No fewer than four Super Eagles players won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards at the weekend across Europe and in the African continent. Among the players who earned rave reviews was Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi who inspired his team to a 3-2 win over Newcastle Utd. Also on the list of MVP recipients is the red-hot Batholomew Ogbeche and James Ikuwosa in the South African league. Similarly, Eagles’ outcast, Efe Ambrose scored a rare goal for his Scottish club, Hibernian against his former employers, Celtic.
In yet another report, ADEBAYO OLODAN takes you through the performances of players that will represent the nation at the 2018 World Cup, next June.
ENGLAND
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): He was an unused substitute as Arsenal drew 1-1 at Southampton.
Victor Moses (Chelsea): The wing-back was introduced in the 55th min of Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat at West Ham Utd.
Wifred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa (Leicester City): Ndidi played all 90 mins as Leicester defeated Newcastle Utd 3-2. Iheanaho was an unused substitute while Ahmed Musa miserable stay at King Power Stadium continued as he was not listed yet again. Ndidi won The Man of the Match award after contributing two assists in as many games.
Isaac Success (Watford): He returned to his team’s set up following his recovery from a lengthy injury. The former Granada forward watched proceedings from the bench as Watford lost 1-0 away to Burnley.
Leicester open to selling Iheanacho, January
Leicester City manager, Claude Puel has revealed that he is open to the idea of selling Kelechi Iheanacho in the January transfer window.
The Foxes are not short of striker options, as aside from Iheanacho, they can also call on his compatriot Ahmed Musa, English international Jamie Vardy, Algerian Islam Slimani, Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa.
As a result, game-time has been hard to come by for the former Man City starlet, who needs regular football next year to ensure he is fit and firing for Nigeria’s World Cup campaign.
And Puel has not ruled out the option of selling on Iheanacho. He told the Leicester Mercury: “Kelechi had an injury and after, for the moment, we have competition.
“I am happy with Jamie for example. Kelechi or other players cannot play on the side.
“It’s difficult for them, but for me also to manage all these players because we have six strikers so there is no place for all the players.”
CHAMPIONSHIP
Ola Aina (Hull City): He played all 90 mins as his side won 3-2 against Brentford.
Aina played as a wingback and was booked in the 79min.
SCOTLAND
Efe Ambrose (Hibernian): He scored his team’s opener in the 2-2 comeback t at home to his former club, Celtic, yesterday.
SPAIN
Francis Uzoho (Deportivo): The newly capped Super Eagles goalkeeper was not listed as his team won 1-0 against Leganese.
SEGUNDA DIVISION
Ramon Azeez (CD Lugo): He was in fine form and lasted 90 mins as his club defeated Leonesa 3-1.
GERMANY
Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg): He was a 90th min substitute as his team played a goalless draw with Hamburg.
Leon Balogun (Mainz 05): He returned from injury and played all 90 mins as his team played out a 2-2 draw with RB Lepizig. The elated Balogun took to his twitter handle
@LeonBalogun to celebrate his return; “Felt so amazing to be back in action after 7 long weeks. And even better to be successful and grab one point away in Leipzig.
“Today it was all about team work. I’m really proud of the lads and the great fighting spirit everyone has shown today.”
Teenage keeper, Okoye set for Eagles’ call-up
Victor Agali is scouting Europe for fresh talents eligible to represent the Super Eagles ahead of their sixth participation in the World Cup.
Agali’s first port of call since it became public knowledge that Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has mandated him to search for players was his principal’s country of birth, Germany.
Agali held clear-the-air talks with Fortuna Düsseldorf goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye over playing for the Super Eagles two weeks ago.
And it seems the talks went well, with Okoye strongly hinting on Instagram after the meeting that he’s ready to represent his beloved Nigeria, rather than Germany at international level.
Okoye said: “Nice evening with former @thenffofficial striker, Victor Agali . #supereagles #belovedcountry #nigeria #godisgreat”.
