Category: Football News

The Blues midfielder, who doesn’t seem to be in Antonio Conte’s plans, has offers from clubs in Asia and could be set to make a move out east in January
John Obi Mikel has offers from at least two Chinese clubs, as well as clubs in Europe, as he is yet to enter talks with Chelsea over a new deal, Goal understands.
The Nigeria captain’s contract is due to expire on June 30, 2017 and he is free to talk with clubs in January, as is normal for players with only six months remaining on their contracts.
The 29-year-old could follow Oscar, who is set to break the transfer fee record for a player leaving Chelsea, after Shanghai SIPG offered around £52 million to secure the play-maker from west London ahead of the January window.
Marseille and two clubs in China are among those who have made contact with Mikel, who’s yet to make a single appearance in the match day squad for Chelsea since Antonio Conte took charge at Stamford Bridge.
Fenerbahce have also added him to their shortlist, while Manchester United have been linked with Mikel, who hasn’t played for Chelsea since he travelled to Anfield to face Liverpool under GuusHiddink last season.
Mikel is thought to want to make the move that best suits his family and had previously spoken about an interest in playing football in the United States.
Conte insists that Mikel is available and could yet play for Chelsea, while Mikel remains open to renewing his contract if he gets certain assurances.

meanwhile, Reports gathered  has it that coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr is unhappy over the form of Moses Simon and Ahmed Musa for their respective teams.
Rohr’s aim is to bring competition to the Super Eagles by inviting only players in top form, which could spell doom for players who are struggling to make hay with their teams.
Simon has been having an inconsistent season for Belgian side Gent, where he has just three goals from 16 games this season in Belgium, although he has already equaled his last season goal haul, his performances have not been the best.
On his part Ahmed Musa is yet to fulfill settle down to life with English Premier League side Leicester City, with the 24 year old struggling to command a regular spot in Claudio Ranieri’s team, no thanks to his two goals from 12 league games so far.
Their form which is in contrast to that of Anthony Nwakaeme of Hapoel Beer Sheva and Olarenwaju Kayode of Austria Vienna could see them lose their spot to the in-form duo.

Young Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has revealed he chose German side Wolfsburg over the chance to compete in the Premier League with Arsenal.
Osimhen starred at the under-17 World Cup in October 2015, scoring 10 goals to help Nigeria win a record fifth title.
The striker, who turns 18 in December, was reportedly wanted by Arsenal, Tottenham and Anderlecht but his family and representatives settled for the German outfit.
“It’s true that a big team like Arsenal wanted me and I feel honoured to be invited over. But personally I feel Wolfsburg is a ladder for me to reach my professional goals,” Osimhensaid.
“Yes Arsenal is a good team for young players but Wolfsburg is the best club for me.
“This the best place for me to learn and develop because my heart is here with Wolfsburg.
“The club’s plan for my career is very encouraging and I believe with God on my side I can grow to become one of the best players in the world,” he added.
Under Fifa regulations Osimhen cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 18, on 29 December 2016. But Wolfsburg have announced a deal to sign the striker on 1 January 2017.
The proposed transfer follows a co-operation agreement between Wolfsburg and Lagos-based Ultimate Strikers Academy, where Osimhen is based.
Under the co-operation agreement between the clubs, Osimhen has visited Wolfsburg and will continue to train with the club as their guest.
The gangly striker, who idolises former Ivory Coast and Chelsea forward Didier Drogba, said: “I have my father [Patrick Osimhen] and brother [Andrew] with me here in Germany to guide me in the right path.
“The academy has also benefited and I am happy that the partnership will also encourage other young players from our academy to work harder.
“This is a big step for my football, family and the academy. All I can do now is to continue to work hard as a footballer.”
His 10 goals in Chile, where he also emerged as the Golden Boot and Silver Ball winner, eclipsed the previous best of nine set by Ivorian SouleymaneCoulibaly in 2011 and FlorentSinamaPongolle of France in 2001.
Osimhen was also part of the Nigeria side that won the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal in November, which also qualified them for the Rio Olympics next year.
He was named the 2015 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Youth Player of the Year at the award ceremony in Abuja on 7 January.

Former Nigeria international midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has spoken about the lessons he expects Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United to learn from their training tour to Spain.
The Port Harcourt club is currently in the Iberian Nation in their fifth and final phase of pre-season ahead of the 2016/17 season.
Adepoju says the exercise will earn the ‘Pride of Rivers’ rich rewards if they effectively key into the project.
“This is very important for them. This is a team that finished second in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and they just won the Super Four now being the best team (in Nigeria).
“They are preparing for the Caf Champions League and coming to Spain is very important for their preparations.
“I believe they will be able to learn and see many things. The structure here in Spain is very different from what we have back home in Nigeria.
“This is part of the partnership that between the NPFL and La Liga.
“We hope Rivers United learn from this and try to replicate same in Nigeria,” Adepoju told www.laliga.es/en.
On his part, the leader of the United delegation and Rivers State Commissioner for Sport, Honourable Boma Iyaye explained that the trip to Madrid will positively impact on the football club.
“We are excited to be in Spain as it will be a very useful experience for us.
“There is a lot to learn. First, we are here to put finishing touches to our pre-season preparations as we prepare for the NPFL, the Federation Cup and the Caf Champions League.
“The football culture in Spain lays emphasis on winning and we want to imbibe that aspect into our psyche.
“We are excited about the training facilities here and the maintenance culture on display in Villarreal.
“We will take that back to Nigeria and also look to learn from the technical dept of Villarreal CF,” he said.
Rivers United bear Villarreal B 1-0 in a test game on Wednesday at Mini Estadi and will next face CD Roda in their next tune up game in Spain on Monday, December 19.
Meanwhile, Emeka Ogbugh was in top form as his side defeated Villarreal B in a friendly game. The former Heartland man saw two of his goals disallowed, but his efforts was profound and enabled his team overcome the Spanish giants.
Guy Kemian headed home the decisive goal as Rivers United beat Villarreal B 1-0 in a tune up game at Ciudad Deportiva Valenciana on Wednesday.
The Ivoirian marksman displayed his entire predatory skills as he sneaked onto the far post to head home Bernard Ovoke’s corner kick past the Villarreal goal keeper, Nico Campuzano in the 24th minute.
Kuemian had to hobble off with a quarter hour still to play with a suspected muscular injury and his replacement, Elvis Wike should have doubled the Pride of Rivers’ advantage in stoppage time.
He however dragged his effort wide from close range after he was played in by Asamoah Godbless.
United had plenty of chances earlier in the game and could have easily added to their tally but Emeka Ogbugh had two efforts which hit the back of the net chalked off for different reasons.
The Spaniards also had their moments, particularly in the 88th minute when Leandro’s strike flew inches wide off Sunday Rotimi’s left hand post.
Rotimi had an impressive game denying the Yellow Submarines time and again, either side of the break with impressive stops.
The game represented United’s first in Spain where they are currently embarking on their fifth and final phase of pre-season preparations.
United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma was pleased with the experience of playing against the Spanish side.
“This was an action-packed game and it was good to win.
“Technically, we learned a lot and it will help us as we prepare for domestic and continental matches,” Eguma told

