German Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98 signs Obinna Nsofor

Super Eagles winger, Victor Obinna Nsofor has joined German Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98, the club announced on its website on Friday.

Nsofor joined the club from German third division club, MSV Duisburg, after passing the medical checks before completing his working paper. Speaking after the signing of the 29-year-old Nigerian, Darmstadt 98 head coach, Norbert Meier expressed great optimism for signing the fleet footed forward.

“Victor is a very good football player who has experience already at big clubs we are pleased that he is now the path is in the premier league with us. Also, the players looked forward to the new challenge: “I am very happy that I get this chance now I hope that I can contribute with my performance mean that the team will be successful,” Meier noted.

Nsofor has played for several clubs in Europe which include, Chievo Verona, Inter Milan, Malaga, Lokomotiv Moscow among others; before joining the German Bundesliga club.

Read More

FANS PROTEST FORCES TUNISIAN CLUB BOSS RESIGNS AFTER JUNIOR AJAYI AHLY MOVE

The president of Tunisian club CS Sfaxien has quit after fans protested against the transfer of Nigeria Olympic international striker Junior Ajayi to Egyptian champions Al Ahly.

Lofti Abdennader quit his post Thursday with Bassem Loukil now named to be in temporary charge of the Sfax club.

Both Sfaxien and Ahly agreed a four-year contract worth 2.5 million Euros for the former Shooting Stars on Wednesday.

However, fans have been most critical of the club’s leadership for sanctioning the transfer of Ajayi and Mohammed Ali Moncer.

Moncer is a Tunisia international and the tall midfielder helped Sfaxien  to win the country’s league championship in the 2012-13 season. 

Read More

Transfer: 27 years Old Nigerian Striker Kennedy Igboananike joins D.C. United from Chicago Fire

D.C. United and the Chicago Fire announced a trade on Friday, sending forward Kennedy Igboananike to D.C. in exchange for targeted allocation money and United's natural third-round selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.

Based on the agreement reached by both clubs, Chicago Fire will pocket a  percentage of Igboananike’s transfer fee if he is signed a by a club outside the MLS in 2016.

The 27-year-old has also played for Djurgården, Vasalund and AIK in Sweden, and was on the radar of a number of teams in Europe before he joined Chicago Fire as a Designated Player in December 2014.

The Nigerian attacker could make his debut for DC United when they take on Montreal Impact at RFK Stadium on Sunday.

To date, Kennedy Igboananike has scored 11 goals in 49 appearances in the regular season. 

Read More

Ex-Eaglet Otubanjo Delighted With MSK Zilina Move

Former Nigerian youth international Yusuf Otubanjo is delighted to have signed a three year deal with Slovakian first division side MSK Zilina.

The 23-year-old striker, who had an impressive season in the Austrian third division where he scored a total of 35 goals in 40 home matches for Weiss Leinz, joins another Nigerian, Chigozie Mbah, MSK Zilina.

Otubanjo, who has played for Nigeria at U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels, told Completesportsnigeria.com that he  is determined to succeed at his new club that finished fifth on the log last season.

"I'm happy to have joined a very good club and it is also my ambition to help the club succeed and I would do everything within my power to ensure that the club wins trophies while I'm here," he said.

“There was interest from many clubs following my good performances with Weiss Linz last season but it is only MSK that followed up by making an offer and I'm happy with what they have offered me."

Read More

AS Roma sign two Nigerian youngsters

Umar Sadiq

AS Roma have signed two Nigerian youngsters on permanent deals. The two players are Sadiq Umar and Nura Abdullahi.


The former Abuja Football College stars were signed for a combined €5-million (R82-million) and penned four-year contracts with the Italian club. Umar (19) is a striker and Nura (18) is a right-back. 

The two players spent the 2015/2016 season on loan at Roma from Serie B side Spezia, but have now made their moves permanent. Umar Sadiq scored two goals in six appearances for AS Roma last season 

Nura Abdullahi.

👍 Sadiq Umar and Abdullahi Nura are now #ASRoma players after deals were tied up today: https://t.co/PYLSAhNxQ1 pic.twitter.com/snkmdNtiaE

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) June 21, 2016

Roma have also completed the permanent signing of Italy forward Stephan El Shaarawy from AC Milan for €13-million. The 23-year-old has signed a four-year permanent contract with the Giallorossi after a successful six-month loan deal. 

