SAVIOUR GODWIN: FLYING EAGLES JOKER AT WYC

Much has been made about the impact Moses Simon,Isaac Success and Kelechi Iheanacho will have for Nigeria at the upcoming World Youth Championship but less is said about Saviour Godwin the 19 year old who gatecrashed the Nigeria 21 man squad for the World cup.

The striker who was unheralded at Under-17 level two years ago for Nigeria when they won the world cup rose from a two years wilderness with Nigeria youth team to becoming a part of coach Samson Siasia Un der-23 team from where his impressive form alerted handlers of the Nigeria Under-20.

His form in camp both in Abuja and Germany was good enough to help him displace team forward Ibrahim Alhassan who played in all of the team qualifying games for the Africa Youth Championship and also played some games as they romp to the AYC title two months ago.

Saviour still has a big task in his hands as regards breaking into the team starting line ups in the tournament proper but his constant goal scoring feats in training and friendly games means he can be a joker when the Flying Eagles need fresh ideas from the bench.

MIKEL MULLS OVER SUPER EAGLES FUTURE

Chelsea John Obi Mikel appears to be willing to stay away from the Super Eagles for the main time according to reports sourced by Mowizsoccer.

A player dropped from the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON 2017 against Chad said he spoke with the Chelsea star who was also omitted for the game and he appears not to be keen on representing the Super Eagles anytime soon.

"I don't have a problem with being dropped but when i spoke with Mikel,the story was entirely different maybe he won't play for Nigeria again but am not yet sure" He told Mowizsoccer.

The Chelsea star has endured mixed comments from soccer lovers in Nigeria with some of the opinion he doesn't pull his weight for the team like he does at Chelsea.

At Chelsea he was a bit part player this season and his club future will depend largely on what Chelsea choose to do in the summer as another defensive midfielder signing will effectively move him closer to the exit door at Stamford Bridge.

IKE UCHE SET TO SIGN FOR MEXICO SIDE

According to reports from respected Spanish news outlet Marca, Super Eagles and Villareal forward Ikechukwu Uche is set to sign for Mexican side Monterrey.

The scorer of 6 goals for Villareal this season did not head to Australia with the rest of the 'Yellow Submarines' (where they will play two friendlies, in Adelaide and Brisbane) and some reports suggest that he is on his way to Mexico to sign for Tigres de Monterrey.

If Uche puts pen to paper the 31 year old will become the first African player to play for the team who have excellent relationship that exists between the Tigers' director of football, Miguel Ángel Garza, and Villarreal, due to his own stint with the team before returning to 'Los Felinos'.

WYC UNDER-20: ISACC SUCESS TO ARRIVE NEW ZEALAND LATE

Isacc Success will be the last player to arrive the base of the Flying Eagles in New Zealand ahead of the Under-20 World cup due to visa issues.

The 19 year old Granada forward had mixed up in retrieving his passport he sent to Nigeria three weeks ago to obtain a visa to New Zealand.

Success was expected to have being given his visa since on Sunday the 17th of May but his passport was reportedly forgotten in Abuja but Mowizsoccer can authoritatively revealed an official of the Nigeria Football Federation is already in Belgium set to deliver the passport to him on Tuesday.

He will get the passport on Tuesday and will fly to New Zealand on Wednesday but due to the distance of the trip he will arrive the venue for the World Cup on Friday at the earliest.

Aside Success the expected duo of Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho will meet up with the squad on Tuesday upon their arrival in  New Zealand making Success the most likely to be tha last to arrive camp.

REVEALED!!! FLYING EAGLES STARTING LINE UP AGAINST BRAZIL

Baring any last minute change the Flying Eagles of Nigeria will approach their opening game against Brazil at the World Youth Championship with an attack minded line up with an aim of securing all available three point.

The Nigerian team are presently on transit heading to Australia from Dubai where they are expected to connect a flight to New Zealand.

However Mowizsoccer scooped from team officials and some handlers that Coach Manu Garba already has in mind his preferred starting line up even as they expect the trio of Moses Simon,Kelechi Iheanacho and Isaac Sucess.

Already the trio will have to do something extra ordinary in the four day they are expected to spend in camp before the Flying Eagles first game to dislodge the coach first choice starters who have been with the team for a month.

Joshua Enaholo (GK)...Musa Mohammed (Captain),Mustapha Abdullahi,Zahradeen Bello,Wilfred Ndidi,Ifeanyi Ifeanyi,Ifeanyi Matthew,Kingsley Sokari,Musa Yahaya,Bernard Bulbwa and Taiwo Awoniyi.

