Mikel Out Of Paris War

Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi is out of tonight’s UEFA Champions League game between Chelsea and Paris Saint Germaine after he failed to recover from a knee trouble.

Subsequently the Nigerian did not travel with the Chelsea squad Monday afternoon to Paris.

According to Chelsea’s official website ,Mikel is still undergoing rehabilitation after picking up a knee injury after the game with Aston Villa nine days ago.

‘Mikel was also unavailable against Everton and he missed training today (Monday) as he continues to recover from a minor knee problem,’read a statement on the website.

Mikel is expected to return to the pitch next weekend against Burnley in an English Premier League game.

The 27-year-old has recorded 21 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this term, including two in the Champions League.

He could be available for the return leg against the Parisians on Wednesday, March 11.

Egypt Ready To Pay Renard’s €100k Buyout Clause

Coaching journey-man, Hervé Renard, who was earlier quoted as expressing interest in Egypt’s top coaching job is available through a buyout clause.

In a TV interview Egyptian FA board member, Mahmoud El-Shamy says the country is keen on Renard and his name will feature among a five-man shortlist expected to be announced any time soon.

“We are waiting for the return of Renard from the Ivory Coast where he is being honoured for winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea,” EFA board member Mahmoud El-Shamy told Ahram Online on Sunday.

“His deal with the Ivoirians ends in June 2016 with a penalty condition of 100,000 euros,”
El-Shamy revealed. “He receives 35,000 euros plus 15,000 for his assistants.”

“He is a very good coach who has won two AFCON trophies, Zambia 2012 then Ivory Coast 2015,” he explained.

The flirtation with the Ivory Coast coach continues even as Hervé himself has said there has been no contact made with the Egyptian FA.

He started out his African expedition as an assistant to Claude Le Roy during AFCON 2008 and in a short space of time has etched his name in African football history; being the only person to win the AFCON with two countries.

Friendly: Nigeria's Super Eagles to play Ghana in London again

Nigeria's Super Eagles will play Ghana's Black Stars in an international friendly game on March 29, 2015 in London.

The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) secured the friendly game to engage the Super Eagles and to ensure that the FIFA free window is utilised.

Initially the plan was to play Brazil on that same day, however, the Selecao will be playing Chile at the Emirates Stadium that same day.

The Super Eagles will first play a friendly game against Bolivia at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on March 26th.

Then after the game against the South Americans, the Nigerian contingent will depart for London for the West African derby.

Games between Nigeria and Ghana are always feisty, with both countries having an extra incentive to beat the other because of the on-and-off the pitch rivalry between them.

Incidentally, the last time both countries met was also in London, and the game ended in a 0-0 draw at Vicarage road in 2011.

But Ghana have had joy playing Nigerian in recent years, pummeling Nigeria 4-1 in a friendly, also in London in 2007, and beating the Super Eagles at the 2008 African Nations Cup tournament.

Obuh tasks Eaglets

Former Golden Eaglets coach, John Obuh has said the nation’s campaigners must double its performance against Guinea.

The reigning world champions will confront the Guinean side on Wednesday in match day 2 clash of the ongoing 11th Africa Under-17 Championship in Niger Republic.

Eaglets overcame hosts, Niger 2-0 in Sunday’s opening match of the biennial cadet football championship.

Obuh said Eaglets must play better than they did against the hosts, Niger Republic to be assured of victory against the Guineans.

Amuneke pleased with Eaglets start, as they beat Niger 2-0

Coach of Nigeria's Under-17 team, Emmanuel Amuneke, is a happy man after his wards defeated hosts Niger Republic 2-0 on Sunday in the opening game of the 11th Caf Africa Junior Championship in Niamey.

Two goals in the first half by Victor Osimhen and skipper Kelechi Nwakali gave the Eaglets a first win in the competition and this pleased the former Zamalek player.

"The most important thing in football today is to win. It was important for us to win our first game. We took our chances and defended well," Amunike told CAF's official website (www.cafonline.com).

"Now we have to see how we can grow from strength to strength. Credit to Niger because they are a good side and I'll urge them to keep working hard."

Guinea defeated Zambia 1-0 in the clash between the other teams in Group A to go second behind Nigeria.

Amuneke, who was impressed with what he saw, thanked he organisers for making sure that legitimate youngsters were on display in Niamey.

"I would also like to commend Caf and Fifa for the MRI scans for these age group tournaments because this is hugely advancing African football," Amuneke enthused.

