The period of lamentations over Victor Moses ‘injury are over for Chelsea and Super Eagles as the former Wigan Athletic ace posted an impressive 90 minutes show against Newcastle on Saturday.
Although Moses did not score as Chelsea ran away with a 3-1 victory over visiting Newcastle he nonetheless supplied breath taking passes that facilitated the much expected victory. His pole to pole pass to teammate and two goals hero Eden Hazard was particularly tantalizing and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had no reservations in celebrating the technically sound and timely pass.
The Nigerian international who is among the players expected to shine in Russia was handed a seven out of 10 performance in the players’ rating released few minutes after the match. Only five players
Hazzard who got a nine out of ten rating, Morata, Kante, Fabregas and Christensen got slightly better rating at eight out of ten.
Moses who had a good run in Super Eagles qualification for the World cup in Russia is tipped to be in the lineup when Nigeria open campaign against Croatia June 16, a tie which some say though will be tough Nigeria must win before taking on Iceland June 22 and rounding off with regular customers Argentina on June 26.
Chelsea survived what could pass for a scare to claim a 3-1 win over Newcastle United who opened scoring through Dwight Gayle. It is the fifth win in six league matches for Chelsea thanks Eden Hazard double and an Alvaro Morata header.
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez was making his return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since winning the Europa League during a six-month interim spell in charge in 2011/12.
And he could hardly have asked for a better start as Gayle pounced in the 12th minute after Thibaut Courtois spilt out a shot from Jacob Murphy. The result means Benitez will have to wait for next week Saturday when he hosts Leicester City to record a possible victory
Victor Moses is set to bounce back for Chelsea Saturday against Liverpool.
With six premier league matches lined up Saturday, that between Liverpool and visiting Chelsea is no doubt likely to be the center of discussion. With the probability of Nigerian international Victor
Moses bouncing back after close to a month on the sidelines no thanks to injury, the hosts will be keeping a close tab on him because of his tendency to do damage at the slightest opportunity. But how fit he is to do those dashing moves that contributing in no small measure to Super Eagles qualification for the World cup in Russia and progress recorded by the Blues so far will be known in the course of the match. At least for now coach Antonio Conte has confirmed readiness of the former Wigan Athletic ace to be in action
Moses has not featured since limping out of last month’s shock defeat at Crystal Palace after 39 minutes, with Davide Zappacosta and Cesar Azpilicueta taking turns to fill in at right wing-back in his absence.
Liverpool go into the match fresh from what some dubbed surprising poor run in the match against Sevilla which ended 3-3 after the Reds had led three goals and watched Sevilla reclaim all the goals. Chelsea will definitely not hesitate to do the same should the hosts chose to make same mistake Saturday.
The Blues will further be boosted by Thursday’s successful demolition of Qarabag in the Champions League midweek. Interestingly the 4-0 defeat Chelsea gave Qarabag was the same margin they handed West Brom just before the Champions league ties. Liverpool hosted Southampton before the clash against Sevilla and made a clean show of the tie winning 3-0.
Manchester United host Brighton and Hove Albion and may be looking to get back to winning ways after the loan goal defeat by Basel.
Nigeria are the only one of Africa’s five representatives from the last World Cup, who return for the 2018 edition in Russia and will be looking to better their place in the last 16 in Brazil.
A crop of exciting youngsters headline a team representing Africa’s most populous nation and who will play at the World Cup for the fifth time, having mostly underachieved in the past.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Henry Onyekuru and Moses Simon represent a new generation that has emerged since the 2014 finals.
Nigeria surprisingly qualified easily from a tough group that included Algeria, who also reached the second round of the last World Cup, and African champions Cameroon.
Nigeria were the first African country to book a berth in Russia and finished unbeaten in Africa’s Group B, winning all their home games with two draws and a victory away under German coach Gernot Rohr.
The German was a surprise appointment just weeks before the start of the group phase of the preliminaries.
The 64-year-old Rohr is a former Girondins Bordeaux midfielder who returned to coach the French club to the 1996 UEFA Cup final, and in more recent years was national coach of Burkina Faso, Gabon and Niger.
He will have high hopes that Nigeria can make an impact at the finals, particularly after they beat Argentina 4-2 in a friendly in Russia earlier this month.
