Enugu, the ancient coal city of Nigeria, would on 30th July, 2016 play host to a huge novelty football game. This game would see the Ex Udoji United players come up against Ex Nigeria Internationals and this is in hour of the dead Ex Udoji Players like Charles “Charlie Parker” Nduka, Kalu Umah and Herbert “Alibosa” Anijekwu. The match is billed for Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, a great cathedral of football in Nigeria and would feature Ex Udoji players like Ikem “Potential Ayaya” Udeh (the convener), Coach John Obuh, Chukwu Ndukwe and Adolphus “Careca” Ofodile. It would also feature Ex Nigeria Internationals like Emma “JJ” Okocha, Precious Monye Onyeabor and Austin “JayJay” Okocha. There would be raffle draws with a car for the taking. This is a commendable project as the proceeds would be used to aid the widows and families of the fallen Udoji FC heroes and as such, Naija Sports Crib is lending her voice to it.

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Nigeria have named Kelechi Iheanacho alongside John Obi Mikel, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo in their provisional 35-man squad for this summer’s Olympic Games, despite opposition from Manchester City. The Premier League club are yet to decide whether to release the teenage forward for the tournament, and it is reported he has agreed to stay with City in an effort to impress new manager Pep Guardiola during preseason. The Olympics takes place from Aug. 4 to 20, meaning Iheanacho would miss a substantial amount of City’s preseason schedule and even the start of the Premier League season should Nigeria reach the latter stages. But Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia is holding out hope, and has listed him in his provisional squad.

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Three of the five African teams at the 2014 World Cup have been drawn in the same group to qualify for the 2018 edition. Only one of Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria will play at the next tournament in Russia after the Confederation of African Football made the draw for five qualifying groups on Friday. The three traditional powers were grouped with Zambia. Just the group winners in all of five four-team pools will advance to the 32-team tournament in Russia.

Group A: Tunisia, Libya, DR Congo, Guinea

Group B: Zambia, Cameroon, Algeria, Nigeria

Group C: Gabon, Mali, Ivory Coast, Morocco

Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde

Group E: Ghana, Egypt, Congo, Uganda