Meet Mr Gernot Rohr Super Eagles likely Technical Advicer

The search for a new Technical Manager for the Super Eagles is finally over after whispers from the corridors of the Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] say the president has given the green light to a former Bayern Munich defender called Gernot Rohr.

It was also revealed that a former New Zealand coach, Ricki Herbert, applied for the job but the 55-year-old, who stepped down from the New Zealand job after they failing to qualify his country for the 2014 FIFA World Cup has missed out.

Meanwhile, Rohr in his career as a manager took Ligue 1 side, Bordeaux to the 1996 UEFA Cup final, where they lost to his former side, Bayern Munich 5-1 on aggregate.

The German has also coached in Africa – spending time at Etoile Sportive du Sahel, Gabon national football team and managed the Mena of Niger from September 2012 till October 2014. He was also briefly the head coach of Burkina Faso, where he was sacked in December 2015.

The next match for the Super Eagles is the dead rubber against Tanzania in a 2017 Nations Cup qualifier on September 1 before their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia on October 2.

More to follow…

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Onazi Seals €5m Trabzonspor

Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has shown his gratitude to SS Lazio fans after signing for Turkish side Trabzonspor on Tuesday, Completesportsnigeria.com can report.

The Nigerian international who joined Lazio from My People FC in 2011  signed a four-year deal worth €5m with the Turkish top flight outfit after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Stadio Olimpico.

"It all started fives ago. Big thanks to all the great Lazio fans who stood by me when the time was rough and when we all smile. 

"God bless you all. I will always be praying for you," the 2013 AFCON winner wrote via his Instagram wall @onaziogenyi on Tuesday.

The former U-17 and U-20 star made 22 appearances for the Italian side last season and had two years left on his deal with them.

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NFF unveils Nigeria’s new kit

The Nigerian Football Federation has unveiled a new kit for the national football team.

According to the NFF, the team will take to the pitch this week in the new kit, designed by Nike featuring Dri-FIT technology.

“The home kit is a solid green, with white ribbing around the back of the modern crew neck collar,” it said.

“In keeping true to the national colours of Nigeria, the new away kit is white with a green stripe that runs the length of the sides of shirt and shorts, and a green stripe along the back of the collar.”

Explaining the technology used for the kit, the NFF said the Nike Dri-FIT technology “draws sweat away from the body to the exterior of the shirts and shorts, where it quickly evaporates”.

It added, “This allows players to perform at their best by remaining cooler, drier and more comfortable.

 “The laser-cut ventilation holes and mesh panels in the key areas of the kit are designed to improve performance by increasing air circulation and helping regulate players’ temperatures.”

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Europa: Igiebor Scores In Maccabi’s Victory

Nigerian midfielder, Nosa Igiebor was among the scorers as Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu of Romania 3-1 in their Europa qualification clash on Thursday.

Israeli attacker, Tal Ben Chaim opened scoring for Maccabi seven minutes into the game, Nicolea Ovidiu Herea equalized for the home team in the 30th minute, Igiebor put the visitors ahead in the 49th minute; before Dor Micha scored the last goal in the 77th minute, as the game ended 3-1 at regulation time.

Igiebor lasted for 79th minute, before making way for Israeli striker, Barak Itzhaki. Also forgotten Super Eagles midfielder, Christian Obodo came in as second half substitute in the 63 minute for Targu Jiu.

Elsewhere in France, former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper and captain, Vincent Enyeama was in goal for Lille Metropole in their 1-1 draw with FC Qabala on Thursday.

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NFF technical committee to recommend another Eagles coach in a week

The executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have mandated the technical committee to recommend another Super Eagles coach within week after negotiations with Frenchman Paul Le Guen broke down.

However, the executive committee have approved the appointment of Salisu Yusuf as Super Eagles coach, Bitrus Bewarang as technical director and Nduka Ugbade as Goden Eaglets assistant coach.

According to a communiqué after an executive committee meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, it was decided that the technical committee recommend another head coach for the country.

“Executive Committee instructed the Technical and Development Sub–Committee to, within the next seven (7) days, recommend a candidate for the post of Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles,” read the statement in part.

