…Iorfa sees red, Iwobi blasted by Arsenal fans
With few weeks left to the end of the 2018/19 Season of the European Leagues, Nigerian players continued to impress for their various clubs. It was however Super Eagles fringe forwards; Stephen Odey, Victor Osimhen and Sylvester Igbonu who stole the headlines in Austria, Belgium and Russia respectively. While Odey and Osimhen contributed a goal each for their clubs, Igbonu scored twice at the weekend for FC Ufa in a massive 4-1 win. Also in the Chinese League, Sone Aluko scored for the second consecutive week to rescue a point for Beijing Renhe.
In the English Championship, former England schoolboy international, Dominic Iorfa was shown the exit in the 80th minute of an action-packed encounter between his club, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End.
In yet another extensive package, the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN writes on the performances of Super Eagles players and hopefuls abroad.
ENGLAND
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) & Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): Ndidi was cautioned in the 13th min and was substituted alongside Iwobi in the 46th min of the match while Iheanacho was a non-playing substitute as Leicester defeated Arsenal 3-0.
Iwobi missed a glorious opportunity to reduce the deficit for the Gunners.
Ademola Lookman (Everton): He was an 84th min substitute as his team was held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace.
Isaac Success (Watford): He made his 29th appearance of the season after being introduced in the 82nd min of his club’s 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was cautioned in the 85th minute.
Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove): He was left out of the squad that drew 1-1 at home to Newcastle Utd.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Fred Onyedinma (Millwall) & Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City): The duo lasted the duration of their teams’ goalless draw.
John Obi Mikel (Middlesbrough) & Ovie Ejaria (Reading): They both logged 90 mins as Boro ran out 2-1 winners over Reading.
Eberechi Eze, Bright Osayi-Samuel (QPR): Eze was substituted after 75 mins while Samuel lasted the duration of their club’s 0-1 loss to Nottingham Forest.
Lukas Nmecha (Preston North End) & Joshua Onomah and Dominic Iorfa (Sheffield Wednesday): Nmecha came on in the 74th min, Onomah was replaced in the 67th min while Iorfa was issued a red card with 10 mins left to play as Preston and Sheffield drew 3-3 in an enthralling encounter.
SCOTLAND
Uche Ikpeazu (Hibernian): He lasted the distance and drew his team level in the 84th min of the 1-1 draw at home to Hearts.
Gboly Ariyibi (Motherwell): He was on target as his team registered a 4-3 win against Dundee at Fir Park. The Nottingham Forest loanee gave The Well the lead for the first time in the game when he slotted his shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-2. It was his second league goal for the club he joined in the winter transfer market.
SPAIN
Uche Agbo (Rayo Vallecano): He suffered an embarrassing loss on his first start following a 5-0 defeat to Seville at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. Speaking after the Loss, the 23-year-old admitted that lack of concentration and poor decision making cost them at least a point from the clash.
Moses Simon (Levante): The energetic winger who was instrumental in Levante 5-4 win over Real Betis in La Liga last weekend gave a below per performance on the left wing as his team crashed 0-1 to Barcelona, who won the league at the Camp Nuo Saturday night.
The former Genk of Belgium midfielder was later substituted in the second half of the game.
Omeruo named Man of the Match
Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo produced a stunning performance for Leganes as they halted their two-game losing streak to draw at home to visiting Celta Vigo on match day 35 of the Spanish La Liga.
Playing in a now familiar three-man back formation, the Chelsea loanee led the defence for the host alongside Unai Bustinza and Dimitrios Slovas as they went in search of their 10th clean sheet of the campaign.
Both teams were, however, guilty of wasteful shootings as they could only muster a combined three shots on targets despite hitting the ball 18 times all through the 90 minutes.
But when Celta Vigo thought they had taken the lead against the run of play, the impressive Omeruo was on hand to deny them as he made a last ditch goal line clearance to earn his side their first point in three outings.
Omeruo was however named the game’s MVP after a high rating of 8.0, making 10 clearances, winning 6 of his seven duels, making one interception and also completing 91% of his passes.
Chukwueze keeps mum on Villarreal future
One of Nigeria’s most sought after players and Super Eagles rising star, Samuel Chukwueze, has revealed that no talks have been held over his exit from Spanish club Villarreal amid interests from top European clubs.
The 19-year-old has had a near perfect breakthrough season with the Yellow Submarines and has been consistently linked with a move away from the club since the winter transfer but stayed put to help the club beat the drop.
The Flying Eagles invitee, who spoke to AOIFootball.com before his side penultimate home game of the season against Huesca, stated that for now nothing has been decided on his future yet.
“For now I don’t have anything to say about that. There will always be speculations about a player’s future but until the end of the season, I am a player of Villarreal.
“Maybe when the season end we can now decide on what will happen in the nearest future,” Chukwueze added.
The 19-year-old has been a shining light in the Spanish LaLiga this season after debuting last November against Levante and going on to feature in 22 more league games and contributing seven goals in the process.
