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A goal in added time gave South Africa a 1-1 draw with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in an international friendly in Nelspruit on Sunday. The game, coming four days after a drab 1-0 loss to the Cranes of Uganda, gave the Eagles an opportunity to redeem their image against a team they haven’t lost to in a competitive game. Nigeria put on a much improved display in Mpumalanga than they did in Uyo, despite the fact that the football wasn't exactly pleasing to the eyes. Player ratings for the game

Musa scored a stunner. PhotoCred- supersport.com It's a new week and the roller coaster football games and travelling is over...for now at least. Nigeria were forced to a 1-1 draw with South Africa at Nelspruit on Sunday after noon, the match was one which the Super Eagles needed to do well  They did put in a better shift against South Africa even though a lot left to be desired of their game and tactics. Read the m atch Report (courtesy supersport.com) Daniel Akpeyi, a late replacement for Vincent Enyeama was the hero of the day saving a penalty and coming up with some big saves against the Bafana Bafana.

Nigeria’s loss to Uganda on Wednesday in an international friendly at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium left a lot to be desired as the Super Eagles put out one their worst performances in recent times on home turf. Farouk Miya’s late goal separated the two sides in a game where chances were few and far between. The Super Eagles did little to convince fans that lessons of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nation’s miss had been learnt. 9jafooty revisits the game and rates the players based on how they performed in the loss to the Cranes of Uganda.

Last Wednesday’s international friendly between Nigeria and Uganda has continued to reverberate in many quarters as the loss has thrown up so much debate especially on social media. The Super Eagles put up a lethargic performance  (below)  against a side many felt should have been easily disposed with at the Uyo International Stadium. Ranked number 42 in the world, the Eagles huffed and puffed against a side rated number 71 in the world to no avail Daniel Amokachi, who handled the game against the East Africans, has promised a much more improved team in the next game against South Africa on Sunday in Nelspruit. Despite the defeat, there were a few bright spots in an otherwise dour game characterised by some insipid displays and sloppy passing. 9jafooty takes a look at lessons learnt from the latest set back into the Super Eagles quest for glory.

  A thousand and one apologies for my inability to blog in the last few days. It was matters way beyond my control. I was super busy towards the build up of Nigeria's game with Uganda in Uyo and the aftermath was a roller coaster for me. Anyways, Nigeria lost the game ( like you already know sha) so I won't have to remind you of that, but the manner of the loss got me thinking about the future of the Super Eagles. Maybe I'm sounding the alarm bells too early but as a passionate fan, the signs are there. The display was terrible and a lot of players didn't look interested in the game. Well they have another chance against South Africa on Sunday to prove me wrong.

Match Day three of the new Glo Premier League season were completed on Sunday. I wasn't able to follow up on the games because I was busy with the Nigeria v Senegal game live text and blog on supersport.com But here are the results Saturday Wikki Tourists 1-1 Kwara United Sharks 1-0 Akwa United Sunday Enyimba 1-0 Bayelsa United FC Taraba 0-0 Lobi Stars Gabros FC 1-0 Rangers Giwa FC 1-0 Sunshine Stars El-Kanemi 3-1 Abia Warriors Heartland 5-2 Nasarawa Utd

Nigeria have been crowned  the African Champions at the  U20 level after defeating  hosts Senegal 1-0 in a keenly  contested final at the Stade  Leopold Senghor in Dakar on  Sunday. The Flying Eagles had  earlier defeated Senegal 3-1  in the group stage, but it a  was a fantastic 17 th  minute  strike by Bernard Bulbwa that  gave Nigeria the win and  title as African champions. Senegal had the first real  chance of the game when  Malick Niang got through on  goal but Nigeria goalkeeper  Joshua Enaholo did well to  thwart his effort. Nigeria took the lead in  the 17tth minute through  Bernard Bulbwa in what  probably was the goal of the  tournament. Match highlights

