The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nwakali

  • Eaglets head to Korea without Nwakali, Udofia

    Eaglets head to Korea without Nwakali, Udofia

    The delegation of U-17 National Team, Golden Eaglets, departed for the Four-Nation Suwon Invitational Tournament yesterday without team captain Kelechi Nwakali and coordinator Prince Udofia.

    Thenff.com learnt that the Embassy of Korea Republic in Nigeria had returned the passports of the Eaglets’ skipper and team coordinator as ‘unreadable’ – a rather strange explanation given that the two persons had been travelling with the same passports for years now.

    “We don’t know what they mean by ‘unreadable’ because the player, Nwakali and the team coordinator, Udofia, have been using these same passports without any issues.

    “In any event, we are working hard to see what we can do and make the Embassy issue visas to these two persons on Monday,so that they can travel on Tuesday to join the Golden Eaglets’ delegation”an NFF protocol official said.

    The development meant 17 players travelled by Qatar Airways on Sunday, to arrive at Korea Republic’s capital, Seoul on Monday evening for the tournament that the NFF believes will stoke competition spirit in the Eaglets ahead of their defence of the FIFA U-17 World Cup title in Chile in seven weeks’ time.

    Nigeria play hosts Korea, Croatia and Brazil at the Four-Nation tournament, which the Golden Eaglets also took part in ahead of their triumph at the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by the Koreans in 2007.

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ forward, Odion Ighalo, on Sunday bid the Golden Eaglets farewell as they depart the country for the 4-Nation Suwon Invitational Tournament in South Korea.

    The striker, who plies his trade with Watford FC, was an instant hit with the fledgling youngsters at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja en route to Korea via Lagos as he exchanged pleasantries with players and officials of the team.

    “I want to wish you best of luck on this trip as well as the World Cup in Chile,” Ighalo said flashing his trademark smile.”You guys have to work hard.”

    Meanwhile, Chairman of Nationwide League One, Ahmad Kawu on Sunday led the Golden Eaglets to the tournament in South Korea as its leader of delegation.

    Kawu was also with the coach Emmanuel Amuneke-led side when they went for a two-match tour of Cairo in 2014 as well as the 2015 African U-17 Championship in Niger. He led the team  to Doha where they took a connecting flight to Korea.

    Before departing Nigeria, Amuneke reiterated that the tournament was going to be a good test run for the Eaglets’ Class of 2015.

    “We are going to Korea not just for the fun of it,” he told the players during the last training session in Abuja on Saturday. “We are going to meet other teams that have also qualified for the World Cup and that means we have to work hard.”

  • Skipper Nwakali inspires Eaglets to 5 – 2 win

    Skipper Nwakali inspires Eaglets to 5 – 2 win

    Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets beat Villa View Hotel FC 5-2 in a test game on Wednesday with skipper Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen scoring a brace apiece.

    Orji Okonkwo also scored for the Nigeria U-17s who are preparing for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in October.

    Osimhen later turned villain when he was sent off for bad conduct.

    The match was played at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina and Villa View Hotel FC took the lead in the sixth minute through Victor Udoh.

    Villa View Hotel’s other goal was scored by Efenile James late in the game.

  • Agent dismisses Nwakali’s Man City link

    Agent dismisses Nwakali’s Man City link

    Reports suggesting that Golden Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali is in the United Kingdom undergoing a medical with Manchester City are incorrect.

    In February, SL10.ng exclusively reported that Manchester City had monitored his performances at the CAF Under 17 Championship.

    Kelechi Nwakali’s agent , Klay Ekeocha, has not denied that The Citizens are exploring ways to sign his client but has put to bed rumours claiming that a deal is imminent.

    ”The report is incorrect. We are still discussing with Manchester City and Kelechi Nwakali is in Imo State (Nigeria) not the UK,” said Klay Ekeocha to SL10.ng.

    ”Of course there has been contact with Manchester City, you know I have been in the UK to arrange everything.

    ”It’s right to say Manchester City lead the race for his signature, but the race is not over yet. ”

    The Belgian-based agent added that Nwakali is yet to attain the age of majority and can’t sign a professional deal with The Citizens or any other European club for that matter.

    ”I cannot deny that we are getting closer to City lately, but nothing is signed.And we are discussing with a lot of teams.

    ”Kelechi is underage so there’s no rush for him to sign a contract with any club,” Ekeocha concluded.

    Ekeocha is best known for brokering the deal that took Nigeria international Kenneth Omeruo to Standard Liege in 2011.

  • Iheanacho, Nwakali released for pre-season

    Iheanacho, Nwakali released for pre-season

    Nigeria Flying Eagles have released Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali for pre-season training with English Premier League club Manchester City.

    “Both Iheanacho and Nwakali have been excused to join Manchester City for their pre-season training this weekend.They will rejoin us a week to our AYC qualifier against Lesotho next month,” disclosed Flying Eagles secretary Aliyu Auwal Ibrahim.

    The youngsters were involved when the Nigeria U20s eliminated their Tanzanian counterparts in the second round of the African Youth Championship qualifying series.

    Both Iheanacho and Nwakali have signed a pre-contract with Manchester City after they shone at last year’s FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

    Iheanacho was named the MVP of the tournament, which Nigeria won in fine style for a record fourth time.

     

  • Nwakali gets Man City deal, Ezeh for Porto

    Nwakali gets Man City deal, Ezeh for Porto

    Golden Eaglets star Chidiebere Nwakali has signed a four-year deal with Manchester City, while Chidera Ezeh is off to FC Porto.

    This was revealed to MTNFootball.com by the players’ agent Babawo Mohammed.

    “Nwakali has passed Manchester City medical and he has signed a four-year contract with them. It is a good move for him and I am sure in no distant time, he will blossom with the club,” Babawo told MTNFootball.com

    He also revealed that Chidera Ezeh left Nigeria Friday night for Portugal to undergo a medical at FC Porto.

    “Chidera (Eze) left Nigeria for Portugal (Friday) where he will undergo medical with FC Porto. They have proposed a four-year contract, which will be signed as soon as the medical is completed,” Babawo informed.

    Both Nwakali and Ezeh featured for Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in UAE, where the country won a record fourth world championship.

    Ahmed Umar, Akinjide Idowu and Aliyu Abubakar are all set to hit Spain, but Babawo did not reveal the identity of the club as he said they are still talking with several clubs in Spain.