Africa’s best return at the World Cup was a quarter-final place for Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).
But there will be concern about Nigeria’s dependency on Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel, with the level of performances over the last year falling dramatically when they were absent.
Obi Mikel now plays his club football in China while his old Chelsea team mate Moses is the biggest name in Nigeria’s team.
What has fallen us again this time? Not the winter but a night set to ditch out awards to sports men and women who have been excellent and consistent in the course of the year. It is no other than the Nigerian Sports Awards ( NSA ).
Last year’s edition’s glamour was stolen by the Paralympic athletes – as the duo of Kehinde Paul and Lucy Ejike, who were gold medalist at the Rio Paralympic Games against all odds emerged as the Sports Man and Woman respectively.
And ahead of the sixth edition of the biggest sporting award in the country which has been billed for Friday, November 17, 2017 in Lagos, and with no iota of disrespect to other award categories that even include both Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom who will be battling it out for the Governor of the year, we take a look at who deserves the Sportsman of the year between Basketball star, Ike Dihogu, 2017 ITTF Polish Open Champion – Aruna Qadri and Super Eagles star – Victor Moses.
Ike Dihogu
Ike Dihogu
The Jiangsu Monkey King of China power forward display at the last FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Tunisia was a testament to the fact that ‘age could at times be a number.’ Dihogu, who is D’Tigers’ captain was the only member of the 2015 AfroBasket squad invited for the title defence in Tunisia.
Though unable to lead a title defence, – as D’Tigers lost out to host nation Tunisia in the final 77-65, Dihogu was still able to manage a game high of 20 points in the final.
Asides record game high points in the final, the veteran recorded a tournament high 22 points per game and averaged 8.7 rebounds per game and it was by no chance or surprise when at the end, Dihogu emerged as the 2017 FIBA AfroBasket Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
With a total of 132 points and Nigeria’s highest point scorer in four of the six games, Dihogu also emerged as the Tourney’s highest scorer and was also named on the All-Tournament Team.
Does Ike Dihogu deserve the Sportsman of the year award?
Aruna Quadri
The 2014 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Player of the Year is a household name when it comes to Nigeria Sports Award. The 29-year-old won the 2013 and 2014 Ball Sports Personality, the same category he has also been nominated for asides the Sportsman of the year for 2017 edition.
The 2016 Olympic quarter-finalist had a disastrous campaign at the ITTF Nigeria Open as he was defeated 4-3 by Bode Abiodun in the quarter-final of the championship. Undeterred by the upset and ignominious campaign at the Nigeria Open, Quadri righty predicted that the future is still his.
“It’s the strongest open so far – it wasn’t as expected. I gave all my best but it was a very good game for Bode Abiodun but I strongly believe the future is mine.” Quadri said.
Less than three months after the prediction, Quadri against all odds and expectations became the First African to win an ITTF open outside the shores of the continent. He defeated Japan’s Kali Yoshida in six sets (11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 14-12).
Quadri’s feet both on the African continent and outside made ITTF describe him as a record setter.
ITTF publication editor, Ian Marshall wrote after Quadri’s feet at the Polish Open: “At the Liebherr 2014 Men’s World Cup in Dusseldorf, Quadri Aruna became the first player from Africa to reach the quarter-final stage of the prestigious tournament.
“Just over one year ago in the Men’s single event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, he replicated the feat. Against all expectation he reached the round of the last eight.”
Also fellow Nigerian table tennis star, Omotayo Olajide sees Quadri as a great leader.
He wrote this on his facebook timeline after Quadri’s Polish Open triumph: “Continue paving way for us and may God continue to empower you … You are a great leader #respect# Aruna senior.”
With the remarkable feet at the Polish Open, Quadri joined Omar Assar as the only African players that represented the continent at the Men’s ITTF World Cup that held in Liege, Belgium.
Should the Sportsman of the year award go to Aruna Quadri?
Victor Moses
Victor Moses
The 2013 Nigeria Sports Award Footballer of the year has been one of the most consistent and if not the most important player for Nigeria in the year 2017.
His contributions to the National team was vital in the quest for the country qualifying for her sixth World Cup billed for next year in Russia.