ANCELOTTI CONFIRMS MADRID EXIT

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he has left the team but ruled out a return to AC Milan due to medical reasons.

Ancelotti confirmed he is set to undergo operation on his cervical stenosis that has hindered him from using his hands properly and the surgical operation is expected to keep him out for an unspecified period of time.

The manager explained if he doesn't allow for the operation to be done now it might move from disturbing just his hands to his legs.

According to the manager the time he requires out of the job means he will not be able to take up the job at AC Milan even though the team fires head coach Fillipo Inzaghi this summer.

He however insist if he is ever to manage another team in Italy in the serie A it will most likely be AC Milan the team he manager from 2001-2009.

VIDAL HEADING TO ARSENAL AFTER COPA AMERICA

Juventus midfield hardman Arturo Vidal is reportedly on his way to Arsenal according to various reports.

Vidal shares same agent as Arsenal's  striker Alexis Sanchez,Fernando Felicevich and that is said to be pivotal in helping the Gunners succeed where Man United failed last summer.

The box-to-box midfielder has been integral in Juve’s domestic double-winning season, and may yet sign off by adding a Champions League medal on 6 June.

He will reportedly cost Arsenal 25 million pounds well within the reach of the London based team who according to reports will announce Vidal signing after the Copa America.

The box-to-box midfielder has been integral in Juve’s domestic double-winning season, and may yet sign off by adding a Champions League medal on 6 June.

MANU HANDS NDIDI VICE CAPTAIN BAND

Genk of Belgium 18 year old central defender Wilfred Ndidi has being named the vice captain of the Nigeria Under-20 team who are set to campaign at the World Youth Championship in New Zealand.

Ndidi will deputise for regular skipper Musa Mohammed while striker Taiwo Awoniyi who has being wearing the band in the absence of Ndidi will be the team third captain.

The former Nath boys of Lagos defence strong man was with the team when they were in their formative years at Under-17 level but a failed MRI test ruled him out from participating at the Africa Under-17 Youth Championship and the Under-17 World Youth Championship.

However he was snapped up by coach John Obuh then coach of the Nigeria Under-20 team and despite his tender age he posted a faultless performance for the team two years ago at the World Youth Championship in Turkey.

This will be his second Under-20 World cup and the highly rated youngster is expected to be a regular for Nigeria as he will lead from the rear alongside his favourite partner Zahradeen Bello and flanked by full backs Musa Mohammed and Mustapha Abdullahi.

SIASIA DROPS SAMPDORIA TARGET

Coach of the Nigeria under-23 team Samson Siasia has omitted Sampdoria of Italy target Stanley Amuzie from his list of players called up for camping ahead of a crucial Olympic qualifier game against the winner between and Congo.

Siasia called up 30 players but the left full back name was conspicuously missing from the list of players expected to report to the team camp on the 1st of June for the July showpiece that will have an impact on Nigeria participation at the next Olympic games in Rio.

Amuzie is reportedly in Italy with Sampdoria with initial reports suggesting he has already agreed a move to the Serie A side which will be announced when the transfer window opens in June.

Dream Team 30-player squad:

GOAL KEEPERS

DANIEL EMMANUEL – RANGERS 

ABIODUN AKANDE - 3SC

YUSUF MOHAMMED - KANO PILLARS

DANIEL EMMASON - AKWA UTD

DEFENDERS

OBANOR ERHUN - ABIA WARRIORS

SEGUN ODUDUWA - NATH BOYS

SINCERE SETH - SUPREME COURT

IROHA EBUKA - DIAMOND FOOTBALL ACADEMY

SANI FAISAL - ABUJA FOOTBALL ACADEMY

ANIYIKAYE ADELEYE - GABROS FC

CHISOM KISITO - DIAMOND FOOTBALL ACADEMY

EKPO GODWIN - UNATTACHED

MIDFIELDERS

AZUBIKE OKECHUKWU - BAYELSA FC

TIONGOLI TONBARA - BAYELSA FC

FREEDOM OMOFOMAN - WARRI WOLVES

USMAN MOHAMMED - TARABA FC

EKPO DANIEL - DOLPHINS FC

OKEKE UCHE – ENYIMBA FC

DANIEL ETOR – ENYIMBA FC

SUNDAY GABRIEL – DIAMOND FOOTBALL ACADEMY

UBONG EKPAI – KANO PILLARS

ETEOBONG ELISHA - ESPERANCE

CHRISTOPHER GEORGE JENOM – GABROS FC

STRIKERS

PETER ONYEKACHI – ENYIMBA FC

OGHENEKARO ETEBO – WARRI WOLVES

JUNIOR AJAYI – 3SC FC

AKINBULE AYONFE – GATEWAY FC

WILLIAM MEMME - UNATTACHED

MOSES OMODUEMUKE - UNATTACHED

IYORHE LUTER BENJAMIN – TARABA FC 

BARNABAS IMENGER MOVES TO KANO PILLARS

Super Eagles of Nigeria CHAN 2014 bronze medallist Nanen Barnabas Imeger Jnr has completed his transfer from Lobi Stars of Makurdi to Nigeria league champions Kano Pillars.

