Aruna targets Portuguese Cup

World best player, Aruna Quadri, is determined to propel his club, GDSR Os Toledos, to success when the Portuguese Cup gets underway this weekend.
The player who crashed out in the quarterfinal of the men’s singles of the International Table Tennis Federation Africa Championship held in Cairo, Egypt, told our correspondent that he had put the disappointment behind him and ready to help his team win the season’s opener.
Quadri who propelled the team to the League and Portuguese Super Cup titles last season said that he wanted to open the season with success in the Portuguese Cup.

“Portuguese Cup is starting this weekend and that is my focus now. All clubs in Portugal will slug it out, and it is going to be a tough competition. We are the defending champions and retaining the cup is our target,” he said.

I’m working hard on my start – Okagbare

Nigeria and Africa’s queen of the tracks, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguono, has reiterated her determination to improve on her race start in order to win more medals in 2015. Okagbare who won the 100m and 200m gold at the Commonwealth Games as well as gold medals in 100m and Sprint Relay at the Africa Championships in 2014, expressed confidence about winning medals at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.

“I needed to work on the first part of my race. I don’t want to say I was a terrible starter but the first part of my race was very poor,” she admitted in an interview on IAAF website. The 25 year old star who is ready to compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m, said she might consider doing the long jump too if the timing of the schedule allows.
“I might do a 400m. I haven’t run one since I was a little girl running barefoot, but I fancy giving it a go.” Recalling her experience at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Sapele-born star relishes winning the 100m finishing 0.18 clear of Jamaica’s silver medallist and former two-time world 100m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown. “To run 10.85 in the 100m final was a great accomplishment for me. I had never won a major 100m title before.

It was my first Commonwealth Games and it was great that I was able to deliver in the 100m sprint, added Okagbare who wedded former Nigerian international footballer Igho Otegheri in November.

Olaitan’s return continues at pace

The good days are back for former Nigeria youth international, Michael Olaitan.

Questions had been raised over the future of the 22-year-old after he collapsed unchallenged during a Greek Super League game between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos on March 2, 2014.

He was subsequently revived by doctors but did not play again in the 2013/14 season.

Olympiacos then farmed him out on loan to fellow Super League club, Ergotelis on a six-month loan deal on January 30.

On Wednesday, Olaitan made his return to competitive action as he replaced Mohammed Youssouf in the 68th minute of Ergotelis’ 0-4 loss to Panaitolikos at Stadio Panetolikou.

Olaitan spent 22 minutes on the pitch and supersport.com can report that no negative incidents occurred.

It marked a remarkable achievement for the former Flying Eagles man, who has not played competitively since March 2, 2014.

Olaitan has scored 26 goals in all competitions since turning professional in 2010

Ohawuchi on song again in Egypt

Nigeria striker, Stanley Ohawuchi, has continued his rich vein of form in the Egyptian top flight scoring again for his team, Wadi Degla, on Wednesday in a Premier League game.

The former Nigerian Under-20 striker was on target for Wadi Degla in their 2-1 home loss to Petrojet in the Egyptian Premier League.

Ohawuchi, 24, got the opener in the 72nd minute but Wadi Degla allowed the visitors to level up matters in the 88th minute through Abdelaziz Emam before Mohammed Ragab got the winner two minutes later to run out 2-1 winners.

The goal will be his ninth of the season and takes him to second on the goalscorers chart behind Emad Meteb of Al Ahly and Nana Boko of Ittihad Al Shorta.

Ohawuchi has previously played for Heartland, Bayelsa United, Atletico Baeleres (in Spain) and Sliema Wanderers (in Malta).

Eneramo on target twice in Sivasspor's Cup win

Former Nigeria international striker Michael Eneramo scored twice for Sivasspor in Wednesday’s 3-0 Turkish Cup success over Tuzlaspor at 4 Eylül Stadyumu in Sivas, Turkey.

Eneramo netted in the 49th and 80th minutes to help the Lig 1 club record a straightforward win in the Group A contest.

The first goal he scored was via a penalty which he coolly slotted home four minutes after the restart.

Eneramo completed his brace ten minutes from time with a well-taken goal.

It makes for a very happy start to life at Sivasspor for Eneramo, who completed a free transfer from Basaksehir on January 9.

He has now scored three goals in the Cup for Sivasspor. He netted for the Yigidolar in their previous Cup game against Gaziantepspor on January 28.

