…Onuachu, Akabueze, Umar, Torunarigha on song
There were goals aplenty from the Nigerian contingent across Europe at the weekend as Paul Onuachu, Marvin Egho and Chukwuma Akabueze all hit target for their Danish clubs. Also on song is Tammy Abraham, Folarin Balogun and Germany-based central defender, Jordan Torunarigha.
However, the most cheering news came from the Turkish League with reports that Bayern Munich chiefs are presently considering signing Henry Onyekuru as a replacement for the ageing Franck Ribery.
In yet another comprehensive report, the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN writes on the performances of Super Eagles players and hopefuls, from the widely followed English Premiership to the less fancied Oman League.
ENGLAND
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): He was substituted in the 46th min of his club’s 4-2 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
Victor Moses (Chelsea): The out-of-favour wingback was not listed as his team secured a 2-0 win over Fulham.
Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) & Isaac Success: Ndidi and Success both made the starting line-up while Iheanacho played the last 18 mins of Leicester’s 2-0 defeat of Watford.
Leon Balogun (Brighton) & Phillip Billing (Huddersfield): Balogun made a rare appearance off the bench when he replaced Bruno in the 78th minute and picked up a booking four minutes later. Denmark U-21 player, Billing played the full match as Brighton recovered from an early setback to secure a 2-1 win.
Obi joins Leicester on 2-yr deal
Highly-rated youngster, Daniel Obi, has agreed a two-year deal with English Premier League side Leicester City, following a successful trial.
The central defender has moved a step closer to becoming a professional footballer after penning a scholarship deal with The Foxes last Thursday.
Obi’s agreement with Leicester City will be activated on July 1, 2019 ahead of the start of pre-season preparations and this is subject to the player successfully completing the club’s medical.
Leicester City have started offering their outstanding players scholarship deals now because they have to send decisions of who they are giving new contracts to the English Football Association by March 2019, so clubs have to sort themselves early.
The former Premier League champions have in their ranks Super Eagles stars Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, and Obi hopes to follow in their footsteps by playing for the first team.
Layton Ndukwu, Calvin Ughelumba and U17 World Cup winning midfielder Habib Makanjuola are also on the books of the King Power Stadium outfit.
Adedoyin enjoying productive season at Everton
Nigerian-born winger, Korede Adedoyin is having one of his most productive seasons for Everton’s youth teams.
The 18-year-old was on target as the Toffees progressed to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after a 4-1 hammering of Sunderland on Saturday.
Adedoyin’s looping header on the stroke of half-time gave Everton a two-goal lead heading into the interval after seeing his effort miss the target a few minutes earlier.
This season, he has featured for Everton U18s in the U18 Premier League, Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup and has registered his name on the score sheet in the three competitions.
In the league, he has found the net six times, while he has netted twice in the Premier League Cup and once in the FA Youth Cup.
Eligible for Nigeria and England, Korede Adedoyin has pledged his international future to his country of birth and would not reject a call-up to the Flying Eagles ahead of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
The youngster models his game after Abidjan-born Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, who played for England’s youth teams before he was convinced to play for Ivory Coast.
U-18: Balogun takes tally to 11 as Arsenal humiliates Fulham 6-2
Promising Arsenal striker, Folarin Balogun took his tally for the season to eleven goals as the Gunners U18 side hammered Fulham 6-2 at Shenley Training Centre in Hertfordshire in the U-18 Premier League on Saturday, December 1.
The home team was ahead after 12 minutes as Yunus Musah scored after he was teed up by Ben Cottrell.
Midway through the first half, Balogun converted a spot kick to make it 2-0 before scoring Arsenal’s fourth goal of the afternoon two minutes into the second half.
His hopes to score his second hat-trick in the league this season ended when he was replaced in the 74th minute.
England U18 goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo started on the bench, Ryan Alebiousu and Nathan Oyedeji were unused subs and Fulham striker Timmy Abraham subbed out in the 64th minute with the Gunners leading 5-0.
Apart from the aforementioned countries, Folarin Balogun is also eligible to represent USA and has earned four caps for their U18 team, scoring two goals.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Tammy Abraham (Aston Villa): He scored in the 64th min of his team’s 3-0 rout of Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. He has now scored in four successive matches for the Championship club.
SCOTLAND
Efe Ambrose (Hibernian): The veteran defender lasted the duration of his team’s 0-3 loss at Kilmarnock.
Sadiq Umar and Ovie Ejaria (Rangers): Sadiq was not listed while Ejaria played for 90 mins as their club secured a 2-1 away win at Hearts.
ITALY
Orji Okonkwo (Bologna): The youngster was benched for 90mins when his team was thrashed 4-1 by Sampdoria.
