How the coup plotters in Turkey took advantage of Samuel Eto’o's kind gesture

By Chinedu Okorodike

Few players in Africa and the world at large are celebrated like Samuel Eto’o Fils and rightfully so. He is a two-time Champions League winner with Barcelona and Inter Milan, a multiple Spanish La Liga winner, he has over 100 goals for Barcelona across five seasons and jointly holds the record as a four time African best footballer of the year amongst other enviable records. 

But on a night of bliss, hope and anticipation of giving back to a beautiful city (Antalya in Turkey) for the love and acceptance they had for him, it all turned to unbearable pain and a scar he will never forget. 

At the time of writing this piece, it is still unclear if he will call off the game which had all 33,000 tickets sold out and saw the world’s best players both present and past all arrive in Turkey to celebrate a man who was, in its full definition, an excellent footballer. 

But one thing is certain. Eto’o’s night of excitement for which he had taken pains to organize and put in not only physical cash but his time, had left a scar on him; one that would leave him wondering if he made the right decision in hosting the game in his beloved Antalya Turkey or done in Yaounde Cameroon, the country he represented and took to the World Cup. 

What was the purpose of the game? 

I am sure a lot of people reading this piece will be wondering what sort of game it was. 

In my short career as a journalist, I have been privileged enough to cover a few charity games but the Samuel Eto’ Charity game simply because of the sheer weight of footballers involved was out of this world. Of course, it was a football game but this had the current world footballer of the year Lionel Messi confirming that he had a ticket to Antalya for the game, 

Chelsea super Stars Eden Hazard had already touched down and so did Italian and former England Manager Fabio Capello amongst others. 

The aim was to raise funds to continue the work the Samuel Eto’o foundation had been doing in the past decade. 


What is the Samuel Eto’o foundation? 

The Samuel Eto’o Private Foundation was established in March 2006 as a non-profit organization operating mainly in West Africa. 

The foundation strives to raise awareness of the needs of the African continent. Its goal is the protection of children and young people, providing emergency aid and encouraging education, basic health and social inclusion for the disadvantaged in order to help them create opportunities for the future, according to its website. 

Why was the game being played in Turkey and not Cameroon? 


Why did he choose Turkey and not Cameroon to have this game? 

“The Samuel Eto’o foundation is a global foundation now and the primary aim is to make it visible not only on the African continent but make sure we help everybody who is in need by creating the awareness,” he jokingly said 

“There are a lot of things that go into games like this which you will not understand.” I guess I will leave the judgment for you to make if his answer was satisfactory. 

The GALA: the night before the football match 

The event itself was one of the most colourful gatherings in the world with Chelsea star Eden Hazard in attendance, and of course he would be because he credits Eto’o for his career development as he played a part in sending him to play in Lille. 

Also present were Eric Abidal, Fabio Capello, Puyol, Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwakwo, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, David James, Marcel Dessaily and Kolo Toure. 

Also in Antalya was President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Mayor of Antalya, Menders Türel  and they were all there to celebrate a player that had boosted tourism in Turkey since his arrival at the beginning of 2015. 

Almost every television station in Turkey was picking the Gala live and the attention of the nation was at one place- the Regnum Carya hotel in Antalya. 

But at that point, some other guys were executing their plans (military coups) because the nation was concentrated in Antalya, the military who for some reason I do not know, decided to cease the opportunity and try to overthrow the government. 

News quickly broke like wild fire in the Gala room and you could tell the uneasiness on Eto’o’s face who had succeeded in bringing together a crowd that had never been seen before in Antalya. 

His perfect night had been ruined and fear and panic replaced the bright smiles of the face of every top player present. 

The Coup attempt was done overnight but I am certain it took hours if not days, weeks or months of planning. 

The military knew everything about the Samuel Eto’o game and knew very well that their only chance of catching the government unaware was when Eto’o brought the world to Turkey. 

