Napoli To Revive Mikel Interest

Napoli could revive their interest in Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, after missing out on him during the summer.

 The Italian giants are currently being linked with a move for Monaco's Geoffrey Kondogbia, but SportsDirect News understands that they are considering Mikel as a possible alternative.

 Napoli manager Rafael Benitez is desperate to add a new defensive midfielder to his squad this month, and has already failed in efforts to sign Etienne Capoue from Tottenham Hotspur, and Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons.

 Kondogbia now seems to be one of his main targets, though he would reportedly face stern competition from Arsenal and Manchester United for his signature.

 As such, Napoli could also try their luck with a bid for Mikel, who has not been a regular in the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge this season.

The Super Eagles star could be available now after Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho added Nemanja Matic to the club’s central midfield to fight for places with Ramires and Frank Lampard.

Arsenal Battle Benfica For Two Golden Eaglets

Arsenal face a fight with Benfica for Nigerian youngsters Musa Yahaya and Chidera Ezeh.

Regarded as two of the brightest young talents from Africa, Yahaya and Ezeh were both stars of the Nigerian Under-17 World Cup winning side.

Yahaya, 16, is pacy left winger who hit four goals during the tournament in the UAE last year. Ezeh was mainly used at the tournament as a striker and scored just one goal.

The Nigerians' representative, Ken Van Deyck, has revealed to talkSPORT that the north London side will have to battle it out with the Portuguese giants if they're to land the pair.

“We are finalising a deal with Arsenal and Benfica, who I am talking to as exclusive European representative for both players” he said.

Echiejile makes debut in Monaco’s Coupe de France victory

Eldderson Echiejile made his Monaco debut in a 3-0 Coupe de France victory over Monts D’Or Azergues Foot on Wednesday evening.

The Nigerian started and completed the game where he wore jersey number 21 alongside Carvalho, Fabinho and Nicolas Isimat Mirin in defence.

Colombian Radamel Falcao opened scoring for the big spending municipality side but was later stretchered out following a knee injury.

His replacement Emmanuel Riviere would go on to score two goals to put the visitors in comfort zone and help them qualify for the last 16.

Echiejile signed a four and half year contract with Monaco from Braga in Portugal last week.

Lobi Stars release five players

The Makurdi side have told five of the players training with them to seek pastures elsewhere after their inability to measure up to expected standards

Lobi Stars have decamped five players out of those currently training with the team and have added additional two which they spotted from their tour of Jos last week.
The Makurdi Bombers played two games against Plateau United and Mighty Jets on Saturday and Sunday last week and they lost one (1-3) and won the other (1-0) in that order in ties they played at the Rwang Pam Stadium.
Lobi's head coach, Evans Ogenyi said that they had to allow those that failed to measure up to go after over two weeks of rigorous training exercises to give room for those that would fit into the tactics of the team with barely a month to the commencement of the 2013/14 league season.
Ogenyi noted that he was happy that they were able to fish out two new players they hope to see how good they are during training sessions as they wind up their preparation for the start of the premier league season.
He also said that the club have perfected steps to sign quality experienced players so ward off what happened to the team last season in which they struggled due to inexperienced squad at some stages of the season before surviving the drop. Lobi eventually ended the season in 14th spot with 52 points from 38 matches just two points away from the relegation zone.
The club got to the semi final of the 2013 Federation Cup before their loss to Enyimba at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. They had played in the final a year earlier but were stopped by a stoppage time goal by Heartland of Owerri.

NFF Broke, Can't Pay Eagles Against SA

Big wigs of the Nigeria Football Federation were busy trying to raise money to wire to South Africa before the Super Eagles decisive game against host Bafana, Bafana on Sunday.

The money is meant to offset the Eagles bonus for the CHAN Sunday group game, pay allowances and boost the morale of the boys to go all out and beat their host South Africa to qualify for the next round.

Complete Sports findings revealed that the NFF went to South Africa with the bonuses for only the first game that the Eagles unfortunately lost 1-2 to Mali and had to use the money to pay for the 4-2 win over Mozambique on Wednesday.

We learnt the budget for Nigeria's participation in the CHAN has yet to be released because President Goodluck Jonathan has yet to approve the release of fund to the NFF through the National Sports Commission.

Impeccable sources at the Glass House disclosed that all efforts were geared towards raising at least the match bonus for Sunday's game before the release of funds for the tournament.

"We are praying that Mr. President signs the release of funds today so that we can motivate the boys ahead of the game against the host. Things are really tight for the NFF over there and it will be good if we send money to them fast,"our source said.

We gathered that the Eagles match bonus for a win in CHAN is set at 2,500 USD and for a draw they get 1,250 Usd. 

Ideye Off To Malaga

Super Eagles and Dynamo Kyiv forward, Brown Ideye will be on his way to Malaga on January 18.

After returning to Kyiv, where his club, Dynamo is based, he and his team mates will be off to sunny Marbella in Malaga for the second part of their training before the season resumes from its winter break.

“We will be heading for Malaga and it is real serious business for all of us as we prepare for the second part of the season,” Ideye said.

On arrival from winter vacation on January 13, the team had its first training session a day later where they just jogged.

Earlier, a team meeting was held that had twenty five players in attendance.

 The players had medicals Thursday and will be getting on the plane to Marbella on Saturday.
 Ideye reiterates that he is at Kyiv to play regularly and scores goals ahead of the FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup.

 “My eyes are set on the prize which is the Europa Cup, Ukrainian League and of course the ticket to Brazil with the rest of my Super Eagles mates,” Ideye said.

Dynamo Kyiv are second on the Ukrainian League table, five points behind Shakhtar Donetsk.

Echiejile Set For Monaco Switch

Super Eagles defender, Elderson Echiejile has been linked with a move back to the French Ligue1 with big spenders AS Monaco lining up a swoop for the 25 year old player, Portuguese tabloid A bola reports.

The Nigerian international who joined SC Braga from French side Stade Rennes in 2010, is in the final year of his four year contract with the Portuguese side and  is free to sign a pre - contract with a new team.

The defender who is also linked to a host of English Premier League teams in the winter transfer,  with Everton keen on him as they plot contingency plan for Manchester United target Leighton Baines,  is seen by coach Claudio Ranieri as a good competition for Layvin Kurzawa in the left back role.

Echiejile has 40 caps for the reigning African champions and has scored twice.