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Tag: Super Eagles

  • Ex-Super Eagles defender, Sodje, two brothers jailed for fraud

    Ex-Super Eagles defender, Sodje, two brothers jailed for fraud

    Former Super Eagles defender, Efe Sodje, alongside his brothers Stephen and Bright, were given prison sentences for fraud last year, it can now be reported.

    According to Sky Sports, the three brothers were found to have syphoned more than £60,000 (over N28m) given to the Sodje Sports Foundation, a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation found.

    They were jailed in September 2017.

    Efe Sodje, who was part of Nigeria’s squad to the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup, bagged 18 months sentence; Bright Sodje 21 months, and Stephen Sodje for 30 months – at the Central Criminal Court in relation to the fraud.

    A judge at the same court on Monday lifted reporting restrictions preventing publication of the result of that trial, following the completion of a number of linked legal proceedings.

    Efe Sodje played in the Football League between 1995 and 2015 and appeared for Nigeria in the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2002 World Cup, while Bright Sodje played professional rugby league and union in the 1980s and 1990s.

    Efe, Bright and Stephen Sodje set up SSF in 2009 with the stated aim of helping poor children in the Niger Delta.

    The report on Sky Sports indicates that the three brothers used their connections within professional football and business communities to secure support for their foundation and to give it an appearance of legitimacy.

    Between 2011 and 2014, they defrauded donors of at least £63,000. There is no record of what happened to any of the cash donations made at any of the events, meaning NCA officers were unable to put an exact figure on how much the Sodjes profited.

    NCA officers who investigated the SSF’s activities found donations usually ended up in personal bank accounts of family members.

    In many cases, it was reported that the Sodjes asked that donations be paid to their personal accounts. At least £34,000 was collected in this way.

    Events over the three years, including charity football matches, raised funds but nothing reached any underprivileged or sick children.

    NCA deputy director Chris Farrimond said: “Bright, Efe and Stephen Sodje promoted themselves as generous, community-minded, figures when they were knowingly defrauding people who thought they were helping deprived children in Nigeria.

    “NCA financial investigators built a detailed picture of the movement of money in and out of the foundation and showed beyond doubt that for most of the foundation’s existence there was no charitable purpose.”

    Former Premier League footballer Okeremute Samuel “Sam” Sodje was also charged with fraudulent trading in relation to the Sodje Sports Foundation but was cleared following the initial trial.

    In a separate trial, which concluded on January 14, he was also cleared of two charges of money laundering relating to a scam which saw companies in Columbia, Italy and India defrauded of thousands of pounds they thought was being sent to suppliers.

    The jury failed to reach a verdict on two other charges, which will now lay on file.

     

     

  • Mikel Obi hints at Super Eagles return

    Mikel Obi hints at Super Eagles return

    Former Chelsea star and Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has dropped a hint he is ready to return to the Nigeria National team.

    Mikel who last played for Nigeria at the World Cup in Russia posted a cryptic message on Instagram; a picture of himself in action for Nigeria with the caption, “Can’t Wait”.

    The 31-year-old midfielder excused himself from international duty including four 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

    Nigeria’s next major international match is the final 2019 AFCON group qualifying match against Seychelles, scheduled to hold on March 22.

    See Post:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BscqjeOn1JV/

  • January transfer: Super Eagles striker Ighalo eyes Premier League return

    January transfer: Super Eagles striker Ighalo eyes Premier League return

    Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo says he wants to return to the Premier League this month, according to Sky Sports.

    Chinese club Changchun Yatai want to recoup the £20m they spent to sign him from Watford in January 2017, if they are to sell.

    Shortly after joining Changchun Yatai, Ighalo claimed his preference was to remain in England.

    He said at the time Crystal Palace and West Brom were interested but the figure Watford were asking for was too high.

    Ighalo has scored 36 goals in 55 games for Chanchung Yatai.

    But he is expected to fly into the UK this week to discuss his future.

