Moses, Abraham feature for Chelsea as City Nigerian trio miss in Community shield
…Ighalo nets 12 goals in China
Nigerian duo of Victor Moses and Tammy Abraham both started on the substitute bench for Chelsea while neither of Lukas Nmecha, Tom Dele-Bashiru or Nathanael Ogbeta was named among the Citizens squad that made the short trip to Wembley.
Also, Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo continue his sensational form with his Chinese club, Changchun Yatai scoring goal number 12 on Saturday, also the Eagles Skipper Mikel Obi still absence following his latest injury.
Elsewhere, Fulham loanee Tayo Edun registered his first goal for Ipswich Town, Victor Adeboyejo was on target for Barnsley, all in England second division.
HEAD SPORTS, TOYIN SAHEED reports the performance of other young Nigerian players across Europe who did well in their various clubs, including transfer story that involve Nigeria players.
ENGLAND
Pre-Season: Iwobi stars as Arsenal beat Lazio
As the Premier League sides round off their pre-season activities and look forward to the start of a new season, allnigeriasoccer.com details readers with the performances of their favourite Nigerian players who took part for their clubs in their final tune-up games on Saturday 4th August.
At the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Arsenal brushed aside Italian opposition, Lazio 2-0 courtesy of strikes from Reiss Nelson and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
Super Eagles star, Alex Iwobi made his first pre-season start for the Gunners and was involved in the first goal which Nelson put away.
The 22-year-old filled with his usual trickery, showed quick feet to cut in from the left side of the box and let fly a venomous effort which came off the foot of the goal only for his teammate to pounce and prod over the line in the 18th minute.
Iwobi continued to torment his summer suitors, combining brilliantly with Alexandre Lacazette after the intermission, but the Frenchman could not put away his assist.
He made way for Henrikh Mkhitaryan after 62 minutes of action and will now look forward to starting again versus Lukas Nmecha’s Manchester City in their Premier League opening game next week.
Timothy, Luke feature for Tottenham
Spanish team, Girona made light work of a young Tottenham side 4-1 which contained promising Nigerian starlets Timothy Eyoma and Luke Amos.
Amos earned his fourth appearance of the pre-season and was replaced in the 81st minute while Eyoma was named in the starting XI for the second consecutive game of the campaign, making way eight minutes from time.
Amos, playing as a midfielder was culpable of missing a golden chance when he was picked out in the box in the 48th minute but he could not get a clean connection with the ball which rolled away and wide off target.
Tottenham travel to Tyneside to tackle Newcastle United in their league opener next weekend.
Debut goals for Edun, Adeboyejo, Omotayo; Birmingham’s Otabor scores
Fulham loanee Tayo Edun was full of happiness after his stoppage time goal for Ipswich Town in their opening match of the EFL Championship against Blackburn Rovers.
Edun who helped his team to a 2-2 draw versus Blackburn Rovers in their Championship game at the Portman Road Stadium.
The 20-year-old who joined the Blues on a season-long loan deal from Fulham yesterday salvaged a point in stoppage time for his team when he floated in a ball in the box which missed everyone and trickled in.
Elsewhere, Victor Adeboyejo was on target for Barnsley in their 4-0 trouncing of Oxford United in a League One game at the Oakwell Stadium.
The former Chelsea trialist fired home from close range to make the scoreline 4-0 after meeting a cross ball from McGeehan in the 89th minute, seven minutes after coming off the bench.
A league lower, Gold Omotayo equally came off the bench to score a winning goal for his new League Two club, Bury in their 1-0 victory over Yeovil Town at the Gigg Lane Stadium.
The 24-year-old striker replaced Chris Dagnall in the 77th minute and nodded in a Wil Aimson’s cross in the 89th minute to seal victory for The Shakers.
Finally at the St. Andrew’s Stadium, Viv Solomon-Otabor was also on target for Birmingham City in a 2-2 draw with Championship opponents, Norwich City.
