Super Eagles players at the weekend read riot act to Libya, their African Cup of Nations opponent, following their impressive performances in Europe and Asia.
There were goals aplenty from Nigerian players with China-based Odion Ighalo scoring a brace against Mikel Obi’s club. Also on target twice for their clubs are; Moses Ogbu in the Swedish League and former Esperance striker, Samuel Emem Eduok in the Turkish Super League.
In the Premiership, Victor Moses and Leon Balogun continued with their no-show ordeal as they played no part in their clubs’ weekend matches. While Balogun was an unused substitute, Moses was not listed for Chelsea against Southampton after a late appearance midweek in the Europa Cup.
In yet another package, the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN reports on the performances of Nigerian players abroad.
ENGLAND
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): He was substituted in the 67th min as his club won 5-1 at Fulham.
Isaac Success (Watford): He was introduced in the 55th min as his team lost 0-4 to Bournemouth.
Leon Balogun (Brighton): The central defender was an unused substitute when his team won 1-0 at home to West Ham Utd.
Victor Moses (Chelsea): The winger was not listed when his team secured a 3-0 wins away at Southampton.
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester): Ndidi lasted 90mins while Iheanacho was replaced after 65mins of their club’s 1-2 loss at home to Everton.
Philip Billing (Huddersfield): At Turf Moor, the midfielder who won his club’s Player of the Month, Philip Billing lasted the entirety of his side’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
NFF yet to make move for Man City starlet
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to contact Manchester City wonderkid of Nigerian descent, Felix Nmecha, who has been called up to the Germany U-19 squad for the first time in his career.
Germany U-19 manager, Guido Streichsbier is expected to run the rule over Felix Nmecha and twenty three other players at their get-together in Cyprus from October 7-16.
The Manchester City U23 star has previously made three appearances for Germany’s U18 National Team against France (2) and Russia.
Born in Hamburg but raised in England, he has represented the Young Lions at U16 and U-18 level and all the matches were unofficial, meaning he could still feature for the Nigeria teams without requesting to change his association.
Nmecha has made five appearances for Manchester City youth teams so far this season, scoring two goals and recently captained the U19s against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the UEFA Youth League.
His brother, Lukas Nmecha, has been loaned out by Manchester City to Championship club Preston North End for the 2018-19 season.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City): The former Portugal-based midfielder lasted the duration of his club’s 1-0 win at Norwich City and was cautioned in the 82nd min.
Semi Ajayi (Rotherham Utd): He lasted the duration of his team’s 1-3 defeat at Birmingham City.
Tammy Abraham (Aston Villa): The former England U-21 international bagged his third goal for the club in their 2-1 loss to Millwall at the Den. The Chelsea loanee had put Aston Villa in front inside six minutes after a set-piece delivered from the right by Hourihane.
SCOTLAND
Efe Ambrose (Hibernian): He played for 90 mins when his club won 6-0 against Hamilton Academicals.
SPAIN
Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes): He was introduced in the 29th min as his team won 1-0 against Rayo Vallecano.
Moses Simon (Levante): He was a non-playing substitute when his team secured a 1-0 win away at Getafe.
Chukwueze: It was a dream come true to start for Villarreal
Teenage sensation Samuel Chukwueze says it was like a dream come true for him after starting his first game for Villarreal.
The 19-year-old forward made his first senior start for the Spanish side in their entertaining Europa League 3-3 draw away at Sparta Moscow yesterday.
The former Nigeria U-17, U-20 forward who made his debut for the Villarreal in their previous Europa League home clash against Scottish outfit Glasgow Rangers played for 70 minutes before he was replaced by Santi Carzola.
Chukwueze signed for the Yellow Submarines in 2017 and rose through the ranks to the senior team. He couldn’t contain his joy when asked about the match.
He said: “Well you know the feeling of being in the starting line-up, it is just like a dream come true. I was very happy to start for my club yesterday night.”
“I’ve learnt so much since I was promoted to the first team. Like how to concentrate more and play how the coach want me to play.”
In his first season, he scored eight goals for Villarreal’s U19s before being promoted to the team B where he made 11 Segunda B appearances and bagged three goals on their way to the Segunda B play-off final where they lost to Elche.
Chukweze was an integral member of Nigeria’s team that won the U17 World Cup in 2015 where he won the Bronze Boot.