Eneramo is, however, yet to score for Sivasspor in his two substitute appearances in the league against Trabzonspor and Gaziantepspor.

He will be looking to change that when Sivasspor take on Akhisar Belediyespor on February 7 as the Super Lig enters match day 19.

Musa scores brace in CSKA win

Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa was in brilliant form for CSKA Moscow on Wednesday as the army club warmed up for the second half of the 2014/14 Russia Premier League season.

The former VVV-Venlo man scored first in the 18th minute before completing his brace nine minutes from time as CSKA warmed up in confident fashion for the second half of the 2014/15 season.

   Musa has been in fine form recently and has scored seven league goals this season for CSKA.

The 22-year-old also scored once in the Uefa Champions League before CSKA were eliminated in the group stages of the competition.

Wednesday’s game was CSKA Moscow’s first match in the international tournament known as the Pinatar Cup.

CSKA currently sit in second place on the Russia Premier League standings with 34 points from 17 matches.

Akwa Utd names Baraje as Head coach

The management board of Glo Premier League side Akwa United has confirmed the appointment of former Enyimba head coach Zachary Baraje as the side's new technical adviser.

The former El Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United coach is to handle the Promise Keepers for the upcoming 2014/15 league season.

The board in a contract signing meeting on Wednesday charged the experienced tactician to bring his wealth of experience to bear so as to win a continental ticket for the side in the upcoming season.

An official of the Uyo-based side, Uwem Ekoh, said the newly signed coach has already started work and has promised to recruit tested players that will give him what he wants.

“Coach Baraje has already started at Akwa United and has promised the management the very best performance in the coming season.

“Baraje assured that he will comb the nooks and crannies of the country to recruit quality players that will add value to the side as well as help in the arduous task of winning laurels for the club.

“He expressed his gratefulness to the management for the trust they reposed in him and assured he won’t disappoint in his new assignment,” said Ekoh to supersport.com.

Baraje now succeeds coach Patrick Udoh who guided the side in the 2013/14 Glo Primer League season, finishing their campaign in 16th position on 51 points.

Ogunmodede joins Remo Stars

Former Crown FC coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has been appointed assistant coach of Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Remo Stars FC.

The Sky Blue Stars have already appointed Uche Okagbue as head coach for the upcoming NNL 2014/15 season.

Ogunmodede said he will be bringing his wealth of experienced of over six years with the demoted Ogbomosho-based side to bear to ensure Remo Stars compete favourably in the coming season.

“I’m glad to have teamed up with Remo Stars FC. It's a club with the right atmosphere that allows coaches ample opportunity to exhibits their capabilities.

“The switch to Remo Stars isn't a backward movement as far as I’m concern having worked with Crown FC in assisting capacity for the two periods they gained promotion to the elite league.

“Hopefully, I’ll do even more to Remo Stars than I did for Crown FC and things are most likely to be different.

"I’m quite pleased with what I have seen on ground so far. I’m even more excited working with a very good friend in Uche Okagbue it makes the job a whole lot easier for me to bring my experience to the table.

"The club has a tradition of playing quality football with young players which is quite interesting.

“I was here in 2013 and I’m quite amazed with the quality of play and it's something I want to be part of the trend and outstanding performance of the team.

“Hopefully I can achieve a lot with Remo Stars,” said Ogunmodede to supersport.com.

Remo Star FC will campaign in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Division B

Alampasu joinsPortuguese top flight side, Estoril

Young Nigerian goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu, has signed the dotted lines for Portuguese top flight side Estoril for an undisclosed amount.

The 18-year-old was a mainstay in the Under-17 team that won the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE in 2013 and now makes the transition to Europe.

He had previously been scouted by teams in Belgium and Spain but it is now certain he will continue his football education at Estoril who have another Nigerian Anderson Esiti in their books.

Alampasu was the goalkeeper of the tournament at the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup and now looks to cement that promise by following in the footsteps of other teammates like Success Isaac at Granada in Spain, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali both at Manchester City as well as Chidera Eze who is in Portugal with FC Porto.

The former Abuja Football Academy goalkeeper was part of coach Manu Garba's training camp in Kaduna but was excused a few weeks ago to travel out and tidy up his club future.

It remains to be seen if he will be part of the Flying Eagles squad as they prepare for the African Youth Championship in Senegal in March.

