… FC Porto targets Onuachu
With the major leagues across Europe hitting the final stretch, Super Eagles players and hopefuls may have resolved to end the season on a high as Sylvester Igboun, Ogheekaro Etebo, Anthony Nwaekeme and Tammy Abraham all found the back of the net at the weekend.
In the Chinese Super League, Odion Ighalo continued with his business of goal scoring as he was on song twice in a heavy win for Shanghai Shenhua.
In the Danish Super League, leggy forward, Paul Onuachu has continued to attract interest despite not scoring at the weekend. The latest club to have shown interest in the player is Portuguese giants, FC Porto.
The NEWS EDITOR, ADEBAYO OLODAN brings you another comprehensive package on Nigerian players abroad.
ENGLAND
Ademola Lookman (Everton) & Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): Both played the role of substitutes when Everton secured a 1-0 victory at home to Arsenal. While Lookman was played the last two mins of the match, Iwobi was introduced in the 74th min.
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City): The duo contributed their quota in a deserved 4-1 triumph at already-relegated Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Ndidi was substituted in the 87th minute while Iheanacho was a late entrant at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Ndidi sets new personal record
Ndidi set a new personal Premier League record following his appearance for Leicester in their 4-1 rout of already-relegated Huddersfield Town, Saturday afternoon.
The Nigeria international was in action for 87 minutes against the Terriers, taking his total game time this season to 2,935 minutes, which is his best in a single season since his arrival in the Premier League from Racing Genk in January 2017.
Ndidi’s previous best was set in the 2017-2018 season when he logged 2,899 minutes across 33 games before he sustained a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of the campaign.
Should the central midfielder be involved in Leicester City’s next league match against Newcastle United, he would have played a record amount of games in a single season, 34.
With five Premier League games remaining, the Super Eagles star is also in contention to beat his personal best in terms of goals (2) which he first set in his debut season in England and has equaled this term.
Of his 83 games in the top flight, he has started 82, a testament to his importance to the Leicester City side.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City): The dimunitive midfielder scored the only goal in the 13th min as his side defeated Blackburn Rovers. Etebo fired into the net just inside the area from Ince’s cutback. The goals is his second for the Potters since joining the club last summer.
Semi Ajayi and Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham Utd): Ajayi and Ihiekwe were both in action but it was the latter that shone brightly having rose highest in the penalty area, before planting a header home on the hour mark to give his team a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Tammy Abraham (Aston Villa): The Chelsea loanee slotted home in the fourth minute of stoppage time to seal a 3-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. The victory is Villa’s six league win on the bounce.
Jones: Stoke will welcome transfer bid for Etebo
Stoke City manager Nathan Jones has said the club won’t have any problem selling Oghenekaro Etebo following the player’s eye-catching performances for the Potters this season.
Etebo has been an instant hit at the Bet365 Stadium following his summer arrival from modest Portuguese club CD Feirense.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce was extremely impressed with the marauding midfielder’s performance in his club’s last weekend 0-0 draw against Stoke City and told reporters after the game that the former Nigeria U-23 Eagles star is too good to be playing for the Potters.
There are fears Stoke City who were relegated from the Premier League last season may lose his services at the end of the current campaign with the big guns expected to circle round the player.
“That’s what we want,” Jones stated when asked about the possibility of Etebo leaving the club this summer following his consistent sterling performances for the Potters that have made positive impression in the transfer market.
“I’ve just come from a club where every window we were fighting off six or seven bids for our players, every single window.
“I want that to be the case here.
“It means we are doing great work. If we are fighting off bids from the Premier League and Europe, it means we are moving in the right direction and soon we are going to be at that level.
“So I’ve got no fear about that. I want Peter to be attracting interest from the very top clubs and, if he is at that level and he gets an opportunity that’s just too good to turn down, then we will have a decision to make.”
ITALY
William Troost-Ekong (Udinese): The central defender lasted 90 mins as he inspired his team to a 3-2 win over Empoli.