ITALY
William Troost-Ekong (Udinese): He lasted the duration of his club’s 0-2 defeat at home to Juventus.
Orji Okonkwo (Bologna): The striker was introduced in the 75th min as his team lost 0-2 at Cagliari.
Ola Aina (Torino): The Chelsea loanee lasted 65 mins of his club’s 3-2 defeat at home to newly promoted Frosinone.
GERMANY
Anthony Ujah (Mainz 05): He played the last 25 mins of his team’s goalless draw with Hertha Berlin.
FRANCE
Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux): He was introduced in the 67th min as his club won 3-0 against Nantes.
Sheyi Ojo (Reims): Rose from the substitutes’ bench in the 78th min of his team’s goalless draw at Nimes.
BELGIUM
Victor Osimhen (Charleroi): The former schoolboy international scored a goal in the 32nd min as his team lost 1-2 against Cercle Brugee. The goal is the third scored by the Wolfsburg loanee this season.
Abdul Ajagun (Kortrijk): The former Flying Eagles skipper was an unused substitute as his club won 3-1 at Lokeren.
TURKEY
Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray): He played for 85 mins as his team won 1-0 at Antayalspor.
Shehu Abdullahi (Bursaspor): He lasted the entirety of his club’s 1-0 win against Ankaragucu.
Emem Eduok (Kasimpasa): He scored a brace in the 19th and 21st min as his club won 3-1 against Goztepe.
RUSSIA
Sylvester Igboun (FC Ufa): He was on target in the 45th min of his club’s 1-1 draw away at FC Arsenal Tula.
PORTUGAL
Alhassan Ibrahim (CD National): He was an unused substitute when his club drew 1-1 away at CD Tondela.
ISRAEL
John Ogu (Hapoel Beer Sheva): He lasted 90 mins as his team ended their miserable run of five matches without a win by defeating Maccabi Petach Tikva 4-1.
SWITZERLAND
Stephen Odey (FC Zuerich): He was on target in the 57th min of his club’s 2-2 draw away at FC Thun.
SWEDEN
Moses Ogbu (IK Sirius) & Chinedu Obasi (IF Elfsborg): Ogbu scored a brace in the 34th and 72nd minutes while Obasi fired blanks in the 3-3 draw between both sides.
CROATIA
Musa Muhammad and Godfrey Oboabona (Gorica): The former U-17 defender, Musa was on for an exciting 90 mins in the 2-1 win over Rijeka while Oboabona watched proceedings of the match from the bench.
SLOVAKIA
Zubairu Abdul (AS Trencin): Abdul was active for 78 mins as his club suffered 1-2 defeat at home to Michalovc.
Maduka Christopher Udeh (Zlate Moravce): He was an unused substitute in the match against Dun Streda which ended in 0-1 loss.
NORWAY
Ohi Anthony Omoijuanfo (Stabaek) & Sam Adekugbe and ChideraEjike (Vaalerenga): Omoijuanfo was substituted after 78mins while Adekugbe lasted 90 mins while Ejike played for 61 mins when their clubs played out a 1-1 draw.
Babajide David (FK Haugesund): He lasted the duration of his team’s 1-0 away win at Stroemsgodset.
CYPRUS
Kingsley Onuegbu (Nea Salamis): He was replaced in the 76th min of the 3-0 defeat of Pafos FC.
FINLAND
Taye Taiwo (RoPS): The former Super Eagles left-back played for 90mins as his club secured a 2-1 win at TPS.
Matias Ojala (Illves): He was substituted after 83mins of his team’s 0-2 loss at KuPS.
Chrisantus Macauley (HJK Helsinki): He was an unused substitute as his club won 1-0 against VPS.
DIVISION 2
Ichull Lordson (AC Kajaani): The former Warri Wolves midfielder put in a 90 mins shift in the 1-1 draw at home to EIF.
CHINA
Odion Ighalo (Chanchun Yatai) & John Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda): He scored a brace to register his 20th league goal as his club played out a 3-3 draw with Tianjin Teda for whom Mikel was not listed.
SAUDI ARABIA
Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr): He scored a goal in the 26th min as his team won 5-1 at home to Al Hazm. In five games, Musa has so far scored four goals in addition to providing two assists.