Siasia fortifies Dream Team with Obiozor, Sokari

The chief coach of the national men’s U-23 football team, Dream Team VI Samson Siasia has invited Christian Obiozor of Kano Pillars and Kingsley Sokari of Enyimba Football Club of Aba to fortify the team as preparation for the team’s first game against Gabon hots up in Abuja.
According to coach Siasia, he was impressed by what these players showed during the just concluded Super 4 Glo Invitational tournament in Abuja, and feels they can add quality to the team.
“I have always said this team is work in progress, and as such any player who has shown that he can add value to the team will sure be invited to the team, the intention of the technical crew is to build a team Nigerians will be proud of.
“For now one of our greatest challenge is from players whose clubs are involved in continental engagements, we have barely 18 days to our first game, and our club sides in the continent also have crucial first round games almost the same time, so it will cause distractions for us, but we have to balance things, for just as we need these players, so also their clubs need their services,” said Siasia

The U-23 gaffer then appealed to the clubs to show some level of understanding so that there will be no conflict of interest.

Expressing satisfaction with the high standard exhibited by his wards during the just concluded pre-season tournament in Abuja, Coach Siasia commended the LMC for inviting the national teams to be part of the event.

CAF invites Uduaghan, Akpabio to Afcon final

GOvernors Emmanuel Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio of Delta and Akwa Ibom States have been invited to the final of the 30th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations coming up Sunday, February 8 at the Bata Stadium, in Equatorial Guinea.

The duo have recorded numerous achievements in sports, with Uduaghan winning numerous awards to his name. As special guest to the Glo-CAF Awards night in Lagos last month, Dr Uduaghan had the singular honour of presenting the 2014 African Footballer of the Year Award to Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfield gem, Yaya Toure.

Akpabio on his part built the ultra-modern stadium, the Nest of Champions last year, an arena that host Super Eagles final 2015 Afcon qualifier against South Africa. The encounter ended 2-2 but was not enough to qualify the team to the finals.

I don’t watch Afcon — Yobo

Following Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the ongoing 2015 Africa Cup of Nations most Nigerians don’t seem keen on what has been going on in Equatorial Guinea. People who, ordinarily would have spent hours glued to the television if Nigeria had qualified, don’t seem to bother about the tournament in neighbouring country.

One of those who don’t care a hoot is immediate past captain of the Super Eagles, Joseph Yobo. “I don’t watch the Africa Cup of Nations,” the former Everton defender said, when asked of his opinion on the tournament, so far.

After being informed of the last four countries in the semis, Yobo did not think twice in tipping the Black Stars of Ghana as the probable champions.

“I tip Ghana to win the tournament. As our brothers and long term allies, I would like them to win the tournament. Above all, I think they have a good team,” Yobo assessed.

Check Out Mikel Obi’s Luxurious Lifestyle – N850m Mansion, Cars – PHOTOS And VIDEO

One of Nigeria’s own, Chelsea Football Club Midfielder, John Mikel Obi, is definitely living life to the fullest. Wow!!, what a luxurious lifestyle.
With an annual salary of close to $6 million (N1.14bn) outside revenues from endorsements and commercials, the challenge would be how to spend it so it is understandable if he at least invests in a place he calls home. From the sitting room to the bedroom down to the kitchen is well furnished, indeed money is good.

Gone are those days when parents always scold there kids for playing football, these days parents buy the football themselves, some even go extra mile by giving there kids names like, Mikel, Kanu, Okocha, etc just to know if they can become great footballers in future. ‘Who no like better thing’ Am going to take you briefly into the world of John Mikel Obi, what a wonderful world he has. As a young man, he has made so much money and got so much fame . Just have a look at Mikel Obi’s mansion in London.