Leon Balogun. photocred-Bild.de The 28 man list released by Daniel Amokachi to play in the March international friendlies with Uganda and South Africa, has thrown up a lot of debate, and for some, a pointer to what direction the Super Eagles will take in the next few years. Failure to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea indubitably meant something had to give, and give it did, as some regular members of the team were left out in the latest call up. Celtic’s  Efe Ambrose, Emmanuel Emenike  who hasn't exactly sparkled for Fenerbahce this season and Monaco’s  Elderson Echiejile  were dropped from the Uganda and South Africa friendlies. Watch Odion Ighalo score four goals against Blackpool Third choice goalkeeper  Chigozie Agbim  , whom had come under a barrage of criticism by fans also made way as Amokachi looks to freshen up his squad after recent failures. Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon from AA Gent in Belgium and Akeem Latifu were h

Odibe, in green, challenges an attacker. Photocred FC Atryau FC Atyrau of Kazakhstan defender Michael Odibe is happy with the performance of his team despite dropping points in their 1-1 home draw against league leaders FC Astana in a match day four encounter in the Kazakh Superliga. Odibe, 26,who has played in Italy and Ukraine believes that the team will improve as the season gathers momentum and he hopes he can help the team to silver ware this season. “It  wasn't  a bad game considering Astana are in good form and are currently top of the log,”he told 9jafooty.blogspot.com “We played well and I think we deserved more from the game. The goal they scored was an own goal, but we later rallied back to score and earn a draw. “The team is shaping up and I believe we will do better as the league progresses.”he added.

Yesterday ( Saturday 21st March) was a big day for the 'Big Boss' Stephen Keshi as his daughter Ifeyinwa got married to Mr  Emeke Enyihor in Benin. The Nigerian football fraternity was fully represented there from coaches to administrators and some players also graced the occasion. I wasn't there, but my colleague and bestie Remi Sulola attended the event. Here are some pics from the wedding and they are all courtesy 'Kisu Remi Sulola Happy married life dear.  More photos after the cut

Happy Sunday to y'all and I hope today goes well as the Flying Eagles are set to tackle Senegal to be crowned the African kings at U20 level. It's been a tournament to remember for the young lads even though the last two games haven't exaclty been as good as the first two where they played some incredible football blasting Senegal 3-1 in the first game of the competition and then whooping Congo 4-1 despite playing 70 minutes a man down after Joshua Enaholo was sent off. You can read my big match feature here where I preview the game Nigeria v Senegal preview , and If you are interested in stats, I've also done something as regards the game in numbers: Nigeria vs Senegal in numbers

Friday Football talk I yap about Amokachi's list, the Flying Eagles and so on

Picked this off the LMC website (www.npfl.ng) I think it's a good start. What do y'all think? Guidelines for the implementation of fan engagement to grow attendance at Glo Premier League matches have been released by the League Management Company (LMC) even as clubs have began to receive their financial rewards instituted to inspire healthy competition and expand the fan base. Chairman of the LMC, Mr. Shehu Dikko, while congratulating the nine clubs that have so far been rewarded through the initiative, also thanked fans, supporters and Club officials for the massive boost to the efforts of the LMC to drive followership of the league.

U23 vs Enyimba National U-23 coach, Samson Siasia has named 18 players for the first leg of All Africa Games qualifier at the National Stadium, Abuja, on Sunday. Siasia retained all the players that played against Gabon and is happy that the boys have been able to give their best during training sessions. He also declared that the Zambians must be beaten in the first leg, so that the second leg will not give them any problem. The chief coach of the national U-23 men’s football team, Dream Team VI Samson Siasia has declared that the Zambians must be beaten come Sunday at the national Stadium, Abuja in the first leg of the AAG qualifier. “I am not contemplating any result other than total defeat of the Zambians on Sunday because my target will be to pick both AAG and Rio Olympic Games Football ticket, the first time in the history of Nigeria football”. The 18 players for Zambia Goalkeepers: Daniel Emmanuel, Abiodun Akande. Defenders: Sincere Seth, Obanor Erhun,Stan

