IHEANACHO MAKES EAGLES' LIST OF 24

 Akinfegbe Habeeb

In a late twist to the Eagle's list of 23 players earlier released in which Martins was a surprise call and Kelechi Iheanacho was conspicuously missing, the Man City youngster earned a late call and consequently took the list to 24.

The following is a comprehensive list of the 24 players to face Swaziland in a double header 2016 FIFA world cup qualifier:

Goalkeepers
Carl Ikeme
Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Dele Alampasu

Defenders
Abdullah Shehu
Kalu Orji
Elderson Echiejile
Chima Akas
Leon Balogun
Godfrey Oboabona
Efe Ambrose
Austin Oboroakpo

Midfielders
Ogenyi Onazi
Paul Onobi
John Mikel Obi
Rabiu Ibrahim
Wilfred Ndidi
Sylvester Igbonu

Forwards
Ahmed Musa
Moses simon
Odion Ighalo
Ezekiel Bassey
Alex iwobi
Obafemi Martins
KELECHI IHEANACHO

FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP: BATTLE FOR SEMI BEGINS

Akinfegbe Habeeb


The battle for the last four in the ongoing U-17 world cup begins tomorrow with a battle between two former champions, including the holders, highlights the opening day of quarter-final action at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, while the winner of the day’s other last eight clash will make history in Chile.

Three-time champions, Brazil face off against four-time winners and holders Nigeria in Vina Del Mar for the first time at this level before Croatia and Mali face off for a spot in what would be either side’s inaugural semi-final appearance at this level.  

Obviously the match of the day, Brazil v Nigeria in Vina Del Mar, 1 November 2015, 16:00 (local time), 20:00 Nigerian time. Vina Del Mar has been a kind venue for A Seleção in the past, playing host to four of Brazil’s games in their victorious FIFA World Cup campaign in 1962, with that trend continuing with two victories at the Estadio Sausalito during Chile 2015. Nigeria stand in the way of Carlos Amadeu’s men continuing their charmed streak in Vina, and the imperious Victor Osimhen will be giving Brazil’s defenders restless nights ahead of the quarter-final. The Nigerian No9 has scored seven goals in four games. Seven is also the number of titles shared between these sides, but this game is remarkably the first meeting between the two sides at this level, although the nations’ U-20 sides faced off in New Zealand earlier this year – with Brazil the 4-2 victors. Only a revenge will make the Nigerian lads scale through while the Brazilians will also be willing to revenge their loss to Nigeria at the Suwon tournament.

In the other match of the day, Croatia face Mali in a truly ground-breaking game. The European side played in and won their first U-17 World Cup knockout game against Germany in the previous round, and face Mali in a FIFA tournament for the first time. Mali might have reached this stage twice before (in 1997 and 2001), but they have never gone further, meaning the victors would reach the final four at the U-17 global finals for the first time. The African side saw off Korea DPR in a dominant performance in the Round of 16, and now boast the best defensive record in the tournament, having conceded just one goal – against Ecuador in the group stages. Croatia will need all the creative guile of Nikola Moro and their technically gifted frontmen to unlock the Africans, with the Croat captain registering two goals and two assists so far.

Josip Brekalo (Croatia)While Moro has stolen the headlines in Chile, Brekalo has been in inspired form in South America. The No7 was sensational against Germany in the previous round, consistently attacking the right side of the DFB-Nachwuchs defence with a tormenting combination of intricate footwork and devastating delivery. He hit the woodwork and was instrumental in both goals, crossing for Moro’s opener and snatching possession before setting free Ivan Delic to tee up Davor Lovren’s late tap-in. The African’s superb defensive record so far will certainly be under threat from the gifted Dinamo Zagreb youngster. 200 minutes without conceding a goal for Mali at this tournament. They however have a long way to go to catch the record, a staggering 830 minutes run set by Nigeria at the 1987, 1989 & 1993 finals.

