…as U-20 prospect, Ojebode, shuns England invitation
In his second match since he returned from injury, Bordeaux playmaker, Samuel Kalu scored for his French club at the weekend.
In the Jupiler League, Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure has continued to attract interest of the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr by scoring twice in Club Brugge’s 5-1 defeat of Royal Antwerp.
In the Premiership, Alex Iwobi came off the substitutes’ bench to score Arsenal’s third goal against Burnley.
The News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN, scouts Europe, Asia and Africa to bring you another extensive report on Super Eagles players and hopefuls.
ENGLAND
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) & Victor Moses (Chelsea): Ndidi had an impressive match as his team secured a surprise 1-0 win over Chelsea. The midfielder completed 73 percent of his passes with three successful tackles and three interceptions. He also made one clearance with two shots, one dribble and also winning one aerial duel. Iheanacho was a second half substitute while his Chelsea compatriot, Moses was not considered for this tie.
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): He scored his second goal of the season, netting 12 mins after coming on as a substitute to add gloss to the score line rounding off scoring in their 3-1 defeat of Burnley.
Leon Balogun (Brighton): He made his seventh appearance as his team lost 0-2 away at Bournemouth. It was Balogun’s fourth start in the EPL this season.
Isaac Success (Watford): He came on in the 84th min of his team’s 2-0 defeat of West Ham United. The former Golden Eaglets star as made 18 appearances this season and his drought spans eight English Premier league matches.
Boxing Day: Balogun gets managers’ nod to start against Arsenal
Brighton & Hove boss Chris Hughton has suggested that Leon Balogun could retain his place in the starting line-up when Arsenal visits the American Express Community Stadium on December 26.
Balogun has deputised for Duffy and partnered Lewis Dunk in central defense for the last three Premier League game as Shane Duffy was serving a three-game ban after he was sent off vs Crystal Palace.
Duffy is expected to return to the squad on Wednesday but Dunk is not available for selection after he was sent off for a second bookable offense in the 2-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday and this means Balogun could be given the nod to start his fourth straight game.
“What we’ve had in that position are players that have played very well, so whenever you lose one it’s a big blow for the team,” Hughton was quoted as saying by the official website of the Seagulls.
“Lewis has been very good for us all season and so has Shane [Duffy]. We’ve got him coming back now, but we’ve also got [Leon] Balogun, who I think has done really well. That’s the competition that you want.”
With 21 points in their kitty, Brighton are nine points above the last relegation spot occupied by Burnley.
Palace boss coy on Abraham’s interest
Crystal Palace coach Roy Hodgson has refused to be drawn on speculation linking the club with a move for Chelsea striker of Nigerian descent, Tammy Abraham in the January transfer window.
Chelsea is reportedly willing to sell the England U21 star and Palace as well as Newcastle United have been mentioned as potential destinations but Hodgson declined to comment when quizzed by reporters at Friday’s press conference.
“This is the time when players get linked to football clubs. Any goalscorer who may or may not be available will be linked with us.
I won’t comment on links,” Hodgson told the national press in England.
Former Nigeria international Victor Moses and Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke have also been linked with a move to Selhurst Park in the January transfer window.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunderland boss explains Maja’s bench role
Josh Maja was surprisingly not utilised by Sunderland manager Jack Ross as they were beaten 3-1 by Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday, amid speculation linking the striker with an exit from The Blacks in the January transfer window.
Ross has claimed that the former Super Eagles invitee was unwell and hopes that he is fit to face Bradford City.
“He was unwell. To be honest, he wouldn’t have started, the way we set up was what we worked on and in fairness it worked,” Ross was quoted as saying by Sunderland Echo.
“He would have always come on, regardless how the game was going but he wasn’t feeling great this morning.
“We didn’t have any other option to include him on the bench as we lost Adam Matthews as well.
“We were a little bit hamstrung in that respect.
“Being unwell in these conditions, we were looking after him. Hopefully he will be okay for Boxing Day.”
Maja, 19, is Sunderland’s leading scorer in the League One so far this season with 12 goals from 20 appearances.
U-20 invitee Ojebode shuns England invitation
West Bromwich Albion teen sensation, Yussuf Ojebode, has sensationally turned down the chance to represent England at U-18 level to achieve his goal of representing Nigeria at U-20 level.
The 17-year-old was expected to team up with the Nigerian team before the start of the WAFU U-20 Championship but his club stopped him because he just returned from an injury.
