Hello! Nigeria releases new issue with Okocha & Grace Egbagbe

The new issue of Hello! Nigeria celebrates a legend in the world of football, former captain of the Super Eagles, JayJay Okocha, 17 times Wimbledon Grand Slam record holder- Roger Federer and Grace Egbagbe. Juicy interviews, Fashion, beauty and much more, this issue is sure to keep you wanting more of Hello! Nigeria.

Bale, Ronaldo Score As Madrid Defeat Basel

Real Madrid have risen from their painful 1-2 loss to Athletico Madrid over the weekend and beaten Basel 5-1.
The Spanish side went ahead thanks to a Marek Suchy’s own goal and then went on a roll, scoring three times in six minutes.

Gareth Bale had scored after Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo  worked him in.
Then Ronaldo and James Rodriguez went on to tap in two goals from close range.
Derlis Gonzalez then scored for the visiting team but Madrid came back and scored through Karim Benzema.

Madrid boss Carlos Ancelotti had applied little changes despite widespread criticisms.
He introduced Marcelo and Nacho and it proved pivotal as Nacho played a vital part in the 14 minute, as he raced on Rodriguez’s lovely backheel and fired in a low cross that Suchy could only direct into his own net.
Earlier Basel captain Marco Streller had thought he scored as shot into the side-netting from a narrow angle.
Real Madrid are the defending champions of the UEFA champions league after defeating Athletico Madrid at the finals.

NFF Is Responsible For Keshi - Sports Minister

Following critical reception of the Super Eagles last two games against Congo and South Africa, Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo has said that the NFF is responsible for the coach.
He revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation decision, if they want Keshi or not will not be influenced by outside forces.
 
With the Eagles qualification for Morocco 2015 Nations cup going badly having acquired only 1 point from a possible 6.
Fans and football critics have been asking for Keshi head, questioning his team selection and tactics and his interest in coaching the team.
The Sports Ministry’s media assistant said: “It is up to the NFF to decide who handles the Eagles. The Minister only requested that Keshi should handle the two games, since there was a vacuum.
“He offered to pay for the services rendered by coach Keshi. But now that the two games are done with, it is squarely at the feet of the NFF to decide”.

After the game, Keshi had stated that he is unaware of any future plans, as he has not been given any contract yet.
Keshi said: “I’m not sure yet. I was just brought in to help manage these two games. We have finished them now, so we’ll see what happens. If we (he and the Nigerian federation) come to an agreement, yes I’ll stay. If no, I’ll depart. Let’s see how it turns out when I get home.”
 Super Eagles now have just a point after losing 2-3 to Congo and drawing 0-0  against South Africa.

No Eagles Without Mikel — Keshi

 

Nigeria national team coach Stephen Keshi says he still believes that John Obi Mikel is a vital cog in the Super Eagles side, despite the midfielder’s lack of game time at his club, Chelsea.
Mikel has not been overly influential during Nigeria’s first two 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying games, which have seen the Super Eagles picking up just a single point from their opening two matches against Congo (2-3) and South Africa (0-0).
Against Bafana Bafana, Mikel was outplayed by Man of the Match Andile Jali, the 24-year-old Belgium-based midfielder who South Africa will build their future around.
It was Jali’s speed, tenacity and skill on the ball that won him most of the one on one battles against the Super Eagles
midfielders.



Mikel appears to having fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, having only had 23 minutes of action so
far this season for the big-spending London club, but Keshi remains adamant that the 27-year-old is an important part of the national team.
“Just because he is not playing in his team (Chelsea), that does not mean I cannot use him in my team, that’s the coaches’ choice,” Keshi said after
Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw with Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.
“But in my team, if I think that he is good shape, with the wealth of experience he has, all his years in the Champions League, I think he’s very important for us in the team, and we just have to make the best of the situation.”

Obuh Backs Keshi

      
Former Nigeria Under- 17 and 20 Coach John Obuh has jumped to the defence of Stephen Keshi’s tactics after the Super Eagles shock 3-2 loss to Congo in Calabar.
The Enugu Rangers gaffer admitted the loss is a setback but insists Keshi’s coaching ability should not be judged on the game.
“I accept the loss is hard to take but faulting Keshi’s tactics is way over the board,sometimes there is little a coach can do when players fail to turn up in game,” he told SL10.ng.
“It’s easy for fans to crucify a coach after such defeat at home, but judging Keshi, who brought Nigeria football out of the wilderness it found herself by a game is harsh, very harsh”
However, Obuh insisted the coaching crew and the boys will have no chance but to respond in their next game against South Africa to win back public trust and support.
  

Iheanacho enjoying his time at Colombus Crew – Officials

      

Kelechi Iheanacho is enjoying his time  training with MLS side Colombus Crew, officials have said.
Colombus coach Gregg Berhalter said the Nigeria youngster, who is on the books of EPL champions Manchester City, is shaping up at his latest base, but there are no plans to sign him up.
“He’s enjoying himself,” Berhalter said. “The guys have embraced him; he’s doing a good job.”
The move to the Crew was brokered by one of Berhalter’s old USMNT friends Claudio Reyna, the director of football operations at New York City Football Club, the MLS expansion club that is partially-owned by the same group that runs English Premier club Manchester City.
“Basically, we’re providing training from an individual…He’s here getting fit, getting sharp, training in a good atmosphere where he can learn. That’s what it’s about,” disclosed the Colombus coach.
“[Iheanacho] wanted a place to train. [Manchester City] approached us. … He wanted to play at a club and train, and I guess we have similar philosophies, values, so we said we’d be glad to help out.”
Iheanacho, who is staying in a hotel in Columbus, will be around until mid-October, according to Berhalter.

NFF leadership tussle shameful – Kanu

Two-time African Footballer of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu, has said those behind the leadership tussle rocking Nigeria ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Chris Giwa has insisted he was voted as the new Nigeria Football Federation’s president and will not vacate the federation’s office despite a looming FIFA ban on the country.
However, FIFA has maintained it do not recognise Giwa as president.
“All those involved in this crisis have to be ashamed of themselves because they are really killing football in Nigeria,” africanFootball.com quoted Kanu as saying on the crisis rocking the country’s football.
“There is no peace. Nobody understands what’s going on and the earlier this problem is solved, the better.”
Some observers have even blamed the crisis for the Super Eagles 2-3 loss to Congo in Calabar.
“The boys concentration was affected by the crisis as much as we do not wish to admit this,” said Eagles official Emmanuel Attah.