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.

AS ROMA SADIQ UMAR TO LEAD NEW FLYING EAGLES

AS Roma 18 year old forward Sadiq Umar will headline the list of foreign based players invited to the Nigeria Under-20 team ahead of the qualifying series for 2017 Africa Youth Championship in Zambia.

Umar who made his debut last week for AS Roma in the Serie A has so far scored 13 goals with the B team of AS Roma and will be included in the list alongside his teammate Nura Abdullahi the right full back who is on the radar of Spanish giants Barcelona.

The foreign based players Mowizsoccer gathered will all be in camp next year as Coach Manu Garba draws up plans ahead of the qualifying series where he is also expected to include some members of the victorious Nigeria Under-17 of 2015.

Zambia will host the 2017 Africa Under-20 championship where Nigeria will be hoping to defend their 2015 crown won in  Senegal.

Manu Garba who came under pressure following his team poor showing at the last World Youth Championship in New Zealand is yet to decide if some players still within the age limit from his former U-20 and 17 team will be included in the team.

However speculations still remains that Zahradeen Bello who was at the last U-20 championship and presently with the Nigeria Under-23 team ahead of the Olympic qualifiers will captain the team.

MUSA YAHAYA AGRESS CELTA VIGO MOVE

Nigeria youth international Musa Yahaya will in two weeks time arrive Spain where he is expected to sign for La-Liga side Celta Vigo.

Musa whose move to English side Tottenham Hotspurs broke down due to disagreements between his agent,Babawo Mohammed and his team Mutunchi Academy have already gotten his visa.


Contrary to speculations that he will be loaned out by Spurs,the 17 year old will train with Celta Vigo until January when he completes 18 before signing for them if he impresses.


Celta Vigo lost out in their bid to sign the forward after the U-17 World cup in 2013 but move swiftly to tie him down after his move to turn professional with Spurs broke down.


The player is currently in Kaduna but got his visa top travel to Spain from the Spanish embassy in Abuja last week and is most likely to travel in the company of his agent Babawo Mohammed.

Two Chinese Clubs Battling Over Rooney

Wayne Rooney is currently in tug of war between two Chinese team who are reportedly ready to splash big money on the 30 year old when his contract runs out in 2019.

Heavily linked with Guangzhou Evergrande,the England skipper is now being urged by former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson to instead join him at Shanghai SIPG.

Eriksson believes Rooney will flourish in his team due to the avalanche of stars they currently have in the team.

"We already have famous players like Robinho,Asamoah Gyan and Demba Ba,and they all brought something special" He told SunSport.

"But of course Rooney is at another level.

"He is top,top,top in same category as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo".

He however admitted that teams all round the world will try to sign Rooney if the need arises but says a Rooney move to China will be fantastic.

EMMANUEL BABAYARO TAKES OVER KADUNA UNITED

Emmanuel Babayaro has been appointed the new General Manager of Nigeria National League team,Kaduna United.

The Atalanta 96 football gold medalist wasn't in the picture originally to be appointed as General Manager but a power point presentation coupled with a perfect business plan swinged the appointment in his favour.

Babayaro will however constitute an advisory board but will own the team after it was concessed to him by the Kaduna State Government for the next four years.

Under the new arrangement Babayaro will sourced for money to run the team and at the end of every year submit the team financial report to the state  on a yearly basis.

The arrangement will see the owner of Pioneers Academy restructure the team who were winners of the Nigeria Federations cup in 2010 and steer them back to the top flight after poor management saw them drop to the second tier of Nigeria football.

SPURS TO RELEASE MUSA YAHAYA IN JANUARY

English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspurs won't be offering Nigeria youth international,Musa Yahaya professional contract after a breakdown in talks.

Investigations by Mowizsoccer has it that the 17 year old who is presently in Kaduna was a victim of disagreements between his nursery team Mutunchi Academy and his agent Babawo Mohammed.

The Mutunchi Academy prospect who was expected to be offered professional contract when he turns 18 next year will now be released as controversies continue to trail his move to Tottenham Hotspurs.

Tottenham Hotspurs who were neck deep in talks with his agent Babawo Mohammed but were forced to pull the plug on the deal after his nursery team Mutunchi alleged the agent was trying to dupe them.

An Under-17 World cup winner with Nigeria in 2013,Yahaya have been training with Spurs reserve team the last one year but have been in Kaduna,Nigeria since Nigeria elimination from the Under-20 World cup this year. 

The Kaduna born forward is now reportedly drumming interest from Spanish La-Liga side Celta Vigo as Spurs have made it clear he won't be retained.

However his nursery team Muntunchi are still going to be paid the balance of the fee they are owed by Spurs which was supposed to be paid when he turns 18 next year.

WENGER; ARSENAL WILL TARGET EUROPA LEAGUE IF..........

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his team will aim to win the Europa league if they fail to secure progress from the champions league group stages.

