Former Green Eagles winger Segun Odegbami has backed Nigeria’s Super Eagles to play up until the final match of the 2019 Africa cup of nations in Egypt.
Former Golden Eaglets and Nigerian goalie, Dele Alampasu has revealed that he is not looking at leaving Feirense just yet, as he is still a player of the side, and as such is only after making sure the team achieve their set objective.
Former Super Eagles defender and out of favour Eagles player, Azubuike Egwuekwe has hailed the new decision by CAF for the AFCON to now be played in the summer rather than in the start of every year between Jan/Feb, especially for African players who ply their trade abroad.
Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa says he’s honoured to have won the Nigeria Player of the year award for 2018.
The 26-year-old Al Nassr forward defeated Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo to be named the best the country’s best player in 2018 atMonday’s award night at the 2018 Aiteo/Nff awards ceremony in Lagos.
The year 2018 was a remarkable year for Musa who scored twice at the 2018 Fifa World Cup and became Nigeria’s top scorer at the tournament in the process.
“I am extremely grateful to you all, for the award. It totally made my year. Thank you!,” Musa wrote on Instagram.
Musa who also helped the Super Eagles to return to the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 2013, also won the Goal of theYear award.
Newly crowned Nigeria young player of the year Samuel Chukwueze was on target in Villarreal‘s 4-4 played draw with Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Chukwueze who was on Monday named the Young Player of the Year at the NFF/Aiteo Awards at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagosalmost helped his team to a famous victory, but brilliant free-kick from Leonel Messi and last gaps strike from Luis Suarez rescued a point for Barcelona.
Brazilian duo of Philippe Coutinho and Malcom had put theCatalans ahead, before Samuel Chukwueze, Karl Tolo Ekambi and Vicente Iborra turned the game around for Javier Calleja’s men.
Carlos Bacca thought he had sealed the win after scoring Villarreal’s fourth with 10 minutes remaining, however the game completely turned around when Alvaro Gonzalez was sent off for a secondbookable offence.
With Villarreal down to ten men , Ernesto Valverde men went all out for the equaliser , which they got in the last kick of the game from Luis Suarez after their talisman Messi had came off the bench to reduce the deficit.
Chukwueze 19 has now scored four goals in 19 games this seasonfor his club. And he has two assists to his credit.
The result is a huge blow for Villarreal’s battle against relegation from La Liga.
Former Super Eagles defence trojan, Taribo West has rated former Nigeria international, Augustine Jay-jay Okocha a better midfield maestro than Frenchman, Zinedine Zidane.
Taribo told brila.net that in his playing career, only three players fascinated him and the three players remain, Ronaldo da Lima of Brazil, George Weah of Liberia and Nigeria’s jay-Jay Okocha.
Taribo, who played for Inter Milan and AC Milan was however quick to state that Okocha had a very rare gift as a footballer and was more talented than former world player of the year, Zinedine Zidane.
“Jay Jay was highly underestimated and I don’t think he deserves as much accolades as he deserves. We dont value our own at all, this is a case of a prophet has no honour in his own country.
In fact in my time of active football nobody came close to Ronaldo de lima, George Weah and Jay Jay Okocha. He was magical when he played and it was mesmerising what he could do with the football.
People talk about good Zidane was in his days as a player but Jay Jay was a much better player and a natural.”
Taribo West was capped 42 by Nigeria between 1994 and 2005, where he played at the 1998 and 2002 world cup tournaments.
Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has highlighted areas the Super Eagles need to get right as countdown to the 2019 African Cup of Nations continues.
Speaking with brila.net, Oliseh noted that the Super Eagles and indeed any team that aspires to win a championship has to have a very good line of defense.
He equally stated that Iwobi would be very key to Nigeria’s success if he plays to his full potential while the Nigerian attack is blessed having a young striker like paul Onuachu whom he says brings back some fond memories of the late goals king, Rashidi Yekini.
“A team is as good as your defense line, anybody can attack but can your team soak in the pressure? Your team will absolve all that is thrown them once you have a good defender. But with Iwobi playing the way he is, we would not be lacking creatively.
Paul Onuachu is another good one, he brought back memories of what Yekini used to do back then. To me with these guys in our attacking line up we have much more options”, he analyzed.
Oliseh started his coaching career in Belgium with youth teams in the Belgian 3rd Division Verviers, notably the Under 19 team. Graduated to the first team as chief coach season 2008–09 Verviers.
During the 2014–15 season, he was appointed as the Chief Coach and Club Manager of RCS VISE Belgium 3rd Division. He was chief coach of the Super Eagles from 2015-2016.
Former Super Eagles’ skipper, Sunday Oliseh has hailed the Amaju Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation for recognition accorded the 1994 set of Super Eagles players at the NFF Awards held on Monday but was quick to add that they deserve more.
Oliseh, 44, told brila.net that the NFF should set a very good precedence now by showering attention on the ex-players as this would send very positive signals to the present crop of players and spur them to be more committed to national team duty.
“The class deserves more not just for themselves but for the country because by so doing other ones coming behind will also want to emulate them and be like them. It will be a way to put to end once and for all the “not worth giving your all to the country” syndrome across board”, he said.
The NFF honoured the Super Eagles’ Class of 1994, 25 years to their AFCON –winning exploits and FIFA World Cup performance. The Super Eagles of Nigeria was named the second most entertaining team of 1994 World Cup.
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