โฆMakinde sacked by Syrianska
In a weekend that several Nigerian players enjoyed low rating in matches involving their clubs, Henry Onyekuru was the standout player as he scored three times (hat trick) when Galatasary secured a wide margin score line in the Turkish Super Lig.
Elsewhere, Moses Makinde has found himself without a club after being sacked by Swedish lower division side, Syrianska. Similarly, 2018 CHAN Eagles forward, Gabriel Okechukwu may have to endure sitting out matches as his Moroccan club, Wydad Casablanca pulled the plug on an imminent move to RC Oued Zem at the last minute.
In another extensive package the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN writes on the performances and transfer speculations of Nigerian players abroad.
ENGLAND
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City): Ndidi was cautioned in the 58th min and completed the game as his team lost 3-4 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. His teammate, Iheanacho made his first league appearance for the Foxes this year when he came on seven minutes from time.
Leon Balogun (Brighton): He was a non-playing substitute when his team suffered a 1-2 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Ademola Lookman (Everton): The England U-21 forward started and went the distance for the Toffees in their 1-2 loss to Southampton.
Isaac Success (Watford): The former schoolboy international played the last 34mins of his clubโs goalless draw with Burnley.
Alex Iwobi, Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) & Victor Moses (Chelsea): Iwobi was introduced in the 67th min of his clubโs 2-0 defeat of Chelsea. His Nigerian compatriots, Saka and Moses were not listed for the encounter.
Agboola joins Wolvesย
Wolverhampton Wanderers has completed the signing of promising teenager Michael Agboola, informs the official website of the Premier League side.
The 17-year-old midfielder was offered a professional contract after he impressed whilst on trial at the club.
This is a big step up in Michael Agboola’s career as he is joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from a fifth-tier club in England, Dagenham & Redbridge.
He spent the last seven years of his career at The Daggers and was a second-year scholar at the club prior to his move to the Molineux.
In April 2018, Agboola was nominated for the LFE Goal of the Month for his outrageous effort straight from kick-off for The Daggers Academy.
His elder brother, Manny Agboola is a goalkeeper at Oxford United and the 20-year-old has pledged his international future to Nigeria.
On his curriculum vitae, Michael Agboola has also played for the youth teams of Southampton and Charlton Athletic.
Moses snubs Fernebahceโs agreement with Chelsea
Chelsea winger, Victor Moses appeared to be heading for more stormy days, as the former Super Eagles star has sensationally snubbed a transfer agreement that he been reached between his club and Fernebahce of Turkey.
It was gathered that, although Moses is keen on leaving Chelsea this month, either on loan or a full transfer, he does not want to step out of England.
Consequently, rather than accept terms of an agreement between Chelsea and Fernebahce on his exit from Stamford Bridge, Moses is holding out for a similar deal in England.
Moses is said to have snubbed other offers from outside England, but he is yet to make up his mind on a decision that will see him pick one of Fulham, Crystal Palace, Cardiff City or Huddersfield Town.
On the other hand, the Turkish club is said to be really interested in making Moses the next Nigerian to don their colous, after Uche Okechukwu, Austin Okocha, Joseph Yobo and Emmanuel Emenike.
The Yellow-Navy Blue outfit is looking to sign a defender, two wingers and a striker before the transfer window closes, with Moses topping their wish list for a tricky player down the flanks.
However, all hopes held by the Turkish Super Lig club to hook Moses in the January transfer window appear heading for a cul de sac, though the Istanbul-based clubโs director of football, Damien Comolli is working on a resolution.
Comolli is said to be fervently trying to convince the 28-year-old Moses to join his in a full transfer, though his contract at Chelsea runs till the 2020/21 season.
SPAINย
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal): He was introduced in the 59th min of the 1-1 draw with Atlhetic Bilbao.
GERMANYย
Anthony Ujah (Mainz 05): The striker was introduced with only 9 mins left to play in his clubโs 3-2 win at Stuttgart.
ITALY
Ola Aina (Torino): He logged 90 mins when his club suffered a 2-3 loss away at AS Roma.
William Troost-Ekong (Udinese): The central defender lasted the duration of his teamโs 1-2 loss at home to Parma.
Orji Okonkwo (Bologna): He was a non playing substitute when his team played out a 1-1 draw at SPAL.
