The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kelechi Iheanacho

  • Guardiola embargoes Iheanacho exit talks

    Guardiola embargoes Iheanacho exit talks

     

    Manchester City coach pep Guardiola has placed a 48 hours embargo on discussions bothering on the future of Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho.

    The former Barcelona sweat merchant who appears to be irritated by unending queries from the media over the future of the Super Eagles forward as well as that of his teammate and Argentina international Sergio Aguero, reminded new hunts that he has bared his mind on the issue at one time or the other and is not ready to talk about it again at least for now.  The most important thing according to the 46 year old coach is how to rubber-stamp Champions League qualification by closing the season with an impressive away win against Watford on Sunday.

    Aguero is seeking assurances over his future following a campaign where he has scored 31 goals but seen his status as City’s number one striker come under threat from Gabriel Jesus.

    Aguero’s dazzling display in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over West Brom, where he did not find the net himself but was heavily involved in each goal, drew warm acclaim from Guardiola, who has often tempered his praise of the Argentina star.

    Iheanacho made an impressive first-team breakthrough last season under Manuel Pellegrini but the 20-year-old has found opportunities hard to come by since Jesus’ arrival from Palmeiras in January.

    West Ham have been linked with a £20million bid for the Nigeria international but Guardiola only has eyes for Sunday’s trip to Vicarage Road, where victory will assure City of third place.

    “I spoke three days ago about the future, so I am not going to speak about the future,” the former Barcelona boss told a news conference when quizzed about Iheanacho and Aguero.

    “I know the question is going to come but forget about it.

    “The day after tomorrow we have a real final and the players have to be focused on that.”

    Only defeat, victory for Liverpool and Arsenal and a five-goal swing in favour of Arsene Wenger’s men can deny City a spot in the top four but Guardiola is taking nothing for granted on the back of three consecutive home wins.

    “It’s a crucial game, a final for us. It’s in our hands. Just look what we have to do, we have to travel to London to win the game,” he said.

    “Every game there is pressure, every game we play for everything. It does not depend on Arsenal or Liverpool, it depends on us.

    “We have had a good period. We have won three games in a row but we still have 95, 96 minutes to fight.

    “Watford have had a good season. They are safe. We have to be careful, “he warned

  • Organisers of Nigeria/Senegal friendly upload match link

    Organisers of Nigeria/Senegal friendly upload match link

    The organisers of Thursday’s friendly international between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Teranga Lions of Senegal have now uploaded a link through which interested fans can watch the full match.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both Nigeria and Senegal had drawn 1-1 under seven degrees Celsius weather at The Hive, the home ground of League Two clubsides, Barnet FC and London Bees.

    Senegal, a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finalist, went ahead in the 54th minute through Moussa Sow.

    But Kelechi Iheanacho drew the Eagles level from the penalty spot nine minutes from time.

    The match could, however, not be watched live by Nigerians as a result of the failure to livestream it as earlier promised.

    This has drawn angry reactions from many Nigerians on Thursday, as well as on Friday with many of them taking to the social media to lambast the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Following technical hitches that made it impossible to stream the match live as promised, the organisers apologised to those who had paid to watch the livestreaming.

    They also made a pledge to upload the full match on a link for everyone to enjoy for free.

    Below is the link:

    https://vimeo.com/mgv/review/209998668/62fec7f055

  • Int’l friendly: Fans decry NFF’s inability to broadcast match live

    Nigerians on Friday took to twitter to vent their anger for the failure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and television stations to broadcast live the Super Eagles friendly match against Senegal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fenerbahçe striker Moussa Sow opened scoring in the 53rd minute for the Teranga Lions of Senegal.

    But Manchester City’s youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, rescued a draw for Nigeria when he struck from the spot in the 81st minute.

    Some of the fans who were left fuming after the game also complained about their inability to access a live streaming link which had been shared by some officials of the NFF.

    Justice Prince said on his twitter handle that “such a match like Nigeria vs Senegal wasn’t on TV. Africa’s heavyweight. Isokay. Una #wehdone’’

    Wilson Jnr said: “It’s pathetic, even Supersports didn’t show our match…#NIG VS SEN’’.

    Favour Onyeoziri said: “So, you mean not even one TV station aired the Nigeria vs Senegal match?

