Former captain of the senior national team of Nigeria Austin Okocha has
praised the abilities of Super Eagles winger Moses Simon when it comes
to delivering corner kicks into the box.
The Levante man has provided two assists for Nigeria at the ongoing
2019 Africa Cup of Nations with the last one coming in the game against
South Africa where William Troost-Ekong netted what ended as the winner
from his delivery.
Okocha while speaking on the talent in the Nigerian team said it’s
nice to see a player who can whip in balls into the box for players to
meet before mentioning why Simon takes corner kicks that are hard to
defend against.
” It’s one area of the team most people are not seeing. Simon has
provided two match winning assist from corner kicks that shows there’s
something about his deliveries. I think the ball drags the keeper out of
position the way he lofts it into the box”, Okocha said.
” Goalkeepers find it hard to judge balls like that and as a forward
attacking the ball it’s to your delight when they misjudge it like what
happened against South Africa. It’s a weapon the Nigerian team has aside
having players who bring different abilities into games”.
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Osimhen Agrees Personal Terms With French Ligue 1 Side Lille
Newly signed Charleroi striker Victor Osimhen will in the coming days
end speculations about his future as he is few details away from joining
French Ligue 1 side Lille, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Osimhen shunned advances from Serie A side Atalanta in preference for a move to the Ligue 1 side where he has been told he will get regular game time to further aid his development after his 20 goals haul for Charleroi last season.
Charleroi activated the clause of signing him permanently for €3m from Wolfsburg after the end of his loan deal and it is believed that the German side hold a 10 % stake on his next transfer.
The percentage due to them is why Charleroi are demanding a fee in excess of €16m for the 21 year old who is presently with the senior national team of Nigeria at the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria will play Algeria in the semi-final.
So far he is yet to play at the tournament with coach Gernot Rohr preferring the duo of Odion Ighalo and Paul Onuachu to him in attack in the five games the team have played so far.
Osimhen shunned advances from Serie A side Atalanta in preference for a move to the Ligue 1 side where he has been told he will get regular game time to further aid his development after his 20 goals haul for Charleroi last season.
Charleroi activated the clause of signing him permanently for €3m from Wolfsburg after the end of his loan deal and it is believed that the German side hold a 10 % stake on his next transfer.
The percentage due to them is why Charleroi are demanding a fee in excess of €16m for the 21 year old who is presently with the senior national team of Nigeria at the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria will play Algeria in the semi-final.
So far he is yet to play at the tournament with coach Gernot Rohr preferring the duo of Odion Ighalo and Paul Onuachu to him in attack in the five games the team have played so far.
Friday, July 12, 2019
We fear no foe –Mikel
Mikel Obi
Super Eagles captain
Mikel Obi insists facing Algeria does not scare the senior national team
of Nigeria after they edged South Africa 2-1 to book a semi-final place
at the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
An excited Obi told reporters after the
game that the Eagles have previously churned out good results against
both teams and will use the experience again.
“This performance against South Africa
was all about the focus and concentration, to stay disciplined all the
time and not give them space. We had to fight from the first to the last
minute.
“We’ve done so well in the past against
them Algeria and we need to reproduce the same kind of performance and
beat them like we have done before.
“We made it really tight for them and we have to play the same way in the semi-final.”
Iwobi’s AFCON form shocks Arsenal fans
Arsenal fans are
shocked by the sterling performance of Alex Iwobi for the Super Eagles
at the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Iwobi is a player that isn’t short of
criticisms for his performances in the Premier League for Arsenal but
with the Eagles at the AFCON, he has been the creative spark for the
team in midfield.
The 23-year-old forward has scored one
goal and provided one assist in five games for Gernot Rohr’s men, who
are through to the semi-final of the competition.
“A great game for Nigeria, I just wonder
whether this is the same Iwobi that plays for Arsenal or you did some
ritual for him before the game,” @shaddy2mwendwa wrote on Twitter.
“Iwobi plays better for Nigeria than he does for Arsenal,” Trill wrote via his handle @TD_A1.
“Nigeria definitely has the best “10” on the continent. Iwobi is elite! Take note, @Arsenal,” Willwheel said.
“I need the Iwobi of Nigeria to play like this for Arsenal please,” David wrote.
Charles Muchora also added, “The Iwobi playing for Nigeria is not the same guy that plays for Arsenal.Barcelona sign Griezmann for €120 million
Barcelona announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann on Friday after
the Spanish champions paid La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid the 120
million euro ($135 million) release clause required to sign the World
Cup winner.
“The player will sign a contract with his new club for the next five seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of 800 million euros,” Barca said in a statement.
Friday’s announcement brings to an end a dispute between the two clubs and Griezmann, who had long aimed to move to the Catalan giants.
