Tag: delighted

Anglo – Nigerian midfielder Dele Alli marked his first start for England with a goal against France during the international friendly staged at Wembley on Tuesday night.

The 19 – year – old opened scoring for the Three Lions with a stunning 25 – yard shot which beat Tottenham Hotspur teammate Hugo Lloris six minutes before the interval.

“Obviously, I’m really happy to get the goal and the win at Wembley, ” Dele Alli said to FATV after the game.

“It was a really proud moment for me to even start today, so to get the goal and the man of the match rounds off a perfect night along with the win.

“It was a young team but I think we played with a lot of maturity, and it’s great to have the experienced players with us when we need it. ”

Milton Keynes – born Alli has recorded four appearances for England since he debuted for the senior side and was in action for 88 minutes against The Blues last night.

Injury-hit Heartland goalkeeper, Ebele Obi has told AfricanFootball.com that he is happy to return to action for ‘The Naze Millionaires’ for the first time this season in a Week 34 game against Sharks, which they won 1-0.

He suffered a knee injury before the season started while training with Heartland, but recovered and returned to training in August.

The older brother of Chelsea star, Mikel said it was it was difficult while he was sidelined by a long-term knee injury, but he pushed through with the support of his club.

“It was a good game for me and the team, I really appreciate God for his mercy,” he said.

“Firstly, I want to thank God for making it possible for me to be back in action. I thank my coaches and general manager for having faith in me, hoping that I will recover and also do well for the club,” Obi told AfricanFootball.com

Lobi Stars coach Justin Tenger has expressed satisfaction with his team’s recovery after the 3-0 loss against Shooting stars sports club of Ibadan in the penultimate round of NPFL matches.

Tenger whose side edged Nasarawa United 2-1 in the Wk 12 encounter at the Aper Aku stadium told footballlive.ng that he is delighted with the win and attributed it to the hard work of his players.

“It was good and I give glory to God; it’s a vital win and I attribute it to the hard work of my players because we were able to wither the entire storm from them (Nasarawa),” he told footballlive.ng.

“I think this will serve as a morale booster for you because what we needed was just a win anywhere and with any team.”

Lobi Stars are 18th on the log of the Nigeria Professional Football league this term after eleven round of matches played. Ogu Micheal was assisted by Abdulrahman Bashir to score his first goal but Akleche Enokela got the winner after the visitors had pulled one back.

The next assignment for Lobi will be on Sunday, June 20 against Kwara United FC at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin.

A wonderful free-kick from Sergej Milinkovic helped Serbia to victory over Mali in Dunedin, to leave all four teams in Group D level on three points going into the final round of games.

Milinkovic set the Orlici on their way in the first half before substitute Stanisa Mandic completed a straightforward victory for Veljko Paunovic’s team.

Serbia coach manager Veljko Paunovic said after the game: ‘I’m delighted that Serbia have got their first win but credit to Mali for playing such good football. I’m thrilled not just about the three points but also about the understanding between my players on the pitch.

‘Against Mexico [in our final group game] we know we’ll be facing a tough side who we’ll have to take very seriously. We’re capable of playing well against them, but now we need to recover to be ready for Saturday.’

On his part Mali coach Fanyeri Diarra, explained: ‘The opposition today were simply very strong. Some of my players didn’t perform as they normally would so I’m a bit disappointed about that. To be in with a chance of progressing, we need to start by getting ourselves motivated again. My lads are capable of qualifying so we’re going to work on that issue.’

Flying Eagles defensive midfielder Abdullahi Alfa is delighted he was named in Nigeria’s preliminary squad for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The hardworking youngster was listed in the Flying Eagles squad expected to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel in Abuja on  April  12 for the first phase of the preparations for the U-20 World Cup.

As soon as the list was released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday morning, the excited Alfa couldn’t hide his joy when he spoke to SL10.

Alfa will convene with 34 other players for camping from where a final list of 21 players will be selected to prosecute Nigeria’s games at the World youth championship in New Zealand.

He said: “I’m so happy being named in the team to converge on Sunday in Abuja. I will like to use this medium to thank my coaches for believing in me.”

The 18-year-old starred for the Golden Eaglets at the FIFA U-17 World Cup two years back, featuring in every single game.

The Flying Eagles are in group E of the U-20 World Cup, alongside Brazil, Hungary, and North Korea.

Kano Pillars’ Adamu Mohammed whose goal opened the club’s account for the 2014/2015 Glo Premier League season has revealed that his mission is to continue scoring for the Sai Masu Gida as the Kano side target a fourth successive league title.

Mohammed, who has previously played for Dolphins, Enugu Rangers and Gombe United, switched to Kano during the off season and marked his league debut with the opener against Bayelsa United on Saturday, in Match Day Two tie.

“I am happy with this goal and the sweet victory. It is just the beginning of something nice to come.

“I thank Gombe United for giving me the opportunity to move on with my career. I will forever remain indebted to the coaches, staff and the management of the club. I pray they come back to the Premier League at the end of the next season.

“The game was very tight in the first half but we opened things up in the second and we were rewarded with two goals,” Mohammed informed SportingLife in a brief chat on Sunday.

Watford attacker Odion Ighalo has spoken of his delight after winning the Championship PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for January.

Last month, the former Flying Eagles skipper was imperious for The Hornets, especially against Blackpool, when he netted four goals in a 7-2 win.

The deeply religious Ighalo has stressed that the Supreme Being is behind his winning the award, and also thanked his teammates for their support.

“First and foremost, I give God all the glory. Every achievement, glory must be given to God. He has been doing wonderful things in my life,” said Odion Ighalo to SL10.ng.

“I am very happy to win this award and there are more awards to win. I thank my teammates for the games we won and making me score those goals.

“I am really grateful to the fans who recognized me. By the grace of God, I’ll win more awards.”

The Watford number 24 was the center of attention just before the close of the January transfer window, with speculation linking him with a move to West Brom and Hull City.

“It is normal that another team wants you when you are scoring goals. I still have a contract with Watford for the next two years.

“They said they were not going to sell me because we are fighting for promotion. I don’t want to get carried away.

“My target is to win promotion to the Premier League, and from there anything can happen,” Odion Ighalo concluded.

The former Nigeria youth international notched up 7 goals in 4 Championship games in the month of January.