DIV 2
Umar Sadiq (Perugia): Former U-23 star, Umar Sadiq made it three goals in six matches by scoring in Perugia’s 4-2 loss to Benevento at Stadio Renato Curi.
With 12 minutes gone, the lanky striker blasted the ball into the net after a corner kick was not properly cleared by the Benevento defense. Sadiq’s other goals this season came against Venezia and Salernitana.
Jerry Mbakogu (Padova): He scored a goal in the 12th min when his team suffered a 1-2 loss against his former club, Carpi at Stadio Sandro Cabassi.
Mbakogu fired home from inside the box after he was set up by Lorenzo Lollo. The Lagos-born striker was on the books of Carpi for five years before mutually parting company with the club in August 2018.
SPAIN
Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes): The defender who is currently recuperating from an injury was not listed when his club drew 1-1 at Deportivo Alaves.
Agbo makes winning debut for Vallecano
Super Eagles defensive midfielder, Henry Uche Agbo finally made his La Liga debut for Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
The ex-Granada utility player replaced experienced forward Bebe as Rayo Vallecano humbled Valencia 2-0 at the Estadio de Vallecas.
Raul de Thomas and Mario Suarez scored as Rayo increased their points haul to 27 from 31 games as they fight to keep their place in the Spanish top flight.
Agbo joined Rayo Vallecano on loan from Belgium First Division side Standard Liege in the 2018/19 mid-season transfer window.
He sealed the move on deadline day and the club has an option for a permanent deal at the end of the loan spell.
SCOTLAND
Gboly Ariyibi (Motherwell): He was replaced in the 65th min of his team’s 0-3 loss at home to Rangers.
HOLLAND
Kingsley Ehizibue (PEC Zwolle): He was one of the outstanding players when his club thrashed Fortuna Sittard 5-0. Operating as a right midfielder, Ehizibue contributed an assist, had 93 per cent pass accuracy, one key pass and one shot on target.
RUSSIA
Sylvester Igboun (FC Ufa): He scored the winning and solitary goal of his team’s 1-0 win over FK Rostov in the 25th minute. The former Super Eagles striker lasted the duration of the match.
TURKEY
Samuel Eduok (Erzurumspor): He scored his eight league goal of the campaign but he couldn’t save his club as they lost 2-1 away at Kasimpasa.
Having left Kasimpasa in January, the 25-year-old was making his first return to the Recep Erdogan Stadium in Istanbul, hoping to lead them to victory.
The defeat leaves BB Erzurumspor needing a miracle to avoid relegation as they remain second from bottom with 22 points from 27 games.
Anthony Nwaekeme (Trabzonspor): He scored the opener when his team defeated Antalyaspor 4-1 in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday.
High wage demand stalls Ideye’s Trabzonspor move
Following his release by Chinese side Tianjin Teda, 30-year-old striker, Brown Ideye could miss out on a chance to relaunch his career due to his wage demand which has so far stalled his move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.
Ideye’s agent reportedly met with the president of the Turkish team who are willing to pay the former West Brom record signing an annual fee of €2m on a three years deal but his agent wants a yearly salary of €5m.
The impasse has held up the move which would have seen him reunite with the Nigerian duo of Ogenyi Onazi and Anthony Nwakaeme at the club that once had Taiye Taiwo on their books.
It is believed that the move could be off due to the disagreement although he could yet move to another Turkish team when the transfer window opens in the summer according to sources close to the player.
His move to China from Greek side Olympiakos didn’t go as planned as he was banished to the reserve team of the club before his eventual release by the club after a not too productive loan spell with relegated Spanish side Malaga.
BELGIUM
Mouscron pushing for first option on Awoniyi
Belgium top division side, Mouscron is in talks with Liverpool to retain the services of Taiwo Awoniyi for another season on loan after having two successful different loan spells at the club, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.
Awoniyi is still not eligible for a work permit to represent Liverpool despite his exploits this season where he scored 8 goals in nine games to steer Mouscron from relegation to the Europa League play off following his signing in January.