    The Nigerian international joined Watford in 2014 and scored 16 goals in 55 appearances in the Premier League for the Hornets, forming a successful partnership with Troy Deeney.

  • I’m committed to playing for Super Eagles – Onazi

    I’m committed to playing for Super Eagles – Onazi

    Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has reiterated his desire to return to the team, insisting he is always happy to play for his country.

    Onazi, 25, missed the Super Eagles’ last three matches through injury as Nigeria qualified to feature in their first Africa Cup of Nations since winning the tournament in 2013.

    His performance in his last appearance away to Seychelles after the World Cup raised question marks over his form and fitness, but the midfielder insists he is back to his best form at Trabzonspor.

    “It was a tough time I must admit, but despite all the criticisms I remain committed to playing for my country,” Onazi told BBC Sport.

    “Whenever I go out there to play, I give 120%, but unfortunately my achilles tendon problems slowed me down.

    “Now things are looking up again for me at club level, I hope to keep giving my best to my country as well.”

    The Super Eagles midfielder has been a key part of Trabzonspor’s run of good form since September. They sit 7th in the Turkish Super Lig table and he wants to replicate that form with Nigeria.

    “After what happened in Russia, it was important for all the players to ensure a return to the African Cup of Nations,” Onazi continued.

    “It’s an exciting feeling to achieve that and we can only hope that collectively we can all bring our good club form to the national team.

    “The last time I played in the tournament we won it and we as players have to go back again with the mentality to win it, and if we can’t we shouldn’t be there.”

    Onazi started his professional career in Italy with Lazio, winning the 2013 Italian Cup, before switching to Turkish side Trabzonspor in August 2016.

    He played for Nigeria at the 2009 Under-17 World Cup on home soil and has scored once since making his senior debut against Liberia in October 2012.

    Onazi, who has 51 international caps, helped Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, and played in all four of his country’s games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

  • Super Eagles trio nominated for 2018 CAF Awards [Full list]

    Super Eagles trio nominated for 2018 CAF Awards [Full list]

    Super Eagles trio of Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi have been nominated for the CAF African Player Of The Year Award ahead of the forthcoming CAF Awards 2018.

    Reigning Africa player of the Year Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s pair of Saido Mane and Naby Keita were also included in the 34-man shortlist for the CAF Awards.

    Other notable players nominated for the award are Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez, Mehdi Benatia and Thomas Partey.

    Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi also made the six man shortlist for the young player of the Year for the CAF Awards 2018.

    For the women’s African player of the year, Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega and Onome Ebi were nominated for the CAF Award 2018 edition.

    Gernot Rohr was also nominated for the coach of the year.

    The CAF Awards 2018 Gala to honour footballers and officials who distinguished themselves during the year under review, will be held on Tuesday, 8 January 2019 in Dakar, Senegal.

    African Player Of The Year Nominees For CAF Awards 2018

    1. Abdelmoumene Djabou (Algeria & ES Setif)
    2. Ahmed Gomaa (Egypt & El Masry)
    3. Ahmed Musa (Nigeria & Al-Nassr )
    4. Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal)
    5. Andre Onana (Cameroon & Ajax)
    6. Anis Badri (Tunisia & Esperance)
    7. Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco & Hebei China Fortune)
    8. Ben Malango (DR Congo & TP Mazembe)
    9. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    10. Fanev Andriatsima (Madagascar & Clermont Foot)
    11. Franck Kom (Cameroon & Esperance)
    12. Jacinto Muondo Dala ‘Gelson’ (Angola & Primeiro de Agosto)
    13. Hakim Ziyech (Morocco & Ajax)
    14. Idrissa Gueye (Senegal & Everton)
    15. Ismail Haddad (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club)
    16. Jean-Marc Makusu Mundele (DR Congo & AS Vita)
    17. Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli)
    18. Mahmoud Benhalib (Morocco & Raja Club Athletic)
    19. Mehdi Benatia (Morocco & Juventus)
    20. Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
    21. Moussa Marega (Mali & Porto)
    22. Naby Keita (Guinea & Liverpool)
    23. Odion Ighalo (Nigeria & Changchun Yatai, Nigeria)
    24. Percy Tau (South Africa & Union Saint-Gilloise)
    25. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Arsenal)
    26. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Manchester City)
    27. Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
    28. Taha Khenissi (Tunisia & Esperance)
    29. Thomas Partey (Ghana & Atletico Madrid)
    30. Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia & Saint-Étienne)
    31. Walid Soliman (Egypt & Ahly)
    32. Wilfried Zaha (Cote d’Ivoire & Crystal Palace)
    33. Yacine Brahimi (Algeria & Porto)
    34. Youcef Belaili (Algeria & Esperance)