In an official letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) the club stated clearly that he will no doubt be a part of the team in the future particularly when they resume for training ahead of their campaign at the CAF U20.
Shortly after impressing against Fulham in an U18 game where he bagged an assist in a 2-1 win for West Brom an invitation to the U17 of England was set in motion but his advisory team has ruled out any chance of him honouring the call.
“No way is he going to consider playing for England now. The decision to play for Nigeria has been made and it stays same for now. He is keen on playing for Nigeria at U-20 level and hopefully he will be called up when preparations starts for the Africa U20 Championship,” Akinyemi Busola disclosed.
LOWER DIV
Fred Onyedinma (Wycombe Wanderers): His team fell to a first league defeat in seven matches, losing 2-1 to Wimbledon at Adams Park. Onyedinma scored his team’s lone goal after turning home a low cross from a teammate in injury time.
SPAIN
Villarreal to offer Chukwueze new contract to ward off Atletico
Villarreal has opened talks with Samuel Chukwueze over a new contract in an attempt to ward off interest from clubs in La Liga and Premier League.
In recent days, Atletico Madrid have been linked with a January move for the Nigeria international, who is valued in the region of 30 million euros.
Although the identity of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Chukwueze is classified information for now, he was heavily courted by Arsenal and Leicester City just before completing his move to the Yellow Submarine.
“Many clubs are interested in signing Samuel Chukwueze but we will have a clearer picture in the New Year,” Chukwueze’s family lawyer, Johnny Ogbah told Alnigeriasoccer.
“Of course, Villarreal are interested in renewing his contract. One Premier League club has shown interest.”
Chukwueze has retained his place in Villarreal’s starting line-up despite the sacking of coach Javi Calleja who handed the teenager his debut in September.
FRANCE
Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux): He scored the curtain raiser in the 22nd min but his team ended up in a 1-1 draw with Amiens.
GERMANY
Felix Ohis Uduokhai (Wolfsburg): He played a cameo role following his introduction in the 90th min of his team’s 3-2 win at Augsburg.
Jordan Torunarigha (Hertha Berlin): He was on song and halved the deficit in the 26th min but was cautioned 12 mins later as his club suffered a 3-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena.
The Germany U-21 international who recently signed a new contract at the club has now scored four goals in 29 appearances from his defensive position this term.
Frankfurt loans out Eagles’ hopeful
Through a statement on their official website, German Regionalliga side, Chemnitzer FC has confirmed that they have loaned in Nigerian-born defender, Deji Beyreuther from Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
The teenage left-back, who models his game after Bayern Munich star David Alaba, is joining the Sky Blues on loan for the remainder of the 2018-2019 campaign.
Deji has yet to make his professional debut for Eintracht Frankfurt but has been named in their match day squad on four occasions this season, including three matches in the Europa League.
“Deji is a highly talented player who wants to take the next step in his young career with our Sky Blue,” Chemnitzer’s Director of Sport Thomas Sobotzik said.
“We are very happy and would like to thank Eintracht Frankfurt for the confidence and support in the implementation of the transfer. ”
Beyreuther will train for the first time with his new teammates at the start of the winter preparation on January 7, 2019.
DIV 2
Felix Agu (VfL Osnabrück): The teenage right back scored his maiden professional goal as his team registered a 2-1 win against Würzburger Kickers at flyeralarm-Arena.
The 19-year-old signed his first professional contract with VfL Osnabrück in May 2018.
SCOTLAND
Efe Ambrose (Hibernian): He lasted the duration of his team’s 1-1 draw with Livingston.
BELGIUM
Abduljeleel Ajagun (KV Kortrijk): He was an unused substitute when his club played out a goalless draw with St. Truden
Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge): He scored twice in the 5-1 thrashing of Royal Antwerp. His scored the opening goal in the 21st min and the second in the 65th min to increase his team’s lead to 4-0. He has now scored five times in 12 matches in the current season.
Anderson Esiti and Taiwo Awoniyi (Gent): Esiti made his 80th appearance and 13th league start of the season as his team defeated Cercle Brugge 4-1 at the Ghelamco Arena.
The 24- year-old was replaced in the 60th min of the win. His compatriot, Awoniyi was a non-playing substitute in the win.
ITALY
William Troost Ekong (Udinese): The central defender played for 90mins as his team shared the spoils (1-1) with Frosinone. Troost-Ekong has featured in 17th consecutive start in 17 Serie A games for Udinese at the Stadio Friuli.
