Austin Jay Jay Okocha Ranked 33 in Top 100 Best Foreign EPL Players

Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, is 33rd on the list of top 100 best foreign players to feature in the English Premier League, according to the ranking by the celebrated football magazine, FourFourTwo.The attacking midfielder, who represented Bolton Wanderers for four seasons, was one of the foreign players, who added glamour to the EPL during his playing days in England.

According to the magazine, "Okocha almost single-handedly rescued Bolton from relegation trouble in his first season, netting crucial long-range goals and dazzling the Premier League with a string of outrageous skills and showboats that embarrassed a host of opponents.

Saraki Mourns Amodu Shuaibu

The Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday expressed grief over the death of a former boss of the Super Eagles, Coach Amodu Shuaibu and said it is yet another colossal national loss.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, commiserated with the immediate family of the late Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the unfortunate incident.

He described the incident as particularly sad coming barely 72 hours after the country lost another national sports hero, Coach Stephen Keshi.

Nigerian Eagles cage Mali in France

Hours after former captain Joseph Yobo called on the new generation of Super Eagles to “rise to the occasion and lift the Super Eagles to new levels,” a relatively young Nigerian team gifted with a sense of urgency, purpose and craftsmanship pipped Les Aigles of Mali 1-0 in an exciting international friendly in Rouen on Friday.

Without skipper John Mikel Obi and his assistant, Ahmed Musa who were released to be part of Yobo’s testimonial match in Port Harcourt, the Eagles were expected to struggle at the Stade Robert Diochon. But the young team fought well and in a pragmatic manner and could have won by a wider margin.

Friendly Matches: French Embassy Denies Visas for Super Eagles Players, Officials

Ahead of the Super Eagles friendly matches in France and Luxembourg later this month, some of the team players and officials have been denied visas by the French embassy.

Those affected are the only home-based player, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, two coaches and administrative officials of the three-time African champions.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF have pleaded with the authorities of the French Emabassy to issue the visa to allow for smooth preparation for the friendly matches.

The NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said, “We are appealing to the Embassy of France in Nigeria to reconsider its stance and issue visas to these officials.

FIFA remembers Former African Footballer of the Year, Rasheed Yekini

The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), on Wednesday remembered Nigeria’s late ex-international, Rasheed Yekini, four years after his death.

In a statement on the world football governing body’s website, FIFA looked back on Yekini’s memorable goal which became historic and the subsequent celebration.

Yekini, who is Nigeria’s highest goal scorer (37 goals) till date, died of illness on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48.

He entered history books after scoring the Super Eagles’ first ever FIFA World Cup goal at the 1994 finals held in the U.S. in the 3-0 group stage win over Bulgaria.

NFF Commiserates With Watford Star Ighalo Over Death Of Father

The Nigeria Football Body NFF has commiserated with Watford striker Odion Ighalo following the death of his father in the early hours of Monday, April 25.

Paul Ighalo had complained of being weak before the cold hands of death snatched him away from his family.

Tragic Odion Ighalo suffered a shattering post-script to Wembley defeat when his father Paul died hours later.

Ighalo posted a blank picture in all-black on Twitter with the words “R.I.P. Daddy” after learning of his father's death overnight.

Nigerian international, who fired a late chance narrowly over the top in the Hornets' 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat by Crystal Palace, confirmed: “I lost my father in the early hours of today.

NFF Unveils Super Eagles' Interim Managers

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Wednesday that Shaibu Amodu, the Technical Director of the NFF and Salisu Yusuf would take charge of the Super Eagles on interim basis.

This was part of the decisions taken after Wednesday's meeting of the NFF Technical Committee which took place at the NFF secretariat.

The appointment would see the coaches lead the Eagles to the two international friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg national team on May 27 and June 1 respectively.

NFF confirms Mali, Luxembourg friendlies for Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has announced that the Super Eagles will take on Mali and Luxembourg in friendly matches.Nigeria football senior national team, the Super Eagles will take on the Eagles of Mali and the Luxembourg senior national team in two international friendly matches in Europe.

This was confirmed via their official Twitter handle.

Nigeria, former African champions will take on Mali, ranked four places above them at 63, at the Stade Robert Diochon in Rouen, France on May 27. 

The Eagles of Mali have already qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals, having garnered 10 points from their first four matches of the qualification series.