He will, however, be in for a busy summer schedule with the Flying Eagles for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland next month, as well as a potential place in the Super Eagles squad for the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
RUSSIA
Igbonu nets brace in UFA’s massive win
Super Eagles outcast, Sylvester Igbonu continued his impressive form for modest side FK UFA, scoring twice in their comeback 4-1 win at home to Ural Yekaterinburg.
The former FC Ebedei youth player was given the nod to lead the line for the 22nd time in the league but it was the visitors who drew first blood on the 16th minute when Eric Bicfalvi put them 1-0 up.
Andres Vimbergar then equalised for the hosts six minutes later before Ondrej Vanek’s penalty goal seven minutes after the break put UFA ahead for the first time in the clash.
Defender Sergey Bryzgalov was then dismissed for the visitors just before the hour mark to hand UFA a numerical advantage with half an hour left in the clash.
Igbonu then got in on the act 11 minutes from time when he scored his fifth headed goal of the season before making it 4-1 deep into added time as the host moved five points clear off the automatic relegation spot.
The six-time capped Eagles forward has now been directly involved in 11 of UFA’s 23 league goals, scoring 9 and providing two assists to help them to 14th on the 16- team table.
ITALY
Fiorentina joins Torino in race for Aina
Fiorentina has joined Torino in the race for Chelsea loanee, Ola Aina.
Football Italia making reference to La Nazione claims Fiorentina are in the market for a right back, and Torino’s Ola Aina and Brescia’s Alessandro Semprini top Montella’s wish list.
But the operation is not straightforward as Torino have a purchase option on the player for ten million euros that could be triggered at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
The former England U19 skipper has impressed since his arrival at The Maroons, playing multiple positions, including left midfield and right midfield.
Chelsea loaned Aina out for the second time in his career to further his development and this has paid off.
The 22-year-old has made 26 appearances in the Serie A, scoring one goal and providing two others.
DIV 2
Okereke nets 10th league goal in Spezia’s draw
David Okereke scored Spezia’s only goal in their 1-1 draw at home to Perugia which also had Sadiq Umar and Kingsley Michael on their books.
With both sides chasing all three points to boost their promotion hopes l, Okereke was handed the chance to lead the line for the hosts whilst Umar Sadiq also got the same chance for the visitors while Kingsley Michael watched from the bench.
But it was Okereke who made the first impact six minutes to half time when he combined well with Ghanaian forward Emmanuel Gyasi to give the hosts the lead as they went into the break 1-0 up.
However, they were to be denied all three points when on-loan AS Roma forward Umar Sadiq set up substitute Federico Melchiorri to make it 1-1 as both teams settled for a share of the points.
Okereke who continues to be linked with a move away from the club has now been involved in 17 goals for the Serie B outfit in 28 games scoring 10 and setting up another seven goals in the process.
TURKEY
Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor) & Elvis Manu (Akhisar Belediyespor): Shehu was introduced in the 69th min while Manu played for 90 mins as Bursaspor and Akhisar drew 0-0.
Chidozie Awaziem, Aminu Umar and Okechukwu Azuibuike (Rizespor): Awaziem and Azubuike both played for 90 mins against Sivasspor with the former who was cautioned in the 61st min dominant in defence with three tackles, three clearances, 92 per cent pass accuracy and three duels won. Azuibuike also showed his quality with 91 per cent pass accuracy, two tackles won, one key pass and four duels won. Former U-23 striker, Umar was introduced in the 27th min of the match.
Samuel Eduok (Erzurum BB): He was replaced in regulation time of his team’s 1-1 draw at Antalyaspor.
ISRAEL
Trabzonspor, Sociedad, lead race for Ogu
Super Eagles midfielder, John Ugochukwu Ogu is on the radar of four top European clubs after he announced last week that he won’t be renewing his contract at Israeli club Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
The midfielder, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, will likely not be short of offers following his impressive outing for the Israeli league defending champions.
A source close to the player revealed that Turkish club, Trabzonspor are hoping to lure the 31-year-old to the club next season to form a partnership with fellow Nigerian, Ogenyi Onazi as they prepare for life in the Europa League.
They will, however, need to fend off stiff competition from fellow Turkish side Yeni Matalyaspor who are also interested in Ogu’s signature, with Spanish Side Real Sociedad and German club Hamburg also making contact with the player’s agent.
Ogu joined Be’er Sheva in 2014 from Portuguese club Academica Coimbra, going on to make over 160 appearances since then, winning 3 league titles and two cup titles in the process.
HOLLAND
Akujobi pens new Heerenveen deal
Through a statement on their official website, Dutch Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen has announced that promising midfielder; Hamdi Akujobi has penned his first professional contract with the club.
The Flying Eagles invitee has put pen to paper on a three-year contract that will keep him at The Super Frisians until the end of the 2021-2022 season.
Commenting on the deal, Gerry Hamstra, technical manager of SC Heerenveen stated: ”We are pleased that today we have again been able to capture a player from the youth for the longer term.
