Everything Victor Osimhen said on the return of Ighalo to the Super Eagles

Victor Osimhen said the recall of the Odion Ighalo is good for the team, that the coaches and the Federation know what's best for the team.  

Nigeria Napoli FC forward, Victor Osimhen has reacted to the recall of the Odion Ighalo to the Super Eagles after two years of international retirement. 

The 2015 FIFA U-17 world cup golden shoe winner told the NFF media that he has a lot to learn from Odion Ighalo and looking forward to receiving him with open arms when he eventually joins the camp. 

"It's good for the team and of course the coaches and the Federation know what's best for the team",  began Osimhen when he was speaking with the NFF media in Tangier Morrocco where the Super Eagles are preparing to take on Liberia in the matchday five of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday, 13 November 2021. 

The lanky forward continues  "We welcome him with open arms and looking forward to receiving him in the camp".

"Like I said before he's like a big brother to me and we love him a lot and I'll learn a lot from him, I admire him so much so I think for me it's one of the most important things to have him in the squad.

"We all have a common goal to qualify the nation for the World Cup and to do well in the AFCON so whatsoever thing that is good for the team I think the coach and the Federation will bring it into play," Osimhen concluded. 

Odion Ighalo retired from the Super Eagles after the 2019 African Cup of Nations where he won the highest goal scorer award with five goals to take to his international goals to 15 in 35 appearances for the Super Eagles.  

The 33-year-old played for Manchester United after he left the Super Eagles and he currently plays in Saudi Arabia with Al Shabab FC.

Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen has allayed the fears of the numerous Nigerian football fans as he declares himself as fit as fiddle and ready to go against Liberia on Saturday if we upon.

They were concerned that the striker may not be available for the crunchy ties against Liberia and Cape Verdy after he suffered a calf injury in training before Napoli FC clash with Salernitana on Sunday in Serie A.

But the revealed that the MRI scan shows it wasn't serious as first envisaged and he only took a rest for some days before the Sunday match, against Salernitana.

Osimhen said: "I feel good. After the MRI scan showed I had nothing serious it was important to rest for a few days before I play the game on Sunday. 

"Like I said before I'm always ready when I am called upon and to give my all for my country is one of the most important things in my career and of course I'm ready to come Saturday." 

Victor has started all the four games the Super Eagles have played in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and scored two goals for the team. 

The striker participated in both morning and evening sessions of the Super Eagles' training held on Wednesday, (10 November 2021) in Tangier. 

He is the favourite to lead the attacking of the team on Saturday, while Ighalo Is yet to join the camp, less than 48 hours to the match.

Nigeria University Games Association approves Boxing for 2022 NUGA Games

Students will now engage in Boxing in the University Games to discover boxing talents 

The Nigeria University Games Association, ( NUGA ) has approved Boxing as one of the games that will feature at the 2022 Nigeria University Games Sportspedal Media reports.  

The decision was part of the resolution of the NUGA council meeting held ahead of the upcoming games billed for the University of Lagos beginning from March 15 to March 22 2022. 

However, the event will only hold as a demonstration sport, but it will be considered as a medal-winning event for subsequent editions. 

Sportspedal Media reliably gathered that NUGA will be working with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBB of C for logistics support as the platform will be a good ground to hunt for new boxing talent.   

Furthermore, the council also upgraded Karate from none scoring event to a medal-winning event while women football, walking will also no longer be demonstration sports. 

NUGA was established in 1966 to organise the University games among Nigeria University students to foster unity and to serve as an avenue to discover burden sports talents.

National Development Plan: Sports development to gulp 80 billion naira in the next 4 years - 2021-2025

For the first time in the history of Nigeria National Development Plan, Sports is now included as a business with the plan to inject 80 billion into sports development and youth development gets 60 billion naira over 4 years- 2021-2025.  

 

Recall that in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020, Sports was excluded and ended up with zero budget.  

The approval to reclassify Sports as a business was given by President Muhammadu Buhari last year. ( 2020). 

The presentation of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development to the Federal Executive Council was instrumental in bringing sports into the business category in the budgeting process.

Thus, it can be said that the reclassification of Sports as business and no more mere recreation paved the way for sports in the National Development Plan, hence the 80 billion earmarked for sports. 

The second boost for this new budget is the efforts by the Ministry to deliver a National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP).

The Minister had championed the need to build a business model around Nigeria’s Sports Development with the mantra of Sports as a business.