NFF opts for foreign coach

• Halilhodzic tops list, Pinto says no

Former Algeria coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, has emerged the top candidate as the Nigeria Football Federation continues the search for new Super Eagles coach.
There are strong indications that Coach Stephen Keshi may not return to his duty post as negotiations between the coach and the NFF appeared to have stalled. New Telegraph has authoritatively learnt that officials of the soccer body have approached a number of foreign coaches and top on the list is Halilhodzic.
A source in the Glass House says the Bosniaborn tactician is keen to take over as Eagles coach and he is ready to start negotiations with the federation. The source says although there are other candidates on NFF’s radar, the former Cote d’Ivoire handler is a leading candidate. His deep knowledge of African football having coached the Cote d’ Ivoire, Algeria and Raja Casablanca of Morocco count in his favour.
“There is a lot of politics going on about Keshi’s job, I can confirm to you that the NFF officials met with the coach a few days ago but nothing concrete has been achieved as far as I know. NFF has continued to pursue the alternative which is to get a foreign coach.
“I know that former Algeria coach, Halilhodzic, who guided the country to the last World Cup where they reached the round of 16 is one of them and he seems to be highly favoured. I know they contacted the coach that took Costa Rica to the quarterfinal of 2014 World Cup, Jorge Luis Pinto, that was last year but he later took another job when NFF did not solidify their interest.

I can tell you that NFF is really working and in a matter of days a clearer picture of where we are going will appear,” the source said. Halilhodzic who quit his position at Tranzaspor of Turkey last November has had stints at Lille, PSG and Rennes in the French league; he has also handled Dinamo Zagreb.

Aiyegbeni makes football’s oldest-looking players list

It was a shock that reverberated throughout transfer deadline day, news that had fans up and down the country open-mouthed with disbelief.
Could it really be true? Was Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Reading’s new signing, really just 32 years old?
The burly Nigeria striker seems to have been around for ages, and Twitter in particular had a hard time believing that he was two years Steven Gerrard’s junior.
David Hickman was just one of many Twitter users agape at Yakubu’s tender years
But Yakubu is not the only footballer whose official age has raised eyebrows.
Here, BBC Sport looks at six other footballers who look older than they really are.
Joseph Minala
Lazio midfielder Joseph Minala found himself at the centre of controversy last year after he was forced to deny rumours that he was 41.
Despite his rather venerable appearance, the Cameroonian is apparently just 18 years old.
Diego Costa
Chelsea’s goal-poacher Diego Costa has the look of a grizzled gunslinger in a spaghetti western, as our own Garth Crooks has pointed out.
So who would have picked him for a callow youngster of just 25 years old – the same age as baby-faced Arsenal winger Theo Walcott?
Not one particular Twitter user, it seems.
Hendry Thomas
Perhaps the stress of flirting with relegation during his spell at Wigan Athletic took its toll on the features of midfielder Hendry Thomas.
The Honduras international looks a lot older than his 29 years.
Somehow it’s hard to imagine him taking orders from fresh-faced former Latics boss Roberto Martinez.
Pablo Zabaleta
Thirty-year-old Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta is one of the longest-serving players at the Etihad.
However, only seven years have elapsed since the Argentine joined aged 23 in 2008 – you could be forgiven for thinking it was seventeen.
Jeremy Toulalan
Despite cutting a rather superannuated figure in the centre of the park, greying Monaco midfielder Jeremy Toulalan is still only 31.
It’s safe to assume that Toulalan won’t be reprising Luis Figo’s role as an ambassador of hair-rejuvenation products.
Emerson
When it comes to footballers who look old beyond their years, Brazilian midfield enforcer Emerson is a classic of the genre.

These days, the happily retired Emerson is 38 – which coincidentally is roughly the age that he appeared when this photo was taken during his days at Juventus, nine long years ago.

Flying Eagles striker Awoniyi earns N200,000 as Super 4 MVP

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2015 Glo NPFL Super 4 pre-season invitational tournament.
The sensational striker walked away with a prize money of N200,000 by the League Management Company – organisers of the Super 4 – after helping the Flying Eagles to victory.
Awoniyi pipped Christian Obiozor of Kano Pillars, who finished highest goals scorer of the tournament with four goals, to the award.
The Kalmar of Sweden forward scored two goals and his overall performance was exceptional as he helped the U20’s to won four and drew one of the five games played during the Super 4 in Abuja.

The Flying Eagles won the six-team tournament in style with 13 points, five ahead of second place Olyimpic Eagles (U23).

They defeated Enyimba (2-0), Kano Pillars (2-1), Warri Wolves (1-0), Dolphins (4-1) and drew Olympic Eagles (3-3) in their last game to emerged champions.

While Kelechi Iheanacho is still recovering from his injury according to his club Manchester City, Awoniyi will be hoping to repeat his sterling performance when the 2015 African Youth Championship commence in March.

