19-year-old Iyenoma Destiny Udogie has decided to dump the Super Eagles for Italy

Nigerian born youngster Destiny Udogie has stated that he intends to switch international allegiances.

The 19-year-old who was born in Verona, Italy has been one of the highly rated youngsters in the Italian Serie A.

In an interview with journalists Carlo Garganese and Nima Tavalley on the The Italian Football Podcast, Udogie revealed that he has decided to play for the Azzurri.

In the interview, Udogie was asked about his eligibility to represent both countries.

The youngster responded by revealing his decision to play for Italy rather than the country of his parents.

He said, “I was born in Italy, so I feel more Italian. I grew up playing with the young players in Italy, I hope to reach the first team.”

Udogie who has played for the Italian youth team also talked about his ambition to represent the country at the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship.

He said, “Yes of course it’s an ambition, i just have to give more, to do my best every game, show my quality and it’s a big ambition.”

The youngster who was not born in Nigeria however identifies with legendary former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha as his favourite player.

The left-back added, “I have been in Nigeria but I was very small. I was like two years old so i don’t remember much but I’ve been there.

“My favorite player of course is Okocha, every Nigerian player knows him.”

Udogie is a promising left-back who plays for Serie A club Udinese and is on loan from Hellas Verona.

Alexander Song’s Son Rejects playing for Cameroon, Ahead of 2022 World Cup

Nolan Song says he will turn down an approach by the Cameroon Football Federation to play for the Indomitable Lions.

The son of former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Song says he wishes to play for the France national team because he feels French
Nolan Song was born in Cameroon but moved to France at a very young age, where he began a career in football. 
This means the 16-year-old is eligible to play for Cameroon and France.

The Cameroon Football Federation has started initial steps to convince every talented Cameroonian-born in the diaspora to play for the Indomitable Lions.

However, Nolan has stated categorically that he will turn down any call from Cameroon National Team.

NFF is Set to offer Olofinjana part time job with the Super Eagles

Seyi Olofinjana, currently the Sporting director of Swiz Club,Grasshopper could be allowed by the NFF to work in both Switzerland and Nigeria at the same time.

Sources close to the ex Super Eagles player said the NFF have contacted the former international, and are in talks with him to take up a role with the federation, despite being based in Switzerland.

According to reports Olofinjana look set to take up the job offered to him by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Olofinjana, who is the sporting director of Swiss club Grasshopper in Zurich, will be able to combine his roles in the Swiss Super League and the NFF.

Liverpool and Manchester City Qualify for Semi Finals of UEFA Champions League

It was a pulsating second leg quarter Finals matches in Europe on Wednesday night as Liverpool booked their spot in the final four,securing a clash with Villarreal with a 3-3 draw against Benfica (6-4 agg).

Ibrahima Konate and a Roberto Firmino double did the damage for Jurgen Klopp’s side as they subdued a brief threat of a Benfica comeback when Goncalo Ramos netted in the first half.

It was very daisy for Jorgen Klopp who decided to rest Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah from the start in a rotated team from the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

Manchester City’s tough goalless draw away to Atletico Madrid was enough to secure a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory in their Champions League quarter-final.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s goal,City retained their advantage in front of a filled Wanda Metropolitano crowd to progress to the last four.

There were nervy moments late on as Atletico pushed hard for the goal despite Felipe’s red card in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.
Manchester City will play Real Madrid while Liverpool will square up against Villarreal in the semi-final.

2023: See Why Emir Of Dutse Endorsed Amaechi For President

2023: See Why Emir Of Dutse Endorsed Amaechi For President

Abuja – As the Minister of Transportation and frontline Presidential aspirant, Rt.Hon. Chibuike Amaechi continues his political consultations in the North, the Emir of Dutse, HRH Alh. Nuhu Mohammadu Sanusi has described the Minister as the best man for the country’s number one seat.

The Emir who made the remarks at his Palace in Dutse, Jigawa State, Tuesday, said his convictions were predicated on the Minister’s performances both as a former Governor and as a Minister.

He recalled that Amaechi as Governor of Rivers State fought insecurity to a standstill and also improved the lots of the masses.

He said, ” In Nigeria, we are always carried away by tribal, political and other issues but there’s a Nigerian that I know , and Amaechi is a true Nigerian who is detribalized. He provided a place for Muslims for worship in Rivers State which I understand are been destroyed after he left, he endured all the humiliations targeted at making the Muslims feel unwanted in Port Harcourt, and I also know that God will reward him.