Tomorrow's Quarter-final fixtures
Brazil-Nigeria (Estadio Sausalito, Vina Del Mar, 16:00)
Croatia-Mali (Estadio Nelson Oyarzun Arenas 19:00)
 

Court stops Sanusi's move

Emir of Kano, Alhaji
Muhammadu Sanusi II

 

Abdullah Adam

A High Court, sitting in Kano, on Friday restrained the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, from stripping or tampering with any structure within the Kano Emir’s palace, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.

Counsel for the plaintiff, Mr. Sanusi Sadiq, said the Emir and the Emirate Council were planning to destroy no fewer than 13 tombs, of former Emirs of the ancient city. According to him, the plan to tamper with the structures in the palace was capable of erasing the ancient tradition of the Kano Emirate Council.

The Presiding Judge, Justice A.T. Badamasi, also restrained the Emir and the KEC from issuing a notice to quit or evicting any person residing in the palace, known as Gidan Rumfa, until the determination of the substantive application. The court directed the parties involved to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The matter was adjourned to November 12 for hearing of the motion on notice

ON A LIGHTER MOOD

ON A LIGHTER MOOD

BVN REGISTRATION CLOSES IN FEW HOURS

Kenny Akinyemi


The Central Bank of Nigeria has said 26 million account will be frozen after a day left to reach the 30th October,2015 deadline.

Queues of customers were sighted this morning at the front door of some banks, and apart from the usual last minute weekend banking, the reason for such queues can only be the BVN Registration exercise.

A similar queue was witnessed by most banks few months ago due to late BVN registration, before the CBN postponed the closure of the BVN exercise to the last day of October.

it is amazing why such long queues should still be witnessed. People should learn to do the right things at the right tome.

The Bank Verification Number (BVN) is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria to strengthen Money Security and reduce Fraud in the Banking System.

AMBODE VOWS TO TACKLE TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK, ROBBERY IN LAGOS.

Kenny Akinyemi  

Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode finally speaks out on traffic gridlock and the rate of robbery in the state at the last quarter of the year.

According to him, three helicopters will be purchased in order to succumb traffic in the state and immediate action would also be taken concerning the indecent acts of some Lagos residents.

The Governor also made it known that work is on-going to eradicate street hawking in Lagos.

OLISEH RECALLS MARTINS, OVERLOOKS IHEANACHO

Obafemi Martins has been handed a recall to the Nigeria side for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Swaziland by coach Sunday Oliseh. The 31-year-old had been out of the Super Eagles since 2013 when he played in a World Cupqualifier under Stephen Keshi. He had talked about retiring from the national side after being ignored by the former coach who he claimed did not like him. The Sounders striker has been in impressive form this year scoring 15 goals in Major League Soccer (MLS) so far.

He made his Nigeria debut more than a decade ago and has 18 goals in 39 appearances. The coach announced his squad of 23 invitees for the double-header against Swaziland this  afternoon with the inclusion of several young players that include Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Feirense goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. However, Manchester City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho was overwhelmingly overlooked a day after he scored for the Citizens in their demolition of Crystal Palace in the League Cup.

While overlooking defenders Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong, Oliseh called up six players from the NPFL squad that secured qualification to next year’s African Nations Championship against Burkina Faso. Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Sharks defender Chima Akas and Enyimba forward Ezekiel Bassey are all in the team. The second round World Cup qualifiers will take place on November 13 and 17 in Lobamba and Port Harcourt respectively. The players are expected to arrive in the team’s Abuja camp on Monday November 8.

FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)

Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA)

Entertainment Gist

MUSIC GENRE MIGRATION:

Mz kedike speaks out…………….

Kenny Akinyemi

The popular, portable and beautiful singer Chidinma Ekile aka Mz Kedike, said in an interview with Vanguard News lately, that she is not in support of condemnation of artistes moving from secular to gospel but rather her song is for all as she has already discussed with her Pastor from the scratch.                                                                  

Entertainment Gist

I HAVEN'T FIND THE RIGHT MAN - GENEVIEVE

Kenny Akinyemi

Our ever beautiful looking actress, Genevieve Nnaji has got everyone asking if she was still going to walk the aisle one day and she response in an interview recently saying she hasn’t ruled out marriage from her agenda but she hasn’t found the right man. She said as soon as the right man is discovered, the issue of

marriage will be revisited.