Eagles Watch

Simy, Adekoya on the double in Italy, Denmark

…ex-international, Gbolahan Salami, lands in Jordan, for trial

 

Super Eagles players and hopefuls were in action across Europe at the
weekend but many of them fired blank.
Unlike in previous weeks when Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon scored
goals and provided assists for fun in the Ligue I,  this weekend, Simy
Nwankwo and Seyi Adekoya were the stand out performers as they both
contributed a brace each in the lower league of Italy and Denmark
respectively.
The biggest surprise at the weekend however came from Asia as fringe
Super Eagles striker, Gbolahan Salami is said to have arrived Jordan
to try his luck with Al-Faisaly – an elite division club.
In yet another package, the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN, tours the top
leagues and less fancied leagues in Europe to bring you comprehensive
reports on Nigerian players.

ENGLAND
Alex Iwobi (Everton):The former Arsenal forward lasted 72mins as the
Toffees suffered a 3-2 reverse at the American Express Stadium by
Everton, no thanks to a late own goal from Toffees skipper, Lucas
Digne.
Isaac Success and Tom Dele-Bashiru (Watford) & Philip Billing
(Bournemouth): The duo were missing when their club and Bournemouth
shared spoils after posting a goalless draw. Meanwhile, Billing lasted
the entire duration of the match for the Cherries.
Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea): The centre back was in the thick of action
when his team earned a remarkable 4-2 away win at Burnley.
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City): Ndidi lasted 90
mins while Iheanacho was not considered for their club’s 9-0 away
bashing of 10-man Southampton.
During the match, Ndidi made 90 touches, 90 passes scoring 88.7 per
cent pass accuracy. He made one key pass and won six duels and had
eight interceptions with one tackle.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): The youngster was introduced in the 61st min
of his club’s 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace.
Leon Balogun (Brighton): The leggy defender was not listed as his team
secured their third win of the season and successive home Premier
League victories for the first time since October 2018.
Ndidi reacts to 9-0 humiliation of Southampton
Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has reacted to Leicester City
record 9-0 win against Southampton at the St Mary’s Stadium on Friday
night in the Premier League encounter.
The 22-year-old Nigeria international was making his ninth appearances
for the Foxes and made the most of the opportunity where he made six
tackles in the encounter the most from any player in the game one
clearance and committed three fouls as well as one interception to
ensure the Brenda Rogers men kept a clean sheet last night.
Ndidi featured for the duration of the game in Leicester City’s
biggest Premier League win as the win now stands side-by-side with
Manchester United 9-0 win over Ipswich Town in March 1995, while
fellow Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho was not listed for the
encounter.
West Ham signs Odubeko after scoring 35 goals for Man United
English Premier League (EPL) club, West Ham Utd has completed the
signing of Mipo Odubeko, who scored 35 goals for Manchester United
youth team last season.
Odubeko, 17, will feature for the Hammers’ U18 team.
West Ham made this known in a statement on their official website on Friday.
The statement read:
“West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of highly-rated
young striker Ademipo ‘Mipo’ Odubeko.
“Odubeko joins the Hammers after spending his schoolboy years at
Manchester United, where he scored 35 goals and netted on his U18
Premier League debut last season, and will now continue his
development at the Academy of Football.”
”It’s a really exciting day. I’ve been waiting for this move for a
while, so I’m looking forward to getting started,” Odubeko told the
club’s official website.
”West Ham is a club with a lot of history behind it. It promotes its
young players, so it’s a great opportunity for me to develop my game
and help the team.
”I’m looking forward to moving to London – it’ll be a little different
to Manchester, so it’s an exciting challenge.
“I always set high expectations for myself, so I’m looking to score a
lot of goals for West Ham this season.”
Oyedeji scores again for Arsenal
Talented winger, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji enhanced his growing reputation
by scoring again for Arsenal as they suffered a 3-2 loss to Blackburn
Rovers in the U18 Premier League Cup on Saturday, October 26.
The first-year scholar netted his first goals for Arsenal U18s as they
were held to a 2-2 draw by North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur last
weekend.
Left-back Mazeed Ogungbo opened the scoring for the Young Gunners
after 21 minutes but goals from Horlock, Lonsdale and Zimba saw
Blackburn Rovers establish a 3-1 lead.
In the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Oyedeji pulled a
goal back for Arsenal.
A product of Arsenal’s Hale End Academy, he has ten appearances under