Working with critical stakeholders, a final draft of the policy is under review by the Ministry of Justice.

Very interestingly, the NDP 2021-2025 harped on the legal and regulatory framework needed to drive Sports as a business, hence, the Sports industry and the budget were approved.

The NDP also gave Youth development a boost of 60 billion earmarked for youth development focusing on building a robust MSME growth, Entrepreneurship and overall  Human capital development now classified as under social development.

Under the NDP, Youth and Sports together have secured 140 billion- a record no doubt.

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is now on the National Steering Committee of the NDP 2021-2025. 

UFC GOAT: Between Isreal Adesanya and the next career move for Kamaru Usman

Will Kamaru Usman break the brotherly code by fighting Isreal Adesanya to take his career to the next level? 

Kamaru Usman has seen it all at the Welterweight division. He defeated number one contender Jorge Masvidal at UFC 268 to continue his reign in the category. 

The Nigerian Nightmare has also defeated four out of the top seven rated fighters in that category.  

He has broken all the records at the division just after two years he defeated Tyron Woodley to win the gold belt.  

With 15 successive victories, the longest in the history of the welterweight division and five title defences which tied him with St Georges Pierre as the longest consecutive defences in the 165kg category. 

Perhaps Kamaru has nothing to prove and can be regarded as the greatest of all time, GOAT in the welterweight division but there is a need not to rest on his oars. 

Having 'conquered' his territory the consensus is for him to move his career to the next level and before retiring from the octagon. 

The next level includes moving to the next weight category and winning a world title to become a winner in more than a division and probably doing a crossover fight against Canelo Alvarez. 

The two options will surely make not only sporting and financial sense but also cement his UFC legacy.  

The latter may be for greater fame, and payday but the former is a step up necessary for his career and records. 

But there is a snag, his friend and compatriot, Isreal Adesanya rules the next weight category. 

He is not willing nor ready to fight Adesanya unless for a 100 million dollar purse, a proposal which may never see the light of day. 

Keen followers of the game believe Kamaru has what it takes to defeat Isreal if only he is ready to break the brotherly code and move to the middleweight category and validate his greatest of all-time legacy in the game. 

For two former two titles holders, Henry Cejudo believes the only way Kamaru can be compared favourably with St Georges Pierre, the former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion is for Kamaru to win titles at least in two weight categories. 

He admonished Kamaru to put friendship aside and go for it for him to be truly considered as the pound-for-pound greatest of all time. 

“I’m sure if it’s the African pride, I kind of get that, but I don’t get that,” Cejudo said on “The Triple C & Schmo Show.” “Actually, as a matter of fact, I don’t get that because, to me, it’s all about legacy. Somebody else shortly is going to be able to go through the same run that Kamaru Usman did. 

"But the difference is that, can you win a second belt? And can you defend that second belt? And that’s what I want from ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’ I want him to go up. I want him to fight Izzy (Adesanya), and I just believe he has a perfect style to beat somebody like Izzy because he has wrestling.” said the former champion in two weight categories. 

“You’ve already lapped the division, Kamaru Usman,” Cejudo said. “You’ve already beat Colby twice. You’ve already beat Masvidal a couple of times, too. The winner of Masvidal and Edwards, I mean, you’re gonna beat Edwards again. There’s only one take in my side, and that’s saying go up and fight your African brother because this is about legacy.” said Cejudo

Does Kamaru need a second title to validate his GOATship in the welterweight category, even, at the expense of Israel Adesanya? Time will tell.

CAFWCL: Rivers Angels in stormy waters as Mamelodi Sundown close in on a semi-final berth

It's been stormy so far for Nigeria's Champion, Rivers Angels at the ongoing CAF Women Champions League in Cairo after the team suffered a 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, (9 November 2021) evening.   

Rivers Angels will blame their loss on dodgy officiating as two penalty shouts were denied by the referee early on in the match.   

The team ran out of luck in the 17th minute through a controversial goal by Zanele Portia Nhlapho, which proved to be the game’s lone goal that decided the match.

The centre referee judged the whole part of the ball to have crossed the goal line when the striker's shot rocked the post and bounced on the line but was palmed out by the Rivers Angel goalkeeper, Adjei Charlotte.   

The controversial goal put Sundowns on top of group B with six points.

The South African champion needs just to avoid defeat in their match to qualify for the semi-finals.

The second loss in three days condemned the Nigeria team to the bottom of group B after the conclusion of matchday two with zero points, and zero goals, with a minus-four goals deficit.