Although Turkey has arrested 6,000 people who had connection to the failed coup, with President Erdogan vowing to purge state bodies of the "virus" that caused the revolt.

It’s a shame that a night that started with so much excitement had ended in pain but the ultimate losers will be the people of Turkey who will have to wait for another generation to have a foreigner try to sell their country like Mr Eto’o wanted to do. 

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IF IT WAS AFRICA

By Chinedu laurel Okorodike (Aka Juanizy) 

Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit

IF IT WAS AFRICA

The world usually see Africa as an under developed continent filled with violent people who can’t get things right or organized a successful football competition without witnessing violence from fans. 

Such has been the thought of some of the Western world. Even South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA world Cup did little to change that.

During the semi-final match between host Equatorial Guinea and Ghana at the 2015 Africa Nations Cup there was crowd trouble.

That crowd trouble started when missiles were thrown by fans and supporters of Equatorial Guinea at players and supporters of Ghana, with fans angry at some refereeing decisions. Bottles were thrown onto the pitch and the Ghana players were forced to leave the pitch at half-time under a tunnel made of riot shields.The bottle throwing continued after the break.

"Soon after the third goal went in, a section of Ghana fans pushed through a gate and made it onto the running track behind the goal. With them so close to the pitch, the match was stopped. Equatorial Guinea players pleaded with fans to stop throwing objects but to no avail.

"A police helicopter tried to intimidate fans by flying just 20 or 30 metres above their heads. Then police moved in with tear gas and batons to move the fans away. The press box emptied, too, as the tear gas spread.

Hundreds of  Ghanaian fans ran to the race tracks of the stadium as they were attacked by fans of Equatorial Guinea. It took the help of military helicopters to evacuate some of the troublemakers before the match was restarted in a near empty stadium. Ghana went on to win that match 3-0 but lost to Didier Drogba Ivory Coast in the final.

The situation was exaggerated by the western media especially the BBC.  Which led to CAF president Issa Hayatou saying  "The press always dramatise events in Africa, particularly the western press.The western media are simply here to perpetuate colonisation."

He added: "When something bad happens in Europe, they say it's an error. When something happens in Africa, they begin talking about corruption."

Which led to CAF president Issa Hayatou saying  "The press always dramatise events in Africa, particularly the western press.The western media are simply here to perpetuate colonisation."He added: "When something bad happens in Europe, they say it's an error. When something happens in Africa, they begin talking about corruption."

Now fast forward to the ongoing Euro 2016 competition currently going on in France which has witnessed handful of violence and crowd trouble far more greater than what happened in 2015 in Equatorial Guinea. 

The first week of the Euro 2016 competition was marred by Russian and England supporters engaging in brutal fight. French police had to use tear gas on fans before the match as Russian fans charged on England supporters in the Stade Velodrome after the game ended. Russian hooligans chanted 'Die, die, die' at an England football fan as police saved his life.

The French Police reported that a core group made up of about "150 hyper violent organized Russian hooligans traveled to the French city with the aim of causing violence and mayhem. (Imagine if it was the Nigerian police or any other police in the Africa continent that made this statement).

The situation left Russia president Vladimer Putin bemused which led him to say "I don't know how 150 - 200 Russia fans could beat up several thousand of the British fans" 

UEFA swiftly swung to action and handed Russia a suspended disqualification and a fine of €150,000 and also threatened to throw Russia out of EURO 2016, if similar scenario comes up again.

But that did not put a stop to hooliganism as fans of other countries soon started theirs. First to kick off the trend was Germany and Ukraine.

On 12th June, German and Ukrainian fans clashed in the French city of Lille, with further violence and street battles. UEFA later said they had "serious concerns" over security in the city. An additional 4,000 police were drafted in. Four Russian fans were later arrested, with French police planning to deport them. 

The violence continue and this time it was the turn of French hooligans and Northern Ireland supporters, who had been drinking alcohol with their Polish counterpart in the French city of Nice,ahead of the match between Northern Ireland and Poland. 