Read More

Taye Taiwo and Egwuekwe scores as club wins

The duo of Taye Taiwo and Azubuike Egwuekwe scored for their clubs, HJK Helsinki and Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) in the Finnish Veikkausliiga matches decided on Sunday.

Taiwo opened scoring from the penalty spot for HJK 50 minutes into the game, before another Nigeria-born American midfielder, William Oluremi John equalized for Rovaniemen Palloseura (RoPS)in the 75th minute, as the match ended 1-1 between both clubs.

Also, Azubuike Egwuekwe inspired KuPS to a 1-1 draw against PK-35 VANTAA in the away encounter. The former Warri Wolves defender scored his fourth goal of the season in the 54th minute; but Kim Raimi equalized for the hosts in the 66th minute.

The quartet of Egwuekwe, Gbolahan Salami, Paul Onobi and Abubakar Aliyu were in full time action for KuPS in the tie, the duo of Taye Taiwo and Nnamdi Oduamadi were also in full time action for HJK. Both Azubuike and Salami are tied on four goals each, Taiwo has registered five league goalsin 14 games appearance.

Source: Soccernet Nigeria

Read More

Aaron Samuel is out for six months

Aaron Samuel underwent surgery at a German hospital on Thursday after damaging his knee ligaments during the first half of the Russian Cup final between CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg.

The Guangzhou R&F frontman is definitely out of the Super Eagles World Cup qualifier in October as doctors told him after the operation that he will be out of action for a minimum of six months.

“Aaron Samuel is going to be out for six to seven months, he did the operation on Thursday in Germany and it was successful,” Samuel’s intermediary, Atta Aneke, told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“He will remain in Germany for the next seven days, before traveling to Norway for his rehabilitation.”

The Nigeria international represented Norwegian teams Vålerenga and Sarpsborg 08 before transferring to Guangzhou R&F in the summer of 2014. 

Read More

Omeruo to decide future at Chelsea after Rio Olympics

Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo has said he will discuss his Chelsea future after the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games with Nigeria’s U-23 team.

Omeruo is making his first appearance at the SummerOlympics after Nigeria failed to qualify for the London 2012, but the 22-year-old defender who has ended his loan spell with Turkish side Kasimpasa in the Turkish Super Lig season.

“I just want to finish the season as well as possible and try and help Kasimpasa into a European spot. After that we will start thinking about next season. There is also the Olympics which I might be involved in,” Omeruo stated.

Omeruo has been on loan to several clubs like Middlebrough, ADO Den Haag of Holland before joining Kasimpasa last year.

SOCCERNET

Read More

Aaron Samuel jets off to Germany for surgery

Soccer120.com understands that Guangzhou R&F frontman Aaron Samuel has flown to Germany where he will undergo surgery in the coming days or hours.

The Nigeria international has been on the sidelines since May 2, 2016 after damaging knee ligaments in the Russian Cup final between the Army Men and Zenit St. Petersburg.

Depending on the success of the surgery, Samuel may be offered fresh terms by CSKA Moscow, with the loan agreement between the Russians and their Chinese counterparts running out at the end of May.

CSKA Moscow chiefs were pleased with his contribution to the team and had set the ball rolling over the extension of his stay in the capital before his unfortunate injury.

Read More

EPL clubs chase Super Eagles player William Troost-Ekong

FK Haugesund skipper William Troost-Ekong is on the wish list of a number of clubs in the English Premier League and Championship.

According to Voetbal International, Crystal Palace, Swansea City, Norwich City and Brigthon & Hove Albion have made enquiries regarding the availability of the central defender. 

As previously reported by this website, Queens Park Rangers have contacted William Troost-Ekong’s camp about a deal while there’s also interest from Rosenborg.

Belgian club Gent could recall him from his loan spell in Norway following a string of fine performances in theTippeligaen this season.

Troost-Ekong is a product of Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham. 

Read More

Mum this title I won is for you - Ahmed Musa

CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa has dedicated his third Russian league title to his mother.

Ahmed Musa’s father died when the striker was a little boy and his mother Sarah had to raise him.

