Uzoho concedes 5 goals in Elche’s heavy defeat
…Odey scores goal No 9 in Switzerland
Former MFM striker, Stephen Odey continued his impressive form in front of goal as he scored yet again for FC Zuerich at the weekend. There was however a sad news from Germany as Super Eagles left back, Jamilu Collins was injured during his team’s match against MSV Duisburg, leaving Coach Gernot Rohr with limited options ahead of the all-important away match against South Africa in the 2019 African Nations Cup qualifier.
In Spain, it was a weekend to be forgotten so soon for Francis Uzoho as the young keeper picked the ball out of his own net five times at the weekend.
In yet another comprehensive report, the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN captures the performances of Nigerian players abroad.
ENGLAND
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): He played the last 22 mins and provided an assist for Alexandre Lacazette with eight minutes left to play in the 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool.
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City): Ndidi went the distance for the 11th successive Premier League game as Leicester City beat Cardiff City 1-0 while his teammate, Iheanacho did not figure for the Foxes for the first time this season across all competitions after he was left on the bench for the entirety of the game.
Ndidi was an aerial threat, winning an impressive eight aerial duels.
Ademola Lookman (Everton) & Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove): Balogun was an unused sub for the eighth consecutive game while Lookman was sent on in the 68th min when the Toffees defeated their opponent, 2-1.
Victor Moses (Chelsea): He played no part when his team defeated Crystal Palace 3-1.
Odubeko fires hat-trick for Man Utd youth team
Manchester United U-16 team defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at the weekend with Nigerian youngster, Mipo Odubeko scoring thrice.
Odubeko has scored a lot of goals for United’s youth teams and has been tipped to debut for the U-18 team before the end of the 2018-19 season, especially as he has featured for the U-17s this season.
The danger man has played for Republic of Ireland at U15 level and was part of their squad for the prestigious 2017 Victory Shield in Northern Ireland.
Elsewhere, Mipo Odubajo also netted a hat-trick in United’s 4-1 rout of Newcastle United in October.
He represented St Joseph’s Boys before joining Manchester United youth team.
Otabor turns down England for Eagles
Birmingham City forward, Viv Solomon-Otabor has reportedly turned down the opportunity to play for Three Lions of England stating that he wants to represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Otabor who was previously on the books of Premier League giants Crystal Palace has been a target for the Amaju Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The 22-year-old forward was given birth to in London, England but his parents are from Edo State, Nigeria.
Otabor has opted to represent Nigeria despite being earlier called up to the England U-21 squad by Aidy Boothroyd which included NFF target, Ademola Lookman for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Andorra and Scotland.
The report states that his admiration for Nigeria and the urge to wear the green and white influenced his decision to turn down England.
“Now I’m 22, I feel like I’ve got a lot of experience with over 80 league appearances under my belt and if I get into the Super Eagles team, I can do well.
“I’ve matured physically and I’m more powerful than when I was before. So a chance is all I need to prove myself.
“I hope for an opportunity to show the manager and his staff what I can do,” he said.
Otabor along with Liverpool forward Sheyi Ojo are expected to be called up for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2019.
SCOTLAND
Ovie Ejaria and Sadiq Umar (Rangers): Ejaria was substituted with three mins left to play while his teammate, Umar was not listed for their club’s 2-0 win at St. Mirren.
Efe Ambrose (Hibernian): The Super Eagles outcast lasted the duration of his team’s 0-1 loss to St.Johnstone.
ITALY
Ola Aina (Torino): The Super Eagles right back lasted 90 mins when his team secured a 4-1 win over Sampdoria.
SPAIN
Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes): The Super Eagles centre half was on for 90 mins when his team played a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid. Omeruo has become a revelation since moving to the Spanish side on loan from Chelsea at the start of the season.
Chukwueze wins MVP in first La Liga start
Newly invited Super Eagles forward , Samuel Chukwueze played his first La Liga game for Spanish side, Villarreal as they forced Levante to a 1-1 draw.
Chuwkueze lasted the duration of the match and the 19-year-old operated from the left flank although he drifted into the middle most times to influence play just like he did in the Copa Del Rey game against Almeria where he scored his first goal in a 3-3 draw.
Chukwueze’s display was partly the reason Villarreal was rescued from defeat thanks to a late goal by Alfonso Pedraza which cancelled out a Ramiro Funes Mori own goal.
After the match, the teenager was rated by Whoscored.com as the best player on the pitch for Villarreal with a rating of 8.0 over 10, more than any player on the pitch for the Yellow Submarines.
