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Tag: Junior Ajayi

  • CAF lists three Nigerians among nominees for African players awards

    CAF lists three Nigerians among nominees for African players awards

    Three Nigerian players are now in line for consideration for continental football awards in January after being listed among nominees by the Confederation of African Football ( CAF ).

    The three players include overseas-based Victor Moses and William Troost-Ekong who have been nominated for the African Player of the Year award.

    Egypt-based Junior Ajayi who plays for Egyptian side Al Ahly has also been nominated for the African Player of the Year Based in Africa 2017 award.

    30 players each have been nominated for the two topmost categories of the awards.

    The winner of each award will be decided by votes from a selected group.

    These are the Head Coaches/Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF, members of the CAF Technical and Development Committee and a panel of Media Experts.

    The Awards Gala will be held on Jan. 4 in Accra, Ghana.

    Nigerian energy giants Aiteo are the headline sponsors of the awards’ 2017 edition, after taking over from Nigerian telecommunications company Glo.

    The awards will see players, officials and administrators who distinguished themselves exemplary during the year under review being honoured for their efforts towards the development of the game on the continent.

    Following are the list of nominees in the two categories:

    African Player of the Year

    1. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly)
    2. Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso & Lyon)
    3. Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo & Villareal)
    4. Christian Atsu (Ghana & Newcastle)
    5. Christian Bassogog (Cameroon & Henan Jianye)
    6. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    7. Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United)
    8. Essam El Hadary (Egypt & Al Taawoun)
    9. Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon & Sevilla)
    10. Fackson Kapumbu (Zambia & Zesco)
    11. Jean Michel Seri (Cote d’Ivoire & Nice)
    12. Junior Kabananga (DR Congo & Astana)
    13. Karim El Ahmadi (Morocco & Feyenoord)
    14. Keita Balde (Senegal & Monaco)
    15. Khalid Boutaib (Morocco & Yeni Malatyaspor)
    16. Mbwana Samata (Tanzania & Genk)
    17. Michael Olunga (Kenya & Girona)
    18. Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
    19. Moussa Marega (Mali & Porto)
    20. Naby Keita (Guinea & RB Leipzig)
    21. Percy Tau (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    22. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)
    23. Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
    24. Thomas Partey (Ghana & Atletico Madrid)
    25. Victor Moses (Nigeria & Chelsea)
    26. Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon & Porto)
    27. William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria & Bursaspor)
    28. Yacine Brahimi (Algeria & Porto)
    29. Youssef Msakni (Tunisia & Al Duhail)
    30. Yves Bissouma (Mali & Lille)

    African Player of the Year – Based in Africa

    1. Achraf Bencharki (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club)
    2. Ahmed Fathi (Egypt & Al Ahly)
    3. Alkhaly Bangoura (Guinea & Etoile du Sahel)
    4. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly)
    5. Aristide Bance (Burkina Faso & Al Masry)
    6. Ayman Majid (Morocco & FUS Rabat)
    7. Aymen Mathlouthi (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel)
    8. Ben Malango (DR Congo & TP Mazembe)
    9. Dean Furman (South Africa & Supersport United)
    10. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    11. Elsamani Saadeldin (Sudan & Al Merreikh)
    12. Fackson Kapumbu (Zambia & Zesco)
    13. Fawzi Chaouchi (Algeria & MC Alger)
    14. Geoffrey Serunkuma (Uganda & KCCA)
    15. Jeremy Brockie (New Zealand & Supersport)
    16. Junior Ajayi (Nigeria & Al Ahly)
    17. Karim Aouadhi (Tunisia & CS Sfaxien)
    18. Mohamed Meftah (Algeria & USM Alger)
    19. Mohamed Ounnajem (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club)
    20. Muaid Ellafi (Libya & Ahly Tripoli)
    21. Nasr Eldin Ahmed (Sudan & Hilal Obeid)
    22. Oussama Darfalou (Algeria & USM Alger)
    23. Percy Tau (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    24. Sabelo Ndzinisa (Swaziland & Mbabane Swallows)
    25. Saber Khalifa (Tunisia & Club Africain)
    26. Saladin Said (Ethiopia & Saint George)
    27. Sylvain Gbohouo (Cote d’Ivoire & TP Mazembe)
    28. Tady Etekiama (DR Congo & AS Vita)
    29. Taha Yassine Khenissi (Tunisia & Esperance)
    30. Tarek Hamed (Egypt & Zamalek