“It noted that the refusal of Mr. Paul Le Guen, earlier recommended by the Sub–Committee, to accept to be given targets as well as unwillingness to live in Nigeria, made his candidature unacceptable to the Board.

“Committee also disapproved of Mr. Le Guen’s desire to come to the job with two assistants, which would make Nigerian coaches redundant.

“The Committee noted that it was the desire to show transparency that made the Technical and Development Sub –Committee to make public its recommendation in the first place.”

The statement added: “The Committee further resolved that any candidate that would be so recommended by the Technical and Development Sub –Committee must have accepted to be handed targets and must also be willing to live in Nigeria.

“In addition, such a candidate must agree to undergo other internal evaluation.” 

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NFF appoints Frenchman Paul Le Guen as Super Eagles new coach

The Frenchman takes over from Sunday Oliseh as Eagles' handler, and he will be expected to qualify the country for the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the appointment of Paul Le Guen as the new Nigeria Super Eagles coach after he was recommended by the technical committee on Monday evening.

The 52-year-old succeeds Sunday Oliseh, who left the post after his failed expedition at the 2016 African Nations Championship failing to get past the preliminary round.

He will be assisted by Salisu Yusuf who takes the role of chief coach with Imama Amapakabo and Alloy Agu serving as assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer respectively.

Le Guen’s first challenge is against Tanzania in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in September – though the Super Eagles had lost the ticket to Egypt.

The technical crew has also been charged with the responsibility of qualifying the country to the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia ahead of Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia in Group B.

Le Guen will be recalled steered Cameroon to the 2010 Fifa World Cup staged in South Africa. He has also handled Oman national team.

Also, the technical committee recommended to the NFF the appointment of former national team handler Bitrus Bewerang as new technical director of the country’s football – to replaced deceased Shuaibu Amodu.

 In the same vein, Nduka Ugbade has been restored to the Nigeria U17 team as assistant to coach Manu Garba.

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NFF to name new Super Eagles coach today

The Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation will meet in Abuja on today to interview three persons shortlisted for the Super Eagles’ Head Coach position, and thereafter forward the name of the successful candidate to the NFF Board.

Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Barrister Chris Green, told thenff.com: “We have concluded arrangements for the interview process to take place at the NFF secretariat on Monday and thereafter, we will forward the name of the successful candidate to the NFF Board, which will deliberate on it and thereafter make their decision public.”

Green made it clear the committee will only settle for the candidate they see as most qualified and capable of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia. Saintfiet coached the National Teams of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Yemen, Malawi and Togo, and also worked with the Qatar U-17 side, Young Africans FC of Tanzania and Free State Stars FC in South Africa.

Nigerian Salisu Yusuf (54), Belgian Tom Saintfiet (43) and Frenchman Paul Le Guen (52) are the candidates in the running. Yusuf was capped by Nigeria at U-20 level, won FA Cup titles with El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri as a player and coached top clubs Kano Pillars, El-Kanemi Warriors and Enyimba FC. He assisted Super Eagles’ head coaches Samson Siasia and Stephen Keshi (of blessed memory), and was caretaker coach for two friendlies that the Eagles won against Mali and Luxembourg in Europe at the end of May.

Le Guen, 52, played for Brest, Nantes and Paris Saint Germain and won 17 caps for France, before coaching Rennes, Lyon, PSG (in France) and Glasgow Rangers (in Scotland). He qualified the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals and also coached Oman

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Eagles Shortlisted Coach Saintfet Resumes With Bangladesh

One of the three shortlisted coaches for the Super Eagles job Tom Saintfet has resumed as head coach of Asian side Bangladesh.

Saintfet, who has worked in South Africa, Tanzania and Ethiopia, has reportedly said that the Super Eagles job ‎remains his priority amidst reports from Dhaka that he has already started work. Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on his situation with the Super Eagles coach, the Belgian coach said: “I saw exactly what you saw.”

“As a coach, I was without a job for the last two months. I sent my CV to different federations all over the world and Nigeria were one of them. On Friday, I saw I was in the shortlist ‎but I don’t have proper information about it (regarding interview with NFA),” he further stated.

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Nigerian players may not be allowed to play in the Premier League soon.

Nigeria players will be barred from securing a work permit to play in England should the Super Eagles now slip outside the top 70 teams in the FIFA Rankings.