Reports later showed the attack had been provoked by the French "hooligans". Six Northern Irish and a Polish supporter were injured, one of them seriously injured.

Massive violence followed and this time it was the turn of the notorious Russian hooligans who attacked three Spanish tourist on the evening of 16th June. The attack started when the Spaniards, two men and one woman, put stickers with anti-fascist slogans on a lamp post. 

Click play to watch how England Fans & Local Youths Clashed In Marseilles, stoning themselves metal chairs which left one England fan now in coma.

According to the police, the group of Russian fans were members of a right-wing group. In their possession authorities found tickets to the Euro 2016 games of the Russian team against England and Slovakia as well as disguises such as masks. Six attackers were detained, five of them immediately after the attack and one at the airport.

Then finally yesterday (17th June 2016) during the match between Czech Republic and Croatia in Saint-Etienne, in the 86th minute of the match, Croatian fans threw fire sticks into the pitch, causing referee Mark Clattenburg to stop the match over security concerns.

It did not stop there as Croatian fans fought amongst themselves, and there was also a fight between Czech and Croatian supporters.  An Innocent steward was struck with a fire cracker (what we popularly call knockout in Nigeria) after a Croatian fan threw it onto the field and Croatian football player Ivan Perišić was nearly struck when a fire cracker flew in his direction. 

A total of eight fire stick and numerous fire cracker, as well as other objects, were thrown into the field. Croatian players tried to calm the crowd without success. Referee Clattenburg then moved every player into the center of the field to avoid possible injury. The match resumed after five minutes, with the score at 1–2 to Croatia, but finished 2-2 after a late equaliser. 

Russian and English fans clashed again same yesterday, requiring the police to use tear gas to break up crowds. Fans were chased away by riot police away from the main square, and the atmosphere calmed.

So far at least 36 people were arrested following brawling battle between England and Russia fans in Lille city center on 15 June which left a total of 16 people hospitalized. 

French Minister of Interior, Bernard Cazeneuve, swiftly asked all participating cities in the tournament to ban the sale of alcohol on both match days and the day before them. He also recommended a ban on selling any containers that can be used as missiles. 

Now imagine all this incident I have written above happened in our continent Africa, especially Nigeria. Imagine how the western press would have painted and reported the story with magniloquent patterns and styles . 

Also imagine how our bloggers and websites (including the top ones you reading this my article loving visiting with your mobile phone everyday) would have written about it with high class of raconteur with the aim of attracting massive traffic (readers and viewers).

Maybe some countries (western world) would have ordered for the immediate return of its contingent citing "lack of safety as it's reason". 

This is a lesson that crime and violence is not based on the color of the skin or the continent involved, but rather on the mindset of the individual perpetrating it. 

The violence and hooliganism witness currently in France could have been avoided if UEFA and the LOC (Local Organizing committee) of the EURO 2016 were not complacent. So we can rightly accused UEFA and the LOC base on the fact that previous competition had been relatively peaceful.

To Nigerians who fail to turn up for Nigeria Professional League matches (NPFL) citing "lack of security" at match venues. We have never had this type of violence and God on our side won't. So judge yourself.

Gallery

An England fan arrested by French police

An England fan's shirt is covered in blood after suffering a head injury

An injured supporter at the port of Marseille.

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Meet Nigeria's Lesbian Female Footballer Known For Her Boyish Looks

30 year old former Super Falcons of Nigeria player Chichi Igbo is a Nigerian lesbian Pro Soccer player based in Denmark.  She plays as a forward for Fortuna Hjørring  When she is not on the football field, Chichi creates youtube videos and funny enough, she has become a Youtube sensation.

It seems people are more fascinated about her because she is open about her sexuality which is not the case for a lot of gay Nigerians both home and abroad.  