The Manu Garba’s lads are pooled in Group A alongside hosts Senegal, Congo and Cote d’Ivoire. They will hope to emerge AYC winners and secure a place at the Fifa U20 World Cup billed for New Zealand between 30 May – 20 June, 2015.

Emenike Happy To End 3-month Goal Drought, Ameobi on target

Ameobi, Simons also on target; Omeruo, Oboabona return; Onazi, Joel Obi benched, Ejide keeps sixth clean sheet

ENGLAND

Mikel Obi (Chelsea): Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi was not included in Chelsea’s squad that played out a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Stamford Bridge to maintain a five-point lead going into February. Mikel has chalked up 13 EPl appearances so far.

Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough); Moses Odubajo (Brentford): Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo returned to Middlesbrough’s starting line up for the first time this year after missing four games in all competitons as the Riverside team completed the double over promotion rivals Brentford with a 1-0 win. The win sees Middlesbrough move to second in the Championship table. Odubajo has scored twice in 27 Championship games while Omeruo has made 17 appearances so far.

Brown Ideye Victor Anichebe (West Brom): Nigerian forward Victor Anichebe played all 90 minutes and fired blanks for West Brom who suffered a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at The Hawthorns. Recall that Anichebe scored a brace in the Baggies FA Cup win against local rivals Birmingham City.

Shola Ameobi (Crystal Palace): Ex Nigerian international Shola Ameobi watched from the stands as his new team, Crystal Palace suffered their first defeat under new manager Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park. Romelu Lukaku scored the winner by bundling home from a Steven Naismith cross after only two minutes.

Odion Ighalo (Watford): Former Olympic international Odion Ighalo played for 68 minutes for Watford in their 2-0 loss to Bournemouth who moved three points clear at the top of the Championship table at Dean Court on Saturday.

Victor Moses (Stoke City): Super Eagles winger Victor Moses played all 90 minutes for Stoke who trounced QPR 3-1 at the weekend. Moses has played 12 games and scored once on loan at the Potters.

Sammy Ameobi (Newcastle United); Sone Aluko (Hull City): Nigerian born winger Sammy Ameobi scored his second EPL goal of the season for Newcastle United who defeated Hull City 3-0 at the KC stadium. Ameobi doubled the visitors’ advantage five minutes into the second half when he let fly from distance to compound frustrations at the KC in what was his 16th game of the season. His compatriot, Aluko came on for David Meyler in the 56th minute of the defeat for his 14th appearance. He has a goal to his credit.

FRANCE

Vincent Enyeama (Lille): Super Eagles skipper Vincent Enyeama conceded his 20th goal of the season in action for Lille who played out a 1-1 draw against Nantes. Enyeama has been in goal for Lille 23 times so far this season in the Ligue 1.

ITALY

Joel Obi  (Inter Milan): Nigerian midfielder Joel Obi was an unused substitute for Inter Milan who suffered a fourth league defeat under Roberto Mancini as Sassuolo ran out 3-1 winners in Sunday’s Serie A clash. Obi who has scored once so far in the Serie A has played 10 games.

Nnamdi Oduamadi (Latina): Super Eagles winger Nnamdi Oduamadi provided two assists in Latina’s 3-2 win at home to Livorno. It was his second game since switching from Crotone to the Rome based side. He was awarded the man-of-the match award in his second start for Mark Iuliano’s side.

Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio): Nigerian midfielder Ogenyi Onazi watched from the bench as Lazio crashed 2-1 at Cesena. The former My People Fc star has played 10 Serie A games this season.

BELGIUM

Moses Simon (K.A.A Gent): Nigerian youngster, Moses Simon, went home with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick during his side’s 3-3 draw with Sporting Lokeren.

The 19-year-old making his first start for his new side took just six minutes to make his mark. He restored his side’s lead in the 17th minute before completing his treble ten minutes from time.

Wilfred Ndidi (Genk): Nigerian defender Wilfred Ndidi made his debut for Genk in their 1-0 away loss to Sporting Charleroi. He was replaced by Jarne Vrijsen in the 74th minute.

SPAIN

Kalu Uche (Levante): Nigerian forward Kalu Uche debuted for Levante on Sunday as his side fell 2-0 at home to Atletico in a Spanish La Liga game. The 32-year-old striker, who wore jersey number 5, was a 57th minute substitute for Austria striker Andreas Ivanschitz.