The 27-year-old former Crystal Palace footballer has also been one of the most vital players in the Chelsea’s dressing room – raking up 40 appearances for Chelsea last season. With 28 starts and five substitution appearances in the English Premier League last season, Moses became the Nigerian with the most appearances for a title winning team.
With loans to Liverpool and West-ham, Moses, last season became one of Conte’s most trusted and loyal disciples.
His contributions has been vital for the Blues as many including club legend, Frank Lampard, who believes Chelsea’s struggle prior to the Blues 1-0 victory over Manchester United last two Sunday was as a result of the unavailability of the Nigerian due to a hamstring injury.
Asides his nomination for Nigeria Sports Award, Victor Moses has been nominated for BBC African Footballer of the Year award and as well in contention to win the Confederation of African Football’s player of the Year award.
On his recent nominations, Moses, in an interview with Goal.com said his teammates and Manager have been vital for his recent nominations. According to him, he wants to be the best player not just in Nigeria but Africa.
“I am pleased with the position I am in today, Moses said. “My manger and teammates helped me and encouraged me. It shows how hard I worked last year but it isn’t about being nominated but winning.
“Whatever the outcome is, I know that I have had a great year at the club and with the national team as well.
“I was part of the first African team to qualify for the World Cup as well which was good for us. Every season I want to be the best I can be to be Africa’s best player. I will do the best I can.”
With enviable records and statistics set by the trio of Ike Dihogu, Aruna Quadri and Victor Moses in 2017, it is a disrespect if any of them should win the award at the expense of the other two. But the truth is, one person must go home with the award.
With what the duo of Dihogu and Quadri have achieved this year, one do not need a soothsayer to know that Victor Moses will emerge victorious.
No disrespect to Dihogu and Quadri feats, but the fact that basketball and table tennis are not as popular as football in Nigeria might give Moses the edge.
Regardless, Dihogu or Quadri are still darlings of Nigerian sports fans, and have equal probabilities of winning. The media, especially, social media will definitely be agog this with reports, predictions and celebration for whoever among the three excellent sportsmen wins the award.
Turkey-based midfielder Mikel Agu has joined the growing list of injured Super Eagles players ahead of Nigeria’s clash with Algeria in their final match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eagles are presently in Rabat, Morocco preparing for Friday’s game in Constantine.
A statement on the Super Eagles’ official Twitter handle on Wednesday indicated that Agu was out of the team’s game against Algeria, as well as Tuesday’s friendly with Argentina.
The 24-year-old who has been touted as a replacement for Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has made four appearances for the three-time African champions but has struggled to impress.
Agu, one of the earliest arrivals in the Super Eagles camp, had made his international debut for Nigeria in the friendly win against Togo in June.
The midfielder’s injury adds to team head coach Gernot Rohr’s major headache, as he is also missing five other players due to various injuries.
Already, Victor Moses, Elderson Echiejile, Odion Ighalo and Moses Simon have all pulled out due to injuries, while defender Leon Balogun is also reportedly short of match fitness.
Rohr however said he was not worried by the spate of injuries ahead of the two games, adding that it was a blessing in disguise as it would afford him the opportunity to try out other players.
“Already, we have six injured players, so we have to make six changes. It will be an opportunity to see players who didn’t play so much and it will be very interesting to play Algeria in these conditions.
“They have changed their coach and have not won a game at home yet in the qualifiers and so they will be very aggressive.
“I know this team. They have some of the best players, like Mahrez, Brahimi, Silimani, among others.
“So, it will be very interesting to see our players perform against their North African counterparts as it will be a first experience for some of them, especially the new players arriving,” Rohr said in a video posted on the NFF official Twitter page.
Rohr added that the Super Eagles’ second game would be an even more interesting one as some other players may have returned from injury before then.
“We only have three days to prepare for Algeria because the game is taking place on Friday, but we have the opportunity in the second game to see everybody.
“So, the second game will be an even more fantastic game also, because Argentina is one of the best teams in the world and perhaps boast of the best players in the world.
“So, we will see what we can do with such a big South American team. It is very important because I think we will have at least one South American team in our group after the draw is made.
“It will also be an opportunity for us to see Russia, to feel what the atmosphere is like over there and also to see our base camp.