DIV 2
Azeez Ramon (Lugo): He was a non playing substitute when his team played a goalless draw away at Reus. Azeez, has made five appearances in all competition this season and his club, Lugo I placed 15th on the log with 13 points from 12 games.
Uzoho concedes 5 goals in Elche’s heavy defeat
Francis Uzoho suffered a humiliating defeat with Elche in the Spanish La Liga 2 on Sunday as they were battered and bruised 5-1 by Cadiz.
Uzoho started the match for Elche, who played away from home.
He, however, could not help his side avoid the – El Clasico like humiliation Thibaut Courtois endured.
The Nigeria international entered Sunday’s league match with a record of two shut outs in as many games.
Although he wasn’t entirely culpable for any of the goals, the young goalie on loan from Deportivo La Coruna, could however have done better as the 20 year old conceded four goals in 12 second half minutes.
Sory Kaba had shot the visitors, Elche into the lead in the ninth minute but goals from Roberto Correa, Dejan Lekic, Jose Mari (pen.), Salva Sanchez, and Manuel Vallejo handed Uzoho’s team their fourth defeat of the season.
Elche are now 14th with 14 points from 12 games while Cadiz who recorded a remarkable win are 13th in the table but with a superior goal difference to Uzoho’s team.
Uzoho and his Elche’s teammates will be looking to bounce back from the shambolic defeat when they hos Las Palmas in their next league game on Saturday.
GERMANY
AFCON 2019: Collins injured ahead of South Africa tie
The Super Eagles is faced with a potential left-back crisis ahead of their meeting with South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier scheduled to be staged in Johannesburg in two weeks time.
Paderborn 07 defender, Jamilu Collins, who is Gernot Rohr’s preferred choice at left back these days, had to be substituted in his team’s 2-0 loss to MSV Duisburg at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The 24-year-old had to receive treatment in the 75th minute after he was badly tackled and returned to the pitch but could not shake off the injury and was replaced with 11 minutes left on the clock.
Rohr will definitely be concerned about the situation of Collins as he is the only left-footed defender named in the 23-man squad for the upcoming games.
Should Collins fail to recover in time, the German has two options; to deploy Ola Aina as a left back for the match or settle for Lokomotiv Moscow’s Brian Idowu, who was overlooked for the games against Libya.
Collins has started all the fourteen matches contested by Paderborn 07 this term.
Akpoguma: German youth star open to Nigeria call-up
Kevin Akpoguma, who has played for Germany at youth level, is eligible to play for Nigeria’s senior team.
Former Germany youth international Kevin Akpoguma says he would consider playing for Nigeria at senior international level – if the Europeans failed to give him a chance.
Akpoguma, 23, who plays for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, has a German mother and a Nigerian father – making him eligible to play for the three-time African champions.
Under FIFA rules he is free to switch because he has not yet played for Germany’s senior national team.
And, despite 62 Germany caps from under-16 to under-21 level, Akpoguma says he will not close the door on Nigeria.
“I was born in Germany and I have played for all the youth teams of Germany and I am still a young player.
“I want to leave it open because Germany can still call me. But if I have no other option to play for Germany, then I can consider playing for Nigeria because my dad is from Nigeria.
“My father has told me to listen to my heart… he doesn’t want to put pressure on me to make any decision. It is very important I make the right decision.”
Akpoguma has been in impressive form for Hoffenheim this season, missing only three games in the league campaign.
But his performances have yet to convince German manager Joachim Löw, who has a plethora of world-class defenders at his disposal.
Akpoguma’s admission could give Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr an extra option as he looks for a long-term addition to the regular centre back duo of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong.
“I believe that if you want to play for a country I think you should play for that country with love and passion,” he added.
“That is why if I play for Nigeria I should be in a position to play my whole career for them. No half measures.
“Gernot Rohr visited us here in Hoffenheim and talked a lot about the young team he is building. I saw it at the World Cup; there are very good players like Iwobi, Ndidi and Leon Balogun.
“He explained all the things because I had a good conversation with him. But as I said, I want to leave every door open. When the time comes, I will let the world know my decision.”
Akpoguma started his professional career at Karlsruhe SC and also played for Fortuna Düsseldorf.
He captained Germany at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, helping Germany edge Nigeria 1-0 in the second round.
RUSSIA
Brian Idowu (FC Lokomotiv Moscow): He was introduced in the 46th min of his team’s 3-1 defeat of Arsenal Tula.
UKRAINE
Kayode Olanrewaju (Shakhtar Donetsk): The Super Eagles forward was not listed when his team won 2-1 at home to Dynamo Kiev.