” In this country, we are faced with distress, and part of it is by our own making, not the government. What are these issues? Job opportunities, fighting corruption, Infrastructural development and social vices such as armed robbery, banditry and so on. These are the problems that are facing our country today. My knowledge and understanding of this gentleman man, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation is that he has what it takes to fight insurgency. He did mention one; that when he was Governor, that there was criminality and other vices and he was able to control it.

” I am sure he would do this better now if he becomes the President. With all the resources available, he would use it to fight insurgency and other vices that are affecting us , particularly here in the North.

” He is a bridge builder and he is a man who is always meeting people. About 16 years ago, this Council decided to adopt children from Rivers State, particularly from his local government area, Ikwerre, we adopted the 16 children, put them in school with my own children, most of them are graduates, some are married now, and when I told him, he was very grateful and I have high regard for him and I have confidence in his capabilities, so he knows what to do, he is not a new hand, and he won’t bother himself buying houses and building houses, and so, he is fully most qualified for the job”, he said.

Explaining further about Amaechi, the Emir noted that it takes a man with good leadership qualities to respond swiftly to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

” When I had about the train going to Maradi, I called Amaechi to ask why the train was not passing through Dutse, and he told me that he would do something about it. And this gentleman, three months later was able to get the approval for Dutse to be included in the Kano-Maradi rail line, this is the Rotimi Amaechi that I know, and I hope you will come back like you brought Buhari two times here to campaign for him, we hope the next visit will be when you clinch the seat”, he said.

Earlier, Transportation Minister Chibuike Amaechi said he was at the Emir’s Palace to solicit for support of the Emir and people of Dutse in the fourth-coming APC Presidential primaries . Amaechi assured the Emir that if given the support, he would see to the commencement of the Kano-Maradi rail project which tranverses Dutse.

Amaechi also stressed that the issue of insecurity which is currently affecting the country would be a thing of the past.

” We have been friends when I was a Governor and it continued till date. I have a lot of connection with Jigawa, therefore, I will not commence my activity, my search to seek the support of Nigerians to vote for me to be the President without coming to Jigawa to see you (Emir) and the people of Jigawa State to support me and also say that we will ensure that the rail that comes to Dutse will start within the period that we are in government” , he said.

Handover Passengers’ Identification To Technology Firm – FG Directs NRC

Handover Passengers’ Identification To Technology Firm – FG Directs NRC

Abuja – The Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to handover tickets and passengers identification to Secure ID, the company in charge of the E-Ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna rail service, to reduce crime and avoid security crises on the route.

Amaechi disclosed this when the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) presented the Full Business Case Certificates (FBC) for Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri E-Ticketing service to the Ministry of Transportation, Wednesday.

According to him, the introduction of the E-Ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna had increased the generated revenue from about 100million Naira to 400million Naira monthly,  successfully blocking revenue leakages.

“The benefits of the E-Ticketing is that we rose from 100million Naira to 400 million Naira per month, which is an improvement, we have been able to do something that will eliminate leakages.

“On the issue of  ticket racketeering, I have spoken to the person in charge of Abuja-Kaduna to take over the identification process from NRC. Because what the National Assembly told me was that NRC doesn’t cross-check the ID of passengers on the tickets, and the ticketing company had wanted to do it, but they have not gotten the approval from NRC.

“So I have told NRC to allow them do it, so that we match faces with the names. It’s not all about crime alone but it’s also security. So if we release it to the technology outfit, eventhough we cannot eliminate 100 percent crime and corruption, it will reduce the danger of having to run into security crises, so that we know that what we are battling with is not crises in our terminals but on the way and I believe that, that also will be sorted out as we go to cabinet for approval of the security gadgets.”

Earlier, Mr. Michael Ohiani, the Acting Director-General of the ICRC said that the concession is for ten years which will generate over 140 billion Naira during the period and also create over 3000 direct and indirect jobs.

“The concession is for ten years,  it is going to generate over 140billion Naira to the Federal Government,  most importantly it will also create job opportunities for over 3000, direct and indirect jobs. 

“The next phase is for the Honourable Minister to take it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and the Ministry of Justice will now clear it,” Ohiani said.