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has concluded plans for the Super Eagles to engage the Cranes of Uganda in an international friendly on March 25th. Nigeria were scheduled to play Bolivia on the 26th of March but the South American side pulled out of the friendly citing political and security concerns as their reasons for the withdrawal. The NFF has swiftly replaced Bolivia with Uganda so that the Super Eagles can be engaged in the Fifa free window on the dates. However, there are still doubts to where the friendly will take place as Abuja has been mooted as an alternative venue to Uyo as initially planned. The Super Eagles will fly out to South Africa to play the Bafana Bafana after the Uganda game in another international friendly on the 29 in Nelspruit Coach Daniel Amokachi has already called up a 28 players to prosecute the friendly matches by month's end.

Flying Eagles. Photocred-ShengolPix Beautiful morning to y'all. Sorry I'm blogging now, yesterday was stressful to say the least. I had to live tweet the Flying Eagles game and still run the commentary for a french speaking channel in English. It wasn't funny at all. Anyways enough of my troubles and back to the main gist. Off course you would know by now that the Flying Eagles have qualified for the final of the 2015 Africa Youth Championship after edging out Ghana's Black Satellites by 2-0. The game was scrappy to say the least, Ghana had tons of chances but couldn't score, I thought they played better than the Flying Eagles overall but Nigeria were more decisive.

Moses 'Daddy' Simon in full flight. photocred- aagent.be So finally Daniel Amokachi has put millions out of their misery by releasing the list of players to prosecute the Bolivia friendly next week and the big game against South Africa next weekend. They were maiden call ups for right back Akeem Latifu from Aalesunds and Moses Simon of Gent was rewarded for his blistering start to his career in Belgium. Anthony Ujah has been recalled to the team he last played for two years ago as Idion Ighalo's journey in the international wilderness has ended. Odion Jude Ighalo. Photcred-Getty Images Hapoel Beer She'eva midfielder John Ogu is recalled back into the squad with Leon Balogun who got injured during the international friendly with Mexico last year back in the mix

Segun Alebiosu scores for Kwara United It's a Monday which means y'all would have allowed the results from the weekend sink in. I'm not sure how I feel about Enyimba's slim 1-0 win over Smouha of Egypt but I'm still confident they can scrap through in Egypt. The game will be behind closed doors which is a big deal if you have traveled on the continent for away games. What Enyimba should do is get to Egypt on good time and try to avoid crowded areas, sneak into the stadium and get the win. Sounds like a movie right? You can read up on the game HERE

Stumbled on this fantastic piece by Goke 'Slankey' Solanke on a Facebook forum yesterday and decided to post this. Our media officers/managers in Naija football circles need to wake up to their responsibilities and smell what's cooking. This is 2015, there is a lot you can do within even a limited budget. Abeg, this piece isn't meant to malign anyone but to give pointers and timely reminders why some of them have to wake up. Kudos to China Acheru, Michael Onikute, Timi Ebikagbaro and a few others who are trying their best to improve things. You can follow Goke on twitter-  @slankey ROLES OF A MEDIA OFFICER Hello. Please refer to the header. This is an enlightenment to all clubs media officers on this forum and the ones not on it on the need to know the roles of your jobs and play it out properly. Most media officers do not know what the roles entail. Please ponder on the points below and see if it helps. 1. Organise match day media facilities and

I don't know what to say, just got this from Dolphins Media manager China Acheru. Maybe you should just read and make your own deductions.. Official statement from Dolphins FC on the game in Tunisia Dolphins FC arrived in Tunisia at 1pm on Saturday, March 14, 2015 and were scheduled to play a CAF Confederation Cup game against Club Africain at  3pm , same day. Before we departed from Lagos  on Thursday , we had informed the Nigeria Football Federation through Bola Oyeyode, the head of international department and Musa Amadu, the General Secretary, in writing of our challenges and wanted to the game moved by one day from  Saturday  to  Sunday . We arrived in Tunis, via Emirates Airline on Saturday, 14 March 2015 at exactly 1pm . And even though our request to have the game postponed was not granted, we were ready to play as we arrived in good time, though fatigued and travel weary.