It is the second time he has excelled on loan at the club as he scored ten league goals for the team last season while on loan before moving to Gent in the summer, a move which didn’t go as planned for the 21-year-old.
Although Club Brugge is said to be in the hunt for the forward, Mouscron believe the striker stand a better chance of maintaining his career growth with them as he is sure going to play regularly and that they have tabled to Liverpool during talks.
Awoniyi’s future is according to reports tied to the team making the Europa League as Liverpool is keen on him playing in European Cup competition as the next line of his development following his contract extension in the summer.
U-17 skipper, Tijani loses out on Brugge move over multiple reps
The much talked about transfer of U-17 captain, Samson Tijani to Belgium side Club Brugge won’t be happening.
Tijani was billed to join the Belgium team after the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations which is the qualifiers for the World Youth Championship but the move suffered setback due to uncertainty over his true representative.
He impressed the scouts of Club Brugge during the WAFU B U17 Championship in Niger Republic and contacts was made with his local team in Nigeria, which further strengthened the chances of the deal happening.
However it was called off after it was discovered that the 16-year-old signed representative contracts with two other agents outside the one who brought the Club Brugge deal according to a source who is in the know about the deal.
” The deal is off. Tijani and the guys who brought the Club Brugge deal are no longer working. They called off their relationship with him after discovering that he has signed representative contracts with two other agencies. It’s sad but it’s the reality “, he disclosed.
SLOVAKIA
Nwolokor post clean sheet in play-off
On loan HNK Rijeka shot stopper, David Nwolokor kept a clean sheet as Sered defeated Ruzomberok 1-0 in the title play-off in Slovakia.
The 23-year-old was impressive behind the sticks for Sered and helped them pip Ruzomberok to all three points although they are still sixth in the six team play offs for European spots in Slovakia.
The goalkeeper is among European based shot stoppers who are been watched closely ?by coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr who is searching for more options in goal ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
SWEDEN
Alhassan Yusuf (IFK Gothenburg): He was an unused substitute when his team ran out 3-0 winners over Elfsborg.
ROMANIA
Zenke nets winner to boost Bucuresti’s survival hopes
Former Nigerian youth international, Simon Zenke scored what proved to be the winning goal for Dinamo Bucuresti in their 3-2 win over Concordia Chiajna in the Romania Ligue 1 relegation rounds.
Having joined the club as a free agent in November, the former Strasbourg of France player was giving the starter’s nod for the 9th time as he went in search of his first league goal for the club.
A brace from Athanasios Papazoglou either side of the half gave the host a commanding 2-0 lead before Zenke made it 3-0 four minutes before the hour mark when he skillfully beat his marker before firing a fierce effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The Nigerian was then withdrawn on the hour mark before two late goals from substitute Petre Daniel Ivanovici ensured a nervy finish to the clash with the hosts holding on for all maximum points.
The win ensured Dinamo stay on course for survival having won three of their opening four games in the relegation round.
DENMARK
Daniel Anyembe (Esbjerg FB) & Paul Onuachu, Frank Onyeka and Rilwan Hassan (FC Midtjylland): Anyembe lasted 90 mins, Onuachu came on as a substitute in the 63rd min and was cautioned 11 mins later while Hassan was an unused substitute as Esbjerg and FC Midtjylland battled to a 2-2 draw. Onyeka shot the away team (FC Midtjylland) scored the curtain raiser in the 47th min but was replaced in the 81st min of the match.
FC Porto makes Onuachu summer transfer target
FC Porto is leading the chase to sign recently capped Nigeria international striker, Paul Onuachu of Danish side FC Midtjylland according to news sources in Denmark.
Onuachu made his international bow for Nigeria in the dead rubber AFCON 2019 Qualifiers tie against Seychelles which Nigeria won 3-1, a feat he followed up with a goal inside the first seven seconds in his second game against Egypt which ended as the lone goal of the friendly encounter.