Ikechukwu Uche (Villarrel): Nigerian forward Ikechukwu Uche and a brother to Kalu was an 89th minute substitute as they lost 3-2 to a resurgent Barcelona.

TURKEY

Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbache): Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike ended his eight games goal drought when he fired home his third goal of the season for Fenerbache in their 2-1 win over his former team Karabukspor. Emenike who last found the back of the net in the Yellow Canaries 2-0 win away at Besiktas in November last year was on target against Karabukspor in the reverse fixture in August last year. He has chalked four yellow cards in 15 games this season.

John Chibuike, Gbenga Arokoyo (Gaziantepspor); Michael Eneramo (Sivasspor): The duo of John Chibuike and Michael Eneramo were both introduced in the second half of Sivasspor’s 3-1 away win Gaziantepspor who benched Gbenga Arokoyo for the entire duration of the encounter. While Chibuike has scored three goals in 13 games, Arokoyo is yet to score in 14 games.

Chikeluba Ofoedu (Samsunspor): Nigerian striker Chikeluba Ofoedu scored a brace for Samsunspor in a 4-0 thrashing of hosts Giresunspor in a Turkish second division matchon Sunday. Giresunspor paraded ex-Nigeria youth international Solomon Abwo. Former Enugu Rangers striker Ofoedu, 22, scored his team’s second goal from a spot kick in the 82nd minute and he completed his brace in the 89th minute. Samsunspor are now seventh on the league table with 26 points in 18 games.

Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor): Super Eagles defender Godfrey Oboabona returned to action for the first time this year for Rizespor in the Super Lig 1 as they thumped Gençlerbirligi 2-0 on Saturday. The Nigerian international who last featured for Rizespor in November last year in their 3-1 loss to Kasimpasa has played nine games with a goal.

Raheem Lawal (Eskisehirspor): Nigerian midfielder Raheem Lawal made his 16th appearance for Eskisehirspor when he replaced Goran Causic in his side’s 1-0 win over  Konyaspor. He has scored two this term.

ISRAEL

Austin Ejide, John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva): Nigerian duo of Austin Ejide and John Ogu were on from start to finish for Hapoel Be’er Sheva who defeated Hapoel Acre 3-0. While Ogu has three goals to his name in 19 games Ejide kept his eight clean sheet of the season having conceded 16 goals in 20 starts.

GREECE

Abduljeleel Ajagun (Panathinaikos): Former junior international Abduljeleel Ajagun provided an assist for Viktor Klonaridis on 78 minutes in Panathinaikos 3-0 home win against Platanias. The former Dolphins player saw action for 90 minutes but was however booked in the 52nd minute. The game was Ajagun’s 15th of the current campaign, scoring three goals.

Daniel Adejo (Kalloni): Nigerian defender Daniel Adejo featured for 90 minutes as his side Kalloni pipped Asteras Tripolis 1-0. The game was Adejo’s 21st, and he has scored just one goal.

Christian Obodo (Xanthi): Former Super Eagles midfielder Christian Obodo was an unused substitute as Xanthi beat Levadiakos 2-1. Obodo has featured 18 times this season, netting twice.

PORTUGAL

Michael Uchebo, Gabriel Reuben (Boavista): Nigerian striker Michael Uchebo was on from the start but couldn’t prevent his team from going down 3-0 to Benfica. The former junior international who has appeared 11 times this season, has scored three goals so far. His Nigerian team-mate Gabriel Reuben was not dressed for the match.

Dolphins won't struggle in Africa

Dolphins captain and goalkeeper, Rotimi Sunday has said his side's Super Six performance will not count when hostilities commence in the Caf Confederation Cup competition.

The former Nigerian champions failed to pick a point in the six-team annual football showdown in Abuja and have a daunting task in Malabo in less than 13 days against the Equatorial Guinean side, Leones Vegetarianos, in the start of Africa’s second tier club competition.

Sunday said the Super Six tournament will rather count positively for his side's continental campaign as they have been able to note their weaknesses.

“I think we’ve learnt our lessons the hard way and we’ll be the better for it in our future endeavours,” said Sunday.

The Garden City side lost the five matches in the tournament to Kano Pillars, Dream Team V1, Enyimba, Flying Eagles and Warri Wolves.

Simon nets hat-trick in Gent draw

Nigerian striker, Moses Simon was in unstoppable form as he netted a hat-trick in Gent’s 3-3 with Lokeren in a rip-roaring contest in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League on Sunday.