TURKEY
Onyekuru bags hat tricks in Galatasaray massive winย
Super Eagles forward Henry Onyekuru who never ceases to thrill his Turkish fans scored his first hat trick in Galatasarayโs 6-0 humiliation of Ankaragucu.
Sinan Gumus opened the goals tunnel in the first minute before Onyekuru doubled the lead in the 21st minute while Gumus scored the third goal in the 26th minute.
Galatasaray resumed the second stanza with more fireworks and it yielded results as Onyekuru made it 4-0 in the 60th minute and completed his hat trick three minutes later to make it 5-0. Badou Ndiaye completing the routing with four minutes left to play.
Galatasaray is now third on the table with 35 points from 19 matches so far.
Onyekuruโs hat trick takes his tally for the season to nine and despite playing as a winger in the match, the former Eupen forward had six shots on target.
PORTUGALย
I hope for more playing time โNwakali
Super Eagles midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali was a delight to watch at the weekend as he was on top of his game for 90 minutes in scintillating performance that ended in a 2-0 victory for his team FC Porto B.
Nwakali who is known for his tactical skills in the field of play gave it his best shot.
The former captain of the Golden Eaglets said, โI am so happy I made the starting line-up for my team FC Porto B and i am excited because I played till 90 minutes elapsed, which is a good for me as a professional.
โThough it was a tough game against our opponent Estoril, they came out prepared.ย knowing that we needed to grab the maximum points in the game.
โI thank God it played out well for us, we got the three points at the end of the day which was our sole target.
The skillful FC Porto B player concluded by saying i do hope to have more playing time.
SWEDEN
Arokoyo, Akas to boost Nwakali at FF Kalmar
Former Kwara Football Academy (KFA) defender, Gbenga Arokoyo and former Enyimba defender, Chima Akas are to provide a huge boost to Chidiebere Nwakali after the former U-17 midfielder joined the Swedish club.
Kalmar whose Nigerian link began long back with Abiola Dauda, signed Nwakali on a two-year-deal with an option for a yearโs extension ahead of the new season.
Nwakali who was in Nigeriaโs victorious Golden Eagletsโs squad at UAE 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup will hope to gain confidence playing alongside Arokoyo and Akas at Kalmar, who placed 10th last season.
Chidiebere, the older of the two Nwakali brothers, is a former Manchester City youth team player but he became a free agent last summer after he was released by The Citizens.
The 22-year-old who has previously played on loan at IK Start of Norway, Sogndal of Sweden and Aberdeen of Scotland then moved to Rakow Czestochowa of Poland but cut relations with the club after just two appearances due to pressing family issues.
Makinde sacked by Syrianskaย
Moses Makinde has been sacked by his Swedish club, Syrianska FC according to report from the clubโs website.
The 26-year-old versatile player made 15 appearances over the course of the 2018 season including the play-offs, logging 1,076 minutes as Syrianska earned promotion to the Swedish second-tier.
Makinde is among the five players released by the Suprettan club ahead of the start of the 2019 season.
The midfielder joined the club in April 2018 after spells with teams in the United States of America, England, Germany and Romania.
ISRAELย
Ofoedu wants Eagles chanceย
Maccabi Tel Aviv striker, Chikeluba Ofoedu has called on Super Eagles Manager Gernot Rohr to give him a chance to prove himself in the national team.
Since taking his game to Europe after becoming the revelation of the 2011/2012 Nigeria league season, Ofoedu has continued to impress in front of goal.
At 19 years, he joined Rangers Intโl from UNTH Healers FC and scored 12 goals to emerge Clubโs top scorer.
Ofoedu then moved to Turkey to join division one side Trabzon later 2012 and went on to play for other first division sides, Karsiyaka, Samsunspor and Eskisehirspor till July, 2017 scoring double figures for each before the big move to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
โI enjoyed my time in Turkey as I was loved by fans of all the teams I played forโ He said.
โI needed a new challenge and so I did not hesitate to jump at the opportunity to join Maccabiโ he added.
The bullish attacker scored his seventh goal for the runaway Ligat HaAl leaders, Maccabi Tel Aviv when they drew 1-1 away to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the anticipated derby.
โMy focus now is to play for the Super Eagles as I feel I am ripe for it and my teammates have been asking me why i am not in my Countryโs National teamโ the 26-year-old posited.
