Eagles Watch

Okereke takes tally to 3 in Belgium, receives coach’s plandit

 

Some Nigerian players returned to action at the weekend in the English Championship, Belgium Jupiler League and Scandinavian leagues. 
In the Championship, West Brom new boy, Semi Ajayi made a winning debut for his new club and will hope to build on his present form to ensure his return to the Super Eagles after missing out of the 2019 African Nations Cup.
In Belgium, David Okereke has continued to hug the headlines following his move to Club Brugge from Serie B club, Spezia. The U-23 forward now sits atop the top scorer log after hitting three goals in two matches.
The News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN reports the performances of Super Eagles players and hopefuls in Europe and Asia.

ENGLAND
Nmecha joins Wolfsburg on loan
20-year-old Manchester City striker, Lukas Nmecha will spend 2019/20 season on loan at Bundesliga side, Wolfsburg.
Nmecha was part of the City squad that toured China, Hong Kong & Japan in pre-season and scored twice in games against West Ham & Yokohama.
Ugbo departs Chelsea
Young forward, Ike Ugbo, has left Chelsea and joined Dutch Eerste Divisie side Roda JC Kerkrade on loan.
Ugbo will spend the entirety of the 2019/2020 campaign at Roda, who finished 13th in the Dutch second-tier last season.
He was presented to the club’s fans during the player presentation at the annual Fan Day on Saturday, August 3.
Ugbo previously enjoyed loan spells at Barnsley, MK Dons and Scunthorpe United.
The 20-year-old was not listed among the first team players handed squad numbers by Chelsea on Saturday, fueling speculation that he was set to be farmed out on loan again.
He will wear the number nine on the back of his jersey at Roda.
Onyekuru in conflict with Everton over Monaco’s interest 
Former Eupen forward, Henry Onyekuru is in conflict with Everton over his proposed move to French Ligue 1 club Monaco.
While the Toffees and the Principality outfit have reached a club-to-club agreement for the transfer of the striker, Onyekuru has decided to continue his career at Galatasaary for the upcoming season.
The Turkish champions are experiencing difficulties signing Onyekuru because Everton are demanding an outright sale due to the fact he is not eligible for a work permit to play in the Premier League.
And that explains why Monaco has the advantage in the race for his signature but Onyekuru has made it crystal clear he wants to play for Galatasaray and his decision is final.
The winger had a good season while on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 16 goals in 44 matches and helping the club win the Super Lig and Turkish Cup.
The 22-year-old has made only six competitive appearances for the Super Eagles over the past two years.
Adarabioyo leaves Man City
Championship side Blackburn Rovers has signed Manchester City defender, Tosin Adarabioyo on a season-long loan.
The 21-year-old – who can play in the centre or right-back – spent 2018-19 on loan at West Brom, featuring 36 times as they reached the play-offs.
Adarabioyo has made eight cup appearances for Premier League champions City, most recently in a Champions League loss to Basel in 2018.
Nwakali joins Huesca 
Arsenal has sold Kelechi Nwakali, to Spanish Segunda División club SD Huesca.
The Spanish side is on the verge of announcing the deal, according to Dario AS.
Nwakali will sign a two-year contract with SD Huesca after ending his association with Arsenal.
Arsenal has however included a sell-on clause in the deal taking the Nigerian to the Azulgranas.
The Gunners paid over three million euros to sign Nwakali from Diamond Academy in the summer of 2016.
However, the midfielder has not played competitively for their teams because of a work permit obstacle.
He was loaned out to MVV Maastricht before another loan spells at VVV Venlo and Porto B.
SD Huesca finished 19th and was relegated from La Liga at the end of the season.
Bristol City join Everton, Burnley in race for Tomori 
Bristol City is the latest club being linked with a summer move for Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori.
Bristol post says City is in the market for a central defender following the sale of Adam Webster to Brighton & Hove and Tomori is among the players being considered.
It would be difficult for the Robins to get the deal over the line as they face competition from Premier League clubs including Everton and Burnley.
That said, Bristol City have a good relationship with Chelsea with Tammy Abraham spending the whole of the 2016-2017 season on loan at Ashton Gate.
Doubts have started emerging over Tomori’s future at Stamford Bridge after he was not handed a run-out in Chelsea’s final pre-season fixture against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening.
The youngster shone for Derby County last season, winning the club’s Player of Season award.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi Ajayi (West Brom) & Sammy Ameobi (Nottingham Forest): The debutant, Ajayi won the battle of Nigerians at the City Ground as West Brom claimed a 2-1 win over Forest on Saturday. Ameobi was a second half substitute for Forest.