The ex-Dream Team VI invitee slotted home in the 89th minute for The Blues to put his side 2-1 up.
Etebo makes first appearance in a Stoke shirt
Nigerian World Cup Star Etebo Makes First Competitive Appearance In A Stoke City ShirtAllnigeriasoccer.com understands that Super Eagles star Oghenekaro Etebo will definitely make his competitive debut for his new employer Stoke City when they take on Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday, August 5.
The versatile midfielder was in the Potters traveling party to West Yorkshire, which more or less confirms that he will be named in Gary Rowett’s 18-man squad.
Stoke City’s pre-season preparations did not go as planned after they lost four of their last five matches against
Etebo has only lost once on his league debuts for the teams he has represented since moving to Europe in 2016, and that was against Rio Ave on August 28, 2016 when C.D. Feirense were beaten 1-0 in the Primeira Liga.
Eagles target Maja net for Sunderland in league opener
It was a great start for Josh Maja in Sunderland’s League One opener against Charlton Athletic, with the striker finding the net as the Black Cats came from behind to beat The Addicks 2-1.
Lyle Taylor gave the visitors the lead at the Stadium of Light in the tenth minute when he converted a spot kick after referee John Brooks penalized Maguire for a foul on Grant.
Nineteen minutes into the second half, Sunderland equalized through Maja, who fired home a low strike past goalkeeper Phillips.
It was the 19-year-old’s second goal for Sunderland in 20 appearances in all competitions since he debuted for the first team against Queens Park Rangers in September 2016.
The scores remain deadlocked until the sixth minute of injury time when Lynden Gooch headed home the winner.
Josh Maja was invited to train with the Super Eagles ahead of a proposed friendly with Burkina Faso in March 2017 but he did not honour the invitation due to commitments with Sunderland.
CHINA
Ighalo scores 12 goals for Changchun Yatai
Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo is on a sensational run of form with his Chinese club Changchun Yatai after getting on the score-sheet for the second consecutive matchday in their 1-1 draw with Shanghai Shenhua on Saturday afternoon.
The 29-year-old struck home a left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner to pull his side level thanks to a headed assist from teammate, Nemanja Pejcinovic in the 70th minute.
Nigeria manager, Gernot Rohr is expected to hand in his squad list for the team that will execute the very important AFCON Seychelles qualifier next month within the next couple of weeks and the striker is leaving no stone unturned in continuing to prove his qualities.
The former Watford hitman has now scored 12 goals from just 16 starts in the CSL, including four in his last four games and only Shanghai SIPG’s Wu Lei has scored more goals than him this term.
Changchun Yatai have recorded 18 points from their 16 games contested in the division this season.
Rohr wants Mikel as Teda player battle for fitness in China
Super Eagles Manager Gernot Rohr is certain to hit the panic button as his influential skipper John Obi Mikel is battling to be fit ahead of a crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles in a month’s time.
For the third game in a row, the defensive midfielder has been omitted from Tianjin Teda 18 for their Chinese Super League clash against Hebei CFFC.
However, the positive news is that Mikel is making good progress in his recovery from a knee complaint which saw him miss games against Dalian Yifang (July 28) and Guangzhou Evergrande (August 2).
Tianjin Teda have five more matches to contest before another international break and it remains to be seen what kind of physical state Mikel is in when he reports for Super Eagles duty.
The former Chelsea star was suspended for Tianjin Teda’s first game after the World Cup break, before picking an injury against Chongqing Dangdai Lifan on July 21, a game in which he went the distance.
Changchun Yatai’s Odion Ighalo has no such injury worries ahead of the AFCON qualifier vs Seychelles; he netted his fifth goal in five matches on Saturday.
FRANCE
Bordeaux confirm Kalu signing
Through a statement on their official website, French Ligue 1 outfit Bordeaux have announced that they have reached an agreement with KAA Gent over the transfer of Samuel Kalu, subject to the signing of all administrative documents.