William Troost-Ekong (Udinese): The central defender was on for the entirety of his team’s goalless draw at Sassuolo.
Okereke in line for shock Inter move
Former Football College Abuja prospect, David Okereke could end up at Serie A side, Inter Milan this summer according to reports gathered from Italy.
Okereke has emerged as a target for the Serie A giants thanks to his good run of form for Spezia in the Serie B where he has contributed to seven goals in ten appearances this season with three goals and four assists to his name.
Linked with a move to Standard Liege of Belgium last summer, he decided to extend his contract with Spezia till 2022 upon his return from a productive loan spell from Serie C side Cosenza, where he spent last season on loan.
Inter Milan are tracking the 21-year- old and are likely to sign him in January with the option of leaving him at Spezia on loan till the end of the current season before a decision will be made on his involvement with them in pre season next summer.
SPAIN
Omeruo welcomes daughter with stellar performance
Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo was once again rock solid for his loan side Leganes in their 4-2 win away to Real Valladolid to extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to five matches.
Omeruo started as part of a back four and he was solid with his timing, tackles and interception.
The match was his seventh straight game of the season but this particular match was special to the 24-year-old as it came four days after his wife gave birth to their first child -a baby girl.
Though on a season long loan from Chelsea, talks are already on about Leganes triggering the clause they agreed in making the loan deal permanent at the end of the current season.
GERMANY
Jordan Torunarigha (Hertha BSC): The Germany U-21 defender got on the score sheet in the 44th min as his team registered a 2-0 win over Hannover.
I could play for Eagles – Torunarigha
Fresh from scoring his first goal of the season, Hertha Berlin defender, Jordan Torunarigha has said he could yet play for the Super Eagles despite turning down the first approach from Nigeria.
Established as a junior international for Germany, he was asked by popular Germany- based Nigerian journalist, Oma Akatugba if he stands a better chance of playing for Nigeria in the future.
In a post shared on his twitter handle at @Omaakatugba, Akatugba said the defender responded by saying he could maybe play for Nigeria but refused to explain why he turned down the first approach from Nigeria.
Coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr has identified the left-footed central defender who is rated as one of the best promising defender in the Bundesliga as one who could bring stability to the central defence of the Nigerian team.
RUSSIA
Fegor Ogude (Yenisey Krasnoyarsk): He was issued a yellow card in the 36th min of his team’s 1-1 draw with Republican FC Akhmat Grozny.
Sylvester Igboun (FC Ufa): Super Eagles outcast, Igboun played for 90 mins when his team drew 0-0 with FC Anzhi Makhachkala.
Brian Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow): He was on the substitutes’ bench when his team suffered a 1-2 loss at FC Spartak Moscow.
TURKEY
Anthony Nnaduzor Nwakaeme and Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor): With Onazi out injured, Nwaekeme was substituted in the 90th min of their club’s 0-2 loss to Kayserispor.
Chukwuma Bentley Akwabueze (Boluspor): The left-footed player scored in the 72nd min and lasted 89 mins as his team was beaten 2-3 at home by Adana Demirsporu.
Aminu Umar (Rizespor): The former U-20 striker rescued a point for his team in the 66th min of their 1-1 draw with Ankaragucu. Early in the second half, he was presented with a glorious opportunity to score the equaliser but saw his close range effort palmed away for a corner by goalkeeper Bayindir.
In the 66th minute, the former Dream Team VI star made a run inside the box before smashing in an unstoppable volley past the keeper.
He has been deployed mostly as a left winger in the current season, including today’s match against Ankaragucu.
Onyekuru may replace Ribery at Bayern
German Bundesliga side, Bayern Munich will test Everton’s resolve to hang on to Henry Onyekuru by slapping in a bid to sign him permanently in January.
Onyekuru is viewed by the hierarchy of the Bundesliga giants as the ideal replacement for 35-year-old Franck Ribery who might retire from professional football soon.
On loan from Everton to Galatasaray, Onyekuru could be sold by Everton with the club failing to obtain a work permit for him to play in England since signing him two seasons ago from Belgium side Eupen.
Capped five times by Nigeria, Bayern hope to sign him and loan him back to Galatasaray for the rest of the season before bringing him into their team in next summer when Ribery’s contract ends.
However they are not the only team interested in the 21-year-old who has 4 goals from 14 games this season with French Ligue 1 duo Olympique Marseille and PSG also lining up moves for him. Napoli has also been mentioned as part of the clubs interested in luring him from Everton.
His deal at Everton run till 2022 and the Toffees will demand a fee in excess of the £7m that paid to Eupen to sign him two seasons ago.
The wanted Onyekuru lasted the duration of his team’s 0-1 loss to Besiktas at the weekend.
