the account.  Nobody will say come and tell us how much you raised locally and how much you got from FIFA, what is the total money gathered and how much was expended?

Nobody will ask for such records and that is what they want, very sad situation," submitted a very angry caller from Abuja.

FIFA in a letter confirming its decision to jettison the proposed ban added a last paragraph which indicates that it is still monitoring the situation in the country.

"FIFA will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that FIFA’s rules and regulations are fully adhered to" the letter added Monday.

Like the fear expressed by the fans it is apparent that the make-shift peace will not last the distance especially with a release by the legal representatives of the Giwa faction H.S Ardzard and co faulting  a tweet by Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbanjo recognising the Amaju Pinnick board. The release emphasised that there is separation of powers between Executive and Judiciary adding that setting aside a ruling of the judiciary appears to indicate that "government is at war with itself"

Former international Victor Ikpeba had earlier on Monday night football called for a change in the pattern of voting to elect the President of the Nigeria football Federation.  

According to the former Borussia Dortmund ace dubbed 'Prince of Monaco' while he was playing for the French side between 1993 and 1999; the FA Chairmen in the country are very powerful adding that ex-internationals who should have roles to play in the process have been sidelined.

Genevieve congratulates, prays for Falconets

Nollywood  star Genevieve Nnaji hit cloud 9 Monday after the Falconets pulled a hard fought draw against China to book a place in quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA under 20 world cup in France. 

The Member of the Federal Republic recipient did not only give the  Rasheedat Ajibade captained side a pat on the back but wished them good luck while assuring them of her support all the way.

Taking to the social media Genevieve who is considered to be among one of the bests in Noollywood said

"Congratulations to the #SuperFalconsOfNigeria on their victory over China. Good luck in the quarter finals ladies. Rooting for you all the way #Falconets #France2018 #FIFAU20WWC…

A stoppage time goal re-launched the Falconets who were already few poles away of exit door into the frame of the competition. 

Chinese ladies had shot into the lead in the 41st minute thanks to Linyan Zhang. China held tenaciously to the lead but with seconds left to play, substitute Aishat Bello's cross from the right saw captain Rashdeedat Ajibade challenge for the ball with China right-back Jiaxing Dou. Bello's cross struck the Chinese defender as the ball made its way into the net, throwing the hitherto disappointed Nigerian bench into frenzy. 

The side that scored two goals and conceded two getting to this level will now face Spain on Thursday in one of the quarterfinal ties.