The 20-year-old Nigerian winger has been signed as replacement for ex-Brazil U20 star Malcom who joined Barcelona this summer.
Kalu and his representatives were pictured at the Brussels Airport on Saturday ahead of their trip to France for the final round of negotiations.
He has passed a routine medical, paving the way for him to pen a multi-year contract with Bordeaux.
Regarded as Nigeria’s most promising prospect by CIES, Kalu is a product of the famous Golden Boot Soccer Academy which produced ex-Leicester City striker Ahmed Musa.
The former AS Trencin man has been directly involved in 41 goals (17 goals and 24 assists) from 99 appearances since he moved to Europe in 2016.
FINLAND
Nigerian Exports: AFCON Vet Taye Taiwo, Eleke, Olayinka Score Maiden Goals For Clubs
In Finland, former Nigeria international Taye Taiwo opened his goal scoring account for RoPS as they were held to a 2-2 draw by champions HJK at Telia 5G -areena (Helsinki).
The left-back made it 2-1 in the 54th minute when he scored with a trademark free-kick. Taiwo turned out for HJK during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
The Africa Cup of Nations veteran played 22 games in the Veikkausliiga before netting his first goal for RoPS.
SWAZILAND
Blessing debuts in Swiss Super League
New signing Blessing Eleke celebrated his debut for Luzern with a goal as they eased to a 4-2 home win against Stanley Amuzie’s Lugano in the Swiss Super League.
The former Gorica and Olimpija Ljubljana striker hopped off the bench in the 64th minute and needed only ten minutes before scoring his first goal in Luzern’s colours, making the scoreline 4-2 in the process.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Peter scores for Slavia Prague
Peter Olayinka scored seven minutes into his competitive debut for Slavia Prague as they claimed a 3-1 win over Opava. The striker entered into the fray in the 83rd minute.
ITALY
Italian club wants Ola Aina
Italian Serie A club Torino are competing with Championship sides West Brom and Derby County for the signature of Chelsea defender Ola Aina in the summer transfer window.
Torino are holding transfer talks with the Nigeria international who played last season on loan at Hull City and featured in 44 games in the English second-tier.
His form for the Tigers contributed to the decision of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr naming the fullback in a 25-man provisional roster for the 2018 World Cup.
If his transfer to The Maroons materializes, Aina could link up with fellow Super Eagle Joel Obi, though the midfielder is drawing transfer interest from Spanish, Italian and English clubs.
The 21-year-old has been on the books of Chelsea since joining the club as an Under 11, he is not in the plans of new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri and is unlikely to play a part in tomorrow’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City.
Aina has a contract with Chelsea until the end of the 2019-2020 season.
SAUDI ARABIA
Al-Nassr move might boost Musa’s hopes – Rohr
Nigeria Coach Gernot Rohr believes that Ahmed Musa’s move to Al-Nassr FC this week could boost his Super Eagles contribution.
The 25-year-old ended his underwhelming two-year stay with Leicester City on Friday, when he signed deal with the Saudi Arabian side.
Despite moving away from European football, and one of the world’s major leagues, Super Eagles boss Rohr is confident that Musa’s move could help Nigeria.
“I am very happy for Musa,” Rohr told KweséESPN. “It’s good for him to go to a club where he is playing than to a club where he is not playing.
“The assistant coach at Leicester [Jacky Bonnevay] is someone I know, and he is sad that Musa has to go,” the German coach continued. “He saw him training and he was very happy.”
“I do not say that [Musa’s international career will be jeopardised by his move to Saudi Arabia],” Rohr concluded.
“He is an important player for us, and he is going to a club where he plays, that’s important.
USA
Adi happy with debut appearance for FC Cincinnat
Nigerian striker, Fanendo Adi, is pleased to have made his debut for his new club, FC Cincinnati, in Sunday’s United Soccer League (USL) game against Nashville.
Adi fired blanks in the encounter which ended 1-1 at home with Nashville FC but remains confident the team will bounce back to winning way in their next game.
