The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ndidi

  • Nigeria Draw Cameroon 1-1 in Yaounde

    Nigeria Draw Cameroon 1-1 in Yaounde

     

    Nigeria versus cameroon second leg fixtures in Yaounde has ended.

    The Super eagles picked a point in Yaounde as the qualifeir ended 1-1

    Nigeria’s goal keeper Ezenwa wisely held up the ball in his hands as he tries to run down the clock as the Super Eagles are just seconds away from leaving Yaounde with a draw,

    Five minutes have been added.

    DANGER! Ikechukwu Ezenwa kicked on the chest by Fai Collins after trying to make a second save off Vincent Aboubakar’s missile. Medics attend to him and he is back on his feet. Ogenyi Onazi has been replaced by Etebo OghenekaroCameroon have made their third and final alteration, with Fabrice Olinga making way for Moumi Ngamaleu.

    Nigeria’s midfield have collapsed since John Obi Mikel was replaced in this encounter by Mikel Agu who has failed to make his presence felt – leaving Onazi with a lot of work to do.
    Cameroon push further for a second but first, they must cage Leon Balogun who has been rock-solid. Iheanacho finds his way in

    Nigeria made a second subtitution as Kelechi Iheanacho was brought in the 79th minute for Odion Ighalo.

    Nigeria conceded a penalty kick.

    Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa ruan out of his line to challenge Djoum Arnaud recklessly .

    Penalty Goal was  through Vincent Aboubakar in the 75th Minute.

    WHAT A MISS! Victor Moses just hit the woodwork in the 67th minute.

    The Chelsea player makes a mincemeat of three defenders and fires to the top left corner of Fabrice Ondoa but it kisses the woodwork.

    Cameroon should count themselves lucky that it didn’t sail in

    meanwhile, Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has been substituted.

    Ndubuisi Agu was brought in at the 64th minute to replace the mid-fielder.

    Mikel has before the match declared he was not 100% fit

    Meanwhile frustration as already sets in  for the Cameroonian as they have already been booked.

     

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are still leading Cameroon 1-0.

    Already Cameroon fans are trooping out of the Yaounde stadium.

    They are apparently disappointed as Nigeria leads the african champion at home.

    The Super eagles are however not lacking in support.

    Nigeria has continued to dominate since Moses Simeon scored for the Eagles at the 3oth minutes.

    The Belgian based forward profits from a horror clearance from the hosts off Ighalo’s efforts and wastes no time in screwing past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.

    It was goaless 25 minutes in the Nigeria versus Cameroon match going on in Yaounde.

    Th second leg world cup qualifying match kicked off 6;00pm.

    Cameroon won the toss to kick off the match

    Nigeria puts on white jersey. while Cameroon puts on Green jersey

    The Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, on Monday released his team list for the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo in Cameroon.

    The list includes:

    Ezenwa; Shehu, Balogun, Ekong, Echiéjilé Elderson; Ogenyi Onazi, Ndidi, Obi Mikel; Simon Moses, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses

    Recall that the Super Eagles won the first leg in Uyo by 4-0

     

  • Ndidi models Leicester’s new kit

    Ndidi models Leicester’s new kit

    Wilfred Ndidi joined Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy and Wes Morgan to model the new Leicester City’s home kit for the 2017/2018 season.

    Leicester City will be wearing Puma’s single-button ribbed collar and gold sleeve detail for their home matches next season.

    Ndidi was in action for the Foxes in their 6-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night.

    The new all-blue strip jersey will be launched when the Foxes welcome Bournemouth to the King Power Stadium for their last league game on Sunday.

  • Enyeama, Ndidi, Iheanacho nominated for Nigeria Pitch Awards

    Enyeama, Ndidi, Iheanacho nominated for Nigeria Pitch Awards

    Vincent Enyeama, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi have been named  for the 4th Nigeria Pitch Awards slated to hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, at the weekend.

    The award is jointly organised by Matchmakers Consult International and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Ademola Olajire, NFF media director, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

    He said the nomination for the award was handled by an auditing firm and the real voting was done by Nigeria sports editors/managers.

    According to the statement, there are 18 award categories and three nominees for each category.