Chichi has however expressed her pride in being a woman despite her boyish looks.Chichi is known for her boyish lifestyle which has made a lot of people also question her gender.  In a new Instagram rant, the former football star turn fitness trainer says she’s tired of people questioning if she’s male or female. Chichi Igbo says she's tired of answering questions about her gender.

"Even with my nipples right in their faces, they still ask "are you a boy or a girl" I can't say I blame y'all, too blessed to be real but allow me break it down, I'm a proud woman whom is your boyfriend's body goal, dress better than your man and have bigger (invisible) balls than your man,” she wrote.  “Pulling girls/boys more than your biggest player so NO I don't wanna be a man, I'am more than a man aka extraordinary WOMAN!! Wait tho, what's really there to be about a man? The only thing that makes most of you a "man" is only your dick that I have no need nor use for so umm nope I'll take a pass.”

                                                       Gallery

 Chichi Igbo in action for Fortuna Hjørring

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Throwback : On this day June 3rd 1997 Roberto Carlos made the laws of Physics look stupid

It was the 1997 Tournoi de France (French for "Tournament of France", often referred to as Le Tournoi). It was a friendly international football tournament held in France and was use as a warm-up to the 1998 FIFA World Cup also to be held in France the next year. 

The four national teams participating at the tournament were Brazil, England, host France, and Italy. The playing pattern was that each team is to play against each other in a single round-robin tournament with the group winner also being the winner of the tournament.

The Tournoi de France is most notable for the famous Roberto Carlos 35-metre curled free kick in the 21st minute of the opening match against France.That Free kick is considered as one of the best in the modern game.


Ronaldo was obstructed, and a free kick was awarded.Up stepped Roberto Carlos, he dropped the ball at the spot and took 10 steps backward. He hit the ball from 35 meters, the ball acted like it was going towards the corner flag,but suddenly it curved like a banana to land in the net.

The bend or curve was so pronounced that the French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez made no move for the ball thinking it would go safely clear.
That free kick has been written off by many with some saying it was a fluke assisted by the WIND.( what we call in our local Nigeria vernacular "Na luck").

A French team of scientists discovered the trajectory of the goal and developed an equation to describe it.
They say it could be repeated if a ball was kicked hard enough, with the appropriate spin and, crucially, the kick was taken sufficiently far from goal.9 which was 35 meters in this case)


Also a ball boy 30 feet away from the goal post also ducked thinking it was going to hit him. But it astonishingly the ball made a last moment sweep left and landed in the back of the net.

A study published in the New Journal of Physics suggests that the long-held assumption that the goal was a fluke is incorrect.

According to them "Carlos' kick started with a classical circular trajectory but suddenly bent in a spectacular way and came back to the goal, although it looked out of the target a small moment earlier.

A certain Dr Clanet described this path as a "snail-shell shaped trajectory", with the curvature increasing as the ball travels.

Because Roberto Carlos was 35m (115ft) from the goal when he kicked the ball, more of this spiral trajectory was visible. So the apparently physics-defying sharp turn of the ball was actually following a naturally tightening curve.

Dr Clanet and his colleague David Quere were studying the trajectory of bullets when they made this discovery.They used water and plastic balls with the same density as water to "simplify the problem". 

They explained that since the ball traveled with speed it had the tendency to eliminate the effects of air turbulence and of gravity. (My fellow Engineering students will understand better If they apply the laws of projectile here. Ironically it was one of the topics I loved back then in school)

Dr Clanet went further to explain that if the distance is large (like with Carlos's kick which was 35 meters) you see the curve increase exposing the trajectory."

Today makes it exactly 19 years since Roberto Carlos  took that spectacular free kick. And suck kick including that of  David Beckham went further to inspire the likes of  Andrea Pirlo, Juan Roman Riquelme, Shunsuke Nakamura, and modern footballers of our time.


By Chinedu Laurel Okorodike (Aka Juanizy)

Watch the Free kick Below

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Joseph Yobo gets memorable testimonial match

Friday May 27th is a day that will forever go down as a special day in the minds of sports lovers in Port Harcourt and Nigeria in general.This was the day that former Super Eagles player and captain who sang the national anthem of Nigeria a whooping 101 times celebrated his golden achievement and service of playing 101 times for Nigeria.