Another German-born Fortuna Düsseldorf product Leon Balogun has become a very important player in the Super Eagles team after committing his international future to Nigeria in 2014.
Maduka Okoye does not need to apply to FIFA to change his association, as he has not played competitively for Germany at any level.
ITALY
Abdullahi Nura (Roma): He was an unused substitute as his club drew 0-0 with Chievo Verona.
FRANCE
Enyeama saves penalty on return from injury
Former Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama played his first game in over seven months as the reserve team of Lille beat Croix Football IC 3-1 in the Championnat National 2 Group C, equivalent of fourth-tier.
Prior to stepping out onto the Complexe Sportif de Luchin (Camphin-en-Pévèle) turf on Saturday evening, the 35-year-old last figured for Lille at any level on April 15, 2017 when the first team lost 2-0 to Rennes in Ligue 1.
Having returned to full fitness, Enyeama agreed to play against Croix Football IC and was impressive, and the highlight of his performance was saving a penalty kick.
Enyeama expressed his pleasure at returning to action, posting on social media: ”God has been so faithful.7 months and some weeks, God has taken me up. I had my 1st game.
”I want to thank everyone that worked for this day to happen. God bless you all.”
Enyeama will become Nigeria’s oldest player to feature at the World Cup if he rescinds his decision to quit the national team and is selected for the mundial by Gernot Rohr.
Legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai is the oldest Nigerian to feature at the World Cup, at the age of 34 years, 10 months and 4 days.
RUSSIA
Aaron Samuel (CSKA): He continued his role on the bench as his team lost 3-0 against Spartak Moscow.
BELGIUM
Joseph Akpala (Oostende): He was a 66th min substitute as his team suffered a 0-1 loss at home to KV Mechelen.
Jamabo Odeni George (Eupen): He was an unused substitute as his team drew 1-1 with Genk.
Taiwo Awoniyi (Mouscron): The former U-20 striker fired blank as his team lost 1-0 at
Royal Antwerp.
Moses Simon, Anderson Esiti and Samuel Kalu (Gent) & Abdul Ajagun(Kortrijk): Kalu and Simon were substituted in the 69th and 85th min respectively while Esiti was not listed in their club’s 2-1 defeat of Kortrijk for whom Ajagun clogged 90 mins.
Henry Uche Agbo (Standard Liege): Was on from the kick off till the end of his club’s 3-1 loss to Beveren.
TURKEY
Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa) and Ogenyi Onazi Trabzonspor): The duo lasted 90 mins as Kasimpasa lost 1-3 at home to Trabzonspor.
William Troost Ekong and Mikel Agu (Bursarpor): Troost-Ekong lasted the entire duration of his team’s 1-0 loss at home to Fernerbache while Agu was not considered for the tie.
Elderson Echiejile (Sivaspor): He was an unused substitute as his club defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 1-0.
HOLLAND
Tyrone Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag): He lasted 90minutes of his club’s 3-2 win at FC Twente.
Bartholomew Ogbeche (Willem II): The former PSG forward continued his goal scoring streak as he netted his club’s only goal in their 1-1 home draw against NEC Breda.
Following his five goals in two matches, Ogbeche was voted the player of the week in the Eredivisie last week.
SWITZERLAND
Stephen Odey (FC Zurich): He was on the score sheet in the 24th min as his team suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Luzern.
AUSTRIA
Alhassan Ibrahim (Austria Wien): He played for 73 mins before being substituted in his club’s 1-0 defeat of Altach.
HUNGARY
Obinna Nwobodo (Ujpest): He scored the only goal of his club in their 2-1 away loss at Puskas FC Academy.
CYPRUS
Shehu Abdullahi (Anorthosis): The former Kano Pillars star lasted 90 mins as his team defeated Alki Oroklinis 2-1. He celebrated the result on his twitter handle by saying,
“Amazing and hard fought comeback, tough day for the group but the three points was golden. Unbeaten run extended.
“Kudos to @anorthosisfc fans for their calmness and support.”
