For the second week running since the turn of 2018, there were not too many Nigerians in action as most of the European Leagues remained on break.

The likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa, Francis Uzoho and Kayode Olanrewaju have remained frozen out of their clubs squad meaning their chances of making it to Russia in June remain slim.

One Nigerian who is in cloud nine at the moment is Junior Ajayi who lifted the Egyptian Super Cup with Al Ahly.

In this report, ADEBAYO OLODANpresent to you the performances of Super Eagles players and prospect, plus news about their future.

ENGLAND

Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): He was in the thick of action as his team lost 2-1 at Bournemouth.

Wilfred Nididi, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester) & Victor Moses (Chelsea): Ndidi and Moses played for 90 mins as Leceister held the defending champion, Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Ola Aina (Hull City): He played all 90mins at left back as Hull drew 0-0 with Reading.

Amaechi celebrates new Arsenal deal with another goal

Arsenal played an entertaining 2-2 draw with Fulham in an U-18 Premier League match at Shenley Training Centre, Saturday afternoon, with two Nigerian talents scoring for their respective teams.

Fulham shot into a two-goal lead but Xavier Amaechi who penned his first professional contract with Arsenal last week reduced the deficit 12 minutes into the second half before Arsenal grabbed an equaliser on 80 minutes.

Tobi Omole is the other Nigerian to feature for Arsenal and was deployed at left back while Tammy Abraham’s brother, Timmy started and scored Fulham’s second goal of the match. James Olayinka was named among the Arsenal substitutes.

Amaechi, has now scored in his last five games for the U-18s. The run began on November 25, 2017 when he notched a brace against Tottenham Hotspur, before his goals against Stoke City, Swansea City, Sheffield Wednesday (2) and Fulham.

19-yr-old Oteh reacts to first professional goal

English-born Nigerian striker, Aramide Oteh has expressed his happiness at scoring on his full debut for Queens Park Rangers.

Blessed with pace and eye for goal, the former Tottenham Hotspur starlet has been promoted to QPR’s first team after scoring 11 goals for the U-23 team this season.

Oteh netted the opener after 32 minutes in The Hoops 3-1 win over Hope Akpan’s Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

”It’s a dream come true really for me – and my family – to score my first professional goal,” Oteh said to www.qpr.co.uk.

”To win the game too – a game we knew we had to win – was just amazing.

”It was nice to score but the goal wouldn’t have meant anything to me unless we’d got something from the game, so to score and win was just perfect!”

Oteh was on the books of Tottenham Hotspur for 11 years before transferring to QPR in 2017.

SPAIN

Kayode Olanrewaju (Girona): He was not listed when his team humiliated Las Palmas 6-0.

Francis Uzoho (Deportivo): He was not considered for his team’s 1-2 loss at home to Valencia.

DIV II

Ramon Azeez (CD Lugo): The former U-17 captain got full dosage of action as his Spanish Segunda division side won 1-0 away at Reu.

FRANCE

Vincent Enyeama (Lille): The former Super Eagles net-minder was not listed as his club secured a 1-0 win at Caen.

GERMANY

Leon Balogun (Mainz 05): He was an used substitute as his team lost 3-2 at Hannover.

ITALY

Joel Obi chases Obodo, Makinwa Serie records

Torino of Italy midfielder, Joel Chukwuma Obi has become the latest Nigerian player to make 100 appearances in Serie A appearances, as he follows in the footsteps of former Super Eagles stars, Christian Obodo and Stephen Ayodele Makinwa.

Obi’s feat on Saturday, while in action for Torino during a 3-0 win over Bologna, makes him the third top of the log, ahead of Obafemi Martins and Ogenyi Onazi.

Onazi appeared in 76 Serie A games and scored four goals for SS Lazio, while Martins made 88 Serie A appearances for Inter Milan and scored 28 goals.

Joel Obi played for only 34 minutes in Saturday’s encounter as he was replaced by Afriye Acquah in what was the Nigerian’s 12th start of the season for Torino.

Though Obi has been hit with another injury scare, he will take delight in having contributed to take Torino up to ninth in the Serie A table with 28 points from 20 games.

The 26-year-old played 50 games for Inter Milan in the Italian top-flight, 8 for Parma and made his 42nd appearance for Torino against The Red and Blues.

Nigeria’s record holder in the Serie A is former Perugia, Fiorentina and Udinese star, Obodo, who amassed 196 appearances followed by Makinwa with 120.

Martins, Onazi and Victor Obinna Nsofor, who are all still active but no longer in Italy, played more than 50 games each in the Serie A.

HOLLAND

Fred joins Sparta Rotterdam

Super Eagles hopeful, Fred Friday has been loaned out by parent club, AZ Alkmaar to fellow Eredivisie outfit Sparta Rotterdam.

The Port Harcourt-born forward has been with Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar since 2013 where he has scored a total of 18 goals in 38 appearances since his move from Norwegian side Lillstrom.