The movers and shakers of the Nigerian football scene, political scene and entertainment scene were all present at the event. Other notable dignitaries were Sports Administrators like Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of FC Ifeanyi Ubah ( who is also a sponsor of the program), Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Ex Everton and Manchester United coach  David Moyes, Samuel Eto’o Fils and many more.

Soccer120.com was not left out of the history making day, as it top Sports Journalist, Chinedu Okorodike was LIVE at the stadium to cover proceedings.

Cheer Leaders of Nigeria performing

The event started with a colorful presentation by Cheer Leaders of Nigeria. Then the moment everyone was waiting arrived, which was the kickoff. On hand to perform the routine opening ritual which is the "opening kick" (that event like this are know for) was the Governor of Rivers State, Governor Wike.

The Governor struck his penalty against the right woodwork, leaving goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama rooted to the sport. That penalty kick by the Governor took fans down memory lane as it was similar to Victor Ikpeba penalty against Cameroon in the year 2000.

The teams involved in the testimonial match were Yobo and friends against Super Eagles Stars.

The floodgate of goals started as early as the 8th minute as Nigerian Ex-International, Emmanuel Emenike opened scoring with a well taken close range shot for Super Eagles Stars. That Joy was short lived when four minutes later Sulley Muntari of Ghana equalized for Yobo and friends.

Man of the moment was skipper Jay Jay Okocha who gave the fans a nostalgia feeling with his deft touches, dribbles and body movements. While Kanu Nwankwo anchored the midfield with authority as he did in the past.

Joseph Yobo greeting dignitaries 

The second goal was scored by ex Inter Milan midfielder Joel Obi in the 14th minute after receiving another killer pass from Jay Jay Okocha. Due to the pass and Okocha displays,Samuel Eto’o Fils playfully asked the referee to substitute Jay Jay Okocha.

In the 24th minute, Cameroonian Legend and three times African footballer of the year Samuel Eto’o Fils equalized for Yobo and friends. His goal move left goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama crawling on the ground as he (Enyeama) attempted to catch the ball.  Enyeama gleefully chased Samuel Eto’o Fils around th pitch. An action that seems he was angry with Samuel Eto’o Fils for scoring. The two men latter hugged each other as play continued.

Team Nigeria Line Up

Emmanuel Emenike was like a running engine as he scored a brace in the 26th and 28th minute to complete his hat-trick of the day.

In the 49th minute,the celebrant Joseph Yobo scored a penalty in the second half. Nollywood legend Osita Iheme (aka Pawpaw) was introduced for Yobo and friends. Minutes later he scored the fourth goal via a low shot at close range which left the supporters bemused.

The celebrant Joseph Yobo spoke to Soccer120.com after the match. He said “I missed football due to injury, this is my first time in a while I’m playing football. I never knew I can play with such high intensity. I’m celebrating today, I feel blessed".

“I feel great for this opportunity,  I want to appreciate everyone for the huge support. The Rivers State government, Moyes, Eto’o and everyone that came. The event makes me realize what I have done for my country,  I appreciate the fans for their massive turn out.” 

Watch Highlight of the match below and Paw Paw goal below

About Joseph Yobo

Joseph Phillip Yobo (born 6 September 1980) is a former Nigerian professional footballer who played as a centre back. He was the captain of the Nigerian national team until his international football retirement in June 2014, and he is Nigeria's record appearance holder.

Yobo's birthplace is Kono, a community in the Khana area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Yobo left Nigeria to join Standard Liège in 1998. He made his first team debut in 2000, and went on to appear 46 times. In 2001, he was bought by Marseille

Soon after making his debut, Yobo was loaned to Tenerife. After around nine months, Yobo returned to Marseille, before joining Everton, again on loan, in July 2002. A £1 million fee was required to register the player, and he became the first signing of David Moyes. An option to make the move permanent was taken up and completed in 2003 after a dispute between Yobo and Marseille was settled, with Everton agreeing a fixed additional fee of £4 million.

