Emenike returns after a four-month injury layoff

The Afcon highest goal scorer is back playing in the league for his Russian club. Emmanuel Emenikeis back playing in the Russian league. The Nigerian came on for Spartak Moscow in the 66th minute to replace Yura Movsisyan on Tuesday evening on the opening day of the Russia Premier League at the Stadion Metallurg home of Krylya Sovetov.

Emenike had been out with two injury spells but showed that his rehabilitation was complete by coming on to help his side claim an opening day 2-1 victory over Sovetov.

Emenike last played in the league in an April 28 encounter against Anzhi Makhachkala. The Highest goal scorer at the Nations Cup with four goals scored five league goals in 16 league appearances last season.

Keshi urges his team to brace for ‘war’ in Abidjan

The national team coach says that the return leg against the Elephants will be tough as the team began training in Abuja on Tuesday morning. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has asked for total concentration from his players ahead of their final African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier against Cote D’Ivoire in Abidjan on July 27. He noted that the match will be like war against their West African neighbours.

Nigeria won the first leg in Kaduna 4-1 and need to avoid defeat by more than three goals in order to qualify for their first participation in the competition that will hold in South Africa next year. The team commenced training on Tuesday at the artificial pitch of the Fifa Goal Project site in Abuja with 23 players as Sunshine Stars captain Godfrey Oboabona was exempted due to his exertions at club. It was reported last week that the defender suffered a slight injury when he was mobbed by fans in Owo during training.

Keshi, who started his foreign career in Cote D’ Ivoire, told the players the Ivorians are passionate about football and they will do anything to defeat Nigeria, hence the need to forget the 4-1 win in Kaduna and concentrate on the return leg. “The win in Kaduna is history and if you have been following the media you will see that they have been making remarks that they can also beat us well. We must be ready for their antics and forget the past,” said Keshi.

The team is training at the Goal Project because the Ivorians had already informed CAF that the return leg will be played on artificial turf. On Monday evening, defender Elderson Echejile of FC Braga was at the team’s Bolton White Apartments abode to wish his mates and the coaching crew a good outing in Abidjan. Echejile came in at dinner time and went straight to see Keshi, before spending some time with most of his mates.

“It’s to encourage them to excel when they play the Ivorians and I believe they can defeat them right there in Abdjan,” he said.

Lots more foreign clubs scramble for Mohammed Gambo, says agent

The Kano Pillars striker has refused to sign for any club as he is considering all the offers before him which are coming in from several countries. More clubs have continued to scramble for the signature of Kano Pillars striker, Mohammed Gambo who is still considering which of the clubs he will eventually join when the time is ripe. Media reports had indicated the Super Eagles player had signed for Tunisian side Club Africain.

Fifa licensed agent to the Kano side, Aminu Yusuf said in Lagos that it is not true Gambo has signed for any club because he is yet to make up his mind to join any of the clubs, "I also want to inform you that clubs from Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia are willing to match whatever the Tunisian side is offering.

"Gambo has really impressed and they have seen what they like in the player who is presently with the home based Super Eagles preparing for the second leg of the CHAN qualifiers in Abidjan next week.

"All the clubs are willing to offer what they feel is good for Kano Pillars and they will be treated on their merit. But Gambo is not bothered with choosing any of the clubs to sign for, because he is busy in the Super Eagles camp where they hope to qualify for the CHAN tournmanent for the first time.

"He scored the first goal in the first leg in Kaduna and he is training alongside other players in Abuja to make sure that they triumph in Abidjan.

"When the right time comes, Gambo will surely sign for the best club that suits him, but for now, he is not thinking of what the clubs have to offer," Aminu said.

Messi: Neymar can make the difference

The Argentina star believes the Brazilian will have no trouble setting in at Camp Nou and admits last season's Champions League exit has fired the team up for the coming campaign. Barcelona star Lionel Messi has backed new signing Neymar to make a significant impact next season.

The 21-year-old completed a €57 million move to Camp Nou in June after months of speculation surrounding his future, but Messi believes the Brazil star will have no problem adjusting to life in Catalunya despite the hype surrounding his arrival. "He is a great player and he will have no problems adapting. He'll have no trouble off the pitch either. He's a good lad," Messi told a press conference on Wednesday.

"He will give a lot to the team. In one-on-ones, he is very dominant. He's going to make a difference."Messi has already seen two team-mates leave this summer, with Thiago Alcantara joining Bayern Munich after David Villa had signed a deal with Atletico Madrid, and the 26-year-old believes the two clubs have completed excellent business in bringing in the two players.

"Thiago? It was a personal decision, he thought he'd play more there [at Bayern]," Messi explained. "Villa? He's a great signing for Atletico, he's a real goalscorer." Barcelona suffered a 7-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern in last season's Champions League semi-final, and as a result Messi admits he is fired up for the tournament next season- although he acknowledges the threat posed by the European champions under Pep Guardiola.

"The Champions League defeat from last season is an extra motivation for this year. It's another challenge," Messi continued. "Bayern already had a great team and with Guardiola they'll be even stronger. In La Liga, [Real] Madrid will be a tough opponent, as always.

Pics from Jumia 1st anniversary eCommerce conference and Fashion Cocktail

Jumia, Nigeria’s #1 retailer, held the first e-commerce conference in Nigeria in Lagos, Nigeria on Friday, 12th of July. Jumia gathered Nigerian influencers and decision makers, to discuss the opportunities that e-commerce embraces for the Nigerian retail market as well as ways forward in the Nigerian market, in wrapping a month long celebration for their 1st Anniversary the event ended with a fashion cocktail attended by top fashion and style icons. Continue...