Tag: reveals

MLS Cup winner Fanendo Adi has revealed he has spoken with Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh, who has assured him he will soon be called up on the back of his exploits in the United States of America.

Benue State-born Adi netted 19 goals this season for Portland Timbers to clinch a historic MLS triumph.

“I am hopeful (I will be called up by Nigeria). I have talked with the coach and he has assured me I will get my time,” he said.

Adi, who has also featured in Slovenia, was a few years ago called up by the Nigeria Olympic team.

With a year left on his contract with Portland Timbers, Adi said he will rule out a move away from the MLS before the expiration of his contract. Speculations have linked him with a move to England, Italy or Mexico.

“I have been hearing the rumours, but there is nothing official yet. I still have a contract with Portland Timbers, but we will look into any offers,” he said.

Nigeria’s U17  junior national team chief coach, Emmanuel Amuneke says he has thrown the team’s camp open for players as he prepares for the title defense at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

The coach had insisted he doesn’t have a team for the junior tournament yet but has invited certain players and left the door open to all those within the age range to try out with for a place.

“It’s really not a question of how many more players to invite, we are making it possible for every player who falls within the category to come down and prove themselves. We have invited some and also available all others to come around,” he said.

Levante are banking on Nigeria international Obafemi Martins to earn maximum points as they host visiting Rubin Kazan in today’s Europa league tie.

Coach of the side Juan Ignacio Martínez believes Martins’ knowledge the visitors will come handy in today’s tie

Levante, who are currently 11th in Spain’s Primera Division, have yet to lose at home in five matches in European action and will hope to continue that form against Rubin, who knocked out holders Atletico Madrid in the last round.

The coach is not the only one optimistic that the experience of the Nigerian will be vital, teammate and midfielder Vincent Iborra is equally sure that the homers will get a good result using Obafemi’s input as a launch pad.

The Spanish side progressed to the last 16 after a 4-0 aggregate win over Olympiacos, and Iborra knows the first leg at home gives them the chance to stamp their authority on the Russian side.

“Our goal is to get as far as possible,” Iborra told the club’s official website.

“We are not favourites. It is our first participation in Europe and they have much more experience than us.

“We do not know when we will return to play in Europe. Hopefully it will be very soon.

“We must seize this opportunity.”

Martins played for the Russian Premier League side before a season-long loan spell at Birmingham and his subsequent switch to Levante.

Iborra said: “He (Martins) told us how to play and how we can hurt them. He told us that it’s a very physical team, very well built and leverages the opportunities created in attack.”

However, Iborra denied that Martins’ admission that he would like to leave Levante has caused tension in the side ahead of the clash.

“It is true that we would like to forget about these issues,” the midfielder said.

“We have to isolate ourselves from all that and focus on Rubin Kazan because we cannot afford to be distracted.”

Rubin have not lost in four away games but they will have to contend without defender Cesar Navas for both legs of their tie with Levante after he was banned for three games following a red card against Atletico.

Rubin were beaten 1-0 by Atletico at home in their last match, but their two goals from the first leg was enough to see them through to the last 16.