On 15 April 2007, Yobo became the record appearance holder for an overseas player at Everton, a record he held until early 2012. For the UEFA Cup match against Larissa of Greece on 25 October 2007, Yobo was named as captain in the absence of Phil Neville and thus became the first African to captain the club.

On 31 August 2010, Yobo signed a one-year loan contract with Fenerbahçe. Yobo played in 30 official matches and scored a goal, helping his team win the league title. On 6 September 2011, Fenerbahçe and Everton agreed on another loan deal for €700,000 and Yobo signed a one-year contract worth €2.35 million.

On 4 August 2012, he re-signed for Fenerbahçe once again, but this time on a permanent basis on a 3-year contract, after having played for Everton for 10 years. On 17 August Fenerbahçe played against Torku Konyaspor and Yobo scored a goal in this match.

Before the 2014-2015 season his contract with Fenerbahce was terminated with mutual agreement.

On 31 August 2014 was awarded with the plaque of appreciation and have been released from Fenerbahce.

On 30 January 2014, Yobo returned to England on loan at Norwich City for the remainder of the season with a view to a permanent move in the summer.He marked his debut for the club with a clean sheet against top-scoring club Manchester City on 8 February

Yobo is a former Nigeria international, who has been capped 101 times and represented the Super Eagles at three FIFA World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

After participating in Nigeria's run to the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship quarter-finals, Yobo made his senior international debut against Zambia in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 24 March 2001. He played in all six of the team's matches in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and was included in the squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he was again ever-present,assisting Julius Aghahowa's goal in a 2–1 loss to Sweden.

Yobo made his second World Cup appearance at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, after which he assumed the captaincy on the international retirement of Nwankwo Kanu. The veteran defender was no longer a first choice player at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but lifted the trophy after appearing as an 89th-minute substitute in Nigeria's 1–0 final defeat of Burkina Faso.

In June 2014, Yobo was included in Stephen Keshi's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was named in the starting line-up for both the second and third group matches, helping the Super Eagles to clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.On 30 June, he made his 100th international appearance, captaining Nigeria against France in the round of 16. After scoring an own goal in the 2–0 defeat.

Yobo announced his international retirement, saying: "This is it. I can look back on my career with great pride. I wanted to leave on a high for my country. Defeat by France was not the right way to go but I'm happy with all I've done for the national team. It's time to give a chance to other people to come through."

In 2010, following a brief courtship, Yobo married former MBGN Adaeze Igwe in a midnight ceremony held in Jos. The couple wedded in a very low key ceremony barely three months after they met in December 2009. However, it is known that they are said to be trying to hide their marital troubles from the press and general public. The couple welcomed a baby boy named Joey Yobo April 2010.

He is the younger brother of former Nigeria international Albert Yobo. In July 2008, his younger brother Norum was kidnapped in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and held for ransom. He was eventually released after 12 days on 17 July 2008.

It was widely reported in the Nigerian media that Yobo went to T.B. Joshua for prayers after suffering a hamstring injury in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

In 2007, Yobo set up the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, to help under-privileged children in Nigeria. As of 18 July 2007, he has handed out over 300 scholarship awards ranging from primary to university level. Yobo has started a football academy in the Ogoni region of Nigeria. He also runs football camps in Lagos.

By Chinedu Okorodike (Juan)

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Meet a lost Nigerian Ikechi Anya of Watford Fc

IKECHI ANYA IN SCOTLAND COLOURS

Ikechi Anya is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Watford and the Scotland national team. He has also been fielded in a number of positions, including 

Anya's father is a Nigerian research scientist of the Igbo ethnic group and his mother a Romanian economist. The couple met while studying in Bucharest. After finishing their studies, his parents moved to Scotland in the late 1980s for his father to obtain his doctorate degree in metallurgy. 