    Women’s African Player of the Year Nominees

    1. Abdulai Mukarama (Ghana & Northern Ladies)
    2. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Dilian Quanjian)
    3. Bassira Toure (Mali & AS Mande)
    4. Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa & Houston Dash)
    5. Desire Oparanozia (Nigeria & Guingamp)
    6. Elizabeth Addo (Ghana & Seattle Reign)
    7. Francisca Ordega (Nigeria & Washington Spirit)
    8. Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene (Cameroon & CSKA Moskow)
    9. Gaelle Enganamouit (Cameroon & Avaldenes)
    10. Janine Van Wyk (South Africa & Houston Dash)
    11. Marlyse Ngo Ndoumbouk (Cameroon & Nancy-Lorraine)
    12. Onome Ebi (Nigeria & Hekan Huisanhang)
    13. Portia Boakye (Ghana & Djurgardens)
    14. Raissa Feudjio (Cameroon & Aland United)
    15. Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi & Jiangsu Suning)

    Youth Player of the Year Nominees for CaF Awards 2018

    1. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & Borussia Dortmunmd)
    2. Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria & Leicester City)
    3. Andre Onana (Cameroon & Aax)
    4. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal & Rennes)
    5. Mahmoud Benhalib (Morocco & Raja Club Athletic)
    6. Franck Kessie (Cote d’Ivoire & AC Milan)

    Men’s Coach of the Year Nominees
    1. Corentin Martins (Mauritania)
    2. Florent Ibenge (AS Vita & DR Congo)
    3. Juan Carlos Garrido (Raja Club Athletic)
    4. Moine Chaabani (Esperance)
    5. Nicolas Dupuis (Madagascar)
    6. Patrice Carteron (Al Ahly)
    7. Rachid Taoussi (ES Sétif)
    8. Herve Renard (Morocco)
    9. Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
    10. Gernot Rohr (Nigeria)

  • Super Eagles forward Isaac Success signs new Watford contract

    Super Eagles forward Isaac Success has signed a new five-year contract on Thursday with Watford to keep him at the Premier League club until 2023.

    The 22-year-old moved to Vicarage Road from Spanish side Granada in July 2016 and has since gone on to make 35 appearances for the Hornets.

    He spent the the second half of the 2017-18 season on loan to Malaga but has scored three goals in all competitions this term for Watford.

    Success has won four caps for Nigeria.

    “This is a just reward for Isaac’s continued hard work and application this season,” said Watford chairman Scott Duxbury.

    “We look forward to seeing him develop further over the coming years.”

    Watford manager Javi Gracia signed a new four-and-a-half-year contracton Wednesday.

  • Nigeria retains 44th place on new FIFA Ranking

    Nigeria is now placed fourth in Africa and retains her 44th spot in the world with 1,427 points, as against October’s 1,431 points, in the FIFA/Coca Cola Rankings released on Thursday.

    Tunisia, who led the continent’s teams in the last rankings dropped to second place behind Senegal, with the North Africans dropping four places to 26th in the world with 1,493 points.

    Senegal now top the CAF teams with 1,505 points and places 23rd in the world.

    Morocco rests in third place, with Congo DR in fifth, after garnering 1,440 and 1420 points as world 40th and 49th respectively.

    Belgium, France and Brazil remain unchanged as the highest ranked with 1,727, 1,727 and 1,676 points respectively.