โI know how difficult it is to break into the Super Eagles due to the numerous established and emerging talents at the disposal of the Manager but I think I can bring something to the teamโs attack.โ Chico as he is fondly called concluded.
Nigeria will play Seychelles in a dead rubber last AFCON qualifier on March 22nd and four days later host Egypt in an international friendly.
MOROCCO
Wydad Casablanca cancels Gabrielโs loan deal
Former Akwa United forward, Gabriel Okechukwu has had his loan deal to Moroccan club, RC Oued Zem cancelled by his club, Wydad AC Casablanca at the last minute.
The deal appeared to have pulled through until Wydad manager, Faouzi Benzarti suddenly decided to retain Gabriel in his team as Wydad failed to find another attacking option to William Jebor before the transfer window closed.
Wydad had earlier agreed a six-month loan deal to another Botola side Rapide Oued Zem.
The newly appointed coach Benzarti transfer listed Gabriel alongside four other playerโs penultimate week after they failed to impress him.
The former Akwa United player who joined Wydad after an impressive outing for CHAN Eagles at the 2018 CHAN tournament held in Morocco.
ALGERIAย
CHAN Eagles star, Ifeanyi seals 3-yr Es Setif deal
2018 CHAN Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi has signed a three-year deal with Algerian giants, Es Setif.
Ifeanyi who spent five years with the 2017 Aiteo Cup Champions, Akwa United opted against a contract renewal with the Promise Keepers which paved way for him to join the eight-time Algerian Ligue 1 champions.
โIt was a big risk opting not to sign a new deal with Akwa United because as at that time, I was recuperating from a thigh injury,โ Ifeanyi fondly known as Adibe by his admirers said.
โItโs a new adventure for me and Iโm ready for the challenges that comes with it.โ
Es Setif is currently fourth in the Algerian Ligue 1 and will face A Bou Saada in an Algerian Cup clash on Tuesday.
Ifeanyi previously featured for Mountain of Fire Ministries Football Club of Lagos before joining Akwa United.
The 25- year- old represented Nigeria at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand in 2013 and the Super Eagles B team at the 2018 West African Football Union (WAFU) tournament in Ghana and the 2018 African Nations Championship.
LATVIA
Zakari condemn FS Metta outrageous transfer fee demand
Former youth international, Lukman Zakari has lashed out at his Latvian club, FS Metta for pegging his transfer few at $200,000 after a successful trial with African Champion, Esperance of Tunisia.
Zakari impressed during training with the team and even had his medicals two days before talks over a move broke down with Metta, who demanded $200,000 in their reply to a proposal to sign him by Esperance.
In their proposal, Esperance want to sign the 20-year-old for free and also proposed to pay the Latvian side 30 per cent of his future transfer but the proposal was flatly rejected and the deal could be said to be off with the transfer window in Tunisia closed already.
While speaking with newsmen at the weekend, Zakari lamented that the deal was off following the excessive transfer fee demanded by his club.
โMetta didnโt pay any fee for my transfer and I was told I will be allowed to leave when an offer comes but they killed my dream move to Esperance with a demand of $200,000. This isnโt fair,โ he said.
He however expressed optimism of securing a move from the Latvian club soon.
SOUTH KOREA
Egbuchulam joins Suwon FC
Chisom Egbuchulam has joined South Korean professional football club.
Egbuchulam, who turned down a new offer at his previous club Falkenberg in Sweden, confirmed his switch via his Instagram page.
The former Enugu Rangers forward however, did not disclose the duration and terms of his deal with Suwon FC.
โNew challenge Suwon Football Club. Thank You, Jesus,โ Egbuchulam wrote on Instagram beneath his photo shot while undergoing medicals at Suwon.
He had earlier bid farewell to his former club and teammates with a post on Instagram.
โIt was a mixed feeling for me that I am writing this message to everyone, โTo everyone at Falkenberg, it has been an incredible journey and it is with great sadness that I have to say goodbye. To the Sports Director, Hakan Nelson, the coaches, my teammates and the fans of Falkenberg. I will miss you all and I wish you the best of luck this season and in the future.โ Egbuchulam said.
The 26-year-old forward scored 14 goals for Falkenberg in Swedenโs second-tier league, which helped them gain promotion to the elite division last season.