TURKEY
Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray): The striker returned from an injury and was replaced in the 86th min of his club’s 2-2 draw with Fenerbahce. The game was his 10th appearance in the Turkish Super Lig this season. The Nigerian international who missed his side’s last two league games against Matalayaspor and Bursaspor due to a thigh muscle strain posted a decent performance for Galatasaray who moved up to second spot following the draw.
Samuel Emem Eduok (Kasimpasa): He was cautioned in the 29th min but lasted the duration of his team’s 1-2 loss at home to Antalyaspor.
Lanre Kehinde (Ankaragucu): He was a non playing substitute when his club defeated Kayserispor 3-1.
BELGIUM
Victor Osimhen (Sporting Charleroi): The former schoolboy international lasted the duration of his team’s 1-2 loss at Oostende.
Anderson Esiti and Taiwo Awoniyi (Gent) & Imoh Ezekiel and Abdul Ajagun (Kortrijk): Esiti lasted 90 mins, Ezekiel was introduced in the 77th min while the duo of Awoniyi and Ajagun were non playing substitutes when Gent defeated Kortrijk 3-1.
SWITZERLAND
Stephen Odey (FC Zuerich) & Blessing Eleke (FC Luzern): The former MFM striker once again proved his high rating with a goal in his team’s 5-2 win away at FC Luzern. He scored the goal which put FC Zuerich 2-1 up five minutes after his Nigerian compatriot; Eleke drew Luzern level in the 22nd minute. Odey who has scored 9 goals this season was substituted with five minutes left to play.
SWEDEN (DIV 2)
Egbuchulam scores goal No 15
Chisom Egbuchulam scored his 15th league goal of the season for his Swedish second division side Falkenbergs in their 2-2 draw against Norrby.
Egbuchulam shot his side into in the 49th minute but it wasn’t enough to earn maximum points as Jasin khayat ensured Norrby earned a share of the spoils with a leveller in the 65th minute.
Egbuchulam now leads the Swedish second division with 15 goals from 25 games, one goal more than Andri Bjarnason of league leaders Helsingborg.
SLOVAKIA
Abdulrahman Taiwo (Nitra): He was substituted in the 85th min of his team’s 0-1 loss to DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda.
Maduka Udeh (Zlate Moravce): He was a non playing substitute when his club suffered a 0-3 loss to FK Senica.
DENMARK
Emmanuel Ogude (Vendsyssel FF): The youngster was on for 90mins when his team suffered a 2-3 loss at home to SonderjyskE.
Kano Pillars duo for Brondby trials
Danish side Brondby has fixed a date for Kano Pillars duo of Nazifi Yahaya and Alhassan Ibrahim to resume for assessment ahead of possible signing.
The two players are expected to arrive Denmark today and they will train with the Scandinavian club for two weeks.
Already Nazifi has made an impression when he trained with the team few months ago and they were keen on offering him a deal when he turns 18.
Nazifi was the star for the Nigeria U-20 team in their last qualifiers which sealed their spot at next year’s African U-20 Cup of Nations with a brace in their 5-0 win over Mauritania in their final qualifiers.
Cem Sagar is the brain behind the trials for the duo and he only recently concluded a scouting tournament in Lagos State with over six clubs from Europe witnessing the event.
AUSTRIA
Emeka Eze (SK Sturm Graz): He was substituted in the 81st min of his team’s 1-1 draw with FC Wacker Innsbruck.
Yusuf Otubanjo (LASK): He was replaced in the 57th min of his club’s 2-2 draw at SKN St. Poelten.
PORTUGAL
Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto): The central defender was not considered when his team secured a 2-0 win at Maritimo.
SLOVENIA
Bede Amarachi Osuji (Gorica): He put in a 90 mins shift when his club drew 2-2 at home to Rudar Velenje.
CYPRUS
Nosa Igiebor (Anorthosis): The Super Eagles outcast lasted 90 mins when his team secured a 2-1 win at Apollon Limassol.
Shikoze Udoji (Enosis Paralimni): He put in a 90 mins performance when his team won 2-0 against Alki Oroklini.
AZERBAIJAN
James Adeniyi (Gabala SC): He scored in the 5th min in the 2-1 defeat of Sabah FK.
CHINA
Mikel John Obi (Tinajin Teda): The Super Eagles captain was not listed in his team’s 1–1 away draw at Chongqing Lifan. The midfielder featured in Teda’s 4 – 2 loss at home to Shanghai Shenhua a week ago scoring the team’s first goal in the 22nd minute of the match.
Chongqing Lifan is currently placed 14th in the 16 team league table with 28 points after 27 games while Tianjin Teda is heavily in the relegation zone on position number 15 with a total of 28 points.