Semi Ajayi, Uche Agbo relegated in England, Spain
…Mikel, Ighalo, Nnamani hit target
It was a weekend to be forgotten so soon for Super Eagles duo of Semi Ajayi and Uche Agbo as their clubs, Rotherhamd United and Rayo Vallecano were relegated from the English Championship and Spanish League respectively. For Agbo, a return to his parent club, Standard Liege looks imminent while Ajayi is not expected to lack suitors after impressing for both club and country over the last few months.
There were however a number of Nigerians on target in various leagues such as the little-known Samuel Nnamani who scored in the Swedish League but could not prevent his club from defeat. Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi also scored his first goal in the English Championship just as Odion Ighalo and former schoolboy international, Ganiyu Oseni also found the back of the net in China and Vietnam respectively.
In yet another comprehensive package, the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN writes on the exploits of Super Eagles stars and hopefuls abroad.
ENGLAND
Isaac Success (Watford): He played a cameo role following his introduction in the 83rd min of his team’s 0-3 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi Ajayi’s club relegated after Mikel’s goal
Super Eagles midfielder, Semi Ajayi’s club, Rotherham United has been relegated from the English Championship following a 2-1 loss to John Obi Mikel’s Middlesbrough.
Despite the victory at Aesseal New York Stadium, Tony Pulis’ men finished the 2018-19 season in seventh spot, a point adrift of the Championship playoff zone.
Assombalonga opened the scoring for Middlesbrough from the penalty spot in the 28th minute, and stretched his tally to 14 goals in 42 league outings this term.
Nine minutes later, Mikel – who captained the visitors – doubled the lead by rifling his left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
The effort was the Nigeria international’s first goal since he returned to England as a free agent in January. It was also his second goal in English league football after 267 appearances.
Mikel has scored just his second goal in English league football (267th appearance), and first in 5 years 226 days for Chelsea against Fulham in September 2013.
On the international scene, Mikel has not played for Nigeria since their group stage exit from the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia but he is expected to be part of Gernot Rohr’s squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
SCOTLAND
Uche Ikpeazu (Hearts) He was substituted in the 48th min after picking up an injury when his team suffered a 0-1 loss to Kilmarnock.
ITALY
William Troost-Ekong (Udinese): The Super Eagles central defender was not listed when his team played a goalless draw with Inter Milan.
Heart problem forces Abdullahi into retirement at 21
Nura Abdullahi has been forced to retire from football following a medical advice at the age of just 21.
The 21-year -old defender started his football career at Abuja Football College before joining Italian side Spezia in the summer of 2013 and later moved to Roma youths side back in July 2015 where he scored four time in 22 appearances.
The defender who had endured an injury ravaged career is contracted to AS Roma until June 2021 and the Club is ready to honour the deal till then.
The former Italian champions are thinking about offering him a role at the club.
Abdullahi who won 2015-16 title-winning Primavera (under-19) squad was rumored to be suffering from heart problems which eventually cut short his career.
The defender was signed for £2million by Roma in 2015 after impressing for Spezia’s U-19 squad.
SPAIN
I will return to my parent club – Uche Agbo
On loan Rayo Vallecano midfielder, Uche Agbo will return to his parent club, Standard Liege after the season is over in Spain.
According to the Kano-born player who confirmed the relegation of his club after the loss to Levante at the weekend, I have to play the last matches then I will go back to my parent club in Belgium.
“Regarding the early substitution I was feeling a slight pain that looks like groin before the match I have to manage it and play when we started the match I started feeling it again, so that was what brought about my early substitution as at 29 minutes of play.
“I have one year left on my contract with Standard Liege, so I am a bonafide player of the club.”
The lanky midfielder concluded if anything comes up regarding me staying back in Spain I will let the media know soonest.
Chukwueze makes Flying Eagles U-turn
Samuel Chukwueze has decided to obey the wishes of his La Liga club Villarreal by shunning the chance to represent Nigeria at the U-20 World Cup and he will now focus on playing for Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Chukwueze was initially opened to the idea of representing Nigeria at both tournaments but Villarreal is opposed to the idea insisting he can only play in one of the two tournaments.
Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr also confirmed the directives from Villarreal and Chukwueze has now opted out of the Nigeria U-20 team in preference for the senior national team.
Villarreal’s instruction is based on the fact that he risked burn out if he plays in both tournaments and furthermore he is expected to also play for Nigeria U-23s in their qualifiers in June.
“Chukwueze has decided to play for Nigeria at the AFCON and not the U20 World Youth Championship. His decision has been communicated to the coaches of the U20s and Rohr as well. It’s a professional decision for the good of his career”, a member of his management team disclosed.
DIV 2
Ikechukwu Uche (Gimnastic): The former Super Eagles striker lasted the duration of his team’s 0-1 loss at home to Extremadura.