So we are into the 2014/2015 Glo Premier League proper and we got our first away win yesterday as Heartland downed Shooting Stars 2-1 in Ibadan. Shooting Stars: Photocred-ShengolPixs You might wonder why we love and celebrate away wins in Nigeria. We do, but that's a story for another day. Kano Pillars, who got last week off because of the robbery incident played their first game on Saturday and they beat Bayelsa United 2-0. Enyimba of Aba will on Sunday tackle Smouha of Egypt and I hope they can do us proud and put a smile on our face unlike Dolphins who got.....I don't even want to start ranting this fine Sunday so I'll leave it here.

Kano Pillars The Glo Premier League enters week two on Saturday and Sunday with a couple of clubs on the continent missing out. Warri Wolves and Dolphins will have their games postponed as teams begin go get to grip with the mew season. Here are the fixtures for Match Day 2

The Flying Eagles were fantastic yesterday. They trounced Congo by 4-1 in a very entertaining encounter. What intrigued me most was how they managed to play with ten men for almost the entirety of the match and still beat Congo convincingly. They showed a lot of character which unfortunately a lot of Nigerian teams don't possess this days. It shows the hallmark of a great team. If you didnt watch the game, you can read the comprehensive match report here  or you can watch the extended video highlights below.

Morning guys. I finally layed my hands on the 2014/2015 Glo Premier League fixtures courtesy the League Management Company. You make take a read or download the full fixtures here You can also view it here, just click on the  image by the top right hand corner and the file will pop out. 

Nigeria's friendly with South Africa has elicited a lot of debate on social media especially as regards who deserves to be called up or not. Since the Nations Cup ouster, we've not had a full complement of the squad play together ( Yes, I know about the Ivory Coast and Jordan friendly in January), so this an opportunity to see who makes the cut or how the starting line up will look like. We still have to sort out the issue of the coach first, but I have an inkling Daniel Amokachi will lead the team to Mpumalanga. I've decided to draw up my own list of players. Okay, scratch that. I've drawn up my first eleven who I think should start at the Mbombela Stadium given all goes well between now and the 29th of March.

Sad'eeq Yusuf.  Photocred- http://www.voetbalkrant.com/ Nigeria starlet Sad'eeq Yusuf from the GBS Academy in Jos made his debut for AA Gent in a friendly with FC Dender in Belgium on Tuesday  Sad'eeq is a talented midfielder who can play ether as a defensive midfielder or as a central midfielder. He played 60 minutes as Gent ran out 4-0 winners  on the night with Sad'eeq grabbing an assist Gent also have another Nigerian Moses Simon on their books and it is understood that a channel of communication has been opened with GBS by Gent to have first option on their academy graduates. Simon is also a product of the GBS Academy located in Bukuru, Jos, in North Central Nigeria

Hey guys, I hope you had a wonderful weekend because I sure did. The Flying Eagles put a smile on my face after they beat Senegal 3-1 in the opening match of the 2015 Africa Youth Championship. Believe me when I say the first group games are usually hard and playing against the hosts is much more harder so kudos must to to Manu Garba and the boys. Two identical goals by Taiwo Awoniyi-- a quick over the top ball route one stay gave Nigeria a 2-0 leade before the Senegalese pulled a goal back through Sarr. Ifeanyi Matthew's fantastic goal restored Nigeria's two goal advantage and the Flying Eagles were able to hold out for the win. Here is my player ratings for those who started the game. The piece was originally done for supersport.com but reproduced here...