his belt for the U18s so far this season and made his debut in the
Leasing.com Trophy against Peterborough United this month.
Daniel Oyegoke, Miguel Azeez and Ryan Alebiosu were the other players
of Nigerian descent in action against Blackburn Rovers.
In their next match in the U18 Premier League Cup, Arsenal face
Chelsea in November.
SCOTLAND
Joe Aribo and Sheyi Ojo (Rangers): Super Eagles sensation, Aribo was
substituted in the 71st min while Ojo was a 65th min entrant in their
club’s 2-1 defeat of Motherwell.
Jonathan Onika (St. Mirren): He lasted the duration of his club’s 0-1
loss at Kilmarnock.
SPAIN
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal): He was introduced in the 61st min of
the 4-1 bashing of Deportivo Alaves on Friday.
Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes): Awaziem was introduced
in the 57th min while Omeruo was not listed as their team secured a
1-0 win over Mallorca.
Ramon Azeez (Granada): The diminutive midfielder lasted the duration
of his team’s 1-0 defeat of Real Betis.
Chukwueze now most expensive Nigerian footballer
Samuel Chukwueze has agreed a new improved contract at Villarreal that
sees his release clause rise to €100m for the next two years and could
be lowered to €80m on the 3rd year. His contract has now been improved
thrice in just over a year – from €25m to €65m and now €100m.
In 2019, Chukwueze is one of the hottest youngsters across Europe
having played 41 games, scoring seven goals and four assists.
The NFF Young Player of the Year, who also made UEFA’s ’50 for the
future’ list was recently nominated for the KopaTrophy.
ITALY
William Troost-Ekong (Udinese): Despite taking an early lead,
Troost-Ekong (who lasted 90 mins) and his teammates had a bad day in
office as his team suffered a 7-1 humiliation at Atalanta.
Ola Aina and Simone Edera (Torino): The versatile defender, Aina was
substituted in the 79th min of his team’s 1-1 draw with Cagliari while
his teammate, Edera was a non playing substitute.
SERIE B
Simy Nwankwo (Crotone): The lanky forward scored twice as his team
earned a 3-2 win over Venezia. His drew his team level in the 35th min
with his first before scoring his second in the 55th min to give
Crotone a 2-1 lead.
FRANCE
Victor Osimhen (Lille) & Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja (Bordeaux):
Osimhen was substituted after he sustained an injury in the 58th min
of his club’s 3-0 defeat of Bordeaux for whom Kalu and Maja were
introduced in the 64th and 72nd min respectively.
Simon Moses (Nantes) & Henry Onyekuru (AS Monaco): Simon lasted the
duration of his team’s 0-1 loss at home to Monaco for whom Onyekuru
was not listed despite returning from injury.
Nigeria to assess Osimhen’s injury
Nigeria have an injury scare ahead of the start of their 2021 Africa
Cup of Nations qualification campaign after red-hot Lille striker,
Victor Osimhen limped out of Saturday’s 3-0 Ligue 1 win over Bordeaux.
Osimhen has been a revelation this season and one of the form strikers
in Europe, but could be a doubt for the AFCON qualifiers home match to
Benin and away to Lesotho next month.
“He has adductor pain, it can be a hassle. He already had a pain
before, we knew that risk was high,” Lille coach, Christophe Galtier
confirmed.
“This morning (Saturday) I asked him if he could play and he told me
he felt good, I was going to take him out but I do not know, we’ll see
in the week how it’s going to be, what the exams that will be done
will say.”
Osimhen has scored eight goals in 13 starts for Lille in all
competitions this season.
GERMANY
Anthony Ujah and Suleiman Abdullahi (FC Union Berlin): Super Eagles
fringe player, Ujah played the last 24 mins while his teammate,
Abdullahi was not considered for their club’s 1-2 loss to Bayern
Münich.
Kevin Akpoguma (Hoffenheim): The central defender lasted the duration
of his club’s 3-2 away win at Hertha Berlin.
Ademola Lookman (RB Leipzig): The former Everton forward logged 90
mins when his team suffered a 1-2 loss at Freiburg.
Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07): The left-back put in a full shift
when his club secured a 2-0 win at home to Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Karim Onisiwo (Mainz 05): Combative Onisiwo was
introduced with 12 mins left to play while his teammate, Awoniyi was a
non playing substitute in the 3-1 defeat of FC Cologne.
TURKEY
Aminu Umar (Rizespor): The former U-23 forward rose from the
substitutes’ bench in the 78th min of his club’s 2-0 defeat of
Ankaragucu.
Moses happy to make return after injury layoff
Victor Moses is delighted to return to the pitch for Fenerbahce after
spending over two months on the sidelines due to injury,
Completesports.com reports.
Moses has failed to kick a ball since picking up an injury in
Fenerbahce’s opening day 5-0 win against Gazientep FK.
The former Nigeria international played his first game since the
setback in the club’s 5-1 home win against Konyaspor on Saturday.
The 28-year-old started the game and was replaced by Alper Potuk nine
minutes from time.
“Great to be back out there and what a win from the boys ??,”Moses
wrote on his Twitter handle.
Moses is on loan at Fenerbahce from from Premier League club, Chelsea.
