May 26th 2022
Thirteen billion naira asking price scares Brazil’s Palmeiras off Super Eagles star
Latest reports suggest that interest in one of Nigeria’s most valuable stars in Europe stretches deep into the South American football circle
Brazilian and South American giants Palmeiras were keen on signing Super Eagles and Almeria striker Umar Sadiq during the last transfer window, according to Estadio Deportivo quoting Brazil’s UOL.
The 2021 Copa Libertadores champions reportedly wanted to reinforce their attack with Sadiq ahead of their continental and domestic challenges this year.
But the Brazilians pulled out of negotiations after Almeria refused to lower their asking price – believed to be around €30 million (€13.3 million) – for the Nigeria international.
Palmeiras have now joined the long queue of clubs – that includes Sevilla and Valencia – that have approached Almeria and Sadiq but have been put off by the financial demands of the Spanish club.
The failed move to Brazil has not distracted Sadiq, with the former Partizan Belgrade ace still inspiring Almeria’s push for La Liga promotion.
Sadiq remains the Rojiblancos’ leading goalscorer with 18 goals and top assists provider with ten, pushing La Union to within a victory of securing their status in the elite division.
Almeria go away to Leganes this weekend in the last match of the regular Spanish Segunda Division season.
May 18th 2022
West Ham plotting swoop for ₦10.4billion-valued Super Eagles star
The Hammers have been brilliant this season, but they will be searching for reinforcements as they look to challenge for a place in Europe next year
Premier League side West Ham have their sights set on signing Super Eagles star Emmanuel Dennis from Watford this summer.
The Hammers have had yet another brilliant campaign- reaching the semifinals of the Europa League and pushing for a place in Europe’s second-tier competition.
However, after sealing a spot in Europe this season, West Ham boss David Moyes would be looking to push for a place in the Champions League next season.
According to the Mirror, Dennis has caught the eye in London, and the Scottish gaffer could push to sign the former Club Brugge forward from Watford.
The Hornets have already been relegated from the Premier League and would be looking to cash in on some of their top stars.
Watford paid €4million to Club Brugge for Dennis’ services last summer. But the Nigeria international has performed way above expectations, scoring ten goals and assisting six in 33 Premier League games.
The Super Eagles star could be an excellent addition to West Ham, and he could be a decent bargain, as Watford could request £20million.
May 13th 2022
NPFL signs sponsorship deal with fintech company
Nigeria Professional Football League has secured a sponsorship deal from a fintech company
The Nigeria Football Federation on Friday has announced a sponsorship deal with a leading fintech company, Bitnob.
The NFF’s league management arm, the League Management Company made the announcement on Friday.
In a statement released by the LMC, it said the deal with Bitnob Technologies Inc. is a mutually beneficial alliance.
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the LMC said the Fitnob Technologies will be met on Tuesday to unveil the deal and announce the important details in the deal.
Dikko said the negotiation took some time as they had to ensure Bitnob benefitted from the domestic league and as well enhance the strategic growth of the league.
Bitnob will be sponsoring the league as an Elite Sponsor in the Financial Technology Category.
The NPFL has so far gone undisturbed this season with matches going as scheduled and the league enjoying a reasonable level of reviews.
Sponsorship is expected to help the league fare better with the details of the sponsorship expected to be announced on Tuesday.
May 12th 2022
Osimhen, Napoli’s only real player – Juventus icon hits hard at Luciano Spalletti’s men
Il Partenopei were tipped to be among the title contenders at this stage of the season, but a terrible run of matches in April has seen the Neapolitans settle for a top-three finish
Former Juventus defender Pasquale Bruno has blasted Napoli players for not showing the same level of hunger, desire, and determination as Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
After playing some of the best football in Italy and leading the table for a large chunk of the campaign, Napoli’s season will end in disappointment as Il Partenopei are out of the Serie A title and will once again go trophyless.
In terms of quality, Napoli boast some of the best players in the division: Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly is an African champion and frequently named among the best defenders in the world. Fabian Ruiz is an excellent passer of the ball. Lorenzo Insigne is one of the most technically gifted playmakers in Italy. Victor Osimhen is a force of nature attracting advances from some of the biggest clubs on the planet.
But Torino FC Hall of Famer Pasquale Bruno is not impressed with their output – bar, Osimhen – for Napoli throughout the season.
Bruno chides Koulibaly for being too friendly with strikers and knocks captain Insigne for sealing a move to the MLS midway through the season.
However, the 59-year-old former centre-back, renowned for his tenacious style of play in his heyday, is impressed with Osimhen’s total commitment to the Napoli cause.
“Napoli has only one real player, and he is Osimhen, the others none,” Bruno said (via Tutto Napoli).
“Koulibaly? No, he is a great defender, but he is too nice, he has no character, and he is never angry.
“Osimhen has thrown away his mask and demonstrates how to win, not like that kind of footballer who is on his way to Canada.”
Osimhen could be on his way out of Napoli this summer, with some of the biggest clubs in the English Premier League interested in his services.
Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle may have to cough out around €100 million to get the 23-year-old, though.
May 11th 2022
Super Eagles 30-man squad for Ecuador, Mexico Friendlies released
May 10th 2022
Gernot Rohr: Amaju Pinnick states NFF’s position on FIFA ruling
The world football-governing body granted the German tactician many of his demands but the NFF insists the battle is not over yet
President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick has given the federation’s position on the ruling of the FIFA regarding Gernot Rohr following his dismissal as the Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles.
After more than five years at the seat, Rohr was sacked in December after leading the Super Eagles to a run of unconvincing performances.
But with a few months still on his contract, the German gaffer petitioned FIFA for his out-of-contract sacking, seeking a total of £1 million in compensation.
In a ruling by the FIFA players’ status chamber, the football-governing body awarded Rohr $377,879.46 after deciding that his petition was partially correct.
FIFA also instructed the NFF to pay Rohr his claim within 45 days or risk further sanctions, including a restriction on receiving a percentage of development funding.
NFF President Pinnick, however, is convinced that Rohr did not win the case, as portrayed by a section of the local media.
Pinnick confirmed that the NFF paid Rohr some money before the coach’s contract was terminated, and the federation would look to convert that payment to the FIFA fine.
“That’s not the true position,” Pinnick said of the ruling in a chat with the Punch.
“FIFA declined most of his (Rohr’s) requests and said we should pay him $377,879.46 because we paid him six months in lieu.
“We are still debating whether to go to CAS and tell them to convert that money we paid him to what FIFA wants us to pay him.”
The NFF and the Sports Ministry are yet to get a new head coach for the Super Eagles with less than a month to Nigeria’s first Afcon 2023 qualifying match against Sierra Leone.
Rohr has also been without a job since his dismissal, with the former Girondins Bordeaux manager failing to land the Mali national team coaching job after being considered the favourite for the role.
May 5th 2022
Onyekuru wins first trophy in Greece with Olympiakos
Kelvin Omachonu by Kelvin Omachonu
The Super Eagles star has won trophies in Belgium and Turkey, and he has added another feather to his cap
Super Eagles attacker Henry Onyekuru has won the Greek Super League title with Olympiakos after the Legends secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at PAOK.
Onyekuru joined Olympiakos last summer, but it has been a tumultuous year for the former Monaco forward. The 24-year-old has made just 14 league appearances for Olympiakos, and most of those have been as a substitute.
In fact, since Onyekuru arrived in Piraeus, he has recorded only one goal and one assist in 27 appearances.
However, Onyekuru has cause to smile, as he is now a Greek Champion. Olympiakos secured a record 47th Super League title after their 2-1 victory at PAOK. And although he was not dressed for the game, he would still bask in the fact he now has a Greek title in his cabinet.
Olympiakos have four games left this season, and Onyekuru could get a run-in in their remaining fixtures.
Nonetheless, the Nigeria International could still be on his way out of Piraeus this summer, as he has been linked with the top Turkish clubs.
“Nigerians will never forget you” – Mutiu Adepoju pens emotional tribute to Super Eagles’ greatest striker
Ten years to the day the legendary forward departed this realm, one of his former teammates has seized the opportunity to bless his memory
Former Racing Santander and Real Sociedad midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has penned an emotional tribute to iconic Super Eagles striker Rashidi Yekini on the tenth memorial of his death.
Yekini passed away on May 4, 2012, aged just 48, having spent half of those years creating a football legacy that endeared him to the hearts of tens of millions of fans all over Nigeria and beyond.
Yekini, who scored Nigeria’s first-ever goal at the FIFA World Cup, remains the country’s leading goalscorer of all time and is unarguably one of Africa’s finest goalscorers in history.
The former Vitória Setúbal star finished top of the goalscorer chart at two Africa Cup of Nations, and he was a crucial member of the Super Eagles squad that lifted the 1994 Afcon trophy in Tunisia.
Adepoju was teammates with Yekini in those glorious days for Nigerian football, and the two were among the most recognisable faces at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
In a heart-wrenching tribute shared on his Twitter page, Adepoju hailed Yekini’s undeniable legacy, unalloyed commitment, fine sense of humour, and genuine humility.
He wrote: “Baba Yekini, today marks the 10th year that you left us behind. Of course, you are no more but your legacy will continue to reign in our hearts forever. #Legend #Immortality.
“I will write it again here; it was a great honour playing with you – which I consider a big achievement on its own. You gave your 100% always.
“I will never forget you; Nigerians will never forget you. Always in our hearts. Keep resting, king. Your class remains unmatched!
“Your greatness is so enormous that the rest of the world still reminisces over your exploits in the beautiful game.
“It was never a dull moment with you in camp as everyone’s ribs would be cracked at your jokes. You were never a contentious person and you saw everyone as your brother not minding their backgrounds.”
During a storied football career, Yekini played for clubs in six other countries besides his own, including Portugal’s Vitória Setúbal, Spain’s Sporting Gijon, and Switzerland’s FC Zurich.
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