"It's quite exciting to see the future players of African football doing very well at this stage."

Peter relishes ACL debut goal

Enyimba striker Onyekachi Samuel Peter is over the moon after scoring his first ever Caf Champions League goal.

The former Abia Warriors marksman scored a goal in the 3-0 demolition of the Beninese side Buffles du Borgou in Africa’s elite club competition first round clash at the Aba Township Stadium.

The Nigerian international had predicted a 3-0 win for his side and a goal for himself prior to the clash on Sunday.

Peter said he could have scored more goals if he had spent more time with his teammates before the clash against the Beninese side.

Nigerian strikers light up Europe

Nigerian strikers were in brilliant form in England at the weekend with Brown Ideye the focal point.

The 26-year-old has hit a purple patch that has seen him net four times in his last three games for West Bromwich Albion.

He followed his goal scoring performances against Burnley and Swansea City in the Premier League with another well-taken brace against West Ham United in the FA Cup.

Ideye has now scored six goals in all competitions for the Baggies and manager Tony Pulis will be hoping the striker continues his heroics as WBA strive to win the Cup as well as ensure survival in the Premier League.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni is another attacker in form. He scored for Reading in the 2-1 win over Derby to leave top coaches, Steve McLaren and Steve Clarke (managers on opposing dugouts on the day) purring.

In Turkey, Emmanuel Emenike continued to enjoy his new found accuracy in front of goal and netted in Fenerbahçe 5-0 win at Gaziantepsor in the Süper Lig.

Moses Simon however failed to hit the heights of recent weeks in Belgium as he failed to score in Gent’s 0-0 draw at Charleroi.

On a weekend that saw Kenneth Omeruo receive football lessons at the Emirates stadium that he will not be forgetting in a hurry, supersport.com now rounds up the best of the action.

England (FA Cup)

FA Cup dominated at the weekend in England and Nigerians with hogging the headlines for all the right reasons.

Ideye was the star of the weekend as he scored twice to inspire West Bromwich Albion to a 4-0 victory over West Ham United at the Hawthorns.

Ideye who was almost sold by the Midlands club in January has now scored six goals for the Baggies in all competitions (three in the league; two in the FA Cup and one in the League Cup) this season.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni was a second half Reading substitute and he made a stunning impact; scoring the winner as the Royals stunned Derby County 2-1 at the iPro Stadium.

Hope Akpan made a cameo appearance for Reading, replacing Nathaniel Chalobah in the 79th minute as Reading marched into the quarterfinals.

It was however an unhappy weekend for Victor Moses who failed with Stoke City as the Potters suffered a 1-4 bashing in the hands of Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Moses made way for Charlie Adam in the 67th minute on a very bad day for all Potters faithful.

Kenneth Omeruo started for Middlesbrough but was powerless to stop the rampant champions, Arsenal from recording a straightforward 2-0 win at the Emirates stadium.

Germany (Bundesliga)

Cologne’s free fall from the top rungs of the table continued with Anthony Ujah failing to help the club’s cause at Borussia Monchengladbach at Stadion im BORUSSIA-PARK with the hosts running away with a 1-0 win.

Ujah spent minutes on the pitch before he was substituted by Slavomir Peszko in the 63rd minute.

Chinedu Obasi was not listed in the Schalke match day squad for the club’s 0-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt at Commerzbank-Arena.

Italy (Serie A)

Joel Obi was an unused substitute for Internazionale in the 4-1 win over Atalanta at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.

Ogenyi Onazi was booked in the 26th minute of SS Lazio’s 1-0 victory over Udinese at Stadio Communale Fruili and was subsequently substituted at half time.

Spain (Primera División)

Ramon Azeez was overlooked by the Almería trainer, Juan Ignacio Martínez in the club’s 2-2 draw with Real Soceidad at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos.

The rise of youngster, Success Isaac seems to have been abbreviated at Granada CF as he was overlooked by the club’s new trainer, Abel Resino in the club’s 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.

Kalu Uche was on from the start for Levante against FC Barcelona as the Catalans romped to a 5-0 win at Camp Nou.

Injury stopped Ikechukwu Uche from playing any part in Villarreal’s 0-2 defeat to Rayo Vallecano Estadio del Rayo Vallecano.

