KEHINDE MAKING GIANT STRIDES AT MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United are currently excited over the future of young Nigerian forward Tosin Kehinde who currently plays for their Under-19.

Kehinde enhanced his reputation with a goal in their 2-0 win over Wolfsburg in the UEFA youth league on Tuesday although they still crashed out of the tournament.

Coached by former England and Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt,Lagos born Kehinde is 17 year old and last season injury troubles restricted him to few games.

This season he made his first start in the UEFA youth league in their 4-0 loss to CSKA Moscow last month lasting 62 minutes as he bids his way back to full fitness.

His prolific form for the Under-16 two seasons ago ensured his rapid promotion to the Under-19 this season and he is eligible for Nigeria and England at Youth level.

BELGIUM CHAMPIONS SIGNS YOUNG NIGERIAN

Belgium league champions KAA Gent will in January have another Nigerian on their rooster after a 1.1 million euros capture of Skenderbeu Korce midfielder Peter Olayinka.


20 year old Olayinka who moved to Albania at the age of 16 in 2012 has so far made 15 appearances for the Albanian champions Skenderbeu with 8 goals to his name.

In the Europa League he has made 5 appearances although he is yet to score he is one of the team best player so far in the tournament a form many believed made Gent snap him up.

The Belgium side already have Nigeria International Moses Simon in their team and Olayinka will sign a 3 year deal in January bringing to four the number of Nigerians on the club's payroll.

Aside Simon the other two Sadiq Yusuf and William Troost Ekong are out on loan to Norwegian side FK Haugeseund but Olayinka won't be going on loan upon his signing rather will battle for a spot in the team.

If reports of the fee of 1.1 million Euros are true the Nigerian will be the most expensive export in the history of Albania football.

PLAYER RATINGS: NIGERIA 2-2 EGYPT

After Nigeria let slip a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Egypt at the ongoing Under-23 Africa Nations Cup,Mowizsoccer rates the players who featured in the game.

Emmanuel Daniel: The goalkepper was largely responsible for the one point Nigeria picked as he stood between Egypt and a winner in the second half...7/10.

Seth Sincere: Started brightly by galloping up the flanks from his right full back role but faded as the game progressed,very slack in marking and gave the team no width...5/10

Effiong Ndifreke: A left full back who despite the bright early start of his left winger didn't contribute anything going forward,became the team weak link in the second half and largely at fault for both of the moves that lead to Egypt's goals...4/10

Oduduwa Segun: Hardly got involved as his partner Amaefule Chizoba did the bulk of the job,weak in the air,sluggish and his poor positioning played the Egyptians on when an offside trap was set by the other defenders...4/10

Amaefule Chizoba: Hard in tackle,strong in one on one contest and a willing runner,most experienced and oldest of the defence quartet,unfortunate to have scored an own goal but still the best defender on display for the team...6/10

Mohammed Usman: Known for his twinkle toes and dribbling skills but none was on show against Egypt,struggled to release the strikers with through ball,a rather subdued performance going by his abilities...5/10

Okechukwu Azubuike: The captain saw lots of the ball,kept his team ticking,contributed in defence but failed to get into goal scoring positions,however his quality is clear to see...6/10

Etebo Oghenekaro: Took his penalties with calmness and aplomb but missed a simple header that would have given him his hattrick, lively all through but appears lost in his role behind the striker...6/10

Junior Ajayi: Scored a brace in the first game but got no where near the opponent's goal as he failed to evade his markers largely due to a lack of service,substituted with a minute left to play...4/10

Taiwo Awoniyi: Highly rated but yet to live up to his ratings so far in this tournament,played outwide and struggled to get involved even when he moved to his preferred central striker role...4/10

Stanley Dimgba: Threatened the Egyptians with his pace at the start of the game but went surprisingly missing in the second half and failed to aid his full back in defending when Egypt piled on the pressure...5/10

Substitutes:

Ebong Eyo: Tried to inject urgency into the team's attack but ended up running into blind alleys,dragged an effort narrowly wide few minutes after coming on...4/10

Godspower Aniefiok: Had 9 anonymous minutes failing to use his strength and pace to good effect...3/10

Yaro Bature: A time wasting substitute,came on a minute to full time but missed a glorious chance to steal all three points for Nigeria,shot high into the sky when a loose ball found him free on the edge of the opponent's box...2/10

AGUERO PUSHING IHEANACHO TO GREATNESS

Nigerian kid wonder Kelechi Iheanacho has been marked out for greatness … by no other than Kun Aguero!