    See the full List below

     

    GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

    Vincent Enyeama

    Carl Ikeme

    Ikechukwu Ezenwa

    DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

    Leon Balogun

    Kenneth Omeruo

    William Troost-Ekong

    MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

    John Mikel Obi

    Etebo Oghenekaro

    Wilfred Ndidi

    STRIKER OF THE YEAR

    Chisom Egbuchulam

    Godwin Obaje

    Kelechi Iheanacho

    MVP (MEN) IN THE NPFL
    Godwin Obaje

    Stephen Odey

    Chisom Eguchulam

    MVP (WOMEN) IN THE NWPL

    Osinachi Ohale

    Rafiat Sule

    Chioma Wogu

    QUEEN OF THE PITCH

    Desire Oparanozie

    Onome Ebi

    Asisat Oshoala

    KING OF THE PITCH

    Victor Moses

    John Obi Mikel

    Kelechi Iheanacho

    SAM OKWARAJI AWARD

    Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah

    Samson Siasia

    John Mikel Obi

    CLUB/TEAM OF THE YEAR

    Super Falcons

    Dream Team

    Enugu Rangers

    COACH OF THE YEAR

    Florence Omagbemi

    Gernot Rohr

    Imama Amapakapabo

    REFEREE OF THE YEAR

    Adebimpe Quadri

    Jelili Ogunmuyiwa

    Ferdinard Udoh

    STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

    Delta

    Lagos

    Akwa Ibom

    FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

    Nyesom Wike – Rivers State

    Udom Emmanuel- Akwa Ibom State

    Akinwunmi Ambode – Lagos State
    FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO

    Bimbo Adeola

    Olawale Adigun

    Arafat Aliu

    FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT

    Tobi Emmanuel

    Tana Aiyejina

    Ade Ojeikere

    FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV

    Mozez Praiz

    Austin Okon-Apkan

    Toyin Ibitioye

  • Ahmed Musa, Ndidi visit vandalised school

    Ahmed Musa, Ndidi visit vandalised school

    uper Eagles and Leicester City duo of Ahmed Musa and Wilfred Ndidi took time out on Thursday to pay a visit to Braunstone Community Primary School in UK and lift spirits among their young pupils after the school was vandalised earlier this year.

    The premises were discovered to have been broken into with windows smashed and possessions stolen from classrooms on Monday January 2 2017. With a playing area reserved for nursery children also being damaged, teaching staff worked around the clock to clean up the debris left by those responsible.

    The repair bills are estimated to have cost in excess of £10,000 and children also missed out on valuable teaching time as the clean-up operation was completed. PC Tom White, however, stepped in to arrange for two of City’s stars to visit on Thursday to sign autographs and pose for photographs.

    The Foxes pair were guests of honour at assembly before a tour of each classroom – to make sure they met every single pupil.

    Speaking to LCFC TV, Ndidi admitted it was pleasing to see smiles back on the pupils’ faces: “When I heard the news, I said ‘wow’. I was sad but I am happy now that the kids are happy. They are cheering, they have smiles on their faces and it gives me joy. It is important because most of them look up to the guys so I am happy.”

    Musa, meanwhile, shared Ndidi’s delight that the facilities had been restored and emphasised the importance of the Club maintaining its bond with its youngest supporters.

    “It is difficult to believe,” the 24-year-old said. “It is very sad to hear that. I don’t think that such a thing has to happen. Finally, they are back in school and very happy to be back. It is very nice to see the children are happy. It is important for us to see them and show we care.”

  • Ndidi playing at half his Potential —Babayaro

    Ndidi playing at half his Potential —Babayaro

    Former Chelsea ace Celestine Babayaro says Wilfred Ndidi is yet to reach his full potential despite a whirlwind start to his career in England with Leicester City following his transfer from Genk of Belgium in January.

    Ndidi has earned praises for his performances since joining the foxes for a fee in the region of 16 million pounds, but Babayaro believes Ndidi has more to offer the team when he finally settles down to life in the English Premier League.

    “Some people will think he is playing his best football at the moment but to me , there’s more to his game, and in a not too distant future the world will get to see his true potential “, Babayaro told Owngoalnigeria.com.

    “When you watch Ndidi play, you clearly feel there’s something inside him that is yet to come out. It will come out soon because he is working really hard. He worked his way to the top in just 18 months.

    A regular in the team of the champions of England at the age of 20 and just two years as a professional footballer, he will definitely get better”.

  • I’m not scared of Cameroon — Ndidi

    I’m not scared of Cameroon — Ndidi

    Leicester City rising star Wilfred Ndidi reckons that the international friendly against Senegal last month was the right preparation for the upcoming African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers.

    Despite Cameroon winning the 2017 African Cup of Nations, the defensive midfielder is relishing the prospect of taking on Hugo Broos’s side in August.

    “There were a lot of lessons because the Senegalese are strong and very aggressive, ” Ndidi told Channels TV Sports.