Son of former Nigeria international Barnabas Imenger he had a short stint in Sweden before returning to Lobi Stars last season and he was recently linked with a move to  a team in Egypt and in the Middle East but he has choose to join the Nigeria league champions.

Kano Pillars are strengthening their team after a not too good start to the season going by their standard and Nanen is the first of many signing they will be hoping will help them as they aim for their fourth consecutive Nigeria Premier League title.

Speedy and skillfull the Kwara Football academy product will be expected to help Pillars in the aspect of goal scoring as the team is currently decimated by gun shot injuries to top striker Gambo Mohammed when they were ambushed on their way to honoring their first league game of the season.

Their case was made worst when Christian Obiazor signed to be a back up to Gambo Mohammed terminated  his deal with the champions and is recently signed for Enyimba FC of Aba.

FLYING EAGLES STUDYING TAPES OF BRAZIL

Ahead of their opening game at the World Youth Championship against Brazil,the coaches of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria are studying tapes of the Brazilian team.

The coaches received the tapes two days back and it consists mainly of matches played by the Brazilian team at the last Copa America Under-20 championship although they are now under a new coach.

Nigeria on her part are reportedly keen on improving their defence line particularly the central defence where the coach admits work still has to be done before the opening game on the 1st of June at the Taranaki Stadium in New Plymouth .

However Mowizsoccer failed to confirm if they are also studying tapes of their other group E opponents Korea DPR and Hungary.

GERMAN,TURKISH AND FRENCH TEAM CHASING EZE

Top scorer in the Serbia League Friday Patrick Eze admits he is currently being chased by teams in Germany,Turkey and France following a spectacular season with Mladost Lucani.

The 22 year old scored 15 goals for his newly promoted outfit one more than Petar Skulectic of Partizan Belgrade who has since moved to Russia to join Lokomotive Moscow and although Eze missed his team last game with an ankle sprain he is presently three goals ahead of his closest challenger.

"Yes i won't deny they have been interest from teams in Eastern Europe but have gotten preliminary contact with some teams in Germany,Turkey and France, i will rather wait till the end of this season to explore my options before making a decision" He told Mowizsoccer.

The former Africa Sports of Cote d Ivoire forward is however refusing to be carried away by his fine form insisting he still has a long way to go and will rather go to a team where he is guarantee to have playing time.

"I am not motivated by money or the fame am enjoying am focus on improving my game hence my next club will be one that guarantees me time on the pitch as i still believe i need to improve further".

SOUTHAMPTON TRACKING FLYING EAGLES CAPTAIN

English Premier League outfit Southampton will run the rule on Flying Eagles of Nigeria captain Musa Mohammed during the World Youth Championship in New Zealand.

Mowizsoccer gathered an intermediary has already being issued a  transfer mandate by the player's agent incase he impresses during the championship.

Southampton are well known for bringing players through their youth ranks and in the last two years they have produced quality right full back in Nathaniel Clyne and Calum Chambers who have both represented England at full international level with Chambers now at Arsenal.

Clyne is heavily linked with a move away from the Saints and although Musa won't be a first team regular if signed due to the complexity of obtaining a work permit, he is however highly recommended by a scout who works closely with head of Southampton scouting network Bill Green.

Green is currently the senior head of recruitment at Southampton and the 64 year old is expected to be at the tournament where he will make checks on skipper of the Nigerian  team.

Musa 18, is a right full back who captained Nigeria to glory at the last Under-17 world cup and also at the under-20 Africa youth championship where he emerge as top scorer due to his efficiency in  taking spot kicks.

A dead ball specialist who weigh in with his own fair share of goals tipped among the stars to watch out for in the Nigeria team  failed to secure a move to Besiktas after his agent reportedly failed to agree a fee for his transfer

AWONIYI TAKING SHOKI DANCE LESSONS FOR GOAL CELEBRATION

                                       
   

                                   


An instagram post of Nigeria Under-20 striker Taiwo Awoniyi dancing to a popular hit song by rapper Olamide has made wave on the internet the past few days and Mowizsoccer can now reveal the mystery behind the dancing.

