Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi will miss tomorrow’s AFCON qualifier against Libya in Uyo after he suffered an injury in training today according to reports.
Eden Hazard’s fine form has been rewarded after he received the Premier League Player of the Month award for September.
The Chelsea star, who has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, netted five goals in four league outings as Maurizio Sarri’s side remained unbeaten in the top flight.
Hazard’s month included a hat-trick against Cardiff City as the Ballon d’Or contender continued to impress.
The Belgium Captain has made no secret of his desire to play for Madrid but insisted this week that he would not leave Stamford Bridge in January.
The 27-year-old is away on international duty, with Roberto Martinez’s side taking on Switzerland in a Nations League fixture on Friday.
Usain Bolt scored twice in his first start for the Central Coast Mariners in an A-League trial match on Friday before being substituted with about 15 minutes remaining.
The retired eight-time Olympic gold medalist sprinter is trying to secure a place with the Mariners for this season, which begins for the Mariners on Oct. 21 against the Brisbane Roar.
”My first start and scoring two goals, it’s a good feeling,” Bolt told Fox Sports television. ”I’m happy I could come here and show the world I’m improving. I’m keen to be a Mariner, and get into the team.”
Bolt said he hoped to sit down with the Central Coast coaching staff next week to discuss his future with the team.
Bolt was in the starting lineup against a second-tier National Premier League combined team representing Sydney’s southwest region.
Playing in a central striking role, Bolt struggled for touch early in the match but flourished after halftime.
He showed good strength to hold off a defender and race onto a through-ball before beating the goalkeeper at the near post with a strong left-foot shot in the 55th minute. In celebration, he gave his trademark Lightning Bolt to the crowd.
He left the game with the Mariners leading 4-0, which was the final score, and spent the remaining time on the sideline signing autographs for hundreds of fans at Campbelltown Stadium in western Sydney.
Bolt wore No. 95 on his jersey, in reference to his 100-meter world record of 9.58 seconds he set in Berlin in at the 2009 world championships.
The 32-year-old Bolt, who holds the 100- and 200-meter world records, saw his first action for the Mariners on Aug. 31, playing 20 minutes against a Central Coast invitational side.
He played the entire second half against the North Shore Mariners on Sept. 19, when he alternated between left wing and forward.
Nuno Espírito Santo has been named Premier League Manager of the Month for September after Wolves’ strong start to the season.
The Mediterranean Knights of Libya have now opted to fly into Nigeria on Friday, as against Thursday that was earlier announced for the AFCON 2019 Qualifier against the Super Eagles.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi look set to start behind the top striker in place of skipper Mikel Obi when the Super Eagles face Libya Saturday in Uyo according to reports from camp.
Mikel was excluded from the game as he is still battling to regain full fitness after featuring for Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
It would be recalled that the legendary Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, who is also the uncle of Iwobi, had questioned the wing role his nephew was given at Russia 2018, arguing he will do a better job as a classic No 10, which Mikel has been playing for the country in recent times.
Gernot Rohr has also hinted Germany-based Jamilu Collins could well start at left back against Libya after injury stopped him from doing so against Seychelles last month.
Otherwise, Rohr will line up his strongest team using his preferred formation of 4-2-3-1 to unlock the highly organized Libyan defence.
Possible Super Eagles starting XI vs Libya –
Francis Uzoho – GK
Shehu Abdullahi, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Jamilu Collins – DF
Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo – MF
Ahmed Musa (captain), Alex Iwobi, Samuel Kalu – AMF/CMF/LMF
Isaac Success – FW
Ex-Nigeria International Kennedy Boboye has left his role as coach of Plateau United following the expiration of his two-year contract.
Super Eagles Boss Gernot Rohr has stated that the task of edging the two legs against Libya will be difficult but has warned his side against underrating the Libyans.
Speaking to Brila FM’s Yinka Oyedele, Rohr says the Super Eagles are well prepared for the clash against Libya in Uyo and are not in any way concerned or bothered about anything else.
The Super Eagles are already rounding up preparations to take on the Libyans in a 2019 AFCON qualifier in Uyo before traveling for the second leg three days later.
Former all-conquering sprinter Usain Bolt has scored his first goal for the Central Coast Mariners in Australia in a notable moment of cross-sporting achievement.
Chelsea star Eden Hazard has ruled out the possibility of a January transfer away from the club: “There is no chance of me leaving London in January.”
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