RandaFooty: Everything Nigerian football, home and abroad

There has a been a lot of debate since Herr Gernot Rohr released has 23 man list to prosecute the November AFCON 2019 qualifier against South Africa and the international friendly with Uganda Ogenyi Onazi was dropped Mel was not called up and Henry Onyekuru has been placed on stand-by. Villarreal youngster Samuel Chukwueze gets hs maiden call up as Chidozie Awaziem gets no place n the team.  I run the rule on Rohr's list. My 20 kobo

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has called up stand –in Captain Ahmed Musa and 22 other players for next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg. The same group will prosecute the friendly encounter against the Cranes of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba three days later. Former U17 World Cup – winning forward Victor Osimhen returns after a long time out, with another U17 World Cup winning forward Samuel Chukwueze earning a first call. Midfielder Mikel Agu, who played some part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and home –based defender Adeleye Olamilekan Aniyikaye are also called; otherwise the Franco –German tactician has kept faith with the group that decimated Libya’s Mediterranean Knights over two legs earlier this month.

                                 The 2018 Aiteo Cup final between Rangers of Enugu and Kano Pillars served up a beautiful dish of football that was well consumed by Nigerians, home and abroad. It was a game full of everything. There was goals aplenty (six for that matter) and some high drama. Succinctly put, there was the good, the bad and the other side. Pillars came out smoking, they tore Rangers to shreds and ran them ragged. They would have gone into the break with a four-goal lead or more if not for profligacy in front of goal. Pillars celebtate Ali's opener. It was that bad for Rangers. Goals by Rabiu Ali and Ibrahim Alhassan put Pillars ahead inside 20 minutes and it was looking like a rout. Rangers were in sixes and sevens as they had no answers to Pillars front-line of Junior Lokosa, Nyima Nwagua, Alhassan Ibrahim and the ageless Rabiu Ali. It was a beauty to watch. Pillars put up a proper football show in the first half. They atta

Nigeria midfielder John Ogu is optimistic the Super Eagles will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations after helping Nigeria to a 3-2 win over Libya on Tuesday night in Sfax. Two goals from Odion Ighalo and another from team skipper Ahmed Musa meant Nigeria took the three points at stake and leapt over South Africa to claim the number spot in Group E. Ogu, who came on in the second half for Oghenekaro Etebo in the second half believes team spirit and chemistry between the players contributed to Nigeria’s win. “We tried our best to get the win and I’m glad we did. It wasn't easy at all but the bond between us helped us to overcome the Libyans and get the win,” the Hapoel Beer Sheva midfielder said. “It wasn’t easy especially when Libya equalised but we were determined to get another goal and I’m glad we did. It was a very difficult game but the win makes it worth it. “he added. Ogu also revealed that the team hopes to build on the victory in the remaining two games in

Eagle has landed. The journey to Sfax started with a phone call asking me to get my equipment ready for the return leg. I was also given a brief of what was expected of me (I’ve since sent in my invoice sha). Sunday in Uyo was a lazy day as we were to depart on Monday morning. I spent the better part of the day with Clement Nwankpa of NaijaSportsGrill, Akin Bolarinwa, Faith Oluchi and Sharon Macauley talking about life and all that. Ekikerebong Monday cooked up a storm of a meal to cap up the day. That lady can cook but this a story for another day. Monday morning saw me at the airport early and on time. We were told to be at the airport by 6.30am as departure was 8 am but being Nigerians that we are, we showed our hands once again.

SWAN Selected head coach, Yemi Olanrewaju aka YEMA has invited veteran journalist China Acheru and 32 other players for this weekend's Novelty match against Akwa Ibom Sports Arena at the Nest of Champions, Uyo. Lagos based Photo-Journalist, Victor Modo, ACLSports Chief Football Writer Fisayo Dairo, and NPFL blogger, Tobi Adepoju Samuel make a return to the team. Imo based video analyst Johnpaul Nnamdi, and World Cup Pidgin Commentator, Benjamin Sawadinho are among the new invitees. The SWAN Selected lost their inaugural game 1-0 against Kano SWAN last year but the Lagos based coach expects the team to bounce back to winning form. "I'm honoured to work with this amazing team and I'm looking forward to the big game. We have selected the squad based on form and potentials. The just concluded Bet9ja Lagos SWAN Cup and the State friendly game in Port Harcourt have kept the players in good shape. We have set up a quality squad that will redeem our image an

Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has invited in-form Ahmed Musa and 23 other players for this month’s double-take 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights. Arsenal FC of England forward Alex Iwobi (who scored the goal against Zambia that qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the same venue a year ago), will return alongside Italy –based duo William Ekong and Olaoluwa Aina. All three missed the 3-0 win over Seychelles in Mahe last month due to injury. Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa is the only home –based professional. China –based forward Odion Ighalo and Russia –based defender Bryan Idowu are also among the pack that has been called to hunt for the six maximum points against Group E leaders Libya in the Matchday 3 and 4 games. Nigeria host the first leg at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 13 th October with the return scheduled for the 18,000 –capacity Stade Taïeb Mhiri in the city of Sfax