Orji Okonkwo (Bologna): He was a non-playing substitute as his club played a goalless draw against Parma.
Ola Aina (Torino): The Chelsea loanee lasted the duration of his team’s 1-1 draw with Sassuolo. Aina who gave a good account of himself has made the starting line-up in 11 of the 15 Serie A games he has played.
Joel Obi (Chievo): He saw no action as he watched his team secured a 1-1 draw against his former side, Inter Milan. Obi has made 10 appearances for for Chievo this season, starting eight of them and scoring once.
HOLLAND
Kingsley Ehizibue (PEC Zwolle): He was cautioned in the 45th min and lasted the entire duration as his club suffered a 0-2 reverse at VVV-Venlo.
TURKEY
Emem Eduok (Kasimpasa): He was introduced in the 63rd min of his team’s 4-1 defeat of Besiktas.
PORTUGAL
Stanley Awurun (Farzim): He was introduced in the 74th minute as his club won 1-0 at Braga B
SWITZERLAND
I’m no longer bothered about Eagles’ snub – Odey
FC Zurich striker, Stephen Odey has said he will continue to focus on his club as he is no longer bothered about his exclusion from the Super Eagles.
Odey’s only invitation to the senior national team was in June 2017 when he played for NPFL side MFM FC.
In chat with newsmen, the forward explained that the snub calls for concern following his impressive numbers for the Swiss top division side.
“I must admit for a while it bothered me that I wasn’t even getting the attention of the Eagles coaches. But now, I feel relaxed because there’s a lot of time yet for me to do more with Zurich,” said Odey.
Odey made his first senior appearance for Nigeria; albeit in an unofficial game, against Togo in a 3-0 win.
He has scored 6 goals in 17 league appearances, including two in 6 Europa League outings this season as they progressed to the Round of 32 in the competition.
FC Zurich keen on Nwobodo
Former U-20 midfielder, Obinna Nwobodo may join Swiss side, FC Zurich from Hungarian side Ujpest in January when the transfer window.
Nwobodo has been very impressive for Ujpest the season with six goals to his name from 23 games in all competitions this season from his role as a central midfielder for the Hungarian Cup champions.
The performance of the 22 year old has not gone unnoticed with FC Zurich officially contacting Ujpest for a deal for the fleet footed Nwobodo who joined the team from Enugu Rangers last year.
Ujpest are in no way keen on letting him leave two years into his five year deal at the club but their resolve to hold on to the midfielder will be severely tested if FC Zurich meet their valuation.
5th place Ujpest are not totally against his departure in January but the club would prefer selling him next summer as it will afford them time to sign his replacement before the start of the season.
SWEDEN
Egbuchulam turns down Falkenberg contract extension offer
Newly promoted Sweden top division side Falkenberg will be without their last season top scorer Chisom Egbuchulam when they begin their campaign in the top division in Sweden.
Chisom scored 14 goals from 26 games to fire Falkenberg to the top division but the 26 year old has turned down a contract extension with the club with his present deal set to expire on the 31st of December 2018.
Falkenberg signed the pacy forward in April on a short term deal with no provision to trigger an extension at the end of the loan which led to negotiations that has now broken down.
The club and the striker are some distance away from the wages he should earn leading the striker to pull out of talks over an extension and already a move to IFK Goteborg is close to happening.
The former Enugu Rangers forward has agreed terms with Goteborg on a deal that will run for an initial period of three years with the option of extending it for another year.
SAUDI ARABIA
Musa extends goal drought to 4 games
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa extended his goal drought to four league games in the Saudi Arabian League on Friday when he featured in Al Nassr Riyadh’s 2-1 win away at Al-Ittihad Jeddah.
Abderazak Hamed-Allah scored in each half to hand AL Nasr Riyadh a win despite the hosts drawing level five minutes into the second half through Fahad Al Muwallad.
The game was Musa’s 12th league game of the campaign.
Musa, 26, has scored five times this season with his last goal coming against FC Shabab in November 23rd.
SOUTH AFRICA
Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa Utd): Eagles third choice goalkeeper was denied a sixth clean sheet as his team suffered a 0-2 loss at Bidvest Wits.
Akpeyi has made 15 starts this season conceding 16 goals. The 32-year-old has kept five clean sheets with his last against Maritzburg United.