FRANCE
Rohr provides fitness update on injured Kalu
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr said Bordeaux forward, Samuel Kalu is currently winning the battle to be fit for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kalu hasn’t played for Bordeaux in two months due to family issues associated with the kidnapping of his mother and a hamstring injury sustained in training.
News in France suggest he could miss the remaining games of the season but according to Rohr, Kalu is in line for a return to the pitch before the end of the season and he has already resumed light training.
“He had family issues when his mother was kidnapped, so that caused him a lot of problems, She’s free now but he is injured and when we talked he has resume light training.
“I think he will play again this season and also make our squad for the Africa Cup of Nations because we need him to make our team better for the challenge we will face in Egypt “, he remarked.
Meanwhile, sources close to the coach revealed he is a big admirer of Club Brugge forward Dennis Bonaventure.
Felix Ohis Uduokhai (Wolfsburg): He was introduced in the 76th min of his team’s 2-0 defeat of Nürnberg.
RUSSIA
Brian Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow): He unused substitute when his team was defeated 2-0 by Arsenal Tula.
BELGIUM (Play-offs)
Imoh Ezekiel (Kortrijk): He was a non-playing substitute when his team defeated Beveren 2 – 1.
ISRAEL
Nathan Oduwa (Hapoel Hadera): He has taken 14 games in all competition to open his goal scoring account for the Israeli side, whom he joined in the January transfer window.
The former U-23 international halved the deficit in the 79th minute as his team lost 2-1 at home to Maccabi Netanya.
Why Udoh refused to sign Maccabi Haifa deal despite passing medicals
Nigeria U-20 defender and captain Ikouwem Udoh Utin has passed a routine medical with Israeli side Maccabi Haifa but he is yet to seal the deal contrary to reports.
Udoh trained with the Israeli side once and had his medical afterwards but he refused to sign the deal on the instructions of Enyimba who are keen on going through the details of the deal.
Enyimba is due an excess of €250,000 from his signing but they will only sanction the deal after receiving the first instalment from the Israeli side and also if they are certified with the salary package of the player.
Two days ago, Enyimba received the full contract details for the club to club agreement and also that of what the player will earn upon signing the deal which will run for five years.
The defender will get the go ahead to pen the deal after the lawyers of the club are through with the content of the deal.
NORWAY
Akeem Latifu (Mjoendalen): He logged 90 mins when his team won 1-0 at home to Stabaek.
DIV 2
Izunna Uzochukwu (Aalesund): He was introduced in the 22nd min of his club’s 3-1 defeat of Sogndal IL.
SWITZERLAND
Stephen Odey (FC Zuerich): He lasted the entirety of his team’s 0-3 loss to FC Basel 1893.
TURKEY
Okechukwu Azubuike, Chidozie Awaziem and Aminu Umar (Rizespor): Okechukwu and Awziem were in action for 90 mins while Umar was introduced in the 77th min of their club’s 2-2 draw at Ankaragucu.
Samuel Eduok (Erzurum BB) & Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor): He scored the curtain raiser in the 77th min of his club’s 2-0 defeat of Bursaspor for whom Abdullahi also tasted action.
Victor Moses (Fenerbahce): The Chelsea loanee was a 61st min substitute when his team secured a 3-1 win at Kasimpasa.
Enyimba accepts Galatasaray bid for Ozonwafor
Flying Eagles defender, Valentine Ozornwafor who also played against Libya in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers is close to sealing a high profile move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Enyimba has already received contract papers from the Turkish side and the deal is expected to be sealed in the coming days as Galatasaray want him signed before the U-20 World Youth Championship.
Ozornwafor was the stand out performer for the U-20 at the Africa Cup of Nations with his performance earning him a spot in the team of the tournament, where Nigeria finished fourth but sealed a spot at the World Youth Championship.
A lot of clubs were interested in signing the left footed defender who stands at an impressive height of over six feet tall but Galatasaray have the best bid for the 19-year-old and talks have progressed nicely since Enyimba received the offer last month. The club contacted Enyimba officially over the defender who was also on the radar of French Ligue 1 side Lille and other teams in Europe. A medical and possible unveiling is scheduled to take place in the coming days.
CYPRUS
Kingsley Onuegbu (Nea Salamis): He lasted the duration of his team’s 1-1 draw at AEK Larnaca.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Peter Olayinka (Slavia Prague): The leggy forward was cautioned in the 57th min and was substituted in the 79th min of his club’s goalless draw at Slovan Liberec.
SLOVAKIA
David Nwolokor and Bankole Olawale Adekuoroye (SKF Sered): Nwokolor lasted 90 mins while Adekuoroye was a non-playing substitute when their club’s 2-2 draw with Zemplin Michalovce.
Musefiu Ashiru (Spartak Trnava): He was an unused substitute when his team suffered a 2-0 reverse at FK Senica.