“So, it’s already a big preparation ahead of the World Cup for us,” he said.
The Super Eagles, with the Russia 2018 World Cup ticket already in the bag, will depart Rabat for Constantine, where they face the Fennecs on Friday.
The match is at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui, and will hold from 8.30 p.m. Algeria time.
The team will then on Saturday move to Krasnodar, the Russian city that will host Tuesday’s international friendly against Argentina.
Three Nigerian players are now in line for consideration for continental football awards in January after being listed among nominees by the Confederation of African Football ( CAF ).
The three players include overseas-based Victor Moses and William Troost-Ekong who have been nominated for the African Player of the Year award.
Egypt-based Junior Ajayi who plays for Egyptian side Al Ahly has also been nominated for the African Player of the Year Based in Africa 2017 award.
30 players each have been nominated for the two topmost categories of the awards.
The winner of each award will be decided by votes from a selected group.
These are the Head Coaches/Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF, members of the CAF Technical and Development Committee and a panel of Media Experts.
The Awards Gala will be held on Jan. 4 in Accra, Ghana.
Nigerian energy giants Aiteo are the headline sponsors of the awards’ 2017 edition, after taking over from Nigerian telecommunications company Glo.
The awards will see players, officials and administrators who distinguished themselves exemplary during the year under review being honoured for their efforts towards the development of the game on the continent.
Following are the list of nominees in the two categories:
The duo of William Troost-Ekong and Victor Moses have been named1 for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) player of the year award.
The Super Eagles stars, who play their trade in Europe, are the two Nigerians among 30 players nominated for the award this year.
The Confederation of African Football on Wednesday published on its official website the 30 most outstanding players in Africa in the last one year, and also the players nominated for African Player of the Year – Based in Africa 2017.
Last season, Moses was instrumental as Chelsea won the Premier League title, playing 34 games and contributing to six goals over the course of the season and also featured in the final of the FA Cup.
For the national team, he was the Super Eagles best player in the third round of the World Cup qualifying series, scoring three goals and providing an assist.
William Troost-Ekong also had a brilliant 2017 and completed each of the five games he started for the Super Eagles during the World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria U23 international Junior Ajayi of Al Ahly is among the nominees for the African player of the year (Africa-based).
“The winner will be decided by votes from the head coaches/technical directors of the national associations affiliated to CAF, members of the CAF technical and development committee and a panel of media experts,” CAF said.
“The awards gala will be held on Thursday, 4 January 2018 in Accra, Ghana.
African Player of the Year
1. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly)
2. Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso & Lyon)
3. Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo & Villareal)
4. Christian Atsu (Ghana & Newcastle)
5. Christian Bassogog (Cameroon & Henan Jianye)
6. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
7. Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United)
8. Essam El Hadary (Egypt & Al Taawoun)
9. Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon & Sevilla)
10. Fackson Kapumbu (Zambia & Zesco)
11. Jean Michel Seri (Cote d’Ivoire & Nice)
12. Junior Kabananga (DR Congo & Astana)
13. Karim El Ahmadi (Morocco & Feyenoord)
14. Keita Balde (Senegal & Monaco)
15. Khalid Boutaib (Morocco & Yeni Malatyaspor)
16. Mbwana Samata (Tanzania & Genk)
17. Michael Olunga (Kenya & Girona)
18. Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
19. Moussa Marega (Mali & Porto)
20. Naby Keita (Guinea & RB Leipzig)
21. Percy Tau (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
22. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)
23. Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
24. Thomas Partey (Ghana & Atletico Madrid)
25. Victor Moses (Nigeria & Chelsea)
26. Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon & Porto)
27. William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria & Bursaspor)
28. Yacine Brahimi (Algeria & Porto)
29. Youssef Msakni (Tunisia & Al Duhail)
30. Yves Bissouma (Mali & Lille)
African Player of the Year – Based in Africa
1. Achraf Bencharki (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club)