RUSSIA
Adesoye Oyewole and Mohammed Usman (FC Tambov): Oyewole scored his
club’s third and final goal in the 66th min while his compatriot,
Usman was a non playing substitute in their club’s 3-0 defeat of FC
Ufa.
BELGIUM
Onuachu shines, Odey benched in Genk win
Super Eagles fringe striker, Paul Onuachu played all 90 minutes as
Gent sealed a slim win over Cercle Brugge in the Belgian league on
Saturday.
The Belgian champions had to dig deep to grind out victory against
their visitors.
Onuachu was a handful for the visitor’s defence, but was unable to get
the better of the goalkeeper who stood firm to deny him and others.
The crowd at Litmus Arena did witness a goal, although it was only in
the 8th when Sebastien Dewaest scored what proved the match winner.
While Onuachu was on for the entire duration of the game, Genk’s last
UEFA Champions league goal scorer Stephen Odey was among the unused
substitutes.
Odey enjoyed plaudits after his maiden Champions league goal against
Liverpool last Wednesday, but it was not enough to convince Felice
Mazzu to give him minutes on Saturday.
DENMARK
Daniel Anyembe (Esbjerg) & Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland): The duo were
on the opposing sides for 90 mins as Midtjylland edged their opponent
2-1 away from home.
Tochi Phil Chukwuani, Ibrahim Sadiq (FC Nordsjaelland): Sadiq played
the last 10 mins while Tochi was an unused substitute when their club
suffered a 1-3 loss at OB Odense.
Marvin Egho and Oluwatosin Kehinde (Randers FC): Egho scored in the
10th min to give his team the lead and was cautioned in the 79th min
as his club suffered a 5-2 humiliation at Broendby IF. His teammate
and former Manchester Utd player, Kehinde was introduced in the 80th
min of the match.
Rilwan Hassan (SonderjyskE): The former FC Midtjylland player was
removed in the 69th min of his team’s 1-3 loss to AaB.
DIV 1
Seyi Adekoya (Vendsyssel FF): He scored twice in the 63rd and 75th min
to earn his team a 2-1 away win at Kolding IF.
NORWAY
Sam Adekugbe (Vaalerenga): He came on in the 54th min of his team’s
goalless draw against  Lillestroem.
JORDAN
Ex-international, Gbolahan Salami, for trials at Al-Faisaly
Super Eagles fringe player, Gbolahan Salami, will today arrive Jordan
in a bid to try out at Al-Faisaly, according to reports from the Asian
country.
Speaking with newsmen at the weekend in Jordan, a board member of
Al-Faisaly, Thamer Al-Adwan, confirmed the interest of the club in the
former Warri Wolves and Finland based forward.
He said, “We aren’t considering Lukasz Gikiewicz, He hasn’t been
playing since a year and half. Nigerian international striker,
Gbolahan Salami who played for Red Star Belgrade and Saudi Arabia
second division will arrive Jordan tomorrow for trial with
Al-Faisaly.”
Club Brugge, Porto, AC Milan watch ‘Golden Eaglets Messi’ against Hungary
Several scouts were in attendance at the Estádio Olímpico, Goiânia for
the Golden Eaglets World Cup opener against Hungary on Saturday
evening.
It is confirmed that talent spotters representing AC Milan, Club
Brugge and Porto were among the 944 spectators that watched the game.
It has been suggested that the scouts were at the stadium to observe
Sidos Academy wonderkid Akinkunmi Amoo, otherwise known as Little
Messi, and a few unnamed Golden Eaglets stars.
Introduced in the 58th minute, Amoo changed the game when he came on,
breathing life into the Nigeria U17s attack that had been struggling.
A Golden Eaglets official has explained that it was a tactical
decision by coach Manu Garba to start the attacking midfielder as well
as Ibraheem Jabaar on the bench against Hungary.
There are concerns over the fitness of Wisdom Ubani and the verdict
from top sources in Brazil is that the striker has been playing with
an injury even before the start of the World Cup.
Amoo has been linked with clubs in Italy, England, France and
Netherlands and it could be a bidding war for the number 13 if he
continues to impress in Brazil.
… Barcelona to run the rule over Olakunle, Tijani
Spanish champions, Barcelona have sent their scouts to Brazil to
monitor the outstanding talents at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup
which kicked-off on Saturday.
Barcelona-based Spanish sports newspaper Sport is reporting that
Barcelona talent spotters will run the rule over the four African
representatives in Brazil, namely Nigeria, Senegal, Angola and
Cameroon, who have quite unknown formations but there are already
names that stand out in the international scene.
The scouts will determine the players who can be a transfer objective
when they attain the age of majority.
As previously reported by allnigeriasoccer.com, at least two Golden
Eaglets players in Samson Tijani and Olakunle Olusegun have been
linked with transfers to Spanish clubs, with the striker on the radar
of Atlético de Madrid.
Godswill Ekpolo, Haruna Babangida, Ezekiel Bassey and Elvis have worn
the colours of Barcelona B in the past while Emmanuel Amuneke and
Gbenga Okunowo appeared for their first team.
Five-time world champions Nigeria will battle Ecuador in their next
Group B fixture on Tuesday, October 29.

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