    NAN

  • CS Sfaxien 1-0 CA Bizertin: Junior Ajayi scores landmark goal

    CS Sfaxien 1-0 CA Bizertin: Junior Ajayi scores landmark goal

    Nigeria U-23 international, Junior Ajayi was on target as CS Sfaxien defeated CA Bizertin 1-0 in the Tunisian Ligue 1 on Sunday.

    It was a landmark goal scored by the former Shooting Stars frontman – the 250th in the history of games between CS Sfaxien and  CA Bizertin.

    On 59 minutes, Junior Ajayi tapped home a cross from the left wing to secure the maximum points for the Juventus of the Arabs.

    In 16 appearances for CS Sfaxien since joining the club last summer, the 20-year-old has found the net on six occasions, opening his account against EGS Gafsa before netting five goals in his next 14 games.

    Ex-Enyimba midfieder Kingsley Sokari was also in action against CA Bizertin at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri (Sfax).

  • Sokari, Junior Ajayi go down at Esperance

    Sokari, Junior Ajayi go down at Esperance

    Nigeria U-23 stars, Kingsley Sokari and Junior Ajayi started and finished for CS Sfaxien as they lost 2-1 at Esperance in a Tunisian league clash on Sunday.

    Sokari and Junior Ajayi were transfer targets for Esperance this year before they eventually signed for Sfaxien.

    Nigeria U-20 star Bernard Bulbwa was a 70th minute substitute for Esperance. He was lively because at that point CS Sfaxien were playing a man short after one of their players was sent off.

    His mazy dribble run from 30 yards split open the Sfaxien defence, but his teammate crashed the final shot across the post for the last kick of the encounter.

    It was a scrappy first half between the league contenders with long balls and flying tackles.

    Junior Ajayi played from the left of attack and when Chad international Ezequil Ndoussel  led the attack he was a lot more effective.

    Sokari got into the game in the second half when the game was a lot more coordinated. He was fouled in the 80th minute on his way to goal.

  • Junior Ajayi fires Olympics warning: We will be dangerous in Rio

    Junior Ajayi fires Olympics warning: We will be dangerous in Rio

    Nigeria U-23 striker, Oluwafemi Ajayi Junior has tipped the team to offer a big surprise at the 2016 Olympics football event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    The Dream Team VI defeated Algeria 2-1 to win the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in early December.

    “We are happy that we have qualified for the Olympics. I am also sure that by the time our technical crew works on this team and finalises on the team for the Olympics we will not only be raring to go, but will be dangerous to play against in the competition,” Ajayi told Goal.

    The striker also reflected on his performance at the tournament where he scored two goals in Nigeria’s opening 3-2 win over Egypt.

    “I think I am pleased with my performance because I was playing off position and as a footballer you are expected to play anywhere if the need arises. I will not say I am happy or fulfilled but rather relieved that after the tournament every player’s effort was worth it,” he disclosed.

    The CS Sfaxien of Tunisia man said coach Samson Siasia is like a father to the players and they loved playing for him in order to get results that made him happy.

    “Coach Samson Siasia is not only a coach to us but a father and the rest of the technical crew has been the reason behind the success of the team so far,” he said.

    “He treats us like his own sons and has that magic to make you as a player not only be fond of him but to also want to play and win matches for him and to be happy.

    “You could see the way we were able to win some difficult matches in the competition in Senegal. We always doubled our efforts in matches in order not to let him down. I am happy that God eventually crowned our efforts by winning the competition and being crowned African champions,” he disclosed.