    According to a report on the FIFA website, defeats for the leading duo in the UEFA Nations League resulted in both dropping six ranking points.

    Brazil , though still 50 points behind France, added seven after wins over Uruguay, who is seventh-ranked and 55th-placed Cameroon.

    Meanwhile, the big climbers include African quintet of Mozambique (117th, up 5), Angola (125th, up 5), Sudan (127th, up 8), Comoros (143rd, up 5) and Gambia (166th, up 7).

    The rise of Kosovo (131st, up 6) was also notable as it took them to their highest ranking position till date.

    The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on December 20.

  • Super Eagles: I don’t have issues with Onazi, Rohr declares

    Super Eagles: I don’t have issues with Onazi, Rohr declares

    Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has denied speculations that there is an ongoing rift between himself and Trabzonspor midfielder Ogenyi Onazi.

    Onazi was a late withdrawal from the Nigeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya in October citing injury, only for the midfielder to feature for his Turkish club in their next league match at the end of the international break.

    The former Golden Eaglets star was surprisingly omitted from the Super Eagles squad against South Africa despite being fit and the unavailability of the suspended Wilfred Ndidi and injured captain Obi Mikel.

    Speaking as a guest on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football, the German stated :‘’After compiling my list of players for any particular match, l submit to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Technical Committee.

    ‘’I have to submit for them to approve. However there has never been any time where they have asked me to drop a player. That l would not accept. It is not true that l have issues with Ogenyi.’’

    Onazi started and went the distance in all the knockout games contested by the Super Eagles at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

  • Super Eagles defender Omeruo welcomes baby girl

    Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo has welcomed a baby girl with wife Chioma, after she gave birth in Chairein, London on Tuesday.

    Kenneth Omeruo and Chioma tied the nuptial knot in Turkey in May before the versatile defender linked up with his Super Eagles teammates for the side’s final preparations ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    The couple had their traditional wedding rites in 2017 and must now be proud by their daughter’s arrival.

    “oma_maranma, I love you so much.. you handled All the difficult situations like a Boss.. thank you for this beautiful gift..’” a happy father Omeruo posted on both his Twitter and Instagram account, hailing his darling wife.

    Omeruo added: “Chairein is indeed Beautiful as the mom.. Thank you Jesus for without you, non of this would be a reality.. I have two babes now. Baby Oscar ?

    The bouncing baby girl’s arrival marked a remarkable few weeks for the former Nigeria junior international who seems to have now cemented a place in the starting line-up of Spanish club, Leganes after initially struggling to secure a starter’s berth following his arrival on loan from English Premier League club, Chelsea.

    Omeruo also started Nigeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the FNB Stadium early this month.

    Super Eagles stars; Ogenyi Onazi, William Troost-Ekong and Moses Simon have all welcomed the arrival of new babies this year.

  • Rohr promises to field his best players against Seychelles

    Rohr promises to field his best players against Seychelles

    Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has revealed his plan for the 2019 AFCON Qualifiers reverse fixture against Seychelles in March next year.

    The Eagles defeated the Indian Ocean country 3-0 in the first leg and have since wrapped up their qualification for the tournament billed to be staged in neighbouring Cameroon.

    But coach Gernot Rohr sees it differently. Said he in Lagos Friday, “That match is crucial to me because we want to top the group.

    We have not won that match yet. That is why we must field our best against Seychelles. We want to win and score as many goals as possible.” Rohr said the match will be viewed with all seriousness as Seychelles who held South Africa to a goalless draw in their last match may want to end the series on a high.

    The coach also shared a thought on what awaits South Africa in Sfax, in their last match against Libya. “The Bafana Bafana have a tough task ahead of them because the Libyans would do everything to frustrate them and stop them from qualifying for the AFCON.”

    With ten points from five matches, the Super Eagles have booked their place in Cameroon already. But Libya(7 points) and South Africa (9 points) have everything to fight for. Only a win can guarantee Libya a ticket but a draw of any scoreline will see South Africa qualify.