The latest FIFA ratings have the Eagles at 70th in the world and according to experts, Nigeria players will be hardest hit should the team fall outside this ranking as one of the rules states work permit will only be considered for non-European players whose countries are within the top 70 in the world.

“If they (Nigeria) slip one more place, its players can’t play in England,” said African football expert Tunde Adelakun.

“Work permit laws for non-European players say the player’s country has to be in top 70 in the world.”

An immediate casualty of this could be Nigeria U20 skipper Kelechi Nwakali, who is set to soon sign a professional contract with Arsenal.

Nigeria international Umar Aminu of Turkish club Osmanlispor has also been linked with Premier League side Hull City, while Belgium-based Wilfred Ndidi has been mentioned to join Watford.

Nigeria stars in England include Odion Ighalo, Isaac Success (Watford), Ahmed Musa (Leicester City), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City) and Mikel Obi, Victor Moses (Chelsea). 

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Nigeria now 70th in the world and 17th in Africa in just released July FIFA Ranking, Now Below Benin Republic, Cape Verde and Uganda

The Super Eagles have slid down the FIFA ranking by nine places to 70th in the world, according to the latest release by the world governing body on Thursday. The Nigerian team were 61st in the world in June with 559 points. They are now 70th with 514 points. 

The Eagles also dropped to 17th in Africa, behind the likes of Cape Verde (62nd in the world, 11th in Africa), Uganda (69th in the world, 15th in Africa) and Benin Republic (68th in the world, 14th in Africa). 

Nigeria are also well behind two of their 2018 World Cup final qualifying round opponents, while they are above the other team. Algeria, who are the favourites in Nigeria’s group, remain the top team in Africa with 781 points. The North Africans are 32nd in the world, retaining their position from June. 

Cameroon are 53rd in the world and seventh in Africa with 575 points. The Lions moved up five places in the global rankings. Zambia are the lowest ranked team in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying group. The Chipolopolo are 88th in the world and 23rd in Africa with 385 points. 

They also dropped nine places. In the global rankings, Argentina keep their place as world No.1 despite losing their Copa America final to Chile, while Belgium retain the second spot even as they fell at the quarter-final stage at Euro 2016. Colombia, Germany and South American champions Chile make up the rest of the top five. European champions Portugal moved up two places to sixth. 

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Nigeria now 70th in the world and 17th in Africa in just released July FIFA Ranking, Now Below Benin Republic, Cape Verde and Uganda

The Super Eagles have slid down the FIFA ranking by nine places to 70th in the world, according to the latest release by the world governing body on Thursday. The Nigerian team were 61st in the world in June with 559 points. They are now 70th with 514 points. 

The Eagles also dropped to 17th in Africa, behind the likes of Cape Verde (62nd in the world, 11th in Africa), Uganda (69th in the world, 15th in Africa) and Benin Republic (68th in the world, 14th in Africa). 

Nigeria are also well behind two of their 2018 World Cup final qualifying round opponents, while they are above the other team. Algeria, who are the favourites in Nigeria’s group, remain the top team in Africa with 781 points. The North Africans are 32nd in the world, retaining their position from June. 

Cameroon are 53rd in the world and seventh in Africa with 575 points. The Lions moved up five places in the global rankings. Zambia are the lowest ranked team in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying group. The Chipolopolo are 88th in the world and 23rd in Africa with 385 points. 

They also dropped nine places. In the global rankings, Argentina keep their place as world No.1 despite losing their Copa America final to Chile, while Belgium retain the second spot even as they fell at the quarter-final stage at Euro 2016. Colombia, Germany and South American champions Chile make up the rest of the top five. European champions Portugal moved up two places to sixth. 

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Nigeria Drop Nine Places In FIFA Ranking, Now Below Benin Republic, Cape Verde and Uganda

The Super Eagles have slid down the FIFA ranking by nine places to 70th in the world, according to the latest release by the world governing body on Thursday. The Nigerian team were 61st in the world in June with 559 points. They are now 70th with 514 points. 

The Eagles also dropped to 17th in Africa, behind the likes of Cape Verde (62nd in the world, 11th in Africa), Uganda (69th in the world, 15th in Africa) and Benin Republic (68th in the world, 14th in Africa). 