    “One website even told me to pay N500 to stream the Nigeria vs Senegal match live. After paying, which network will I use to stream? AT&T?”

    Oma Akatugba said: “I absolutely enjoyed Nigeria vs Senegal but I didn’t watch it.’’

    For Yerekimea Tonbra, “Mr Pinnick just failed his KPI with the Nigeria Vs Senegal match, Nigerians couldn’t watch their national team in action and there was no commentary sef’’.

    Attamah Ifeanyi wrote: “I think it is pathetic considering how huge a football-loving nation Nigeria is. Not even a single TV station covered the Nigeria VS Senegal match!’’.

    Also, John Raul said: “No one in the most populated country in Africa watched the game! Shame #NGASEN.

    Meanwhile, one of the sites platforms which had internet broadcast rights have apologised for its failure to satisfy its clients.

    The apology letter on its site read: “Dear esteemed customers, we regret our inability to broadcast the Nigeria vs Senegal football match which was slated for 9 p.m. Nigerian time on March 23, 2017.

    “This was as a result of technical hitches experienced in getting the signals to us from our London technical partners.

    “Please be assured that full refunds of fees paid on our platform wwwurlivestream.com to watch the match will be paid within the next seven working days.

    “Once again, we are really sorry,’’ it said.

     

  • Int’l friendly: Iheanacho’s late goal earns Nigeria draw against Senegal

    Int’l friendly: Iheanacho’s late goal earns Nigeria draw against Senegal

    Kelechi Iheanacho on Thursday in London scored a late goal to deny the Teranga Lions of Senegal a famous victory against the Super Eagles in an international friendly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an 82nd minute penalty kick scored by Iheanacho helped Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw in their friendly encounter at the Hives Stadium.

    Moussa Sow had given the Teranga Lions an early second half lead in the 53rd minute, but they could not hold on for a victory over the Super Eagles.

    Senegal were dominant in the midfield, with Idrissa Gueye presiding over it all with calm and quality.

    But Sow upfront was far less mobile than Mane, and looked very ordinary until Daniel Akpeyi dropped a 53rd minute corner kick into his path for the opening goal.

    Iheanacho did get two glorious chances to score, scuffing a shot across the goal from 18 yards, and then somehow prodding wide from point blank range.

    He managed to redeem himself with 10 minutes to go, gliding onto a through-ball before being brought down by Pape Ndiaye, and rising to convert the penalty kick for the equaliser.

    It was probably deserved, if only for Iheanacho’s persistent running.

    He might even have won it with a snapshot wide in stoppage time, but neither side really did enough to win the game, or to entertain the sparse crowd.

    When Sadio Mane came on, replacing debutant Opa Nguette, he earned the largest cheer of the night, bringing more excitement than either goal.

    While he may not have actually contributed much on the pitch, it was the Liverpool man alone who provided any buzz around the Hive.

    The Super Eagles will now look forward to their next friendly game against Burkina Faso in four days time.

     

  • Iheanacho’s Manager donates to Enugu Rangers

    Iheanacho’s Manager donates to Enugu Rangers

     

    Enugu State Indigene based in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Manager to Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City striker), Kingsley Okechukwu Ogbodo this afternoon donated 50 footballs, 36 bibs and 30 jerseys to Enugu Rangers International Football Club to support the club and in appreciation of its recent victory as the Nigerian Professional Football League Champions as well as to motivate the team to win the forthcoming CAF Champions League.

    Receiving the items on behalf of the club at the Government House, Enugu, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi thanked the donor for his gesture towards the progress of Enugu Rangers and the State.

    The governor described Ogbodo as a good ambassador of the state and called on other indigenes to emulate his disposition by contributing to the development of the state and society at large.

