Nigerian Football

Video: Here I Am, Call Me, Nigerian Player Abroad, Balarabe, Tells Rohr

Published

7 years ago

May 31, 2017

Another Nigerian player in the Diaspora, Sadiq Salisu Olaniyi Balarabe, is calling on Gernot Rohr, the Super Eagles’ manager, to give him a chance to prove his worth and play for Nigeria.
The Nigerian born in the United Kingdom, who has made similar call in the past, informed Sports Village Square that he was prepare to honour a call even at his cost, just to be of service to the Super Eagles.
He is currently engaged by Portuguese second division side, Gil Vicente Futebol Clube. Before then, he had featured for Reading FC in the second tier English Football League, the Championship.
In a conversation with Sports Village Square, Sadiq tells his story.
“When I was released by Reading and not offered a professional contract in England, I moved to the USA to pick up on my education and try my luck with football over there.
“It seemed like a good idea. I was never good in school because all I thought about, and was very good at was football. So moving to America gave me a chance to leave my comfort zone at home and see another life and option.
“In USA, I played and studied there for three years and I scored a total of 54 goals for my club and colleges.
“After such a good playing record, I started receiving messages of interest from professional clubs in Europe, so I did not hesitate to return home.
“I then went to see a club in both Spain and Germany before finally deciding to sign a contract in Greece.
“There I spent three years playing for three different clubs – Iraklis Pschana, Niki Volou and Levante.
“In those three years, (playing primarily as a left winger). I managed to score around 20 to 23 goals.
“I then felt it was time for me to try for bigger and better things to progress my career to a bigger stage, and by Gods grace I signed in the Portuguese 2nd division for Gil Vicente FC.
“It was then I gave my thoughts and ambitions to the Nigerian media as I believe with my ability and the right chance I am ready to help do big things for our nation

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

9 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.

Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.

“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.

According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.

Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.

Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.

He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.

To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.

The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.

Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.

Nigerian Football

Three away wins mark the opening phase of Nigeria’s Season 2024/25

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigerian Premier Football League burst into life this Sunday with eight matches on the card and contrasting results. Three of the eight matches resulted in away wins signalling level playing field of the league.

It is a sharp departure from the past seasons when it is almost predictable that home teams would win. Remo Stars, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes have away wins and with scoring multiple goals.

Remo Stars won against Abia Warriors by 2-0. Enyimba came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Heartland while Niger Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1 away from home.