Nigeria are also well behind two of their 2018 World Cup final qualifying round opponents, while they are above the other team. Algeria, who are the favourites in Nigeria’s group, remain the top team in Africa with 781 points. The North Africans are 32nd in the world, retaining their position from June. 

Cameroon are 53rd in the world and seventh in Africa with 575 points. The Lions moved up five places in the global rankings. Zambia are the lowest ranked team in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying group. The Chipolopolo are 88th in the world and 23rd in Africa with 385 points. 

They also dropped nine places. In the global rankings, Argentina keep their place as world No.1 despite losing their Copa America final to Chile, while Belgium retain the second spot even as they fell at the quarter-final stage at Euro 2016. Colombia, Germany and South American champions Chile make up the rest of the top five. European champions Portugal moved up two places to sixth. 

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Leicester City seal deal for Nigeria's Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow

Leicester City completed a deal for Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow on Friday.

Musa, 23, sealed a four-year contract with the English Premier League champions after passing a medical on Friday.

A source said the deal was worth around £15 million, a Leicester club record.

The club has yet to announce the deal, though Musa has been pictured in a Leicester kit, as posted by the Nigeria Football Federation.

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The Nigeria international who has won multiple titles in his home country with Kano Pillars and with Russian giants CSKA, becomes the fourth signing of the summer for the champions after the capture of goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, defender Luis Hernandez and Nampalys Mendy.

Musa scored 13 goals and provided five assists for CSKA in 30 Russian Premier League games last season.

He has also scored 11 goals in 58 Nigeria appearances, two of them coming in the 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the 2014 World Cup.

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Breaking News: NFF release three man shortlist for Super Eagles coaching role

The Nigeria Football Federation has put former Ethiopian coach Tom Sainfiet, Super Eagles’ caretaker coach Salisu Yusuf and Frenchman Paul Le Guen, who once coached Cameroon, on a shortlist of candidates for the position of Super Eagles’ Head Coach.

On Friday at the Glass House, the NFF Technical and Development Committee pored over more than 20 applications before cutting the list to three.

Among those who showed interest in coaching the three –time African champions are Giovanni Solinas, Saintfiet, Hey Antoine, Mark Wotte, Yusuf, Ernesto Paulo Calvinho, Dorian Marin, Le Guen, Miodrag Jesic, Perry Hansen, Ove Pedersen, Adebayo Lateef Kola, Sylvanus Okpala, Peter Ijeh, Vladimir Petrovic-Pizon, Lodewijk de Kruif, Kenichi Yatsuhashi, Bjorn Frank Peters and Ricki Herbert.

Belgian Saintfiet, 43, coached the National Teams of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Yemen, Malawi and Togo, and also worked with the Qatar U-17 side, Young Africans FC of Tanzania and Free State Stars FC in South Africa.

Yusuf, 54, was capped by Nigeria at U20 level, won FA Cup titles with El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri as a player and coached top clubs Kano Pillars, El-Kanemi Warriors and Enyimba FC. He assisted Super Eagles’ chiefs Samson Siasia and Stephen Keshi (of blessed memory), and was caretaker coach for two friendlies that the Eagles won against Mali and Luxembourg in Europe at the end of May.

Le Guen, 52, played for Brest, Nantes and Paris Saint Germain and won 17 caps for France, before coaching Rennes, Lyon, PSG (in France) and Glasgow Rangers (in Scotland). He qualified the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals and also coached Oman.

Chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, Chris Green, told thenff.com: “We set a criteria with which we evaluated the nearly two dozen applications and then agreed on the three persons that we shortlisted.

“The Committee will meet on Monday, 18th July 2016 to interview the shortlisted candidates and immediately name the next Super Eagles’ Head Coach.”

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Watford Complete Club Record Signing of Nigerian Youngster Isaac Success from Granada

Watford Complete Club Record Signing of Nigerian Youngster Isaac Success from Granada

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Watford Reject Shanghai SIPG's £38m Bid For Odion Ighalo

Watford Reject Shanghai SIPG's £38m Bid For Odion Ighalo

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Nigeria to name new foreign coach soon says Pinnick

Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has stated that following the outcome of the 2018 World Cup draw the football house will swing into action as to who takes charge of the Super Eagles.