Onazi out for 3 weeks with muscle injury
Trabzonspor midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has been ruled out for three weeks after sustaining a muscle injury in the 2-1 win over Fenerbahce in a Turkish Lig game.
Onazi who starred in the win was diagnosed of a 2nd degree muscle injury in his right leg according to the club’s doctor, Hakan Bozdogan.
Bozdogan then confirmed on the club’s official website that the player “is expected to start working with the team within three weeks”
The 25 year old, who is out of favour with the Nigerian national team, will miss Trabzonspor’s next four games.
BELGIUM
Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge) & Uche Agbo (Standard Liege): The forward scored the second goal in the 17th min but was substituted six minutes later after sustaining an injury in his club’s 3-0 defeat of Agbo’s Liege.
Anderson Esiti and Taiwo Awoniyi (Gent): Esiti lasted the duration but was cautioned in the 62nd min while former U-17 striker, Awoniyi was introduced in the 56th min of their club’s 2-2 draw at Lokeren.
Imoh Ezekiel and Abdul Ajagun (Kortrijk): Former Flying Eagles skipper, Ajagun was introduced in the 75th min while Ezekiel rose from the substitutes’ bench in the 90th min of their team’s 1-0 defeat of Royal Excel Mouscron.
Osimhen – He is too young, talented, extraordinary, says coach
On loan Wolfsburg striker, Victor Osimhen has drawn praises from his manager at Sporting Charleroi, Felice Mazzu after his recent goal in their 3-1 win over Cercle Brugge at the weekend.
The goal scored in the 53rd minute was Osimhen’s eight strike in all competitions with seven coming in the league. This is a remarkable tally for the former U-17 forward who went 18 months at Wolfsburg without scoring in a competitive fixture.
Speaking on the form of the youngster, Mazzu said the 19-year-old is still not the finished player but he possess extraordinary quality which marks him out.
“The duo of Victor Osimhen and Cristian Benavente, very young and very positive. It’s an advantage. It’s a pair that is full of energy and enthusiasm. Victor is a talented young player, who still needs to be polished.
“What he has shown, so far is already extraordinary,” the coach said after the win against Cercle Brugge.
DENMARK
Emmanuel Ogude and Seyi Adekoya (Vendsyssel FF): Ogude was a 68th min substitute while Adekoya was a non playing substitute when their club suffered a 0-2 loss at OB.
Daniel Anyembe (Esbjerg FB): Anyembe logged 90mins when his team was humiliated 4-1 at home to AaB.
Onuachu scores winner in Denmark
Former U-23 invitee, Paul Onuachu bagged the winner for FC Midtjylland as they defeated Randers 2-1 at the BioNutria Park, Randers.
The lanky striker scored the crucial goal with 12 minutes into the second half to restore his team’s one-goal advantage after ex-Austria U-21 striker, Marvin Egho had equalised for the home team on 33minutes.
So far, Onuachu has had a hand in 13 goals (10 goals and three assists) from 16
appearances in the league this term. The striker who was cautioned in the 75th minute lasted the duration of the match while his Nigerian compatriots, Frank Onyeka and Rilwan Hassan were introduced in the 80th and 62nd minute respectively.
ROMANIA
Kehinde Fatai (Dinamo Minsk): He struck his fifth goal of the season in his club’s 3-0 win at Tarpeda.
BELARUS
I am open to offer – Abubakar
Former U-17 World Cup winning defender, Aliyu Abubakar believes that he has what it takes to play in a bigger league.
Abubakar, who is presently plying his trade at FC Slutsk of Belarus however said he is open to a better offer if the opportunity beckons.
“I would leave for a proverbial golden fleece when it comes to the growth and expansion of his career.
“Every human being on earth Is destined to move forward in life, which I am not an exception.
“I had a worthy season, having played 23 good matches in the league and I gave good account of myself so one might expect when there is good offer, I should consider it but for now I am a player of FC Slutsk.
OMAN
We can still retain league title – Etor.
Former U-23 player, Daniel Etor who is presently playing for Al-Nasr in Oman believes his team can still retain the Sultan Cup that they won last season as well as the Elite League.
Speaking with newsmen, the former Rangers Int’l player said, “Yes we can, though we started slowly these season but gradually we are getting back to our rhythm. We have started picking points both home and away and certainly hope to continue in that manner and possibly win the Sultan Cup again and also give a serious fight for the league as well.
We are gradually getting it right, we started very late, we lost so many points home and away which was not good for our team.
“We have retraced our steps and we are back on track presently though not really withstanding we lost two key players.
“We are optimistic about achieving a better result before the league comes to an end and I believe we can get back to the way we started last season.’