In a chat Awoniyi revealed he is a big fan of the YBNL record label owner and his latest track "Shakiti Bobo" inspired him into asking teammate Dele Alampasu to teach him the popular dance step called Shoki.

"I have been trying to have a signature celebration dance if i score at the World Youth Championship and i so love the shoki dance hence i asked my teammate Alampasu who dances very well to teach me" He told Mowizsoccer.

"Am not that good a dancer but am trying and hopefully i will perfect it before the World Cup proper,it will be nice to celebrate with a popular dance step for Nigerians at home".

The inform forward is expected to lead the line for Nigeria at the championship and his recent act of trying to perfect a dance step for goal celebration further highlighted his confidence mood ahead of the tournament.

So far in friendly games ahead of the tournament he has scored five goals from three games.

FLYING EAGLES PERMITTED IHEANACHO TO PLAY FOR MAN CITY

           

Kelechi Iheanacho who featured and scored for Manchester City EDS in their 4-1 win over Southampton was permitted to play for the team by the officials of the Flying Eagles to help boost his fitness ahead of the World Youth Championship.

Iheanacho who also picked up two assist in the win is suppose to be in camp with the Nigeria Under-20 team but according to details made available to Mowizsoccer he was permitted to play the game by officials of the Nigeria team.

"We have heard a lot about accusations bothering on his commitment but that is not true , we permitted him to play in the game as it falls on same day we are having our final friendly game" He said

"People forget so soon that he missed the game against Manchester United and it was confirmed by the team that he has being released for the World Youth Championship but we allow him play as visa issues kept him in Manchester"

A team source told Mowizsoccer that when the 18 year old was battling to obtain a Schengen visa to join up with his international colleagues in Germany, Manchester City application for him to be granted a work permit made him terminate the process as he also need his passport for same purpose.

The source said after he was issued a work permit if he is to re apply for a Schengen visa it will cost him few days of training hence they decided it's better he meet them up in New Zealand.

In addition to keep himself fit for the tournament Manchester City approached Nigeria for permission to use him in their EDS game and the Nigeria team willingly obliged as it will help sharpen the player's fitness ahead of the daunting task of the World Youth Championship.

MANU GARBA: FRIENDLY VICTORIES MEANS NOTHING

Coach of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria Manu Garba is not getting carried away by the recent spate of victories recorded by the Flying Eagles ahead of the Under-20 World Youth Championship in New Zealand.

Manu Garba lead team have so far scored 14 goals in the three friendly games they have played,conceding twice and sowing traits of a team that is fully ready to take on the rest of the World at the World Youth Championship.

The coach is however not so much in tune with the recent praises that have come the way of the team insisting it counts for nothing if they fail to replicate such feat at the World Youth Championship.

"Good for our confidence level but the victories will mean nothing unless we do same at the World cup proper" He told Mowizsoccer.

On the areas of the team that still needs strengthening, the Under-17 world cup winner stressed his team defence needs fine tuning but the attack also despite scoring 14 times needs to be more clinical in front of goal.

"We missed too many chances in all of the games we play and that is a concern although am happy we creating them, we are a bit lacking one or two things in defence but you can play it down to the fact that we used three different goalkeppers, we will fix up all those areas before the game against Brazil"

MORE TO AWONIYI GAME THAN GOALS....Ugbade

Assistant Coach of the Nigeria Flying Eagles Nduka Ugbade says there is more to the game of top striker Taiwo Awoniyi than scoring of goals.

The lanky forward has been the most talk about youngster in the Nigeria youth team set up picking up the top scorer and MVP award at the super 4 invitational tournament before scoring four times for the Under-20 to help them clinch the Africa Youth Championship.

He was drafted to the Nigeria Under-23 team and scored twice to propel Nigeria to the All-Africa games on a 2-1 aggregate win and so far ahead of the World Youth Championship with five goals from three friendly games.

However Ugabade told Mowizsoccerblog in a chat after the team 4-1 friendly win over Freiburg Under-23 that the 18 year old has blossomed into an all round forward capable of doing much more than scoring goals.

"Taiye (Taiwo Awoniyi) has grown into the striker we always wanted him to be although there is still room for improvement in some areas of his game,most people talk about his goals but there is much more to him than scoring goals" He said.

"Most people forget so soon the goals he created at the Africa Youth Championship plus the penalties he won for the team, He brings others into play with his hold up abilities and can pick a defense splitting pass aside his strong point of pulling defenders out of position for others to pounce".