The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Man City

  • AYC: Man City seeks Iheanacho’s inclusion in Nigeria squad

    AYC: Man City seeks Iheanacho’s inclusion in Nigeria squad

    English Premier League side, Manchester City, has launched a last-minute move to get Kelechi Iheanacho into Nigeria final squad for next month’s African Youth Championship in Senegal, africanFootball.com reports.

    After first saying the player will be unavailable for the AYC in Senegal due to injury, the EPL giants had now made a dramatic u-turn, saying the former Golden Eaglets’ star could be released to join the Flying Eagles for the tournament as he has fully recovered ahead of a mid-March time frame earlier set by the club.

    The 18-year-old player has called up coach Manu Garba to inform him he has recovered from a long-term ankle injury, while expressing his willingness to feature at the AYC.

    The Most Valuable Player at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup, who followed the team’s recent warm-up matches in Ghana via telephone, told Manu he will even play a match for City reserves on Tuesday.

     

  • Totti becomes oldest goalscorer

    Totti becomes oldest goalscorer

    Roma forward Francesco Totti has become the oldest goalscorer in Champions League history with his strike against Manchester City yesterday.

    The Giallorossi veteran became the first ever 38-year-old to score in the elite European competition, leapfrogging Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs who has held the record since 2011 when he scored against Benfica at the age of 37 years and 290 days.

    Totti’s record-breaking goal came courtesy of a dinked effort over Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart, which levelled the scores in the first half at the Etihad Stadium after Sergio Aguero’s opener.

    It was also Totti’s first ever goal in England, and his second against English opposition during his career – his first coming against Newcastle in 1999.

    Italy’s World Cup winner from 2006, who turned 38 on Saturday, has not scored in the Champions League since the 2010-11 season when he scored the winning goal in Roma’s 3-2 group stage victory over Bayern Munich.

    It is Roma’s first time back in the top European competition since that campaign, in which they crashed out at the last-16 stage to Shakhtar Donetsk.

  • Musa seeks revenge against Man City

    Musa seeks revenge against Man City

    Ahmed Musa has told AfricanFootball.com he wishes to take his pound of flesh on Manchester City after his Russian club CSKA Moscow and the EPL champions were again drawn in the same group in the UEFA Champions League.

    CSKA Moscow will play in Group E alongside Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Roma.

    Last season, Manchester City defeated CSKA Moscow 2-1 in Russia and 5-2 in England in the Champions League and Nigeria international Ahmed Musa has now vowed this will not happen again.

    “It is a tough group as there are no small teams, but I believe we will qualify from this group,” the Nigeria World Cup star told AfricanFootball.com.

    “We played Manchester City last season and we lost both legs, but this time, we want to win. It is a mission that is very possible.

    “I also want us to do better than we have done in the past in the Champions League.”

    CSKA reached the Round of 16 in the 2011/12 season of the Champions League.

  • Dzeko’ll renew his Man City contract —Pellegrini

    Manuel Pellegrini expects Edin Dzeko to be the next Manchester City star to sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium.

    City began the defence of their Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday, with Dzeko leading the line and providing the assist for David Silva’s opening goal.

    The Bosnia-Herzegovina star bagged 26 goals in all competitions last season and after securing the futures of Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and Silva last week, Pellegrini expects Dzeko to be next.

    “I don’t think it’s 100 per cent finished – but yes, he will renew his contract,” the Chilean said after the win at St James’ Park. “He’s a very important player for us.

    “It’s very important that we have four top strikers because we have so many games in four competitions.

    “I think that Edin finished last season playing very well.

    “Of course for me, he was one of the best players of the game (against Newcastle), not only because he participated in the first goal, [but] because he worked the whole game.

    “He won a lot of aerial duels, he supported the ball, it was a very complete game, but I repeat, I think that Edin finished last season playing the same way as he’s started now.”

    Dzeko had been expected to leave City last season following the arrival of Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic but has since flourished under Pellegrini’s guidance.

  • Clubs chase Iheanacho – Man City official

    Clubs chase Iheanacho – Man City official

    AfricanFootball.com can exclusively reveal that besides MLS side New York City FC, Nigeria youngster Kelechi Iheanacho is wanted by several other clubs after he shone at Manchester City.

    A source close to a top Manchester City official has informed only AfricanFootball.com that they are yet to decide on where the Nigeria U20 star should now go to on loan.

    “Kelechi’s profile has shot up since what he achieved in pre-season in the United States of America,” the source said.

