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Tag: Gbolahan Salami

  • Salami: I have unfinished business in South Africa

    Salami: I have unfinished business in South Africa

    •Says the Eagles will beat Bafana Bafana

    Super Eagles’ sensation, Gbolahan Salami has assured that the country’s senior national team would shine again against the Bafana Bafana in South Africa tonight when they battle in an Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifier  (AFCON) in Cape Town.

    Eagles slumped to a 2-3 defeat to Congo last week but Salami who launched his senior national team career with his debut goal against the Red Devils told SportingLife that Nigeria would beat South Africa today.

    Salami who was in the CHAN Eagles’ squad that beat same Bafana Bafana side 3-1 early this year disclosed that he would personally do his best to clip the South Africans if he is given an opportunity during the match.

    “We are all distrust with the loss to Congo but we have to pick ourselves up by ensuring that we beat South Africa in Cape Town.We know the Bafana Bafana very well and we played against them early this year during the CHAN tournament. I have an unfinished business against them and I will like to get it dusted if I am considered ” Salami enthused to SportingLife.

  • Akwa defender Edo leads goals chart

    Akwa defender Edo leads goals chart

    Akwa United defender Namso Edo is leading the race for top scorers’ award as he took his tally to five after getting one of the goals in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Sunshine Stars.
    He is closely followed by Isa Aminu (Kaduna United), Kingsley Eduwo (Sunshine Stars) and Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves) on four goals each.
    Six players – Sharks duo of Christian Pyagbara and Ifeanyi Inyam, Lobi Stars goalkeeper Terka Melai, Heartland’s Saibou Badarou and Gombe United’s Haruna Babalo – are on three goals each.
    Nasarawa United striker, Victor Namo was goal king last season when he scored 17 goals. He is now playing for Libyan club Al Ahly Benghazy.

  • Wolves add bite with Salami

    Wolves add bite with Salami

    Glo Premier League club, Warri Wolves, have confirmed that they have agreed personal terms with 3SC and Nigeria striker, Gbolahan Salami.

    Wolves in a brief statement declared that they have agreed personal terms with Salami and Heartland goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi.

    But they failed to disclosed the details of the personal terms and now expect Salami and Akpeyi to “resume in the next few days.”

    “Warri Wolves have agreed personal terms with CHAN striker, Gbolahan Salami and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi. Both of them will resume in the next few days. Hopefully, they will help in our quest to get a trophy this season,” a statement from the club read on Friday.

    However, spokesman of 3SC, Jubril Arowolo confirmed to supersport.com that Salami is a free agent after he played with the Ibadan club on loan last season.

    “I’ve confirmed from our secretariat that Gbolahan Salami is now a free agent. Before he left for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) he made a (verbal) commitment that he’ll stay with us until he gets a club abroad but he didn’t sign any contract to that effect,” explained Arowolo to supersport.com.

    Wolves have now bolstered their attacking options after earlier hooking Brendan Ogbu, Daddy Bazuaye, Stanley Dimgba and Josiah Maduabuchi.

  • Salami hopes to win WC place

    Salami hopes to win WC place

    Gbolahan Salami is hoping to do enough at the African Nations Championship to win a place in Stephen Keshi’s 2014 World Cup squad.

    Salami has impressed since coming on as a sub in Nigeria’s 1-2 opening day reverse to Mali.

    His brute force, presence and goal threat have drawn comparisons with Emmanuel Emenike, and the 3SC man is hoping for more.

    “I’m just trying to do my best like everyone else,” he told KickOffnigeria.com.

    “The coach has said that he can pick one or two players from here to join the World Cup team, and I pray that if I do well,I can be among those.”

    Next up for the Super Eagles is a quarter-final against Morocco, and Salami admits it will be a tough test.

    “They are a good team, but we will just have to go out there and play our best like we always do,” he added.

  • Eagles sweat on injured Salami

    Eagles sweat on injured Salami

    Nigeria are sweating on the fitness of striker, Gbolahan Salami, after he suffered an injury in Sunday’s decisive clash against South Africa.

    Team spokesman, Ben Alayia said Salami was injured from the foul by Vuyo Mere, which saw the Bafana defender see red thereafter.

    “Salami suffered a heavy knock against South Africa but we hope he will be fit in time for our quarterfinal on Saturday,” the team official disclosed.

    The Shooting Stars striker has yet to score at this tournament, but he has brought a lot more urgency and flair to the Eagles strike force since he started the match against Mozambique.

    However, the piece of cheering news from the Eagles camp in Cape Town is that Heartland left back, Benjamin Francis has made a remarkable recovery and could be available for selection for Saturday’s game.

    Nigeria will meet the winners of Group B, which has Morocco, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.

    Uganda are top of the group currently with four points, while Morocco are second on two points, Zimbabwe also have two points and Burkina Faso have a point. The group will be decided later on Monday as Uganda battle Morocco and Zimbabwe face Burkina Faso.

     

  • Gbolahan Salami: I’m not a bad boy

    Gbolahan Salami: I’m not a bad boy

    • Targets CHAN to bounce back

    Home-based Eagles and Shooting Stars Football Club (3SC) striker, Gbolahan has told SportingLife that he is not the bad boy that is being portrayed in the media.

    A disappointed Salami said his actions on and off the field have often been misinterpreted, thus he will use the opportunity of the Eagles call-up to prove that he is a good person.

    “There are a lot of things that happen to a football player that makes him to react negatively at times. We are all human beings and we can react at times to injustices and bad treatments from club and match officials, but when that happens they will then call the player a bad guy.

    “For instance, when you sign a contract with a club and the club fails to pay you or fulfil its side of the contract but still puts immense pressure on you to perform well and score goals.

