RandaFooty: Everything Nigerian football, home and abroad

pic: coutesy-Getty Images The Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has accepted a list of 23 players submitted by Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, for next week’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Malawi in Calabar. Top of the list is France-based goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who has largely captained the team this year, with goalkeeper Austin Ejide, defenders Godfrey Oboabona and Efe Ambrose, midfielders John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Ogenyi Onazi and forwards Emmanuel Emenike,Ahmed Musa and Uche Nwofor also called. “We have accepted the list of 23 players and they will resume camping for the match in Calabar as from Monday,” Barrister Chris Green, Chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, said.

Pic courtesy- Le Equipe Nigeria's AFCON 2013 hero and scorer of the winning goal Sunday Mba has made a surprise switch to the French second tier. Mba, whose goal eliminated Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals and also scored the only goal of the final against Burkina Faso has joined Ligue 2 side CA Bastia on a four year contract. After receiving offers from Ukraine, Serbia and Scotland, the Warri Wolves man chose the modest French outfit who were just promoted from the third tier to begin his European adventure. The former Mighty Jets player will be the latest home based player to leave for a club abroad decimating Stephen Keshi's CHAN squad after reliable defender Godfrey Oboabona and Dele Olorundare transited to Europe.

pic: courtesy- 50degreeswest.com Dolphins Football Club have come out to rubbish spurious claims by officials of Rangers International that they were attacked by hoodlums after their 2-0 loss in Port Harcourt on Sunday. Media officer of the club, China Acheru didn’t just describe the claims as laughable, he said it may have been well thought of in the aftermath of their 2-0 drubbing in Port Harcourt. “When I heard that tale that officials of Rangers were beaten by hoodlums I couldn’t laugh but get angry because it was just an attempt at bringing the game to disrepute by disgruntled club officials who did their best in Port Harcourt to cause trouble before the game,” Acheru said. “At the start of the game they, in their belief in fetish things parked their bus about five hundred meters from the stadium and decided to have all their players walk the distance in.

Pic courtesy Daily Record UK There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for former Golden Eaglets play-maker Rabiu Ibrahim, as he has begun to show glimpses of his potential at Kilmarnock FC under the tutelage of new boss Allan Johnston. Ibrahim, who was part of Yemi Tella's all conquering team at the Fifa U-17 tournament in South Korea in 2007, has seen his career plummet after all the hype that accompanied his talent. He signed for Sporting Lisbon just before the tournament after been scouted by Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and a host of European clubs. However he didn't make the anticipated progress as he only made one senior appearance for Sporting before crossing over to Holland to team up with PSV Eindhoven. The diminutive midfielder ,who was touted a some stage as the new 'Jay Jay Okocha' didn't get much joy with the Eredivisie side, and after playing only two official games was off to Celt

Ex-Super Falcons head coach, Kadiri Ikhana, has taken charge of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Nasarawa United. Ikhana, who has handled Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Sharks in the past, resumed on Wednesday and was in charge of two training sessions held in Lafia for the Solid Miners. Chairman of Nasarawa United, Barrister Isaac Danladi, told supersport.com that Ikhana agreed to a "short-term contract" to handle the Lafia club's last 12 league matches. Ikhana has been saddled with the responsibility of saving Nasarawa United from being relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) at the end of this season. "Mr Kadiri Ikhana has resumed at the club already. His appointment is with immediate effect and he agreed to a short-term contract that will see him manage the team for the remaining part of the season. "He met with the squad on Wednesday and took charge of the morning and evening training sessions with th

Ex-Super Falcons head coach, Kadiri Ikhana, has taken charge of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Nasarawa United. Ikhana, who has handled Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Sharks in the past, resumed on Wednesday and was in charge of two training sessions held in Lafia for the Solid Miners. Chairman of Nasarawa United, Barrister Isaac Danladi, told supersport.com that Ikhana agreed to a "short-term contract" to handle the Lafia club's last 12 league matches. Ikhana has been saddled with the responsibility of saving Nasarawa United from being relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) at the end of this season. "Mr Kadiri Ikhana has resumed at the club already. His appointment is with immediate effect and he agreed to a short-term contract that will see him manage the team for the remaining part of the season. "He met with the squad on Wednesday and took charge of the morning and evening training sessions with th

Austin Ejide can do the business: Austin Ejide looks a capable replacement for Vincent Enyeama with an assured performance against the Bafana Bafana. The tall former Gabros International shot-stopper has grown in leaps and bounds and he manifested such in his overall performance in the Mandela Challenge friendly. Even though he was hardly tested, he came up tall when needed, he was very calm and assured collecting crosses and worked his area very well. His positioning and ball handling has also improved tremendously over the years. He was massive in the Mexico friendly prior to the World Cup qualifier with Kenya and has also shown in this game that Nigeria shouldn't be too bothered if the new Lille Metropole number one is not available for selection. The Hapoel Be'er Sheva of Israel shot stopper has proven to be a capable assistant for Vincent Enyeama for over a decade, and one can have to fear to say he can step in when needed to do the job for

Nigeria's 2-0 defeat of South Africa in Wednesday's Mandela Challenge friendly has continued to draw praise from a cross-section of former players who have heaped praise on the Super Eagles. Former international, Moses Kpakor has commended the effort of the Super Eagles and advised them not to rest on their oars as more important matches are in the horizon. Kpakor, who was a member of the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations silver-winning squad, hopes the Super Eagles can continue in this impressive form when it matters most.

 Nasarawa United captain, Baba Idris is confident his team can nick points off the hosts Nembe City in Sunday's week 23 encounter this weekend. The soft spoken former Mighty Jets defender is optimistic that if officiating is fair, then there is nothing that will stop them from picking at least a point against Nembe.

Nigeria and Academica de Coimbra midfielder, John Ogu, has stated his readiness for the new Primeira Liga season in Portugal after a rigorous pre-season with the "All Blacks." He also wants to help his team get back into Europe in the 2013/14 season. Ogu, who spoke to 9jafooty.blogspot.com from his base in Portugal, also expressed his desire to do well at his club so that he can be relevant in the Super Eagles as the World Cup season approaches.