    “As a result of this, many other clubs are keen to have him and Manchester City are expected to soon decide where he will go to on loan.

    “New York City FC in the MLS is a possibility, but there are several other clubs who have come on board since after what he showed in America.”

    The source mentioned an opening in Belgium for the young forward, among other possibilities.

    The MVP of the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates scored thrice, which included converting his kick in a penalty shootout, during City’s pre-season training tour of the USA.

    He has yet to sign a professional contract as he can only do so when he turns 18 in October.

    Chidiebere Nwakali is the other Nigeria youngster at City. He missed out on pre-season training with the EPL champions on account of a knee injury.

  • Jovetic makes it double as Man City thrash Milan

    Manchester City put in a commanding performance to down Milan 5-1 in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

    A Stevan Jovetic brace, along with goals to Scott Sinclair, Jesus Navas and Kelechi Iheanacho saw the Premier League champions to a comfortable victory at Heinz Field in the International Champions Cup.

    City were two goals to the good after just 14 minutes courtesy of goals from Jovetic and Sinclair.

    Things got worse for new Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi courtesy of two more quick-fire goals from Navas and Iheanacho before the half-hour mark.

    A ragged Milan side were able to pull a goal back before the interval through Sulley Muntari before heavy rain and thunderstorms delayed the start of the second half.

    After the extended break, Jovetic doubled his tally for the match in the 58th minute to cap a fine performance.

    Jovetic opened the scoring after 12 minutes when he finished off a pacy attack by slipping home Navas’ through ball at the near post.

    Just two minutes later, Sinclair – another of City’s peripheral figures last term – reminded Pellegrini of his quality with an expertly-angled finish from inside the area.

    Navas got in on the action soon after as City’s early onslaught continued with the Spaniard’s acrobatic effort finding its way past Milan goalkeeper Michael Agazzi courtesy of a deflection off Andrea Poli.

    Amid further hapless Milan defending, 17-year-old Nigerian prospect Iheanacho added a fourth with a poked effort from outside the area.

    Muntari salvaged something from the half shortly before the interval but Inzaghi was left with food for thought, having seen his side outplayed.

    After being substituted in at half-time, Mario Balotelli made his mark on the contest – tucking away what he thought was Milan’s second before being denied by the offside flag

    Jovetic reinstated City’s four-goal lead prior to the hour mark, when he combined with Aleksandar Kolarov on the left.

    The Montenegro international played a ball out to Kolarov, who played a pass back in for the striker, and he cleverly chipped an on-rushing Milan defender before finishing with his left foot.

    The result made it two defeats from as many games for Milan in the International Champions Cup, while Italy’s three clubs involved in the United States-based tournament have registered three defeats and one win from four fixtures.

  • Man City hoping to seal Iheanacho deal

    Man City hoping to seal Iheanacho deal

    • Dad proud of son

    Manchester City will look to tie up a deal for teenage playmaker Kelechi Iheanacho when they return from their US tour.

    The 17-year-old has agreed to link up with City but a work permit will be required in order for him to compete in England and the required paperwork is yet to be processed.

    City are prepared to keep pushing the relevant authorities, with Iheanacho having shown what an exciting talent he is by scoring in a 4-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday.

    Manuel Pellegrini believes the youngster is destined for a bright future and would like to see his potential unlocked at the Etihad Stadium.

    He is, however, also aware that there are a number of obstacles to overcome before a player who starred for Nigeria at the World U-17 Championship in 2013 can be added to the City ranks.

    Pellegrini said: “Kelechi is just 17 years old and he’s a very important player for us in the future.

    “He has demonstrated what he can do in the future. It depends on the way he takes this profession, but I think he’s a good talent.

    “We’ve not yet decided (what the plan is for him) because it’s not easy. He’s just 17 and sometimes that’s the problem. We’ll see what he will do in the future.

    “For the moment he will stay with us and we’ll see when we return to England what will happen with him. But he’s a very important player for the future for the club.

    “After the tour we will see what happens with him. There are a lot of things to arrange to play in England but he has an important future.”

    After his debut goal in Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Sporting Kansas City in their pre-season tour of the USA, Nigeria youth international, Kelechi Iheanacho’s dad, James told SL10 of his excitement at seeing his son score for the English Champions.

    “I’m super excited that my son (Kelechi) has scored his first goal for Manchester City. I didn’t watch the game, but his agent called and told me about it, and I have since seen the replays. I’m very excited about this development,” he told SL10.