Oliseh handed a call-up to Obafemi Martins against Swaziland

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh recalls the MLS based striker Obafemi Martins back to the Super Eagles fold. 

Oliseh has invited 23 players including six home –based professionals and also handed a call-up to Obafemi for the Super Eagles’ 2018 World Cup qualifying fixture against Swaziland.

It's a surprise recall to Seattle Sounders striker, Obafemi Martins as the former Inter Milan striker last played for Super Eagles of Nigeria in 2013. 

Coach Keshi, Captain Yobo quit Eagles after World Cup exit

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has stepped down from his position after the Super Eagles' exit from the World Cup in Brazil.

France scored twice in the last 11 minutes in Brasilia on Monday to reach the quarter-finals at their expense.

The 52-year-old was appointed Nigeria boss in 2011 and helped them become African champions two years later.

Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo also retired from international football following their exit.

Fenerbahce's Yobo, 33, scored a late own goal after Paul Pogba's header had broken Nigerian resistance.

Coach Keshi becomes the sixth manager to leave his job during the World Cup, following the departures of Honduras's Luis Suarez, Iran's Carlos Queiroz, Japan's Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy's Cesare Prandelli and Ivory Coast's Sabri Lamouchi.

Source

Brazil: Keshi, Mikel want victory over France

We were No 5 in 1994...Mikel wants victory over France to make a statement that Nigeria has arrived at the soccer map of the world.

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel is hopeful that victory over France and a first World Cup quarter-final appearance can help unite the African nation currently gripped by violence and bloodshed. 

Mikel, 27, said the troubles had made an impression on the squad but he pressed the need for his team mates to focus on Monday’s last 16 match against France and do their bit to bring people together. “I think football is what unites everyone back home in Nigeria, everyone loves football, and as long as we keep doing well and as long as we keep winning, I think this football alone can bring unity back to these various places where we are having problems.” 

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi also pressed the need to bring cheer to the strife hit fans of the Super Eagles, who are the first African country to get past the World Cup group phase on three separate occasions. Peppered with questions about a bonus pay dispute involving the squad and the Nigerian Football Association, Keshi, known as “Big Boss”, was clearly bemused by the interest in a problem he explained was over and said his team were “good to go”.

Enyeama factor fears France

With Vincent Enyeama in goal for the Super Eagles, the French team players are a bit intimidated by his credentials ahead of their round of 16 clash on Monday.

Enyeama who plays for Lille, this season went 11 games (1066 minutes) unbeaten in the French league 1 and was almost breaking the long time record of former Bordeaux keeper Gaëtan Huard (1176 minutes).
His experience of French football will come to play on Monday. Enyeama said that he is ready for the match.

“We do not fear anyone. France is the favorite but it is football, anything can happen. “They are easier than playing a South American team.”

French midfielder Yohan Cabaye said on Saturday that French players must resist falling into the trap of becoming arrogant otherwise it will present enormous problems for them.

World Cup: Yobo's Dream

....what if I can make it to 104 in Brazil?

For Joseph Yobo, the pre-match ritual is as much a part of the game as the half-time team talk. In his 16 years as a professional, the Nigeria defender has always readied himself for action the same way, slipping on his shirt and then singing and praying before stepping on to the pitch. It is a routine he has gone through innumerable times – but on precisely 100 occasions for the Super Eagles. A sterling servant for his country, Yobo had the honour of bringing up his century of caps against Argentina in Nigeria's final Group F game at Brazil 2014.

Although his side slipped to a 3-2 loss in that match, the 33-year-old came away with almost entirely positive memories. After all, not only did he hit a significant personal milestone, Bosnia and Herzegovina's 3-1 victory against Iran ensured that Nigeria tied down a berth in the Round of 16. "Qualifying for the knockout phase was our first objective," the Super Eagles' captain told FIFA.com. "We're very happy because that hadn't happened to us since 1998. This time, we did it with pride, by finishing second and trying to win first place against Argentina."

'I'm proud of our team'
They gave the South Americans a genuine scare too, though Yobo feels they could have done even more. "We're disappointed because we didn't play that game to win it from the very first minute," explained the Fenerbahce stopper, who spent the last six months on loan at Norwich City. "We thought a draw would be a good result, but in the second half we came out even stronger to try and win the match. That's what we should have done from the very first minute."

Ahmed Musa Impresses Reds Scout

According to British Tabloid, The Metro, Ahmed Musa's two goals against Argentina might earn him a move to Liverpool after impressing the Merseyside outfit scout who watched the Super Eagles lose 3-2 to Argentina.

