English club Chelsea have dropped their Nigeria international
Victor Moses from the squad to face Sparta Prague in their Europa League tie on
Thursday. The Nigeria international had been quickly recalled for the trip to
the Czech Republic which forced him to travel back to England from South Africa
instead of heading to Abuja with his teammates.
Victor Moses from the squad to face Sparta Prague in their Europa League tie on
Thursday. The Nigeria international had been quickly recalled for the trip to
the Czech Republic which forced him to travel back to England from South Africa
instead of heading to Abuja with his teammates.
But Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has carefully avoided making
the same mistake as Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, who played Efe Ambrose against
Juventus two days after the Africa Cup of Nations final match against Burkina
Faso in South Africa. Ambrose, who only arrived in Glasgow on match day, turned
out a huge deficit to Celtic despite his sterling performance for Nigeria in
South Africa. Lennon would admit on Wednesday that he took “a gamble” by
fielding Ambrose.
the same mistake as Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, who played Efe Ambrose against
Juventus two days after the Africa Cup of Nations final match against Burkina
Faso in South Africa. Ambrose, who only arrived in Glasgow on match day, turned
out a huge deficit to Celtic despite his sterling performance for Nigeria in
South Africa. Lennon would admit on Wednesday that he took “a gamble” by
fielding Ambrose.
Even though Mikel Obi and Moses were initially in the game plan,
Chelsea later exempted Mikel but finally left out Moses who only arrived in
London on Tuesday for the Wednesday flight to Prague.
Chelsea later exempted Mikel but finally left out Moses who only arrived in
London on Tuesday for the Wednesday flight to Prague.
Meanwhile, in the United States of America, Nigeria
international Bright Dike has successfully undergone surgery on an injured knee
while expressing his desire to return to the team soon for the Brazil 2014
qualifying campaign.
international Bright Dike has successfully undergone surgery on an injured knee
while expressing his desire to return to the team soon for the Brazil 2014
qualifying campaign.
The Portlands Timber striker told MTNFootball.com that he suffered the injury while
playing a pre-season match against Seattle Sounders.
playing a pre-season match against Seattle Sounders.
He said, “I injured my knee during a test game for my team
against Seattle Sounders. It all happened when their goalkeeper and a player
fell on my leg. I thank God the surgery was successful and I am looking forward
to a quick recovery.”
against Seattle Sounders. It all happened when their goalkeeper and a player
fell on my leg. I thank God the surgery was successful and I am looking forward
to a quick recovery.”
On his international career, Dike, who became a big hit among
Nigeria fans when he scored a superb goal in a friendly against Catalonia as part
of the build-up to the 2013 AFCON, said he hopes to be involved in the World
Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup.
Nigeria fans when he scored a superb goal in a friendly against Catalonia as part
of the build-up to the 2013 AFCON, said he hopes to be involved in the World
Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup.
“I hope to be back with the Super Eagles for the World Cup
qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, but I don’t know for now when because it
will depend on my recovery,” Dike said.
qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, but I don’t know for now when because it
will depend on my recovery,” Dike said.
Dike used the opportunity to congratulate the Super Eagles for
their victory in South Africa and said he would have been surprised if Emmanuel
Emenike had not emerged as the top scorer of the tournament.
their victory in South Africa and said he would have been surprised if Emmanuel
Emenike had not emerged as the top scorer of the tournament.
“I congratulate Nigeria for winning the Nations Cup. I always
knew Emenike would do well and score goals. I would have been surprised if he
didn’t end up as top scorer. He is a wonderful goal getter,” Dike said as he
hailed his cousin Emenike.
knew Emenike would do well and score goals. I would have been surprised if he
didn’t end up as top scorer. He is a wonderful goal getter,” Dike said as he
hailed his cousin Emenike.