    Iheanacho Jnr. scored City’s fourth goal with a cool finish, after fellow debutant, Bruno Zuculini, Dedryck Boyata, and Aleksander Kolarov all also got on the score sheet.

    Iheanacho had previously failed to make the Manchester City teams that played two friendly games in Scotland against Dundee United and Hearts, but grabbed his opportunity with both hands by scoring and putting up a good display against Kansas City.

    Iheanacho Snr. continued: “I told him how hard he had to work to make the Manchester City first team and I’m happy he’s putting good effort. I hope he continues to work hard, and continues to progress.”

  • Iheanacho scores in Man City debut

    Iheanacho scores in Man City debut

    Former Golden Eaglets star, Kelechi Iheanacho, scored his first goal in Manchester City’s colour when he nudged the last goal in the English champions 4-1 victory over Sporting KC in Kansas Wednesday.

    The 17-year-old got an assist from Jesus Navas and placed his shot low into the left corner to give the Citizens a well deserved win in Wednesday’s contest, Goal reports.

    The visitors took the lead via Bruno Zuculini before C.J Sarpong got the hosts’ equalizer. But Dedryck Boyata restored the lead before Aleksander Kolarov extended it from the spot after Scott Sinclair was brought down and Iheanacho completed the rout in the 88th minute.

    The performance attracted praise from City boss Manuel Pellegrini after the match.

    “Iheanacho is just 17 years old and he’s a very important player for us in the future,” Pellegrini told Daily Mail.

    “He demonstrated today what he can do in the future. It depends on the way he takes this profession, but I think he’s a good talent.”

    Having not secured a work permit, Pellegrini said a final decision had not yet been made if the Flying Eagles playmaker will stay with the club or go on loan.

    “We’ve not decided yet (what the plan is for him) because it’s not easy. He’s just 17 and sometimes that’s the problem.

    “We’ll see what he will do in the future. For the moment he will stay with us and we’ll see when we return to England what will happen with him. But he’s a very important player for the future for the club,” the Chilean added.

  • Pre-season Training: Man City drag Iheanacho, Nwakali to Scotland

    Pre-season Training: Man City drag Iheanacho, Nwakali to Scotland

    English Premiership side, Manchester City has included Nigerian duo of Chidiebere Nwakali and Kelechi Iheanacho for their pre-season training in Scotland.

    Nwakali and Iheanacho were recruited by the big spending side into their youth team following their superb performance with the Golden Eaglets’ gold medal-winning side at last year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

    But the duo have joined the rest of the first team for their pre-season ahead of the 2014/2015 season which would end in Scotland on the 18th before the team’s tour of the USA  on the 22nd.

    Speaking with Sportinglife, Nwakali said he was happy with the development which would invariably boost his career,adding he stands a chance of playing for the A team as soon as possible.

    ” I’m really happy that I was picked as one of the players for the pre season camp in Scotland and that means I would have to work very hard,” said Nwakali who is fondly called Guti by admirers.

    He added: ” Of course, I will do my best because right from my days with the Golden Eaglets, we have been taught how to be focussed and not get carried away.

    “This is good step for Kelechi and I; we shall do our best because this is a great opportunity for us.”

    Nwakali and Iheanacho has already signed a pre-contract deal with Man City which could translate to a professional contract when they clock 18 especially if they impress coach Manuel Pellegrini during the pre-season camp.

     

  • It’s Liverpool or Man City for Onazi

    It’s Liverpool or Man City for Onazi

    Nigeria World Cup star Ogenyi Onazi’s future would be in the English Premier League as his representatives have opened talks with both Liverpool and Manchester City.

    Sources close to the Nigeria midfield star exclusively told AfricanFootball.com that  Onazi will not extend his contract with Serie A side Lazio when it runs out next summer.

    The sources disclosed that Onazi is on a youth contract at the Italian club and now wants out with his representatives already in talks with both Liverpool and Manchester City.

    “Onazi’s future is in the EPL with either Liverpool or Manchester City. His agents are working on this,” one of the sources informed.

    “He will most certainly not extend his time with Lazio particularly as he has been on a youth contract with the club ever since.

    “He now wants to cash in on his performance with a big-money move to England.”

    Onazi has established himself in the Super Eagles since he took his chance in the first team as Nigeria went on to win a third Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year.

    He also featured at the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup as well as the 2014 World Cup, where his second-half exit in a round of 16 match against France due to injury clearly exposed the shortcomings in the Eagles midfield.

    He is presently on holidays in Abuja.