SUPER FALCONS SETTLE FOR A 2-2 DRAW IN THEIR SECOND FRIENDLY GAME AGAINST CANADA

The Super Falcons of Nigeria recorded a 2-2 draw against Canada in their second friendly, in the early hours of Tuesday, April 12, at the Starlight Stadium, Langford.

Super Falcons lost the first friendly 2-0 to Canada in Vancouver and were looking forward to a better performance in the second game.

The Super Falcons went ahead in the fifth minute when Ifeoma Onumonu converted a ball with a back heel at the near post.

Canada started the second half with urgency and a mistake at the back by Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi resulted in the equalizer.


Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade scored a fantastic goal for the Falcons in the second half.

Down with a goal in front of their home fans, Canada began to pile pressure on the Super Falcons defense.

Despite being unable to get the win, the two games against Canada were a huge test for the Super Falcons as they continue their preparation for the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations -AWCON- scheduled to take place in July 2022.

Ola-Adebomi Signs Professional Contact with Crystal Palace

England-born Nigerian forward Ademola Ola-Adebomi has signed his first professional contract with Crystal Palace.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a commendable individual season as part of Rob Quinn’s Under-18s, scoring 14 goals from 22 appearances as the U18s sit third in the league.

Ola-Adebomi joined Palace 10 years ago,at eight years old and progressed through the age groups.

Ola-Adebomi said: “It’s what I’ve dreamed of since the age of eight, since I joined the Academy. To get a professional contract here means the world to me.

Ugbawka: Hon Nnaji Makes Case For Establishment of Federal University of Agriculture

Ugbawka: Hon Nnaji Makes Case For Establishment of Federal University of Agriculture

Abuja – The establishment of a Federal University of Agriculture Ugbawka, in Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State will help boost agricultural production in the Southeast and the nation at large.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji, stated this on Monday during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Agric Colleges and Institutions on the Bill for the establishment of Federal University of Ugbawka.

Honourable Nnaji who represents Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the Federal House of Representatives in his opening remarks as the sponsor of the Bill stressed that Ugbawka as one of the food baskets of the Southeast region needed the institution to boast agricultural production capacity in the zone.

According to him, “in the whole Southeast, you have two main popular brands of rice, Abakaliki rice and Ugbawka rice. Ugbawka rice is often referred to as Uncle Ben’s rice because of its quality “.

He noted that the university when established would improve knowledge and technology in agricultural production for the people of southeast and the nation in general.

Honourable Nnaji thanked the committee and the leadership of the House of Representatives for all their supports to the Bill and assured that the community and Nkanu East Local Government as well as the State Government were all in support of the Bill.

The two prominent leaders and representatives of the community, Chief Rex Onyeabor and Comrade Fidelis Edeh who made presentations on behalf of Ugbawka people praised Honourable Nnaji for sponsoring the Bill assuring the committee on Agric Colleges and Institutions as well as the House of Representatives that the entire community and the local government were enthusiastic about the proposed university.

They both agreed that agriculture has gone beyond subsistent to knowledge and scientific base in order to boost production adding that the advantages of the institution to the Southeast region and the nation could not be overemphasized.

Comrade Edeh also presented a document signed by the leaders of the community to prove the community’s willingness to host the institution and provide all the supports needed for its take off when the Bill is eventually signed into law.

EPL TROPHY BATTLE INTENSIFIED AS  CITY AND LIVERPOOL RECORDED A DRAW

Liverpool endured a goalless first half against City, only to come from behind on the second half to secure a 2-2 draw.

City retained their slender one-point advantage at the top of the Premier League .

The meeting between the country’s two outstanding sides lived up to its pre-match billing and in the end there was nothing to separate them, with the destination of the title still hanging in the balance with seven games remaining.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to BBC  said“It was a proper football game. If you played for another club, played yesterday, won it, trained today then watching City vs Liverpool. I don’t know what I would have done to watch it but to be a part of it… I cannot stop being surprised. I love it. Let’s keep going and see where we end up.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also spoke to Sky Sports: “I think it is a good advert for the Premier League. It was a fantastic game and both teams tried to win. Liverpool is a joy to watch, I know the threats they have and how good they are. I think we performed really well and I’m so proud of my team.

Since the start of the 2018-19 season, combining the four campaigns, City and Liverpool have been separated by just a single point in the Premier League as the battle continue with 7 matches remaining.