Adi, who is Portland Timbers’ second best all-time highest goal scorer replaced Danni Konig in the 73rd minute of the game.
“What a beautiful atmosphere, thanks @fccincinnati for that huge welcome,=not the best result but we will only get better, on to the next,” he tweeted after the game.
Adi moved to a division lower with FC Cincinnati who are expected to feature in the top-flight Major League Soccer (MLS) next year.
Cincinnati currently lead Group A of the USL with 45 points from 22 league games.
BULGARIA
Eze delighted to bag first win with Locomotiv Plovdiv
Nigerian defender, Stephen Eze, is elated to see Locomotiv Plovdiv pick their first win in the Bulgarian Premier League this season following Saturday’s 1-0 away win against champions, Ludogorets at the Ludogorets Arena, Razgrad.
Bruno Akrapovic lost their opening two games of the season against CSKA Sofia and Slavia Sofia.
Eze, who has made two appearances for the club this season, featured for the entire 90 minute in the away match.
“Tough 90 min against the Champions @LudogoretsPFC and we finally came through with a 0:1 win! Well done to the lads and as always, huge thanks to the fans for their support! GO PLOVDIV ??????!!,” reads a tweet on Eze’s Twitter handle on Sunday.
CROATIA
Ex-Flying Eagles Captain Musa Joins HNK Gorica
Super Eagles right-back, Musa Mohammed, has teamed up with Croatian topflight club, HNK Gorica.
Mohammed joins the club on a three-year deal from Istanbul Basaksehir a close source revealed to CSN on Sunday.
The former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles captain spent the last two seasons on loan at Zeljeznicar in Bosnia and Locomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgaria.
The 21 year old is expected to be unveiled by the club on Monday it was also gathered.
ed has three international caps for the Super Eagles since he made his debut against Tanzania in 2016.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Leeds United’s 3-1 victory over Stoke City is their biggest win on the opening weekend since a 3-0 win over Manchester City in 2002/03.
- Gabriel Jesus has made 27 league starts for Manchester City without ever featuring on the losing side (W23 D4), while also contributing 24 goals in those games (18 goals, six assists).
- 15 – Barry Douglas has provided 15 assists in the Championship since the start of last season, with eight of those coming from set-pieces – both league-high figures.
- Pablo Hernandez has been directly involved in five goals in his last five league appearances at Elland Road (3 goals, 2 assists).
- 10 of Sergio Aguero’s 201 @ManCity goals have come against Chelsea – only against Newcastle (14) has he scored more for the Citizens.
- The FA Cup winners have won the last four editions of the #CommunityShield, with Manchester United in 2013 the last reigning champions to do so.
- West Brom are the fourth team in the Premier League era to lose at home on the opening day of the season in the second tier after getting relegated the previous season (also Crystal Palace in 05-06, Derby in 08-09 and West Ham in 11-12).
- Middlesbrough have faced Millwall on the opening day on two previous occasions, in the 1987-88 and 1991-92 seasons, winning promotion at the end of both of those campaigns.
- Bolton and West Brom haven’t met on the opening day of the season since the 1898-99 season, a 3-3 draw in the top-flight.
- Blackburn haven’t won on the opening day in any of their six seasons since they were relegated from the Premier League (D3 L3).
- In each of the last two seasons, the team facing Bristol City on the opening day of the season has gone on to be relegated from the Championship – Wigan Athletic in 2016-17 and Barnsley in 2017-18. Herald.
- Sunderland haven’t won any of their last 47 league matches when they’ve conceded the first goal (D9 L38).
- Burnley have won all five of their meetings with Scottish opponents at Turf Moor by an aggregate score of 19-2.
- Each of the last four European matches between a Scottish and an English side have finished level, including the 1-1 draw between Burnley and Aberdeen in the first leg.
- The last Scottish side to win away at an English team in European competition was Celtic against Liverpool in the 2002-03 UEFA Cup quarter-final.