The draw that was held in Cairo, Egypt on Friday placed the Eagles in Group B alongside Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia.

According to thenff.com, Pinnick described the draw as a tough one for the Eagles.

He stated that preparation for the Eagles will commence immediately.

“It is a tough draw, but then I have always said that you have to beat the best to get to the World Cup," Pinnick said.

"Now we have the draw, we know how to prepare. The preparation has to start right now and we must make good use of every single day
leading to the kick-off of the series.

“The other pools are tough as well, because for me, you can never afford to underrate any team
these days.

"Now we must quickly sort out the issue of head coach and his assistants and put every other thing in place in good time."

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Nigeria to kick start World cup qualifier against Zambia

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will open their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in Zambia on October 3.

The country’s second game will be at home on November 7, when they host Algeria.

Third match day will be at home against Cameroon on August 28, 2017, while the rever fixture in Cameroon five days later.

The Eagles then welcome Zambia to Nigeria on October 2, 2017, with their final qualifier away in Algeria on November 6, 2017.

Nigeria Fixtures:

Oct 3 Zambia vs Nigeria

Nov 7 Nigeria vs Algeria

Aug 28, 2017 Nigeria vs Cameroon

Sept 2, 2017 Cameroon vs Nigeria

Oct 2, 2017 Nigeria vs Zambia

Nov 6, 2017 Algeria vs Nigeria 

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World Cup qualifying draw: Nigeria pairs Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria

Nigeria will face rivals Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria in the qualifying race for the 2018 FiFA World Cup in Russia.

The draw ceremony took place Friday evening at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

After the Fifa President’s opening remark by a representative, tribute was paid to late Nigeria legend Stephen Keshi.

The draw was then made with the help of Tunisia coach Henryk Kasperczak, former Senegal midfielder Aliou Cisse, Egypt star Mohammed Elneny and former Cameroon striker Alphonse Tchami.

Tunsia will slug it out with Libya, DR Congo and Guinea in Group A, while South Africa were drawn with Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and Senegal in Group D.

Nigeria were thrown in a veritable ‘Group of Death’ with the highest-ranked African team Algeria, Zambia and eternal rivals Cameroon - all former Afcon winners - in Group B.

Reigning African champions Cote d’Ivoire will hope to secure a World Cup place but must negotiate their way past Gabon, Mali and Morocco in Group C, while Ghana, Egypt, Congo and Uganda will complete in Group E.

The teams will play on a round-robin basis with all five group winners qualifying automatically for Russia 2018. Matches will take place between October 2016 and November 2017.

Nigeria face Algeria in their first qualifier later this year before facing the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Zambia’s Chipolopolo.

DRAW IN FULL

Group A: Tunisia, Libya , Congo DR, Guinea
Group B: Zambia, Cameroon, Algeria, Nigeria
Group C: Gabon, Mali, Cote d’ivoire , Morocco
Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde
Group E: Ghana, Egypt, Congo, Uganda

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FIFA changes ranking again. Moves Nigeria to Pot 2

World football governing body FIFA have turned around to cancel their “special ranking” for Africa ahead of Friday’s draw for the qualifying tournament for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In a correspondence to various national federations dated June 22, FIFA stated that the first ranking released earlier this month remains valid and that a FIFA letter dated June 15 which announced a new “special ranking” was now null and void.

Subsequently, both Nigeria and Egypt will now remain in Pot 2 and will therefore avoid themselves in tomorrow’s draw in Cairo.

Egypt, for one, have argued they ought to be one of the five top seeds and so in Pot 1 ahead of Tunisia.

They appeared to have won this argument going by the “special ranking” which then put them in  Pot 1 and dropped Tunisia to Pot 2.

Only for FIFA to now reverse themselves provoking various allegations in Egypt.

The draw will be staged in Cairo by 4pm Nigerian time tomorrow.

The seedings now to be used in Friday's draw

Pot 1 - Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia

Pot 2 - Cape Verde, Egypt, DR Congo, Nigeria, Mali.

Pot 3 - Cameroon, Morocco, Guinea, South Africa, Congo.

Pot 4 – Uganda, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Gabon, Zambia.

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