  • Glo-CAF Awards 2016: Top 3 for all categories

    Glo-CAF Awards 2016: Top 3 for all categories

     

     

    On Thursday, 5 January 2017, the winners of the Glo-CAF Awards will be announced. In this report, cafonline has listed the top three players  for all categories. Excerpts:

     

    African Player of the Year

    Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)

    Riyad MAHREZ (Algeria & Leicester City)

    Sadio MANE (Senegal & Liverpool)

     

    African Player of the Year – Based in Africa

    Denis ONYANGO (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Khama BILLIAT (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Rainford KALABA (Zambia & TP Mazembe)

     

    Women’s Player of the Year

    Asisat OSHOALA (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)

    Elizabeth ADDO (Ghana & Kvarnsvedensik)

    Gabrielle ABOUDI ONGUENE (Cameroon & Rossyanka)

     

    Most Promising Talent

    Elia MESCHAK (DR Congo & TP Mazembe)

    Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City)

    Naby KEITA (Guinea & RB Leipzig)

     

    Youth Player of the Year

    Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal)

    Eric AYIAH (Ghana and Charity FC)

    Sandra OWUSU-ANSAH (Ghana and Supreme Ladies)

     

    Coach of the Year

    Florent IBENGE (DR Congo national team)

    Pitso MOSIMANE (Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Florence OMAGBEMI (Nigeria women’s national team)

     

    Club of the Year

    Mamelodi Sundowns

    TP Mazembe

    Zesco United

     

    National Team of the Year                                     

     

    DR Congo

    Senegal

    Uganda

     

    Women’s National Team of the Year

    Cameroon

    Nigeria

    South Africa

     

    Referee of the Year

    Bakary Papa GASSAMA

    Ghead Zaglol GRISHA

    Malang DIEDHIOU

     

    Football Leader of the Year

    Manuel LOPES NASCIMENTO, President of Guinea Bissau Football

    Federation Legend Award

    Laurent POKOU, Former player of Cote d’Ivoire

    Emilienne MBANGO, Former player of Cameroon

     

    Africa Finest XI

    Goalkeeper: Denis ONYANGO (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Defenders: Serge AURIER (Cote d’Ivoire & Paris Saint-Germain),

    Aymen ABDENNOUR (Tunisia & Valencia), Eric BAILLY (Cote

    d’Ivoire & Manchester United), Joyce LOMALISA (DR Congo & AS

    Vita)

    Midfielders: Khama BILLIAT (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns),

    Rainford KALABA (Zambia & TP Mazembe), Keegan DOLLY (South

    Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns),

    Forwards: Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon & Borussia

    Dortmund), Sadio MANE (Senegal & Liverpool), Riyad MAHREZ

    (Algeria & Leicester City)

     

    Substitutes

    Aymen MATHLOUTHI (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel), Kalidou

    KOULIBALY (Senegal & Napoli), Salif COULIBALY (Mali & TP

    Mazembe), Islam SLIMANI (Algeria & Leicester City), Mohamed

    Salah (Egypt & Roma), Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester

    City), Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal)

  • Iwobi, Iheanacho in race for CAF Awards

    Iwobi, Iheanacho in race for CAF Awards

    Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City are in the running for various CAF Awards.
    In the category of Most Promising Talent, Iheanacho is listed with fellow Nigerian Oghenekaro Etebo, Guinean Naby Keita, Elia Meshack of DR Congo and Ramadan Soby of Egypt.
    Iheanacho scored in four consecutive matches for the Super Eagles against Mali, Luxembourg, Tanzania and Zambia, and had been quite impressive for his English top tier club, for whom he scored in the UEFA Champions League last week.
    Etebo was the hero of Nigeria’s bronze medal feat at the Olympics in Brazil, scoring four goals in the 5-4 thumping of Japan.
    The Youth Player of the Year list was headed by Iwobi, who scored Nigeria’s first goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup race, away to Zambia in Ndola in October. He contests with Ghanaians Eric Ayiah and Sandra Owusu-Ansah, Ivorian Franck Kessie and Mali U20 ace Sidiki Maiga.
    Super Falcons’ forward Asisat Oshoala was listed alongside South African Janine Van Wyk, Ghanaian Elizabeth Addo and Cameroonians Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and Raissa Feudjio Tchuanyo for the Women’s Player of the Year.
    Oshoala won the award in 2014, alongside being named Youth Player of the Year.
    Cameroonian Gaelle Deborah Enganamouit was named Women’s Player of the Year 2015. Florence Omagbemi, the only person to have won the Women Africa Cup of Nations as captain and coach, contests for Coach of the Year with DR Congo’s Florent Ibenge, Uganda Coach Milutin Sredojevic, Nacer Sandjak of CAF Confederation Cup winners MO Bejaia and Pitso Mosimane of CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns.
    Nigeria’s Super Falcons will battle for Women’s Team of the Year with Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, while Nigeria’s U23 team, bronze winners at the Olympics, will tug with DR Congo (CHAN winners), Senegal, Guinea Bissau and Uganda (the last two for qualifying for 2017 AFCON). Guinea Bissau is making its debut, while Uganda is back among the elites of African football after 38 years.
    Sundowns, Bejaia, TP Mazembe, Zamalek and Zesco United compete for Club of the Year, while Gambian Papa Gassama, Egyptian Ghead Grisha and Senegalese Malang Diedhiou are in the race for Referee of the Year. Incidentally, Gassama handled the Nigeria/Algeria 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo, while Grisha was in charge of the first qualifying match away to Zambia in Ndola.
    The awards ceremony is slated for January 5 in Abuja.