SWEDEN
Ahmad Gero (Joenkoepings Soedra) He played the last three mins of his team’s 0-1 loss to GAIS.
Nnamani on target in shocking defeat to Obasi’s club
Super Eagles outcast, Chinedu Obasi was on for 65 minutes for AIK who defeated Eskilstune 2-1in Swedish Allsvenskan.
AlK took the lead at the Friends Arena in Solna seven minutes after half hour mark through Swedish midfielder Daniel Andreas Sundgren.
Moroccan-born, Norwegian midfielder, Tarik Elyounoussi doubled AIK’s lead five minutes after resumption from half-time break.
Another Nigerian who was on the parade, Samuel Nnamani however reduced the deficit for his side Eskilstune five minutes later.
Chinedu Obasi was replaced in the 65th by Congolese attacker Heradi Rashidi, as AIK held on to secure the maximum points.
DENMARK
Marvin Egho (Randers FC): He was introduced in the 60th min of his club’s 1-1 draw at SonderjyskE.
Paul Onuachu and Ayo Simon Okosun (FC Midtjylland): Onuachu was substituted in the second half while Okosun was an unused substitute when OB defeated their club, 3-1.
LATVIA
(Tosin Aiyegun): He scored from the spot to make it 3-3 on 76 mins but Ventspils eventually lost to Spartaks Jurmala in a seven-goal thriller.
VIETNAM
Ganiyu Oseni (Ha Noi TT): The former schoolboy international who lasted 90 mins gave his team a 2-1 lead in the 46th min but Becamex Binh Duong equalised in regulation time as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Michael Olaha (Sông Lam NghoAn): He was on for the entirety of his team’s goalless draw at Viettel.
MOROCCO
Babatunde dreams CAF Champions League glory
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Michael Babatunde is excited Wydad Casablanca will be playing in the CAF Champions League final after they bundled out Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final following their 0-0 draw in the second leg on Saturday.
Wyday Casablanca advanced 2-1 on aggregate and will face the reigning champions, Esperance in the final later this month.
Babatunde who came on for El Moutaraji in the draw missed a big chance to score in the 66th minute firing a tame left-footed strike from inside the box.
He admits facing the three tine winners, Esperance in the final will be a different challenge.
“It’s a 50-50, even if they are said to be the best team in the Africa,” Babatunde stated.
“Everyone has this feeling with Esperance that they’re going to roll over everyone. We have to take them on and play the way we did in the semi-final.”
Osimhen fires blank in Charleroi win
Victor Osimhen failed to add to his goal tally, as he fired blank in his club Sporting Charleroi 2-0 victory over St. Truiden in Belgian Division A Europa league playoff clash.
Charleroi welcomed Truiden to the Stade Du pays de Charleroi arena on Saturday and are aware that a victory will put them in a strong position to clinch a ticket.
Japanese striker Ryota Morioka gave Charleroi an early lead in fourth minutes of the encounter as his effort find a way past Lucas Pirard in goal for Sint-Truiden.
However, Charleroi had to wait till 87th minutes of the game to get the second goal, Angolan defender Núrio Domingos Matias Fortuna was the unlikely heroes.
The win put Charleroi on top of Group A standing with thirteen points from seven matches, including four win, a draw and two losses.
PORTUGAL
Setubal’s survival boost as Agu returns from injury
Vitoria Setubal’s survival received a boost as Mikel Agu returned from injury for the first time since February.
The 25-year-old on-loan Porto star that he is back to help the team in their final three games of the Primeira Liga encounter of the season.
Nigeria international speaking to AOIFootball.com said: “Already started full training with the team and I’m looking forward to making my first appearance since February.
“We have a game on Monday at home to Boavista and hopefully I would be selected for the game.
Agu was very influential for Setubal, featuring in 15 matches and scoring once, with his performance earning him a recall for the Super Eagles matches against South Africa and Uganda in November before he missed March games due to injury.
Setubal currently occupies 14th position on the log with 33 points, just two points off the drop zone with three games remaining in the league.
CHINA
Ighalo hits 7th goal in Shenhua’s defeat
Odion Ighalo scored his seventh goal of the season in the Chinese Super League for Shanghai Shenhua who lost 2-1 away to Shenzen FC on Sunday.
The defeat was Shanghai Shenhua second successive loss and their fifth of the season.
The Nigerian international scored in the 76th minute from the penalty spot to earn his side an equaliser after Li Yuanyi shot the hosts into the lead three minutes after the hour mark.
Harold Preciado scored the winner for Shenzen FC in the 89th minute of the game.
Shanghai Shenhua are without a win in their last four league games.
Shanghai Shenhua are now 11th in the Chinese Super League after eight games with seven points.
They face Tianjin TEDA in their next game on Sunday.