With 19 goals and six assists this season, the giant forward has no doubt played himself into the thoughts of teams around Europe with FC Porto leading the chase for his signature in the summer.
Porto is expected to officially open talks for his transfer at the end of the Danish regular season and want the deal to be concluded before he teams up with the Nigerian squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in June.
A fee of over €10m will no doubt be the asking price from Midtjylland, the club where he has been since 2013 with two years left on his present contract which will expire in the summer of 2020 following his contract extension in 2016.
NORWAY
Sunshine duo returns to Nigeria after trials
The two defensive midfielders of Sunshine Stars, Omaka Anthony and Jide Fatokun have returned to the country after failing to reach contractual agreement with Norwegian club, Stabaek – a team playing in the elite league.
It could be recalled that Anthony spent three weeks in the club and Fatokun spent nine days.
Both players actually did well during the trial period but the clubs could not meet the financial obligations of the players which explained why they were returned to Sunshine, a source claimed.
Fatokun and Anthony have been the engine room of Sunshine stars right from last two seasons ago, Fatokun who was recruited from Osun United while Anthony was recruited from MFM of Lagos.
HUNGARY
Freiburg joins Red Bulls in race for Nwobodo
Former Enugu Rangers and U-20 midfielder, Obinna Nwobodo will in the summer depart Hungarian side Ujpest where he has emerged as one of their best players in his two years at the club.
Nwobodo was linked with a move to Swiss side FC Basel but according to latest information gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com, they are not the only team keen on luring the 22-year-old from Ujpest.
This portal exclusively gathered that German Bundesliga side Freiburg made checks on the midfielder and sounded out his representatives about a potential deal in the summer.
MLS side New York Red Bulls are also in the running for his signature and a delegation from the team is expected in Hungary before the end of the season for talks over his possible transfer in the summer.
A fee in the region of €5m has been quoted as his transfer fee by the local press in Hungary but it could be more as Ujpest will no doubt insert some clauses which could see them earn more from his move in the future.
CROATIA
Oboabona shines as Gorica slay Rijeka
Godfrey Oboabona enjoyed a spectacular outing in the Croatian HNL.1 to help HNK Gorica pip Rijeka 1-0 to move to sixth on the ladder.
The hard tackling centre back extended his impressive form in the top tier league to steer Gorica to 42 points after 28 rounds of matches.
Kristijan Lovric’s 48th minute strike proved to be enough for the homers to snatch maximum points at the ŠRC Velika Gorica (Velika Gorica).
Oboabona joined the Stadion Radnik outfit after departing Saudi Arabia side Al-Ahli at the end of the 2017-18 season.
The 28-year-old started his senior career with local club Sunshine Stars in 2010 and later signed a four-year deal with Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor in 2013.
He has made 11 league appearances for Gorica since his move in September 2018.
CHINA
Ighalo scores twice as Shenhua defeats Aluko’s Beijing Renhe
Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo netted a brace in Shanghai Shenhua’s 5-1 thrashing of Beijing Renhe in their Chinese Super League clash at the Hongkou Stadium on Sunday.
Giovanni Moreno opened scoring for the home team in the 21st minute, while Freddy Guarin doubled the lead in the 33rd minute.
Ighalo scored Shanghai Shenhua’s third goal of the encounter 10 minutes before the break after he was set up by Cao Yunding.
He got his second of the game in the 66th minute following a pass from Guarin.
Zhang Lu netted Shanghai Shenhua’s fifth goal of the game 10 minutes from time.
Senegalese forward Makhete Diop scored Beijing Renhe’s consolation goal four minutes from time.
Ighalo has now scored four goals in four league appearances for Shanghai Shenhua this season.
The former Watford striker is now joint top scorer in the CSL with four goals along with Eran Zahavi who plays for Guangzhou R&F.
He was second top scorer in the CSL last season with 21 goals in 28 appearances for his former club Changchun Yatai. Former Super Eagles forward Sone Aluko was in action for Beijing Renhe for 90 minutes of the game.