2. Ahmed Fathi (Egypt & Al Ahly)
3. Alkhaly Bangoura (Guinea & Etoile du Sahel)
4. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly)
5. Aristide Bance (Burkina Faso & Al Masry)
6. Ayman Majid (Morocco & FUS Rabat)
7. Aymen Mathlouthi (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel)
8. Ben Malango (DR Congo & TP Mazembe)
9. Dean Furman (South Africa & Supersport United)
10. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
11. Elsamani Saadeldin (Sudan & Al Merreikh)
12. Fackson Kapumbu (Zambia & Zesco)
13. Fawzi Chaouchi (Algeria & MC Alger)
14. Geoffrey Serunkuma (Uganda & KCCA)
15. Jeremy Brockie (New Zealand & Supersport)
16. Junior Ajayi (Nigeria & Al Ahly)
17. Karim Aouadhi (Tunisia & CS Sfaxien)
18. Mohamed Meftah (Algeria & USM Alger)
19. Mohamed Ounnajem (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club)
20. Muaid Ellafi (Libya & Ahly Tripoli)
21. Nasr Eldin Ahmed (Sudan & Hilal Obeid)
22. Oussama Darfalou (Algeria & USM Alger)
23. Percy Tau (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
24. Sabelo Ndzinisa (Swaziland & Mbabane Swallows)
25. Saber Khalifa (Tunisia & Club Africain)
26. Saladin Said (Ethiopia & Saint George)
27. Sylvain Gbohouo (Cote d’Ivoire & TP Mazembe)
28. Tady Etekiama (DR Congo & AS Vita)
29. Taha Yassine Khenissi (Tunisia & Esperance)
30. Tarek Hamed (Egypt & Zamalek)
Victor Moses is nearing a first-team return with Chelsea as he shared footage of himself taking part in aerobic exercises in the swimming pool.
The Nigerian has been sidelined since picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier this month.
But he promised in a post on Instagram that he will be back playing sooner rather than later despite being ruled out for a month at the time.
Alongside the video of him stepping on and off a yellow board in the pool, the 26-year-old wrote: ‘Putting the work in will be back soon! #roadtorecovery’.
Moses’ determination to show he is on the path back to full fitness comes just three days after Antonio Conte admitted he could face further time away from the pitch.
Speaking ahead of the weekend trip to Bournemouth, the Italian said: ‘Moses is out. For him we must have patience before seeing him in the team.’
In Moses’ absence Conte has taken to using either Cesar Azpilicueta or Davide Zappacosta on the right-hand side of his title-winning 3-5-2 formation.
Just as Conte have had to adjust his team in the absence of Mosses so also Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr have had to do the same as he announced a 22-man list ahead of the last World Cup qualifier against Algeria and a high profile friendly against Argentina in Russia.
Eagles have already picked their ticket for Russia 2018 with some analyst dubbing the last match against Algeria on November 10 as mere formality, but Rohr who has hit cloud nine since clinching the ticket, says he is not treating the last match with kid gloves as he sees nothing wrong with posting a clean sheet and qualifying on a high. ‘Who says you cannot garner the maximum points available ‘he asked.
Super Eagles forward Victor Moses can hardly wait to get back to action revealing that he is doing everything possible to reduce the minimum four weeks period set aside for him to be on the sidelines by club doctors.
The Chelsea forward who is full of prayers for his team to excel in the Champions league as the Blues host Roma at the Stamford Bridge tonight, has been tipped to miss as many as five matches involving Chelsea both in the Champions League and the premiership but the former wigan and Crystal Palace ace is optimistic he can return earlier than predicted.
He did not however hide his disappointment over the groin injury that forced him out of the pitch.
“Gutted ,to pick up an injury. Working hard to get fit&back on the pitch as soon as I can! Good luck to the boys tonight come on the Chels #CFC,” he said ahead of the Chelsea versus Roma Clash Wednesday.
The Nigerian international who is sure to be part of the squad to Russia following Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018
World Cup is sure to miss the last qualifying match against Algeria in November. Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has already hinted that many of the players who played in the defeat of Zambia in Uyo which confirmed Nigeria’s qualification for Russia will not be part of the squad against Algeria, adding that the match will be used to give other players who have not been tested an opportunity to showcase their skills.
“We are not planning to lose the match but we will use it to test many players who have not been tested. We have been able to test at least 14 players and we still have more that needs to be given opportunity so that we will be sure of players that will be going with us to Russia,” he enthused