The Nigeria international forward, who played for JUTH FC and Kano Pillars before he moved to Dutch club VVV Venlo, said his mother has been his No 1 fan and deserved every honour given her.

"I feel so excited and very happy with the title,” said the forward, who is set to soon complete his move to the English Premier League.

"I dedicate the league crown to my mum. She has been supportive from the day one, she is always there for me."

Read More

Taye Taiwo and Nnamdi Oduamadi on target for HJK Helsinki

Nigeria stars Taye Taiwo and Nnamdi Oduamadi were both on target for HJK Helsinki in a 2-1 win over Lahti in the Finnish Veikkausliiga.  

HJK are top of the table with 23 points from 10 matches. Oduamadi opened the scoring on Friday as early as the 10th minute, when he latched on to a neat pass to give Helsinki the lead.  

Taiwo then doubled the lead in the 59th minute from the penalty spot, with he and Oduamadi dancing in celebration, much to the delight of their fans and teammates.

Oduamadi has now scored three goals in 10 appearances, while Taiwo has scored four goals in the same number of games.

Read More

Odion Ighalo gets new coach at Watford

The 54-year-old Italian who has been out of job since leaving Inter Milan in 2014 has spent parts of the last past two years in England, learning English. 

He has been confirmed as the new manager to replace Quique Sánchez Flores who departed Vicarage Road at the end of the 2015/2016 season after leading the Hornets to a 13th place finish at the just concluded 2015/2016 season. A statement on Watford's (@WatfordFC) twitter handle reads;

OFFICIAL: #watfordfc confirms it has reached agreement with Walter Mazzarri to become Head Coach from 1st July 2016. pic.twitter.com/ExNAAxYnHK

— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) May 21, 2016

 Mazzarri who is to resume his new position from July 1st has a rich coaching experience already with four years at Napoli, where Valon Behrami and Miguel Britos, now at Watford, played for him.  Also he had spells at Pistoiese, Livorno, Reggina and Sampdoria. His preferred formation is the 3-5-2 system.  

He will be the fourth Italian coach in the English Premier League next season, joining Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City), Antonio Conte (Chelsea) and Francesco Guidolin (Swansea).

Expect to see a dramatic coach when the season begins as we present you pictures of some of his touchline antics and celebrations below.

Read More

Ahmed Musa wins third Russian title

Ahmed Musa, who is set to move to the English Premier League this summer, won his third Russian league championship Saturday when CSKA Moscow won 1-0 at Rubin Kazan.

Nigeria international Ahmed Musa, who is close to joining up with Premier League champions Leicester, has previously won the league with the Russian army team in 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons.

Top CSKA officials had disclosed the club blocked the flying winger’s  transfer to Leicester in January because they wanted the Nigeria star to help them reclaim the championship.

CSKA needed just a draw to beat off the challenge of closest rivals Rostov on the final day of the season, but went a step further by grabbing all three points at Rubin Kazan to finish on 65 points

Rostov won 2-0 at Terek Grozny to finish as runners-up on 63 points.Ahmed Musa’s strike partner Alan Dzagoev put CSKA in front after 19 minutes. This season, he scored 13 goals in the league and one in the cup.

Read More

No award for Odion Ighalo in Watford award night .

Super Eagles and Watford striker Odion Ighalo did not win any award during Watford's award night held to congratulate Players of the club

Ighalo who emerged Watford's highest goal scorer at the just concluded EPL season was not considered for the player of the season and the player's player of the season.Instead it was Heurelho Gomes that got the honours . 

For the goal of the season, it was Guedioura’s goal against Arsenal in the English FA Cup that got him to win the Watford 2015/16 Goal of the Season award over Almen Adbi’s goal against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium and Odion Ighalo’s goal against Everton. 

Odion Ighalo had five of his goals for watford among the 10 shortlisted on the official website, alongside Troy Deeney effort, before being included in the final Twitter poll and subsequently being voted the winner.

Happy to have won the Young Player Of The Year Award. thank you everyone at Watford and the Fans for this season!! pic.twitter.com/fbKH7sgX45

— Nathan Aké (@NathanAke) May 19, 2016

Also Nathan Aké won the Young Player Of The Year Award.

