RandaFooty: Everything Nigerian football, home and abroad

Ahead of Tuesday’s glamour friendly match with newly –crowned Europa League kings, Atletico Madrid FC of Spain at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Super Eagles’ B Head Coach Salisu Yusuf has invited 23 players, among them highly –rated Plateau United striker Tosin Omoyele and Katsina United defender Destiny Ashadi.   There were also call-ups for Akwa United FC goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo, Enyimba FC forward Isiaka Oladuntoye, FC IfeanyiUbah defender Adeleye Olamilekan and Lobi Stars’ duo of Olufemi Kayode and Ebube Duru. A sprinkle of foreign –based actors, including the nimble –footed Alhassan Ibrahim, former U17 World Cup –winning captain Musa Muhammed and the Nwakali brothers (Chidiebere and Kelechi) was also included.   All invited players are expected to arrive at the Bolton White Apartments Hotel, Abuja on Friday, 18 th  May before the contingent moves to Uyo at the weekend. INVITED PLAYERS Goalkeepers Olufemi Kayode (Lobi Stars) O

Nasarawa United was unable to live up to pre-match billings as Plateau United ran victorious in Jos. The match day 21 fixture came alive as early as the 8th minutes when the centre referee, Isaac Ogaba pointed to the spot when Ibrahim Sanusi clattered into Reuben Bala in the area. Former player Bature Yaro stood up to give his side an early lead as the solid miners poured men forward but were unable to get the needed equalizer as the first half ended with Plateau United slightly in front with Seun Sogbeso injury the major highlight of the first half after the goal. On resumption of the second stanza, Nasarawa United managed to string some beautiful passes together with Nwani Ikechuchwu the main threat to the Plateau United defence.

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has named Captain Mikel John Obi, goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile and Leon Balogun, as well as midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and Oghenekaro Etebo and forwards Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses in Nigeria’s 30-man provisional list for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia recorded their first away win in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League with a 1-0 victory over Mountain of Fire Ministries football club at the Agege Stadium in Lagos. Ndifreke Effiong netted the only goal of the game with a composed finish in the 54th minute after he snatched the ball from his marker, raced towards the post and buried the ball at the bottom right corner of the net with MFM goalkeeper Isaac Jerry watching helplessly. Before the goal came it was equal forays for both sides leading to a goalless first half but when play resumed, MFM Head Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu introduced playmaker, Chukwuka Onuwa and the petit midfielder made his presence felt with some incisive passes which could not be utilised by Sikiru Olatubosun, Chijioke Akuneto and Nojeem Akinyemi.

In a bid to retain her Nigeria Professional Football League title and return back to continental football next season, reigning NPFL champions Plateau United have boosted their squad with the acquisition of four players. Barure Yaro, Seth Mayi, Hamzat Owolabi and Akila Jesse have signed on the dotted lines for Kennedy Boboye ’s charges. According to Albert Dakup, Media Officer of the Jos side, the decision to sign the players became necessary in order to strengthen the side as they battle on two fronts this season as well as compete favourably with other title contenders.

Picture courtesy Bakare Idowu The impressive number of Nigerians appointed into important positions in world football since the emergence of NFF President Amaju Pinnick as CAF Executive Committee member 14 months ago increased by one on Monday, after the Emergency Committee of the Confederation of African Football appointed the proprietor of leading Nigeria Professional Football League club, FC IfeanyiUbah, Chief (Dr) Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah into the Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations.

A few years ago, I stumbled on a player whom I thought had stopped playing football because he disappeared from the Nigerian football scene. Dude ended up in Vietnam. Yup, Vietnam of all countries. A little research opened my eyes to how many other Nigerians have perched on the league in the South East Asian country. As I dug further, I discovered some well known names who now ply their trade there. Here is a link to the article Vietnam: New Mecca for Nigerian footballers? So this time out, alongside my Vietnamese colleague Erick Hieu Bui, I decided to check back into Vietnam and see the Nigerian stars who play in the country. Here is what we found out.