Two Brothers: Ikechi Anya( Right) and Chima Anya (Left)

Right there in Glasgow, Scotland Ikechi Anya was born. He spent his early childhood in the Castle milk area.

His mother, Mariena Anya, said that as a boy Anya and his older brother, Chima, (who is a medical doctor) "was always kicking a ball in front of the house where he grew up in Glasgow from morning till night as a very young boy." The family later moved to Oxford when Ikechi was seven years old after his father got a job at the University of Oxford as a lecturer. 

Ikechi Anya in Watford colours

Anya maintained his fondness for Scotland, stating that whenever Scotland played England he would cheer "Come on Scotland".Thus he grew a strong love for the Scottish national team. 

Football Career

Ikechi Anya was eligible to also represent Romania, Nigeria or England internationally, but he chose to play for the country of his birth, Scotland. 

He received his first cap for the Scottish national team on 6 September 2013, coming off the bench in a 2–0 defeat to Belgium and scored his first international goal four days later in Scotland's following match away to Macedonia. He also scored the only goal in an international friendly against Czech Republic

Ikechi Anya Older brother Chima Anya (Musician and medical doctor)

Wycombe Wanderers

Anya joined the Wycombe Wanderers youth team in the 2003–04 season, having been released by Oxford United.

His performances in the youth team ensured that he was well talked about within the club, enough that he was given the number 28 shirt by then manager Tony Adams (Arsenal Legend) for the match at Southend United on 11 September 2004, becoming the club's youngest ever player at the age of 16.

Ikechi Anya and his Mum Mariena Anya

He committed his short-term future to the club, signing a two-year deal in June 2005 and whilst at Wycombe won Apprentice of the Year at the inaugural Football League Awards in 2006.

Ikechi Anya mum in 1990. A young Ikechi is seen at the background

Non-League

He was released in the summer of 2007 and signed for Oxford City, before being snapped up in January 2008 by Halesowen Town. In the summer of 2008 he joined the Glenn Hoddle Academy and his contract expired in the summer of 2010.

Two Brothers: Anya of Scotland and his Nigerian Brother Ighalo

Northampton Town

On 28 February 2009, Anya signed for League One side Northampton Town.

Spain

On 7 July 2009, Anya joined Sevilla Atlético, the reserve side of Sevilla, on a two-year contract. He also

signed for Celta Vigo in July 2010. On 13 July 2011, Anya signed a three-year contract with newly promoted La Liga side Granada. He was then loaned out to Cádiz for the season.

Anya (first from right) in Oxford United academy

Watford

Anya was loaned to English side Watford for the 2012–13 season. On 22 July 2013, Anya completed a permanent move to Watford, signing a three-year deal. ^[He extended his contract following Watford's promotion to the Premier League in 2015, and is now contracted to the club until 2020.

Anya Father, Mr Chinas Anya celebrating his 60th birthday

International Career

Anya chose to play international football for Scotland, the land of his birth, but would also have been eligible for England (through residence), Nigeria (through his father) or Romania (through his mother).

Anya celebrates his first ever goal for Scotland

He received his first call up to the Scotland national team on 23 August 2013 for Scotland's World Cup qualifying against Belgium.

He scored his first international goal in the following game, a 2–1 win against Macedonia.

He said his dad Mr Chinasa Anya tried to stop home from playing football but wanted him to further his education.

On why he choose Scotland over Nigeria

"I have no regret playing for Scotland. My love for football developed when I was in Scotland so I was always going for that - for me it was always going to be Scotland," Anya said.

"That was where I started playing football at school and where I learned everything. That was one of the main reasons I chose Scotland when I knew they were interested.

"When I was really young I was in Nigeria but I cant remember it. I appreciate the Nigerian side from my father and the Romanian side of my mother but that is them and I chose Scotland.

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