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Finally, the winner of the EPL player of the month had been declared. Many Nigerians, who were hoping that the Nigerian Watford striker, Odion Ighalo would win it had their hopes dashed. Manchester United youngster, Anthony Martial, is the one voted the Premier League Player of the Month award winner for September ahead of the Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo.

Ighalo was hoping to follow the footsteps of other Nigerian players like Austin Okocha and Osaze Odemwingie who before now were voted the best in England on the strength of their sterling performances for their teams back in the years. Though, Ighalo's nomination comes earlier than the other two Nigerians.

As it stands, Manchester United teenager, Martial, emerged tops when the result was announced Friday morning.

Martial had made an immediate impact at Old Trafford after his £36 million arrival from AS Monaco in the summer and he become the first Red Devils player to earned the accolade since Robin van Persie back in April 2013, further placing Manchester United in the limelight.

Aside Ighalo, Martial beat off competition from his United teammate Daley Blind, Tottenham Hotspur keeper, Hugo Lloris, West Ham United schemer Dimitri Payet and Leicester City attacker Jamie Vardy.

Surprisingly, Martial was edged out for the club’s own monthly award in one of the closest-ever fan polls on ManUtd.com as Spanish midfielder Juan Mata piped him by a mere two per cent to win the club's internal award.

With the award off his shelves, Ighalo and his Watford teammates welcome Arsenal to Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Saturday, a game that promises to be very interesting.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his best wishes for a triumphant outing to the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria who are in Chile to participate in this year’s under-17 FIFA World Cup Tournament.

“As the tournament opens tomorrow, President Buhari urges the Golden Eaglets to do their utmost best to match the outstanding performance of their victorious predecessors who have won the competition four times including the inaugural edition in 1985 and the last tournament in 2013,” Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu, said in a statement Friday.

He added, “The President assures the Golden Eaglets and their handlers of the full support of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they strive to bring more sporting glory to their fatherland by outplaying all their opponents in Chile and winning the Under-17 World Cup for a record fifth time.

“President Buhari will follow the team’s progress through the tournament in Chile with keen interest and high expectation in the belief that the boys have the skills, dedication and determination required to make Nigeria world champions at the youth level once again.

“He calls on the players to stay focused, avoid all distractions and put their globally acknowledged skills, ability and doggedness on display against the USA tomorrow, Chile on October 20, Croatia on October 23 and in all their subsequent matches to win the tournament and give millions of soccer-loving Nigerians the perfect end-of-the-year gift.”