Siasia optimistic after All Africa Games draw

Coach of Nigeria U23 National Team Samson Siasia has described their All-Africa Games group B opponents Ghana, Egypt and Senegal as tough nuts, but assured Nigerians that his team will qualify from the group and ultimately aim for the gold medal.

The Dream Team were placed in group B of the competition, in what could potentially be a very tough group that will see them face Ghana, Egypt and Senegal, but Siasia is refusing to be fazed by that

Reacting to Thursday's draw held at the CAF headquarters in Egypt, Siasia, who is presently with his U23 boys in Port Harcourt preparing for next weekend's African U23 Championship final round, first leg qualifier against Congo, expressed surprise that the strongest teams in the tournament, pedigree -wise, ended up in the same pool.

“I can tell you for free that this group B is a tough one, for all the countries in this group can qualify for the semifinals,” he was quoted via official channels.

“All I can say for now is that we are not afraid of any of them, and will know what to do when we get to that bridge."

Siasia added that for now, all his concentration is on the African U-23 Championship qualifying fixture home and away to Congo, as that is of immediate importance.

 
Meanwhile, the Dream Team will on Friday play a friendly game against Nigeria Nation-Wide League club, Go Round FC in Port Harcourt. The encounter kicks off at 4pm.

Asamoah Gyan completes Shanghai move

Asamoah Gyan has penned a two-year deal with Shanghai SIPG and is set to be unveiled by the Chinese Super League side early next week, the Ghana skipper said on Friday.

The 29-year-old striker confirmed on his official website that he had signed a contract, which has an option for a renewal, after completing a routine medical.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but local media have reported he would be earning in excess of the $250,000 per week he was receiving at UAE champions Al Ain.

A report on Gyan's website said the club would hold an official unveiling when Shanghai return from Sunday's league match at Guangzhou R&F.

Gyan was immensely popular during his four-year stint at Al Ain, where he scored 95 goals in 83 matches, but the Emirati team said the offer from the title-chasing Chinese side was too good to refuse.

 
Gyan's arrival marks the latest big-money signing in China, where the top clubs have splashed out millions of dollars on high-profile players such as Demba Ba and Paulinho, with Brazilian forward Robinho also expected to join their ranks.

Lukman Haruna joins Russian club on loan

Russian Premier League newcomers FC Anzhi Makhachkala have secured the signature of Nigerian midfielder Lukman Haruna on loan from Dynamo Kiev.

The former Golden Eaglets star, who represented Nigeria at the FIFA U17 World cup in 2007, has put pen to paper on a six-month contract which will see him remain at Anzhi Arena until December 31, 2015.

This is a reunion of sorts for Haruna and manager Semin, who tutored him at Dynamo Kiev from 2011 - 2012.

In his first words after the deal was completed, the superlative midfielder expressed delight at joining the Russian side.

“I am very grateful to Yuri because he invited me to Anzhi, I really like to work with him.

“Glad to be here, and intend to do everything in my power to make the team finish the season in the top five. I will also want to thank my family for staying put with me and my fans back home in Nigeria, and am sure i won’t let anyone down.

Haruna is tied to Dynamo Kiev until June 30, 2016.