Arsenal are up against Dinamo Zagreb from Croatia but even a victory won't be enough if Olympiakos and Bayern Munich play draw in the group other fixture after three defeats in their opening four games.

If Arsenal fail to progress tonight they will most likely drop to the Europa League,a competition English teams hardly pay any serious attention to but Wenger believes all of that is in the past.

"We would take the competition seriously but we are not out yet.

"I believe that this problem is exaggerated a little bit in England because we play Wednesday and Saturday, so it is the same as Thursdayand Sunday,I can't see the difference".

He also dismissed suggestions that Bayern and Olympiakos could play out a draw at the Allianz Arena that would see both side qualify at Arsenal's expense.

TRANSFER NEWS ROUNDUP: ROONEY TO CHINA? AUBEMEYANG TO CHELSEA?

The Sun Newspaper carries an exclusive story claiming Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is wanted in China in a big money move which they say might tempt the striker.

Daily Mirror also carried a rumour involving Manchester United by claiming the Old Trafford outfit are leading the chase for Barcelona want away defender Marc Batra.

The Old Trafford outfit are also reportedly keen on Fulham's 19 year old midfielder Moussa Dembele according to reports in France specifically Get France Football News who are also reporting Bayern Munich are also in for the midfielder.

Meanwhile the club's search for pace upfront might see them come back for Southampton's Sadio Mane in January when Manager Louis Van Gaal an admirer of the talents of the Senegalese who played a big role in Southampton's demolition of Manchester United this season according to ESPN.

Manchester United city rivals Manchester City are reportedly set to rekindle their interest in Real Madrid Isco who is unhappy over his peripheral role at the Santiago Bernabeu according to Daily Mirror.

English Premiership defending Champions Chelsea are reportedly quietly confident of landing West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino who still wants out of the Hawthorns after a failed move to Spurs in the summer  according to ESPN although Fichajes.net are speculating they are also weighing up a 24 million pounds ove for Borrusia Dortmund forward Pierre Emerick Aubemeyang which will see six players departing in January.

However Willian the Brazilian is set to be offered a new pay package worth over a 100,000 pounds a week owing to his fine form this season according to London Evening Standard.

COQUELIN OUT FOR TWO MONTHS

Arsenal face the prospect of losing Francis Coquelin for several months after the defensive midfielder suffered knee ligament damage in the 2-1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion, adding to their concerning injury crisis in a pivotal week for the club.

The Gunners could crash out of the Champions League in Tuesday if they fail to beat Dinamo Zagreb or results elsewhere in the group go against them, and they need to get back to winning ways in the Premier League next weekend when they take on Norwich if they are to keep pace with the Premier League leaders.

However, they will do so without the services of 24-year-old Coquelin, after he limped out of Saturday’s defeat early in the first-half. Coquelin will have a scan on the injury on Monday afternoon, and manager Arsene Wenger confirmed he is out for "at least two months" when he addressed media this afternoon, adding that it could be more but he "does not want to speculate" until he has seen the results of the scan.

It’s believed that Coquelin’s scans have revealed extensive ligament damage and he is expected to be ruled out for the remainder of 2015, joining Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky on the long-term casualties list.

10 Talking Points From Barcelona Mauling Of Real Madrid

Is Benitez's job on the line? Should Perez resign? How good are Neymar and Suarez? All the talking points from Barça's win over Madrid are right here

NEYMAR-SUAREZ

Barcelona’s goalscoring duo were once again the difference. Luis Suarez (2) and Neymar (1) demonstrated that they are in an exceptional moment of form. The Brazilian (with 12 goals) leads the Pichichi in La Liga, but he is closely followed by the Uruguayan (who has 11). They’ve combined to excellent effect to make up for the absence of Lionel Messi. 

BBC

Madrid’s trident was a shipwreck. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema wandered around the pitch and had very little significance on the game. Cristiano, despite not scoring, was the best of the three. But he ended up being jeered by his own fans. It looks like the Portuguese forward’s days Madrid are numbered — as are Benzema’s. 

SERGI ROBERTO 

The growth of Sergi Roberto has been spectacular. Since earning Luis Enrique’s confidence, first as a right-back, he has become an indispensable part of the team. He started at the Bernabeu despite predictions that he would’t. He shone, too, and produced a great pass for Suarez’s first goal. 

CLAUDIO BRAVO 

Card

Masterful. Barça would still have won without Claudio Bravo’s interventions, but he made several top quality saves, especially in the second half which prevented Madrid getting back into the game. He is, without doubt, Barça’s best goalkeeper at the moment - there’s no discussion to be had about that. 

RAFA BENITEZ 

Outpaced. Sunk. The Real Madrid manager was humiliated in all senses. If his job was on the line before the Clasico, the hammering suffered against Barça has him hanging by a threat. The white handkerchiefs and the chants of ‘Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinho’ will be following him around for the next few weeks. He’s not going to have much peace. 