“Hamdi has developed well this season. He is a talented player with a great deal of power, a good fit and with an eye for monitoring the balance in midfield.”
Born in Rotterdam, Akujoni has been included in Nigeria’s provisional squad list for the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup which begins next month in Poland, and will travel to Germany this weekend to link up with his teammates.
The 19-year-old lists Feyenoord and Spartaan ’20 among his previous employers and will train with SC Heerenveen’s first team during their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2019-2020 season.
BELGIUM
Osimhen scores 15th goal
Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen continued his amazing form in front of goal for Belgian side Sporting Charleroi as he scored for the third consecutive match in their 2-2 draw away at KV Oostende.
The in-form forward led the line for the Zebras for the 25th time this season as they went in search of their fourth consecutive playoffs win.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, Zambian forward, Fashion Sakala opened the scoring for the hosts two minutes after the hour mark as he fired home from twelve yards to put Oostende 1-0 up.
Osimhen then equalised for the visitors six minutes later to make it 1-1 with his 15th league strike of the season before Gabriele Angella put Charleroi ahead on the 80th minute.
However, they were denied their fourth consecutive victory when Robbie D’Haese scored two minutes into additional time as both teams settled for a share of the points.
The draw sees Charleroi remain in second position with 10 points, one behind St. Truidense which has played a game less.
Saviour scores first career brace for Roeselare
Former schoolboy international, Saviour Godwin netted his first career brace to propel KSV Roeselare to a 4-0 win against AFC Tubize in a Proximus League Abstiegs-Playoffs.
The first half ended goalless though Saviour missed a glorious opportunity to give his side the lead inside the opening 10minutes.
Five minutes after the interval, he dribbled past two opponents on the left flank and fired the ball past the AFC Tubize goalkeeper, De Jonghe to make it 1-0.
The number 11 doubled the advantage when he dusted himself down and converted calmly from the spot after he was felled by Nirisarike in the 64th minute.
The 22-year-old also scored in previous games against Lommel SK (2), KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk, AFC Tubize and KVC Westerlo, taking his tally for the season to 7 goals in 30 league matches.
He was a member of the Golden Eaglets squad that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates in 2013.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Peter Olayinka (Slavia Prague): The former Dream Team VII invitee scored his sixth goal of the season, which made the score even in the 26th min before Slavia Prague went on to defeat Sigma Olomouc 2-1 at the Sinobo Stadium.
AUSTRIA
Bright Edomwonyi (Austria Wien): He was introduced in the 81st min and was cautioned kin regulation time of his club’s 2-1 win at SKN St. Poelten.
Stephen Odey (FC Zuerich): The former MFM forward scored in the 69th min as his club secured a 1-0 win over Sion.
DENMARK
Daniel Anyembe (Esbjerg FB): He was in the thick of action as his team secured a 1-0 win at Brondby.
SWEDEN
John Junior Igbarumah (Sirius): The youngster scored on his full Allsvenskan debut but could not prevent his team from suffering a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Elfsborg. He started brightly, scoring after two minutes.
LATVIA
Nwaorisa agrees Sampdoria move
Former Gee-Lec of Jos Football Club prospect Chikezie Miracle Nwaorisa is few details away from joining Italian Serie A side Sampdoria from modest Latvian side Spartaks Jurmala.
Tipped to make the U20 squad of Nigeria for the World Youth Championship in Poland, the 18-year-old only recently joined the Latvian side alongside three other Nigerians in Chinonso Alexander Ogwo, Lucky Opara and Kingsley Eleje.
Although he has played just three times, the midfielder who has one goal to his name has done enough to earn the attention of top teams in Europe and according to respected Italian sports online platform Calciomercato. It, Chikezie will cost Sampdoria around €1.5m.
Sampdoria reportedly fend off competition from Dinamo Zagreb, Villarreal and Tottenham Hotspur to clinch the midfielder and the impending deal according to a source close to his academy in Nigeria is almost done.
“Chikezie will join Sampdoria in the summer unless something dramatic happens. There were interest elsewhere but the lure of the Serie A plus what Sampdoria offered in terms of his career progression helped them to his signing,” he said.
CHINA
Aluko salvages point for club
Former Super Eagles star, Sone Aluko scored for the second consecutive week in the Chinese Super League to help Beijing Renhe to a 1-1 draw away at Hebei China Fortune.
Fresh from being named in the CSL Team of the Week for Match Day 6, the former Reading forward, started his seventh league game of the season as the visitors went in search of their second win of the campaign.
It took Aluko just 13 minutes to open the scoring for the visitors when he lashed on to a Yongjing Cap assist to slot home his second goal of the campaign.
However, the visitors levelled scores right at the death of time when Xuesheng Dong equalised on the 95th minute as both teams settled for a share of the spoils.
The point, however, failed to lift Renhe off the relegation zone as they sit 15th with 5 points from 7 games played so far.