  • Monchengladbach 1-1 Man City: Iheanacho benched as Citizen secure draw

    Monchengladbach 1-1 Man City: Iheanacho benched as Citizen secure draw

    Kelechi Iheanacho was benched as Manchester City sealed a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach at Borussia-Park this evening.

    Had Barcelona not defeated Celtic, Pep Guardiola’s men would have needed to beat Gladbach, but it turned out that the Spanish giants earned a 2-0 win Glasgow.

    In Germany, Raffael put the Bundesliga outfit ahead with a goal, but City found a lifeline when David Silva scored on the stroke of half-time.

    Both teams had a man sent off in the second half, with Gladbach captain Lars Stindl and City’s Fernandinho being shown second yellow cards by referee Cuneyt Cakir.

    The hosts had to wait patiently as City dominated possession in the first half, but they went ahead in the 23rd minute when Stindl left John Stones in a heap before cutting the ball back to the centre of the box to find Raffael, who hammered the ball into the back of the net.

    One minute later, City found an equaliser through Silva, who nudged the ball home from close range after De Bruyne fizzed the ball across goal after darting towards the byline. Both sides had opportunities towards the end of the game, but neither could find a winner as City booked their place in the knockout rounds, while Gladbach will be hoping for Europa League qualification. There is one more round of fixtures left in the group stage.

  • Mikel, Musa, Iheanacho out of CAF Player of the Year race

    Mikel, Musa, Iheanacho out of CAF Player of the Year race

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the top five shortlists for the 2016 African Player of the Year award with the Super Eagles trio of Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho not making the cut.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah and Islam Slimani made the top five decided by votes from the members of the CAF Media Committee, CAF Technical & Development Committee and half of the 20-member panel of experts, Goal reports.

    Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang won the 2015 award after a sizzling start to the previous season for the Bundesliga club.

    In the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) category, Dennis Onyango, Hlompho Kekana, Keegan Dolly and Khama Billiat from the 2016 African Champions League winning side, Mamelodi Sundowns, made the mark with T.P Mazembe’s Rainford Kabala completing the list.

    The winners will be decided by votes from the head coaches and Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF.

    The Glo/CAF awards gala night will take place on January 5, 2017 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

  • Iheanacho joins Man City training

    Iheanacho joins Man City training

    Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho took part in Manchester City’s training session on Tuesday after helping Nigeria to secure a 3-1 win over Algeria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

    Iheanacho featured for 90 minutes for the Eagles but failed to find the back of the net at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo as Nigeria won successive games to remain on top of Group B with maximum points.

    The 20 year old took part in Tuesday’s session at the Manchester City training ground as they prepare for their Premier League game against Crystal Palace this weekend under the watchful eyes of City manager, Pep Guardiola and his assistant, Mikel Arteta.

    It was however a depleted squad that saw the return of injured players as the Citizens await players still on international duty.

    Bacary Sagna has returned to full training after five weeks out with a hamstring tear and will be in contention for the game at Selhurst Park.

    Tuesday’s session also featured Yaya Toure who is also back in contention for a place in the City team after saying sorry for comments made by his agent Dimitri Seluk.

    Other first team players in training include Spanish duo of Jesus Navas and Aleix Garcia, Fernando Reges and Pablo Zabaleta.