The Angels of the rivers will have to swim swiftly against the tides in the stormy waters and win their last game against Vihiga Queens of Kenya with as many as four goals. 

Furthermore, Mamelodi Sundowns need to do them a favour by defeating AS FAR of Morrocco on Friday by 4 pm (13 November 2021), before they could qualify from the group to join Mamelodi Sundowns in the semis.  

A look at the standings after matchday two, AS FAR, Vihiga are tied on 3 points, but Vihiga leads on the superior head to head and they need to defeat Rivers Angels to be guaranteed a place in the semi-final. 

This is the precarious situation Rivers Angles find themselves in, of which they need monumental transformation to stay afloat after matchday three on Friday.

Nigerian club shortlists 21 coaches for vacant technical positions ( Full List)

Mighty Jets International football club of Jos has shortlisted 21 coaches for possible appointments into various technical positions ahead of the 2021/2022 season, sports pedal Media reports. 

According to the club statement released on Tuesday, (9 November 2021), the lucky candidates were drawn by the technical committee of the club. 

The interview for the best picks will be conducted on Wednesday, (10 November 2021) by 2 pm at the club office, Mighty Jets Office, behind Plateau Hospital on the way to Green Valley Suites. 

The statement which was signed by the club's director of communication, Mbum Ferdinand reads in parts: 

" The following shortlisted coaches have been invited for an interview:

Tony Ogharanduku

Stephen Lokrit

Danjuma Sabo

Peter Langai

Isyaka Haliru 

Aminu Musa

Shehu Laka

Najib Mabo

Japhet Buwah

Glory Aghomoh

Garba Musa Bombers 

Mike Goodwin 

Charles Kopdi

Nura Nakargo

Ado Garba 

Umar Ahmed Tanko 

Uche Okafor 

Davou Pam  

All candidates are to come with the originals and photocopies of their credentials". 

Mighty Jets International Football Club will play in the Nigeria National League, NNL, and the FA Cup popularly referred to as the Aiteo Cup.

All the intrigues as Super Eagles number one goalie moves to the English Premier League

Sparta Rotterdam confirmed on their official website on Monday (November 8, 2021) evening that Nigeria number one goalie, Maduka Okoye has agreed on a move to the English Premier League at the end of the 2021/2022 season. 

The 21-year-old shot-stopper who was contracted to Sparta Rotterdam till 2025 will not serve out the contract at the Kasteel. 

Sparta Rotterdam Technical Director, Henk Van Stee confirmed that Maduka Okoye development as a goalkeeper has been very great hence they are willing to allow him to join a top competition that is good for his career.  

“We took over Maduka Okoye transfer-free from Fortuna Dusseldorf in the summer of 2020 and signed until 2025, but both parties knew that an early departure would be very real.” 

“Sparta would prefer to let Maduka go alone to top competition. If Premier League clubs show interest, it will be very difficult for the club, player and agent to postpone a transfer. 

"Then it is important for us to get the best possible conditions for Sparta and we believe that we have succeeded,” Henk told the club official website. 

The intrigues

The club knew they may lose Okoye to the bigger leagues at the end of the season, so they quickly get the Watford deal over the line under the best possible condition for the club, the player and Watford FC.

Part of the conditions for a transfer, in particular, was Maduka Okoye would finish the season at Castle, helping the club to retain their Eredivisie status. 

This will afford him to have more game time before the Africa Cup Of Nations and gain more international exposure, which will help him be in good shape for the number one shirt competition next season at Watford FC before proceeding to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

“Agreement has been reached with Watford and that is important for our selection and sporting objective to remain in the Eredivisie. This is also important for Maduka because then he can gain even more experience at the highest level in the Netherlands and will be the first keeper of Nigeria to go to the Africa Cup in January," said Van Stee. 

The arrangement Okoye himself describe as  'perfect' both at the sporting level and for financial reasons though the parties involved agreed that the financial details of the deal won't be pronounced for now.

" Of course I am very proud that I can play in the Premier League, but also that I can play at Het Kasteel for our fans until the end of the season. Of you,rse, I wanted this, but I also want to close it well with Sparta and that is why this is the best choice.” Okoye the club website. 

Henk concluded on the non-disclosure of the transfer fees.  “The only thing I can say about it is that it is an amount that cannot be refused for Sparta for an outgoing transfer. In any case, Maduka must finish the season on a rental basis at Sparta.”