The 19-year-old striker bagged his third goal of a breakthrough season to help Manchester City on their way to a 4-1 win over Hull in the League Cup quarter-finals.

And then he revealed that he is being egged on by the legendary Blues striker every day in training – and by Wilfried Bony.

Now he is dreaming of scoring the winner at Wembley to cap a dream season, with the Blues just a two-legged semi-final away from a date beneath the Arch on February 28.

Afterwards he paid tribute to the way the senior strikers have welcomed him into the first team fold – and told him that he could hit the very top.

“They talk to me ever day in training, giving me advice and encouraging me to keep going and doing well,” he said. “They tell me I will be a great player one day, so I will keep listening and working hard.

“The manager also gives me great advice, telling me to play simple and score goals.

“It’s always a pleasure to score a goal, and it was a good goal, a good reaction to run to the front post.

Culled from Machesterevening news.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS DISCIPLINE NIGERIA TEEN

English championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers has been disciplined by the club for going on AWOL for 13 days.

Enobakhare has been training mostly with the under-21 group since returning to Compton Park, having spent most of the season with the first team.

Boss Kenny Jackett now hopes to put the episode behind everyone and concentrate on football again.

The 17-year-old was welcomed back into the dressing room with a round of applause, according to the manager.

“He was okay, he apologised but obviously had some issues that he had to sort out and he realises that it wasn’t quite the correct thing to do. He certainly will have learned from it" He said.

“There has been and will be disciplinary action. That is internal and has been dealt with and accepted and moved on.

Enobakhare was initially allowed time off for a family issue, the club said, but then failed to return and left bosses unaware of his whereabouts.

He returned to training on Tuesday after 13 days away from Compton Park.

And the Nigerian is in line to pull on a Wolves shirt again either this Sunday when the under-21s travel to Derby, or next Thursday when Wolves play MK Dons in the FA Youth Cup. The youngster reconciled with the club by phoning academy boss Gareth Prosser on Monday.

Disciplinary action is likely to have been a fine of one or two weeks’ wages.

Culled from Wolves Express and Star

AS ROMA NIGERIA TEEN TO HAVE HEART SURGERY

A minor heart surgery to correct a defect noticed in the heart of Nigeria 18 year old right full back,Nura Abdullahi who plays on loan for AS Roma  from Serie B side Spezia will be carried out this weekend.

The 18 year old who is reportedly on the radar of Barcelona was diagnosed with the issue after a routine medical check up and he is now set to go under the surgeon's knife for the surgery meant to protect his career.

It is reportedly a simple task and he won't be out for too long along according to reports gathered by News24 but this will be a minor setback to his fine form for AS Roma Primavera side where he has become a regular and has made the bench for the main team four times so far this season in the Serie A.

Nicknamed "Two Sim' by his friends in Kaduna due to his tireless ability when running the right flank from his full back role, He is tipped to be an integral part of Nigeria's next Under-20 team which will commence training in January in Abuja.

Last season he earned his loan move to Roma  alongside his childhood friend Sadiq Umar after scoring 8 times and providing 12 assists for the B team of Serie B side Spezia.

SUPER STAR AGENTS SIGNS UP FOUR NIGERIA TEENS

The agency of world most expensive player Gareth Bale will now look after the Nigeria U-17 winning quartet of captain Kelechi Nwakali,David Enogela,Samuel Chukwueze and Joel Osikel.

Stellar group the biggest player in the UK  WAS founded by David Manasseh and Jonathan Barnett, employ their own scouts and have a brilliant track record for signing young players. Around half of the England Under 17 side, who went out of the World Cup at the group stage, are on their books.

Attacking midfielder Kelechi Nwakali, who styles his game on Yaya Toure and was voted the most valuable player at the tournament in Chile, striker Samuel Chukwueze, who scored three goals at the recent World Cup, and two more midfielders in David Enogena and Joel Osikel are all expected to sign for top European clubs in the January transfer window, with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Arsenal among those interested.

Nwakali is currently linked with Manchester City where his elder brother,Chidiebere is currently contracted to but out on loan to Girona in Spain although West Ham,Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs are also hot on his chase.

Paris Saint Germain are reportedly in for David Enogela  while Samuel Chukwueze is being monitored by Bayern Munich.