    “While you are playing your mind would be on the necessary bills like house rent and other essential things you are supposed to buy as the needs and bills you need to settle.

    “People outside won’t understand the pressure you are going through.

    “The same thing happens in match situations when you are hacked down badly on the pitch and the referee fails to protect you and when you complain you sometimes incur his wrath.

    “These are the problems that I often face and people now call me names”, Salami lamented.

    He thanked Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi for the opportunity and platform to prove himself as footballer. He vowed to make maximum use of this opportunity to make Eagles’ squad for the African Nations Championship holding in South Africa next year.

    “I have since put my bad times behind me and I am working hard to make the final squad for CHAN and put up a good performance, as well as help the team to win the Championship like we did when we won the AFCON 2013,” Salami vowed.

  • 3SC hail Salami’s Home Eagles recall

    3SC hail Salami’s Home Eagles recall

    Shooting Stars have saluted the recall of striker Gbolahan Salami to the Super Eagles.

    Salami has been called up for next week’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN) training camp in Abuja and 3SC chairman Tunde Anifowose Kelani said it was a deserved return for the talented but temperamental striker.

    “It is a good omen that Salami has been recalled to the national team,” remarked Kelani.

    “Salami has craved for a return to the team and we the board and management of Shooting Stars will give him all the support to establish himself in the Super Eagles.

    “We equally believe that there are several other players in our club who in time will also get their chance with the various national teams.”

    In the meantime, Shooting Stars coach Franklin Howard has disclosed that several players have been suspended for indiscipline.

    The players include Mutiu Adegoke, Chima Akas, Olabisi Samuel, Jacob Eke, Azeez Sobowale, Philip Asuquo, Osagona Ighodalor, Tony Edjomarigwe, Laide Okanlawon and Ismail Gata Adesina. Howard said the players have gone AWOL.

    He said: “The players absconded from training, that is why they were suspended.

    “Very soon we are going to come out with our full list that will represent the club in the National League come next year.”

  • CHAN: Keshi picks Iheanacho, Awoniyi, 28 others

    CHAN: Keshi picks Iheanacho, Awoniyi, 28 others

    Golden Eaglets stars Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Dele Alampasu have been picked for a training camp ahead of next year’s CHAN, MTNFootball.com reports.

    Coach Stephen Keshi has called up 30 players, while putting six on standby in preparations for the 3rd African Nations Championship in South Africa.

    Keshi said he is looking forward to a good outing on the country’s CHAN debut.

    “We are going to the CHAN for the first time, but we want to be the best at our very first outing,” he said in Salvador on Thursday morning.

    Nigeria would play in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique.

    First-choice goalkeeper and skipper Chigozie Agbim and ace midfielder Sunday Mba top the list, with Shooting Stars forward Gbolahan Salami handed a recall.

    The training camp will open in Abuja on Monday.

    Players on the standby list would join the team only if a player on the main list gets injured.

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC); Isah Danladi (Sharks FC); Sunday Alampasu (Abuja Football College)

    Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Ebenezer Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC); Reuben Ogbonnaya (El-Kanemi Warriors); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Chibuzor Madu (Enugu Rangers)

    Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Ogonna Osuchukwu (Enugu Rangers); Achiv Douglas (Lobi Stars); Kelechi Iheanacho (Taiye Academy, Owerri); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United); Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC)

    Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United); Obiozor Christian (Enugu Rangers); Abubakar Aliyu (Nasarawa United); Gbolahan Salami (3SC); Taiwo Awoniyi (Imperial Academy, Ilorin)

    Standby: Happy Okuoka (Heartland FC); Bello Ikeleji (Insurance FC); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Izuegbu Abonima (Enugu Rangers); Paul Ikenna (Sunshine Stars); John Austin Igenepo.

     

  • Salami close to joining Warri Wolves

    Salami close to joining Warri Wolves

    Shooting Stars striker Gbolahan Salami is most likely to join last season’s cup runners-up Warri Wolves.

    According to a top MTNFootball.com source, Salami will quit relegated 3SC for Warri Wolves, whose main target is to win a first-ever league crown next season.

    “Gbolahan fancies a move to Warri Wolves and it’s like the deal will soon be done. He said he cannot play in the lower league with Shooting Stars,” the source revealed.

    The former Olympic team star had earlier disclosed that he had been approached by former club Sunshine Stars.

    Salami, who has returned to training with the rest of the 3SC squad, did not feature in Wednesday’s friendly against Elele Football Club of Saki area, which 3SC won 2-1.

    Seun Akinyemi, Thomas Adesina, Sylvanus Ebiaku, Talabi Olumakinde and Taofeek Adepoju were the only players from last season who were involved in this test game.

    Several of the team’s top stars like Mutiu Adegoke, Philip Asuquo, Gabriel Adikwu, Tony Edjomarigwe, Osagona Ighodalor, Laide Okanlawon, Olabisi Samuel, Kingsley Eduwo and Akinbinu Samuel have stayed away from training.

  • Gbolahan claims Sunshine contact

    Relegated 3SC striker Gbolahan Salami has said he has been contacted by former club Sunshine Stars ahead of next season.

    The Akure club have now joined the likes of Bayelsa United, Warri Wolves and Enyimba who wish to sign the Shooting Stars forward.

    “Sunshine’s team manager has called asking me to play for them, but I told him I cannot decide on my own as I have to discuss this with my manager, who knows the best for me,” Salami informed MTNFootball.com.

    The former Nigeria U-20 star further said he will rejoin Shooting Stars training on Monday as ordered by new coach Franklin Howard.

    “I am still loyal to my club 3SC and so I will resume training with them for the new season because I am still their player and will rather wait till things work out,” he said.