The 28-year-old failed to show up for his side’s pre-season gathering on Sunday after he had announced in May he would be leaving the Wanda Metropolitano, even though he could not reveal his destination until his release clause dropped from 200 million euros to 120 million euros at the start of the month.
last week Atletico accused Barcelona and Griezmann of a “lack of respect” after the Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed the two clubs had held talks about the former Real Sociedad forward.
Atletico also claimed that Griezmann had told the club that he had struck a deal with Barcelona in March, just days before the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Juventus, which saw them dumped out by a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick after winning the first leg 2-0 in Madrid.
Griezmann joined Atletico in 2014 and has scored 133 goals in 257 appearances, lifting the Europa League in 2018.
He finished top scorer at Euro 2016 when France was beaten in the final on home soil by Portugal before helping to guide his team to World Cup triumph in Russia last year.
“The player will sign a contract with his new club for the next five seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of 800 million euros,” Barca said in a statement.
Friday’s announcement brings to an end a dispute between the two clubs and Griezmann, who had long aimed to move to the Catalan giants.
The 28-year-old failed to show up for his side’s pre-season gathering on Sunday after he had announced in May he would be leaving the Wanda Metropolitano, even though he could not reveal his destination until his release clause dropped from 200 million euros to 120 million euros at the start of the month.
last week Atletico accused Barcelona and Griezmann of a “lack of respect” after the Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed the two clubs had held talks about the former Real Sociedad forward.
Atletico also claimed that Griezmann had told the club that he had struck a deal with Barcelona in March, just days before the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Juventus, which saw them dumped out by a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick after winning the first leg 2-0 in Madrid.
Griezmann joined Atletico in 2014 and has scored 133 goals in 257 appearances, lifting the Europa League in 2018.
He finished top scorer at Euro 2016 when France was beaten in the final on home soil by Portugal before helping to guide his team to World Cup triumph in Russia last year.
Some Takeaways From Super Eagles ‘ Win Against South Africa
Rohr Gets One Over Baxter For The First Time
Before the AFCON 2019 quarterfinal game, Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr had never enjoyed a win against his South African counterpart, Stuart Baxter, but he got his first victory after 90 minutes at the Cairo International Stadium .
The Bafana Bafana defeated Nigeria 2-0 in the first meeting between both teams in Rohr’s time as Super Eagles coach. The second game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Not only did Nigeria defeat South Africa in the Cairo game, Rohr also outfoxed Baxter on the touchline. The Super Eagles, for the better part of the game, nullified the threats of the South Africans who never really troubled the Nigerian defence.
Chukwueze Proves Again To Be Great Prospect For Eagles’ Future
There has been clamour from fans and journalists for the Villarreal winger to be included in the starting lineup after he was dropped to the bench following Nigeria’s opening game against the Swallows of Burundi, but Gernot Rohr earlier refused to yield to those calls. Rohr consistently maintained that he preferred Moses Simon to Chukwueze because of his defensive ability.
The German however budged and unleashed Chukwueze on the South Africans on Wednesday July 10, and the Villarreal winger rewarded him with a goal and man of the match performance.
Super Eagles Nearly Paid For Missed chances
On the basis of the foothold, Eagles had the game in the first half. The Super Eagles should have put the game to bed before the break. Their lack of potency upfront nearly cost them the game, but for William Troost-Ekong 89th minute winner which came at a time when the South Africans were looking dangerous in the game.
Etebo Turns Into Terrific Defensive Midfielder
For those who know Oghenekaro Etebo very well during his days with local club Warri Wolves, they must have been surprise to see the Stoke City man thrive in a defensive midfield role. Etebo in all his time at Warri Wolves played in attacking position (second striker or attacking midfielder).
His transition into a defensive midfield position, where he now plays for both club and country has been quite remarkable.
Etebo and Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi helped to nullify the threat of the South Africans in the midfield and provided a screen in front of the defence.
He came close to getting a goal in the second half when his freekick veered off the wall of defence and enabling Ronwen Williams to fingertip it unto the cross bar. A goal from this brilliant effort could have been the icing on the cake for him.
Awaziem Fast Making Right-Back Position His Own
Though a natural centre-back, injury to Shehu Abdullahi forced Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr to play Chidozie Awaziem at the right-back position in Nigeria’s first game against Burundi.
Game by game, he has continued to grow in confidence, and his performance against South Africa in Cairo was his best in the competition so far.
Not only did Awaziem defend well, he also was always willing to support the attack. On the basis of what he has offered so far in this competition, it is difficult to see Abdullahi displacing him any time soon.
Musa Needs To Improve On His Delivery
The Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia winger, Ahmed Musa, was a constant threat to the South Africans before his substitution in the game. Musa troubled Thamsanga Mkhize on the right for most of the game, but the quality of his delivery was nothing to write home about. He will need to work on that in subsequent games especially at this crucial stage of the competition.
Before the AFCON 2019 quarterfinal game, Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr had never enjoyed a win against his South African counterpart, Stuart Baxter, but he got his first victory after 90 minutes at the Cairo International Stadium .