Moses Odubajo (Sheffield Wednesday): the defender made his debut as the visitors opened the Sky Bet Championship season with a 3-1 win over lacklustre Reading on Saturday. Odubajo was handed a starting role and lasted full duration at the Madejski Stadium. The former U-23 invitee joined The Owls in July 2019.
The 25-year-old’s curriculum vitae boasts over 200 appearances in the English Football League with 16 goals to his name.
Ebere Eze (QPR) & Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City): Ebere was among the goals as his club secured a 2-1 win over Stoke City  for whom Etebo was not listed.
SCOTLAND
Sheyi Ojo (Rangers): The former Liverpool youngster was substituted in the 78th min of his team’s 2-1 win at Kilmarnock.
Uche Ikpeazu (Hearts) & Funso Ojo (Aberdeen): Ikpeazu provided two assists whne his team suffered a 2-3 loss against Aberdeen for whom Ojo made the match day squad.
FRANCE
I want to emulate Enyeama, Odemwingie at Lille – Osimhen 
Lille’s new signing, Victor Osimhen has said that he wants to follow in the footsteps of former Super Eagles stars, Vincent Enyeama and Peter Odemwingie, after joining the French Ligue 1 side last Thursday.
The Super Eagles striker joined Lille on a five-year deal from Sporting Charleroi on Thursday morning.
Osimhen was signed by Lille as a replacement for Nicolas Pepe who has agreed on personal terms with Arsenal.
The 20-year-old is now the third Nigerian player to be signed by Lille after Enyeama and Odemwingie.
“The LOSC is a very good club that leads a quality project and includes high-class players, even more in recent years,” Osimhen told Lille’s official website.
“Great Nigerian players have also played here. I would like to join their lineage and follow their footsteps.
“I am very happy to be here and to join this great club that is the LOSC. I am still young, I am learning and I think that this project suits me perfectly to continue to progress.”
GERMANY (DIV 2)
Emmanuel Iyoha (Holstein Kiel): He logged the entirety of the tie but his team suffered a 0-2 reverse against Darmstadt.
RUSSIA 
Brian Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow): He was an unused substitute for the third successive game as his team left it late to edge Krylya Sovetov Samara 2-1 at Cosmos Arena.
BELGIUM 
Imoh Ezekiel (Charleroi) & Abdul Ajagun (Kortrijk): Ezekiel started the game and earned a 15th minute booking while Ajagun was a second half entrant when the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw.
Stephen Odey (Genk): The former MFM forward was a non playing substitute when his club suffered a 3-1 humiliation against Mechelen.
Okereke takes tally to 3, receives coach praise
After bagging a brace and assist as Club Brugge thrashed St. Truiden 6-0 on Friday night, red-hot forward, David Okereke has received the praise of his head coach, Philippe Clement.
Okereke opened scoring for Brugge in the16th minute of the encounter and doubled his side’s lead four minutes later.
The former Spezia of Italy striker has now scored three goals in two league appearance for his new club.
Hans Vanaken got the third goal for the home team in the 39th minute, while South African forward, Percy Tau netted the fourth following a pass from Okereke.
Okereke’s Nigerian compatriot, Emmanuel Dennis scored the fifth goal in the 72nd minute.
Siebe Schrijvers who replaced Okereke in the 65th minute netted the sixth goal for Brugge seven minutes from time.
Clement poured encomium on the new acquisition from Italy after the striker netted another goal for the second consecutive game.
Okereke joined Club Brugge from Italian side Spezia only a few weeks ago and he grabbed a brace and an assist as the former league champions handed a 6-0 drubbing to Sint-Truiden in their first home clash of the new Belgian League season.
The 21-year-old, who was also on target, on the opening day against Wassland-Beveren, has now been backed by Clement to have a successful time in the Belgian league.
“The tension that some players had before the game was clearly not noticeable with David. It turns out that he is sliding away like that, “Clement told the club’s official website.
“When he came in last month, it seems as if he has been here for years. He is very bold in the group and very inquisitive. We will enjoy him a lot.”
AUSTRIA
Yusuf Otubanjo and Bright Edomwonyi (LASK): Otubanjo watched the game from the stands as his team thumped Austria Wien 3-0 at the Generali Arena. Edomwonyi featured for the hosts and was subbed off after the hour.
DIV 2
Junior Chukwubuike Adamu (FC Liefering): The teenager scored a brace as his team drew 4-4 with SK Austria Klagenfurt at the Karawankenblick Stadion. He scored the second goal for the hosts when he dribbled past his marker before firing a curling shot past the goalkeeper and in the 75th min, Adamu netted again with another shot from inside the 18-yard box after breaking clear.
UKRAINE