    Ajayi started playing in the U-23 side from his time at Shooting Stars and was glad that the clause to participate in the U-23 AFCON was included in his contract with Sfaxien.

    “Your country will always be your country and every one wants to contribute to the growth of his fatherland,” he said.

    “I am happy that the clause was included in the contract I signed with CS Sfaxien and it has yielded positive dividends by winning the Africa U-23 Nations Cup.”

  • Ajayi hails Nigerians for supporting Dream Team

    Ajayi hails Nigerians for supporting Dream Team

    CS Sfaxien striker, Junior Ajayi, has thanked Nigerians for supporting the Dream Team during the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

    “We had so much confidence in ourselves after beating Senegal and knew we can go all the way to win the trophy,” Junior Ajayi told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    “And the support of our Nigerian fans made it very easy for us.”

    Ajayi scored two goals for the Dream Team at the competition.

    The youngster departed Senegal for Tunisia on Sunday morning.

  • Ajayi on target in CS Sfaxien debut

    Ajayi on target in CS Sfaxien debut

    Olympic Team striker, Junior Ajayi, opened his goals account as his CS Sfaxien side beat EGS Gafsa 3-1 in a Tunisian league match played on Sunday.

    Ajayi, who signed a deal with the Tunisian side at the end of the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo, was a delight to watch in the encounter, supersport.com rports.

    Gafsa took the lead as early as the second minute of the game, but Sfaxien rallied back to level the score through Jemai before Ajayi put his team ahead in the 34th minute.

     

  • AAG: Nigeria down Ghana 2-0

    AAG: Nigeria down Ghana 2-0

    Nigeria on Wednesday defeated the defending All Africa Games champions Ghana 2-0 to book a place in the semi-finals of the football event of this year’s tournament.

    Nigeria’s final Group B match against Senegal, who drew 0-0 with Ghana on the opening day, will determine the overall winners of the group following the last-minute withdrawal of Egypt, africanFootball.com reports.

    Junior Ajayi opened scoring for the Dream Team in the 55th minute and Kingsley Sokari made the game safe three minutes from time.

    The Nigerians were on the front foot in the first half with Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori his team’s most outstanding player, making several outstanding saves in the one-sided encounter.

    Oghenekaro Etebo was denied from point-blank range by the Ghanaian goalkeeper a minute before half time.

    However, Nigeria finally made its dominance count 10 minutes after resumption when the dangerous Etor Daniel whipped-in the ball from the right for Ajayi to coolly slot home.

    The second goal was even more sublime. Sokari combined with skipper Azubuike Ikechukwu on the edge of the Ghanaian box and the Enyimba midfielder continued his run before he lifted the ball over the rushing Ofori for a superb finish.

  • Zamalek chase 3SC star Junior Ajayi

    Zamalek chase 3SC star Junior Ajayi

    Egyptian champions Zamalek have stepped up their pursuit of Nigeria U-23 striker Junior Ajayi.

    Owner of 36 Lion Liameed Gaffar, who represents Junior Ajayi, informed AfricanFootball.com  that Zamalek  are now leading the chase for the promising striker.

    “Zamalek are now the most serious club after Junior, but we will have to wait and see how things play out after the All Africa Games,” Gaffar disclosed.

    Gaffar and the player have already discussed with Tunisian clubs Esperance and CS Sfaxien over a transfer, but both proposals eventually hit the rocks.

    “Tunisia would have been one big step towards Junior moving to Europe, but we could not eventually agree on a contract with both Esperance and Sfaxien,” he said.

  • Junior Ajayi misses out on Esperance deal

    Junior Ajayi misses out on Esperance deal

    Dream Team VI striker, Junior Ajayi and his adviser Gafar Olawale Liameed have returned to Nigeria without the attacker completing his move to Tunisian giants, Esperance.

    Ajayi, allnigeriasoccer.com gathered had signed a three – year contract with Esperance, but the team new coach, Jose Anigo, vetoed the transfer, insisting that that he must undergo trials.

    And despite scoring in a training game the following day, Anigo refused to approve the deal.