Giwa FC 0-0 Abia Warriors Enyimba 0-0 Akwa Utd Gabros 2-0 Warri Wolves Bayelsa Utd 1-1 Lobi Stars El-Kanemi 1-0 Nasarawa Utd Wikki 2-0 Shooting Stars FC Taraba 3-2 Rangers Dolphins 0-0 Kwara United Sharks 0-0 Sunshine Stars

Joseph Nathaniel of Sharks FC- photocred ShengolPix So the weekend started on a slow note football wise as the Glo Premier League resumed on March 7th. The double header in Port-Harcourt ended in two draws. Dolphins couldn't overcome Kwara United while Sunshine Stars battled out a goalless draw at Sharks to start the season on a drab note. Let's hope Enyimba and Akwa United tomorrow in Aba will usher in the goals for footy fans to savour.

The 2015 Nigeria Professional Football League starts tomorrow (Saturday, 7th March) at venues across the country. I'm super excited to say the least. I hope you are too. Bumper weekend of football action as the Dream Team will engage the Gabonese Olympic team. The Flying Eagles are in Dakar for the Africa Youth Championship starting on Sunday. They play hosts Senegal in the opening game of the tournament. I share my thoughts in the video below

The South Africa Football Association (Safa), through official channels, have confirmed an international friendly between Nigeria and South Africa. The game between Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles will be held at the Mbombela Stadium in South Africa on March 29. Nigeria were initially scheduled to take on the Black Stars of Ghana in London on the same date but Fifa's new regulations regarding playing games within continents inside three days put paid to that. Safa, who have been trying to tie down a team for Bafana Bafana in the Fifa free window, have eventually settled for Nigeria in what promises to be an interesting game. The last time the two teams met was in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo in 2014. Nigeria held South Africa to a 2-2 draw which effectively ended Nigeria's qualification hopes for the biennial African football showpiece event.

The League Management Company [LMC] has postponed the opening game of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) between champions Kano Pillars and Heartland. Heartland were scheduled to play hosts to the champions this Saturday, but the game is now off after the Kano club were attacked by armed robbers along Abaji-Lokoja road on Thursday afternoon. Five key players, Gambo Muhammed, Eneji Otekpa, Adamu Murtala, Reuben Ogbonnaya and Ubong Ekpai, were those left injured from the incident.

Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia has signed 19 new players and  retained 14 of the old ones in readiness for the 2014/15 Glo Nigeria  Professional Football League which kicks off across the nation this  weekend. The new entrants include experienced campaigners like Valentine  Nwabili who moved from Niger Tornadoes of Minna, Uchenna Keke from  Akwa United of Uyo, Bolaji Shakin, and Ivorien import, Dosso Alhassan  from Dolphins of Port Harcourt as well as Rangers International of Enugu twin brothers Joshua and Moses Odo. Former Enyimba International of Aba star, Josiah Maduabuchi moved from  Warri Wolves to join the Warriors who also grabbed Taraba United’s  left-footer, Ali Buhari.  Ogu Michael and big goalkeeper, Chinedu Udo  (Iroko) have also joined Abia Warriors from sister Club, Heartland of  Owerri, along with the Bayelsa United duo, Binebi Johnson and Sheriff  Bashir.

The 2015 U-17 Africa Junior Championships have come and gone and I'm back home and rested too. Pity the Eaglets didn't win the tournament, but again this type of championships s for development even though I must also add I was disappointed with the general output of the boys as the tournament Back home, had a long and interesting chat with Amuneke. Well, enough of the Eaglets and unto things that will be happening soon. I'm super excited the Glo Premier League is starting this weekend across Naija. We've waited for too long, but it's here now.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will depart for the African Youth Championship in Senegal on Wednesday, officials have announced. The Flying Eagles secretary Aliyu Ibrahim Awal disclosed that the team will fly out of Abuja via Lagos and Banjul, Gambia, to Dakar. “We will leave Abuja Wednesday afternoon on our way to Dakar,” said the top team official. The team will begin their quest for the 2015 AYC on Sunday against hosts Senegal. Kick-off time is 5.30 pm Nigerian time at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar. They will also take on Congo March 11 and Cote d’Ivoire March 14.