The Bafana Bafana defeated Nigeria 2-0 in the first meeting between both teams in Rohr’s time as Super Eagles coach. The second game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Not only did Nigeria defeat South Africa in the Cairo game, Rohr also outfoxed Baxter on the touchline. The Super Eagles, for the better part of the game, nullified the threats of the South Africans who never really troubled the Nigerian defence.
Chukwueze Proves Again To Be Great Prospect For Eagles’ Future
There has been clamour from fans and journalists for the Villarreal winger to be included in the starting lineup after he was dropped to the bench following Nigeria’s opening game against the Swallows of Burundi, but Gernot Rohr earlier refused to yield to those calls. Rohr consistently maintained that he preferred Moses Simon to Chukwueze because of his defensive ability.
The German however budged and unleashed Chukwueze on the South Africans on Wednesday July 10, and the Villarreal winger rewarded him with a goal and man of the match performance.
Super Eagles Nearly Paid For Missed chances
On the basis of the foothold, Eagles had the game in the first half. The Super Eagles should have put the game to bed before the break. Their lack of potency upfront nearly cost them the game, but for William Troost-Ekong 89th minute winner which came at a time when the South Africans were looking dangerous in the game.
Etebo Turns Into Terrific Defensive Midfielder
For those who know Oghenekaro Etebo very well during his days with local club Warri Wolves, they must have been surprise to see the Stoke City man thrive in a defensive midfield role. Etebo in all his time at Warri Wolves played in attacking position (second striker or attacking midfielder).
His transition into a defensive midfield position, where he now plays for both club and country has been quite remarkable.
Etebo and Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi helped to nullify the threat of the South Africans in the midfield and provided a screen in front of the defence.
He came close to getting a goal in the second half when his freekick veered off the wall of defence and enabling Ronwen Williams to fingertip it unto the cross bar. A goal from this brilliant effort could have been the icing on the cake for him.
Awaziem Fast Making Right-Back Position His Own
Though a natural centre-back, injury to Shehu Abdullahi forced Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr to play Chidozie Awaziem at the right-back position in Nigeria’s first game against Burundi.
Game by game, he has continued to grow in confidence, and his performance against South Africa in Cairo was his best in the competition so far.
Not only did Awaziem defend well, he also was always willing to support the attack. On the basis of what he has offered so far in this competition, it is difficult to see Abdullahi displacing him any time soon.
Musa Needs To Improve On His Delivery
The Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia winger, Ahmed Musa, was a constant threat to the South Africans before his substitution in the game. Musa troubled Thamsanga Mkhize on the right for most of the game, but the quality of his delivery was nothing to write home about. He will need to work on that in subsequent games especially at this crucial stage of the competition.
Nigeria will ignore favourites tag, says Iwobi
Nigeria's preparation for the
Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Algeria on Sunday has not been
affected by the fact that many view the Super Eagles as favourites for
the title, says Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi.
Despite unconvincing performances in the group stage, Nigeria beat holders Cameroon in the second round and South Africa, who sensationally knocked out hosts Egypt, in the quarterfinals.Now regarded as one of the favourites after those two big wins, Iwobi is cautious about getting carried away.
"Normally you have to ignore and not pay attention to it," Iwobi said.
"It's a hard one to say. There's still Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia. All four of us are capable of winning. We've all got quality players. I wouldn't know who's the favourite at this point in time.
"Even though we were able to win two games in the group stage, it wasn't the greatest performance but sometimes you know you don't have to play well to win games.
"Against Cameroon and South Africa I'd say we've done well, we dug deep. But it's not the end, we have to continue against Algeria, we are very confident as we are able to beat the holders and a team that beat the hosts.
"It gives us the confidence but we will stay with a bit of humility and hopefully go on and win the game."
Nigeria lost the 1990 Nations Cup final to hosts Algeria, but they have edged past the North Africans 1-0 in their last two meetings at the tournament in 2002 and 2010.
But Algeria, seeking a second Nations Cup triumph, are unbeaten in Egypt. They came through against Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties in their quarter-final following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
However, Arsenal forward Iwobi is not bothered about past history involving both nations or the recent form of the Desert Foxes.
"We are not worried about the way they've played and their unbeaten run. We just have to try and win it. Algeria is one of the great teams in Africa," he said.
"We know it's not going to be easy, they've got quality players but so do we. It's going to be a great game to watch, let's hope Nigeria can do it.
"If we manage to achieve success here, we will go down in history. I know it's always been our childhood dream to win as many competitions as we can."
Champions in 2013 before incredibly failing to qualify in 2015 and 2017, there is a feeling in the country that the Super Eagles could achieve a fourth success on the continental showpiece event.
"This is the biggest competition in Africa. Not only are we going to do Nigeria proud, but our own names and family names proud," he added.
"We just have to go out there and take it one game at a time. Anything is possible."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)