Aliyu Abubakar (Olimpik Donetsk):  He made his 2nd appearance of the season and was sent off as his team lost 0-1 to 10-man FC Kolos Kovalivka Sunday afternoon.
HOLLAND 
Chidera Ejike and Hamdi Akujobi (Heerenveen): The duo caught the eye on their debuts as their club 4-0 win over Heracles. The youngsters came off the bench in the second half with the score at 3-0. Ejike replaced Jordy Bruijn in the 67th min while Akujobi was on seven minutes later in place of Ben Rienstra.
Hilary Gong (Vitesse): He was a second half substitute for 10-man Vitesse who earned a 2-2 draw against defending champions Ajax.
TURKEY
Mikel chooses same shirt number worn at Chelsea
Trabzonspor new signing, John Obi Mikel has chosen to wear the same shirt number he wore during his time at Chelsea.
Mikel will be wearing the number 12 on the back of his jersey should he make his competitive debut against Sparta Prague in the Europa League qualifying round on Thursday.
Mikel agreed a two-year deal with Trabzonspor on July 1 with option for another year but only resumed training with the club last week due to international commitments with the Super Eagles at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
When the 32-year-old made his professional debut for Lyn Oslo, he wore the number 20 kit for the Norwegian club.
Having wore the number 10 jersey for the Golden Eaglets at the 2003 FIFA U17 World Cup, he was allocated the number 9 at the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup because his favorite shirt number was already taken by team captain Isaac Promise.
Mikel played with the number 10 at Tianjin Teda while he wore the number 2 at his last English club Middlesbrough.
SWITZERLAND
Osigwe keeps clean sheet in Kriens’ win
Former Flying Eagles shot stopper, Sebastian Osigwe, kept clean sheet as his side Kriens recorded a 2-0 win over Chiasso on Saturday.
Osigwe was at his usual best for his side as he made a couple of great saves to help them record a 2-0 victory over Chiasso in the Swiss Challenge League.
Swiss attacker, Dario Ulrich scored a brace for the hosts at the Stadion Kleinfeld (Kriens).
The win is a huge step in the right direction for third-placed Kriens as they seek to gain promotion to the Swiss Super League.
The 25-year-old Osigwe, was a member of the U20 national team at the 2013 Toulon Tournament in France and debuted against Belgium.
DENMARK
Marvin Egho (Randers FC): He was replaced in the 83rd min of his club’s 3-1 defeat of FC Nordsjaelland.
Daniel Anyembe (Esbjerg FB): The right-back logged 90 mins when his team suffered a 0-1 reverse at OB.
Paul Onuachu, Frank Onyeka, Ayo Simon Okosun (FC Midtjylland): Leggy forward, Onuachu, was not listed, Onyeka was substituted in the 58yth min while Okosun was a non playing substitute when their club earned a 1-0 win at home to AaB.
DIV 2
Monday Bassey Etim (Skive): He drew his team level in the 89th min of their 1-1 draw at FC Roskilde.
NORWAY
Anthony Ikedi (FK Haugesund): He was an unused substitute when his club played a 1-1 draw at Stabaek.
Afeez Aremu (IK Start): The former U-20 midfielder lasted 77 mins of his team’s 3-1 win over Kongsvinger on Sunday.
SWEDEN
Chima Akas (Kalmar FF): The former Enyimba left-back who lasted the duration of the match was cautioned in the 33rd min of his team’s 2-2 draw with Hammarby IF.
Godswill Ekpolo (Haecken) & Okechukwu Offia and John Junior Igbarumah (Sirius): Offia led the line for the entirety of the match while Igbarumah was introduced in the 46th min of their club’s 1-4 loss to Haecken for whom Ekpolo was cautioned in the 42nd min but lasted 90 mins.
SLOVAKIA 
Abdul Zubairu (AS Trencin): He put in a fine individual showing by scoring a goal and lasting 90 mins when his team lost 1-2 to Zilina on Saturday. The loss sees Trencin drop to 10th in the top flight.
FINLAND
Taiye Taiwo (RoPS): The veteran defender lasted 90 mins for his club when they drew 2-2 draw at Ilves.
CHINA
Daniel Chima (Heilongjiang Lava Spring FC): The former Norway based forward was once again on target when his team secured a 2-0 win at Nantong Zhiyun FC.
THAILAND
Adefolarin Durosinmi (Trats FC): He was on song in his team’s 3-2 victory at Samut Prakan City.
JAPAN
Utaka hits brace for Ventforet Kofu at 35
Super Eagles fringe forward, Peter Utaka scored a brace for Ventforet Kofu in their 3-0 win over Machida Zelvia in J. League 2 on Sunday.
Utaka doubled the scoring in the 74th minute before increasing his personal tally to two seven minutes from time. He has netted 11 goals in 24 games this term.
Utaka has impressed heavily since he joined the lower division side from Tokushima Vortis.
The 35-year-old was the J-League joint top goal scorer in 2016 with 19 goals, alongside Leandro of Vissel Kobe.
He was earlier on the roster of Westerlo, OB Odense, Dalian Aerbin, Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Shenxin, Shimizu S-Pulse, Tokyo, Vejle BK and Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
VIETNAM
Samson Kayode Olaleye (QNK Quang Nam): The ageless striker drew the curtain raiser as his club walloped FLC Thanh Hoa 3-0.

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