    “I think it will prepare us for the upcoming games against Cameroon and South Africa because of the way the Senegalese played, with much experience and their players are in the Premier League and other countries. But I just feel we are ready for anything.”

    The Leicester City number 25 added : “I don’t know about the other players, for me I wasn’t scared (after Cameroon won the AFCON).

    “They deserved it, actually it is gone. We have to look forward to playing them next.”

    The 20-year-old Ndidi has been involved in the last five matches contested by the Super Eagles, and started the World Cup qualifier against Zambia and the recent friendly with Senegal.

  • Leicester 0-3 Man Utd Ndidi made Pogba a passenger – Neville

    Leicester 0-3 Man Utd Ndidi made Pogba a passenger – Neville

    Manchester United legend Gary Neville has saluted the performances of Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi despite the 0-3 loss suffered by Leicester City in the hands of Neville’s former club Manchester United.
    Neville, who was in the studio as a pundit during the course of the game, praised the Nigerian for keeping the world most expensive player Paul Pogba silent for the duration of the game.
    Ndidi, who was voted Leicester City man of the match by the BBC, made a good impression on the former Valencia boss, who described his performance as near perfect.
    “I can’t fault his (Ndidi) performance, he was very big in the game. He made Pogba a passenger in the middle. The boy is good in tackles and he is not afraid of running with the ball either”, Neville said.
    “He got Pogba booked and was fouled severally, that said I can’t remember when he fouled any opponent. He did well despite how poor his team were on the day.”

  • AHMED MUSA INSISTS:Ndidi is like Kante

    AHMED MUSA INSISTS:Ndidi is like Kante

    Ahmed Musa has said that Leicester City’s new signing, Wilfred Ndidi and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante are a bit similar.
    “Definitely, in the two players, I think they are different, but I think Ndidi can do the same work that Kante can do. They are a little bit similar, yes,” Musa told Leicester Mercury.
    “He [Ndidi] is a very good player and I say my brother is here with me. I feel very happy for him and you could see he played very well. You can see he will work very hard for the team.
    “I am going to do my best to help him settle down. The fans can expect a lot from him and you can see what he can do.”
    While Musa grabbed the headlines, netting a brace – as a first half substitute – to help the Foxes to a FA Cup third round 2-1 victory at Everton, his compatriot was also one of the team’s top performers.
    The £15million January acquisition sat in front of Claudio Ranieri’s back four alongside summer arrival Papy Mendy and Danny Drinkwater. And the former CSKA man believes he can repeat what Kante achieved while at the King Power Stadium.

  • Mourinho fails to convince Ndidi to join Man U

    Mourinho fails to convince Ndidi to join Man U

    English Premier League champs Leicester City have leapfrogged Manchester United in the race for Wilfred Ndidi, according to the defensive midfielder’s camp.

    The Red Devils were hoping to beat Leicester City to the signature of the Nigeria international but have lost out in the race, with the Foxes all but agreeing a deal with Racing Genk.

    “Manchester United thought that they would sign Ndidi because of their name and the reputation of Jose Mourinho but they haven’t been able to pull off the deal, ” Ndidi’s bonafide representative told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    “Ranieri still has a reputation and that convinced Ndidi, it is all but confirmed that he is heading to Leicester City.”

    Reports claimed that Ndidi has already passed a medical examination with the Foxes, paving the way for him to complete his move to LE2 7FL in the next three weeks or so.

     “He has not done any medical with Leicester City, the paperwork has not been completed”.

    Ndidi, 19, has been included in Racing Genk starting XI for their final Europa League fixture against Sassuolo on Friday afternoon.

  • Rio Olympics qualifiers: Siasia contacts Ndidi

    Rio Olympics qualifiers: Siasia contacts Ndidi

    Genk of Belgium ace Wilfred Ndidi has disclosed he has been contacted by Nigeria U-23 coach Samson Siasia to be part of next month’s Rio Olympics qualifier in Senegal.

    “Siasia actually spoke to me when he came to watch the Super Eagles friendlies in Belgium. He said he wants me to be part of his squad for the Olympic qualifiers,” ex-Nath Boys of Lagos star Ndidi revealed.

    “I am always honoured to play for my country but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have to first get my release from my club.”

    The Africa U-23 Nations Cup is not on the FIFA international calendar even though it will serve as a qualifying tournament for next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

    Ndidi, who will be 19 in December, has already featured for Nigeria at U17 and U23 levels.

    He is first and foremost a central defender, but this season he has played as a defensive midfielder for his Belgian club.

    He has won two full international caps against DR Congo and Cameroon during the Eagles recent friendlies in Belgium.