Aside from the team's scout watching Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly a fan of Musa, and he’ll definitely be an even bigger admirer when he sees the manner in which Musa took his goals. Liverpool Scouts Fernando Troiani and Stephen Aptroot watched Musa draw Nigeria level twice with two well taken strike in the fourth minute and 47th minute respectively to match Lionel Messi before Marcos Rojo scored what ended up being Argentina's winner three minutes later.

Jay Jay Okocha frowns at Enyeama’s positioning

Former Super Eagles midfielder Austine Okocha says Vincent Enyeama’s poor positioning led to Messi’s brilliant curling free-kick that caught him napping for Argentina’s second goal.

Okocha, who was a guest in SuperSports World Cup studio for the match between Nigeria and Argentina believed Enyeama could have done better if he had positioned himself properly.

The former Bolton and PSG midfield maestro, however, hailed Enyeama for his wonderful saves to deny Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria from scoring more goals against the Super Eagles.

Despite losing this encounter 3-2 against Argentina, Nigeria is guaranteed of a place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup thanks to Bosnia 3-1 win over Iran.

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'Messi is from Jupiter,' says Keshi

The defeat to Argentina was one of the most entertaining and hard-fought games of the World Cup so far, but also a pleasingly fair clash with players joking on the field. The fact both sides progressed
to the Last 16 regardless of the result certainly helped the atmosphere. 

After the game, Super eagle's coach Stephen Keshi described Lionel Messi as an outstanding player saying "Messi is one heck of a player. You can't take that away from him."He's blessed. I think there are other players in the Argentina squad who are very strong, but Messi is from Jupiter." Keshi said.

Brazil 2014: Stephen Keshi blasts Nigerian fans

           Local World Cup viewers tune out after opener

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has lashed out at the country’s fans, saying it is a shame they have abused his person for the team’s showing at Brazil 2014. The Super Eagles and coach Keshi came under heavy fire from angry fans after they could only manage a 0-0 draw with Iran in their opening group game at the World Cup in Brazil.

But Keshi has taken serious exception to the fans’ rage, saying there was no justification for them to insult his person. “I am disappointed, totally disappointed (by the personal attacks), but it’s their thing, no wahala (no problem),” blasted Keshi in Brazil.

Captain Yobo Prefers a win Against Argentina as Oboabona resumes training ahead of the clash

The Super Eagles' Captain, Joseph Yobo, who is just one game away from joining the centenary group with 100 international caps, has warned his teammates that the last Group F clash is going to be a difficult one.

“The Argentina match is going to be another exciting and difficult game because we know how good they are with a lot of talents.

“It will be great to achieve the centenary mark for Nigeria. It shows what I have been able to contribute to Nigeria’s progress in the game. But the most important thing for me is to help my country do well at the World Cup.

Yobo was quoted as saying he preferred a win on Wednesday to his much advertised attainment of 100 caps if featured in the match against Argentina.“It is good news that I will reach that milestone, but what is uppermost in my mind is for the team to win and for us to advance to the next stage.

Eagles Will Win Against Bosnia – Guru Maharaj Ji

Hopes were dampened after Nigeria’s first outing in the FIFA World Cup were they ended in a goalless draw against Iran.

The Brazil 2014 has been full of surprises, the top rated teams have shocked the world with below average performances, most shocking being the early exit of the defending champions, Spain, in the first round.

The Spiritual Leader of One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaj Ji, has given hope to Nigerians by assuring them that this years World Cup will be a good one for the Super Eagles.

He said that not only will the Nigerian team win today’s crucial match against Bosnia but they will go ahead to finish strong in the rournament. Speaking to journalists on Friday, June 20, 2014 Maharaj Ji disclosed that he had warned the team before the commencement of the competition against blue colour in any form but, however, assured that he would intervene to turn the table in favour of the team.

Jay Jay blames Keshi for Iran goalless draw

Former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has said Coach Stephen Keshi should be held responsible for the lame approach the team adopted in the goalless draw against Iran last night.

Speaking as an analyst on Supersport after the match, Okocha said, “Keshi should be held responsible for the way the team played. Before the match he said African teams are tactically not disciplined and he did not bring anything new to the table.

“His changes were poor. He took out Moses and brought in Ameobi. I think that was a wrong change.