Ighalo was the highest goal scorer for Watford last season scoring 17 goals, 3 assists and picking up 4 yellow cards and no Red cards.

Read More

Tottenham Hotspur young Nigerian winger Nathan Oduwa is refusing to sign a new deal

Nigerian winger Nathan Oduwa is refusing to sign a new deal with Tottenham Hotspur and is hoping to attract suitors when he represents his country at the Olympic Games later this year, according to Sky Sports.

The 20-year-old joined Tottenham in 2015 and has had spells on loan at Luton Town, Scottish giants Rangers and, most recently, Colchester United.


He has represented England – his country of birth – at U-17, U-18 and U-20 levels, but last year he decided to play for Nigeria – his parent’s home country – and it is expected that he will be a part of the African nation’s U-23 side at the Olympics in Brazil.

Spurs have the player under contract until 2017, but Sky reports that the player is unwilling to sign a new deal.

The British media giant adds: “Oduwa has been urged by his agent to sign the new three-year contract, which was offered by Spurs last September, but the player and his family believe he could be playing and earning more elsewhere and hope a new club will attempt to sign him after the Olympic Games.

Read More

Adebayo Akinfenwa scores to make road to Wembly against AFC Wimbledon a possible

Nigerian striker Adebayo Akinfenwa scored one of the goals in an English League Two playoff semi-final to help AFC Wimbledon secure a berth in the final.

Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Accrington Stanley means Wimbledon advance on 3-2 aggregate to the final.

They will now face Plymouth Argyle in the final on May 30 at Wembley Stadium with the winners gaining promotion to League One.

'The Beast', as Akinfenwa is called, was a 46th minute substitute for Tom Elliot and went on to score in the 68th minute to take his team back from two goals down.

Nigerian born Adebayo Azeez also featured in the game for AFC Wimbledon.

Read More

West Ham signs 17 years old Olatunji Akintola

Unknown Nigerian Olatunji Akintola has said he is thrilled to sign his first professional contract with English Premier League club West Ham.

The 17-year-old defender has come through the West Ham United Academy and was unveiled on Wednesday after signing a three-year contract – his first professional contract with the Hammers.

“It’s a great feeling for me and my family, a very proud day,” he told the West Ham website.

“It feels great that the club have shown faith in me to give me another three years to help develop myself as a footballer.

“I’ve been here since I was eight so it’s been nine years of hard work. But I’m playing for a top Premier League academy so I’m definitely enjoying it so well.”

Akintola has been a part of the West Ham U18s, where he became an important member, helping them qualify for the playoffs.

 

Read More

Sadiq Umar ready for Ahly friendly

Nigerian youngster Sadiq Umar has arrived Dubai with the rest of the AS Roma squad for Friday’s international friendly against record African champions Al Ahly of Egypt.

“We are now in Dubai and our game against Ahly is on Friday,” Sadiq Umar
said.
Egypt star striker Mohamed Salah will feature for Roma against Ahly in the friendly on Friday evening.

Roma finished third in the Italian Serie A this past season and will feature in the qualifiers for the UEFA Champions League for next season.

They are expected to give impressive 19-year-old striker Sadiq a permanent four-year deal in July after the expiration of his loan spell from Serie B side Spezia. 

Read More

Fidelis Saviour happy to win FA Cup in Malta

Nigerian striker Fidelis Saviour has told soccer120.com he is thrilled to end his stay at Sliema Wanderers with the FA Cup in Malta after they beat Balzan 5-4 on penalties following a barren draw in regulation time over the weekend.

READ: YOBO TO GIVES AWAY 100 SHIRTS,100 BALLS, 100 MATCH TICKETS

The former Enyimba striker, who was an unused substitute in the cup final, said he is thrilled to win his third major trophy and first trophy outside Nigeria.

"It was a great feeling winning the cup. I was excited because it was my third career title as well as my first trophy outside Nigeria,” he said.

"I count myself lucky to be part of this great team."

Saviour has played for FC Taraba, Kaduna United, Enyimba (Nigeria), Al Amal Atabra (Sudan), Muscat FA (Oman), BJMC (Bangladesh) and Mosta FC (Malta).

Read More