LUIS ENRIQUE

Card

The Asturian coach got things right with his line-up. The best possible side without Messi on the pitch. The 4-4-2 allowed his side a numerical advantage in the middle of the pitch and Barcelona totally dominated the game. Just like Guardiola, Lucho now has a result for the history books. 

LIONEL MESSI

Curiously, he had a secondary role in the Clasico. He came on in the second half when the game was already decided (0-3). Luis Enrique preferred not to risk him and left him on the bench after his knee ligament injury. Good decision. The Argentine crack has a lot games ahead of him. It’s excellent news for Barça that they didn’t need him.

FLORENTINO PEREZ

Destroyed. Experience first hand the humiliation of his side next to the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The Bernabeu even asked for their president to resign. He won’t resign, of course, but his umpteenth project once again crashed against Barça’s superiority. 

ANDRES INIESTA 

Card

As captain, he was the leader in the middle. The Manchego scored the third goal with a wicked shot from just inside the area. He left the pitch to an ovation from the Madrid fans — just like Ronaldinho 10 years ago. Luis Enrique defined him well at the end of the game: “He is a part of world heritage.”

GERARD PIQUE

He was definitely turned on. Very turned on. Despite one early error, he grew as the game went on. In fact, by the end he was even serving as another forward. He wanted to score the fifth goal. He tried to do so in every way possible, but the goal didn’t arrive. However, he was still just as happy at the Bernabeu to win by four.    

Culled from Sports.

WHY IHEANACHO IS WEARING NUMBER 72 AT MANCHESTER CITY

Nigeria teen forward Kelechi Iheanacho who wears jersey number 72 at Manchester City and scored the winning goal for the team in their 1-0 win has been praised and spoken about at length after that goal.

However one part that has been omitted by the media concerns his choice of jersey number 72 as against his preferred number 9 jersey which is presently vacant.

It would be recalled while playing for the team Elite squad last season the Nigerian wore the number 9 shirt in all of the games he featured for the team.

An explanation from Mowizsoccer has it that in English Football the jersey number 9 at senior level has to be earned and the Nigerian a low key signing is into his first season with the team and is yet to prove he deserves the shirt.

On his part the Nigerian made up for the fact that he can't get his favourite number by adding 7+2 = 9 which gives him nine hence his choice of number 72.

He is not the first to have done same as Ivan Zamorano while at Inter Milan once wore 1+8 which gives you 9 mathematically after losing his favourite shirt to Ronaldo De Lima.

NIGERIA UNDER-23 DEFENDER MOVES TO PORTUGAL

The left full back of the Nigeria Under-23 team Stanley Amuzie secured a last minute move tom Olhanense of Portugal on the eve of the transfer window from Italian Serie A side Sampdoria.

Details of his move to Portugal are still sketchy with some reports suggesting Sampdoria pulled out of a pre contract agreement to sign the full back after he picked up a serious injury that might rule him out for the foreseeable future.

However a close source of the player differed by saying it's a loan move to the second division team in Portugal where he is expected to get gametime after he makes full recovery from the injury he sustained during Nigeria's Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier game against Congo in Pointe Noire.

Mowizsoccer scoop from the media in Portugal that Olhanense have an exchange relationship with Sampdoria hence the transfer of the Nigerian was done with the option of bringing him back base on performances as him alongside Mancone Soriano Mane were transferred to the club.

The  former Flying Sports of Lagos player will bring to two the number of Nigerian players at the club as Femi Balogun is presently on the books of the Portuguese second division team who were relegated last season from the top flight despite having Christian Obodo an ex Nigeria international of Nigeria who have played in six different teams in Europe,the highpoint was at Udinese.

OGUDE HANDED 3 MATCH BAN BY RUSSIA FA

Out of favour Super Eagles midfielder Fengor Ogude have being handed a three match ban by the Russian FA for throwing a ball at an opponent during his team Amkar Perm 1-0 loss to Rostov.

The 28 year old was giving his marching orders in the 58th minute for throwing the ball in Timofey Kalachev face after a foul went against him.

Ogude after a disciplinary hearing have now being handed a ban that will see him miss his team next three games when the league resumes after the international break.

His reputation of being a bad boy went against him as last season he picked up nine yellow cards and a red and already this season he has two yellow cards before his sending off.

ALAMPASU MOVES TO FEIRENSE

One transfer involving a Nigerian that went under the radar in the last day of the transfer window was that of Nigeria youth international goalkepper Dele Alampasu.

Alampasu voted best goalkepper at the last Under-17 World cup in the UAE which Nigeria won sealed a move to Portuguese second division side CD Fareinse after his planned moved to Estoril of Portugal fell through.

His signing was announced by the team alongside the capture of Jonathan Niguez as they hope to build on last season 7th place finish in the Segunda in Portugal.

The 18 year old joined Estoril on a pre contract subject to his performances with the team in training he will be given a real contract but it appears the move failed to happen.