Simon netted in the sixth, 16th and 71st minutes as Gent settled for a share of the spoils at Daknamstadion.

His first was a product of quick thinking as he connected sweetly at the back post off a cross from teammate, Brecht Dejaegere.

The 19-year-old was unmarked and picked his spot as he powered a stunning header past the Lokeren goalkeeper, Davino Verhulst.

Ten minutes after he scored his first of the afternoon, he completed his brace with yet another well-taken effort with Lasse Neilson proving the assist this time.

Simon completed his hattrick 18 minutes from time when he connected excellently with Hannes Van der Bruggen’s pass to temporarily give his side a 3-2 lead.

The Nigerian was making only his second appearance of the season for Gent following his move from Slovakian club, Trencín on January 7.

He scored 15 league goals for Trencín in two seasons.

Pillars for Ghana's tour

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions Kano Pillars are set to embark on a training tour to Ghana to prepare for this season’s Caf Champions League.

Pillars will face South Sudanese club Al Malakia in the preliminary round of the competition with the first leg scheduled for the weekend of February 13-15 at the Juba stadium.

Vice Chairman of the Kano Pillars continental preparation committee Ibrahim Galadima revealed that the tour will last for a week.

“The matches we played at the Super Six tournament in Abuja and the tour in Ghana will put us in great shape for tournament,” he said.

Pillars, four time NPFL champions, reached the semi-finals of the Champions League at their first attempt in 2009.

The Sai Masu Gida (as Pillars are fondly called) however went out in the first round in their next two expeditions into Africa’s premier club competition in 2011 and 2013.

SUPERB:Flying Eagles win Super 6

The Flying Eagles have emerged champions of the Super 6 invitational tournament at the Abuja National Stadium.

Despite having their winning run ended by the U-23 team, who held them to a thrilling 3-3 draw yesterday, the African Youth Championship-bound Flying Eagles side, still had enough points to emerge tops of the pack.

The Coach Samson Siasia led u-23 side, comprising the players that went to Tunisia last week for an international friendly and those prosecuting the Super 6 took the game to their younger ones at the blast of the whistle but could not convert their chances.

Prince Aggrey got the curtain raiser for the Coach Manu Garba side in the 28th minute while Peter Onyekachi equalized for the Dream team in the 32nd minute.

At the resumption of the second half, the Dream team took the lead with a penalty converted by Oghenekaro Etebo in the 48th minute but Benard Bulwark drew level for the Flying Eagles in the 54th minute.

Etebo was to hit target again in the 68th minute while substitute Chidera Eze equalized for the Flying Eagles in the 77th minute. Both teams made frantic efforts to win the match but could not before the referee ended proceedings.

Earlier in the day, league champions Kano Pillars defeated Enyimba International of Aba by a lone goal while Warri Wolves defeated the weeping team of the tournament, Dolphins of Port Harcourt by 2-1.

Voo doo: Emenike performs ritual to lift curse

Super Eagles forward, Emmanuel Emenike underwent a Turkish spiritual cleansing ritual to lift a curse that he believes has been placed on him.

Emenike is reported to have complained that his energy is out of sync after being cursed in Nigeria and that it has had a detrimental effect on his performances on the field.

“My energy is not right, something is wrong, I just need a goal to get back to form,” Emenike was quoted as saying by Milliyet.

The 27-year-old striker underwent a ritual called ‘Kur_un Dökme’ which is carried out when it is believed that an evil eye is upon you. The evil eye is the name for a curse or sickness transmitted by someone who is envious, jealous or wishes harm on someone.

The evil eye belief is that a person can harm you and your property by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware.

There are a number of precautions that can be taken to prevent evil eye. The blue Nazar Boncuk popular across Turkey is an amulet believed to protect against the evil eye. The practice of using a crystal blue eye dates back to Central Asia, during the ages of the shamanic Tengrism era.

If it believed that you have been cursed by evil eye one method that can be used to rid oneself on the effects of it is a ritual called ‘Kur_un Dökme’.

The ritual involves a kur_uncu (the person taking the nazar off you) who heats up the kur_un (lead) over the stove. The kur_uncu then sits you down, covers you up with a blanket, and pours the lead in a bowl of water, causing the water to splatter and the lead to take various shapes and forms.

The process is believed to get rid of negative energy and lift the curse.