Rivers United emerged champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 in Enugu.
The competition featured three other football clubs that will represent Nigeria in Caf club competitions in 2017; Enugu Rangers, Wikki Tourists and FC Ifeanyiubah (FCIU).
Rivers United finished the competition with six points from three matches, one point more than Enugu Rangers who finished in second place.
Wikki Tourists finished the competition in third place having amassed four points from three matches while FCIU propped up the rear with a solitary point from the same number of matches as the other three sides.
Speaking after the win, technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma praised his wards but insisted ‘the hard work must continue’ as they set their sights on success on three fronts.
“It is always good to win any match or indeed, any competition you enter for but the truth is, the hard work we have put in since November 1 (when the club commenced pre-season) must continue.
“We realize that the real objective is to do well in the league, the Federation Cup and the Caf Champions League next year.
“It is imperative to note here that none of the teams that played in the last Super 4 (Enyimba, Warri Wolves, Nasarawa United and Akwa United) qualified for the continent this season so we have to learn from their mistakes.
“We have seen our strengths and our weaknesses and will continue to work to become an even stronger unit,” Eguma toldwww.riversunitedfc.com.ng  moments after the final whistle.
The experienced gaffer also took the time to praise Rivers State Governor, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike and Commissioner for Sport, Boma Iyaye for their support to the football club.
In a similar vein, club captain, Festus Austin also voiced positive sentiments about the success in the Super 4.
He revealed that he always wanted to lead the club to titles as captain and will not relent as he strives to amass even more silverware with the ‘Pride of Rivers’.
Round Up – NPFL 2016-17 Pre-season Super 4
Match-day One
Wikki Tourists 2-1 FC Ifeanyiubah
Rangers International 2-0 Rivers United
Match-day Two
Rangers Interntional 0-0 Wikki Tourists
Rivers United 2-0 FC Ifeanyiubah
Match-day Three
Rivers United 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Rangers International 1-1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Final Table:
1. Rivers United – 6 points (Champions).
2. Rangers Int’l – 5 points.
3. Wikki Tourists – 4 points.
4. FC Ifeanyi Ubah – 1 points.

Nigeria’s leading beer brand, Hero Lager has signed a sponsorship deal with top Nigerian club side, Enyimba FC of Aba for the forthcoming COPA Lagos beach soccer competition.
The deal will see Enyimba FC donning their jersey for their match with Pepsi Football Academy, with Hero Lager emblazoned on it.
The deal was sealed at a meeting between officials of Enyimba FC led by their Chairman, Mr. Felix AnyansiAgwu and the Sales Director and Marketing Manager of Hero Lager; Mr. Godwin Oche and Mrs Jennifer Balogun respectively.
On hand to witness the partnership signing was Mr. Samson Adamu, Managing Director of Kinetic Sports, organizers of the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament.
Giving reasons for the choice of Enyimba FC, Oche said both brands share several similarities and ambitions.
“Hero Lager has a lot of similarities with Enyimba FC. Both had humble beginnings from the South East, and have within a short time grown to continental brands, on the verge of becoming global brands,” he said.
According to him, just like Enyimba FC, Hero started as a regional brand from the south eastern part of the country, pointing out that it has since grown to become one of the biggest and the most successful beer brands in Africa, standing proudly at third position among its old and established peers.
In addition, he said, Hero Lager, just like Enyimba which became the first club in the continentto win the CAF Champions League back to back, has won several awards in Nigeria and in Africa,as well as a global award.
Speaking in the same vein, Balogun described the partnership as very important, not only for COPA Lagos, but also one worth pursuing long term, including sponsorship of the club in the Nigerian Premier League and continental completions.

“We are absolutely honoured and delighted to be a part of this partnership. If the Hero brand can achieve the heights as Enyimba
Football team has done, that will be the ultimate dream for the business. Enyimba FC is the only
Nigerian club to favourably compete for attention of Nigerians with clubs in the English Premier‎ League and other European leagues, and it is no mean feat,” she said.
Anyansi commended Hero Lager for their foresight in venturing into football sponsorship, and expressed the belief that the brand will never regret its foray into football.
He thanked the brand for the support, and promised that Enyimba FC will help to promote the brand, not just in the South East, but across the country and the continent.