France (Ligue 1)

Vincent Enyeama was in action for Lille OSC in the club’s 0-0 draw with Nice at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

The Netherlands (Eredivisie)

Abiola Dauda was introduced into the fray in stoppage time by the Vittesse manager, Peter Bosz in the 2-0 win over Willem II at GelreDome.

Bartholomew Ogbeche is still suspended and was not listed for Cambuur in the 2-1 win over Heerenveen at Cambuuurstadion.

Turkey (Süper Lig)

Raheem Lawal played all 90 minutes for Eskisehirspor in the 1-2 loss to Galatasaray at Eskisehir Atatürk Stadyumu.

Joseph Akpala replaced Dominick Kumbela on 77 minutes in Karabükspor’s 0-0 draw with Kasimpasa at Dr. Necmettin Seyhoglu Stadi.

Emmanuel Emenike opened the scoring for Fenerbahçe in the 5-0 trouncing of Gaziantepspor at Kamil Ocak Stadyumu.

Godfrey Oboabona was on from start to finish for Caykur Rizespor in the 0-4 loss to Mersin Idmanyurdu at Yeni Rize Sehir Stadi.

John Utaka was a second half substitute for Sivasspor as he took the place of Ibrahim Akin in the 1-0 win over Konyaspor at Konya Büyüksehir Stadi.

Michael Eneramo was not listed in the Sivasspor match day squad.

Portugal (Primeira Liga)

Unhearalded Simeon Tochukwu netted the only goal of the game as Gil Vicente defeated Paços de Ferreira 1-0 at Estádio Cidade de Barcelos.

Obiora Nwankwo was an unused substitute for Académica da Coimbra in the 0-0 draw with Boavista at Estádio EFAPEL.

Scotland (Premiership)

Efe Ambrose replaced Gary Mackay-Steven in the 82nd minute of the club’s 2-1 win over St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Belgium (Jupiler Pro League)

Moses Simon played all 90 minutes for Gent in the 0-0 draw with Sporting Charleroi at Stade du Pays de Charleroi.

Yakubu scores winner for Reading

Nigerian striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored the winner for Reading in the club’s 2-1 victory over Derby County.

Yakubu netted after 81 minutes as the Royals held out for a priceless win at the iPro Stadium.

His goal arrived just nine minutes after he replaced Jamie Mackie as a second-half substitute.

The veteran showed good strength to hold off chasing Derby County defenders and fired in a low left-footed shot.

It was his first goal in England since May 2012 - for Blackburn against Chelsea - and also his first FA Cup goal in eight years.

His performance thrilled his former teammate at Blackburn Rovers, Jason Roberts, who promptly described him as a striker who will “score you goals.”

Yakuku scored 114 league goals in English football in a nine-year period that saw him turn out for clubs like Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Leicester City.

Enyimba hit Buffles for three

Two-time Caf Champions League winners, Enyimba, started their campaign with a three-nil win over Buffles du Borgou Fc of Benin Republic in Aba on Sunday.

Enyimba were forced to make a late change to their starting line-up as Abdulrazak Aliyu made way for Sikiru Lawal after suffering a slight knock in the warm-up.

Cameroonian striker, Rafael Boumsong started from the bench with coach Kadiri Ikhana preferring to play a front line of four pacy players, Peter Onyekachi, Andrew Abalogu, Daniel Etor and Chinonso Okonkwo.

Last season's top scorer in the NPFL, Mfon Udoh, was not listed in Enyimba's match day programme.

The Peoples Elephant, however, made it a tough task for themselves as they frittered away numerous scoring chances in the contest, and nearly handed Buffles the initiative when they had just a goal lead.

The Peoples Elephant will now take a three-goal advantage to Benin Republic in a fortnight when Buffles will host them in the second leg, preliminary round of the Caf Champions League.

Nigerian Star, Brown Ideye Celebrates Valentine In High Spirits With Family And Friends (See Photos)

Following his glorious form -bagging as much as four goals in his last three matches, Nigerian player, Brown Ideye should be feeling vindicated and on-top of the world after being a victim of heavy criticisms following a poor start to the season.....The 26 year old elated player shared photos of his family's Valentine timeout in England as he celebrated the special occasion in high spirits with loved ones and friends..

Nigerian singer Oritsefemi, Brown Ideye, and Oritsefemi's manager Adepitan Danku Yusuf,

 The striker who was signed for £10million by West Brom was on the verge of leaving the club on transfer deadline day but is now having the 'last laugh' as depicted in the picture above.