The 22-year switched club to get more playing time with AZ Alkmaar third in the Eredivisie and Sparta Rotterdam 18th on the log.

Sparta Rotterdam coach, Leo Beenhakke said: “Fred was at the top of our list to reinforce the attack and we are glad that we have now made it official and he will join us.”

Fred is expected to make a short trip from AZ Alkmaar’s training camp to Sparta Rotterdam’s training camp as both sides are currently in Spain.

TURKEY

Eze makes Denilzlispor switch

Patrick Eze has been shipped out on loan by Super Lig side Konyaspor to Denilzlispor, who played in the lower league in Turkey, till the end of the season.

The 25-year-old joined Konyaspor in the summer from Kuwait on a three-year contract.

He has scored twice in seven appearances mostly as a substitute.

Eze’s compatriot Imoh Ezekiel has already cancelled his contract with Konyaspor over unpaid salaries.

Konyaspor are battling relegation as they are 16th on the 18-team table with 15 points by the halfway mark of the season.

BELGIUM

Ighodaro Christian Osaguona (Westerlo): He was on for 90 mins as his team was held to a goalless draw by Roeselare.

FIRST DIVISION B

Simon Zenke (Tubize): He was replaced after 81 mins of his team’s 1-2 loss to Beerschot-Wilrijk.

Agbo banned for finger gesture

Uche Agbo has been handed a one-match suspended ban after he swore at fans of KV Kortrijk when he was sent off in a Belgian league game.

He has already been slammed a one-match ban for his red card and will therefore miss the league clash at home against KAS Eupen on January 20.

He will therefore be eligible for Standard Liege game against Zulte-Waregem three days later.

Standard Liege appealed the sanctions against Uche Agbo after he was racially abused by the Kortrijk fans.

SWEDEN

Sundsvall delighted with Omeje’s arrival

Swedish Allsvenskan side, GIF Sundsvall has announced the signing of Chidi Omeje.

Omeje, who joined GIF Sundsvall as a free agent, has penned a three-year deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2020 season.

Sports Director, Urban Hagblom told the club’s official website that the player will be a good addition to the squad: ”It feels very good that we got Chidi here, he will complement our offensive in a very good way.

”He has been used to games in the Allsvenskan before and he is also a very good guy.”

A product of Vejle Football Academy, Omeje has represented Dalkurd FF and AFC Eskilstuna in Sweden.

The 27-year-old scored four goals and provided one assist in the 2017 season.

CROATIA

Rijeka recalls Solomon from Partizan loan

Theophilus Solomon will return to his Croatian side HNK Rijeka after they exercised their rights to recall him from his loan side Partizan Belgrade.

Solomon joined the Serbian giants in the summer after a successful time on loan to another Croatian side Istra last season, where he scored 11 goals.

He struggled to get going at the Serbian side following his move, but he played in four out of their final six games in the league before the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The 21-year-old also played a part in helping them qualify for the knock out round of the Europa League, as he played in two vital group games.

In a chat with Owngoalnigeria.com, he revealed he won’t be able to participate for the team in the knock out stage as his parent club has triggered a clause that empowers them to recall him in January.

“I said farewell to my teammates today. Rijeka have asked me to return, so I will in the coming days return to Croatia to team up with them for the second stage of the league in Croatia.

“It’s a pity I couldn’t finish what I started at Partizan, I will miss the club, their fans and the coaches. It has been a sweet learning adventure for me, and the lessons will make me a better player in the future.”

There are however rumours that he could yet leave Rijeka upon his return, with teams in Turkey, Israel and Cyprus eyeing up move for the striker who has one more year left in his deal with Rijeka.

MALTA

Alfred Effiong (Balzan): He was replaced in the 87th min of his team’s 2-1 away win at Sliema Wanderers.

Emmanuel Okoye and Haruna Garba (Gżira United): The duo lasted the distance as their club suffered a 4-0 loss at Birkirkara.

SOUTH AFRICA

Obasi tries out at Kaizer Chiefs

KaizerChiefs has announced that 21-year-old forward, Kelvin Abara Obasi, started training at Naturena last week as he looks to persuade Steve Komphela that he is deserving of a contract with the club.

Obasi was last playing for CSK Celarevo in the Serbian second division – his last game was in October, although it is now thought that he is a free agent on the lookout for a new club.

It remains to be seen whether the tall striker has left a good first impression on Komphela and his technical team, but the tall striker – at over six foot – could potentially add some more strength to his front line.

Obasi is no stranger to South African football having had a brief spell at FC Cape Town recently, and he will no doubt be hoping for better luck in Soweto as he vies for his next move.

TUNISIA

CHAN Eagles’ reject close to CS Sfaxien deal

Lobi Stars forward, Kingsley Eduwo is on the verge of joining Tunisian club, CS Sfaxien.

The player scored the goal that qualified Nigeria for the 2018 CHAN against Benin Republic but was dropped as the team jetted out to Morocco last week.

Eduwo who passed a routine medical Saturday morning is expected to sign a three-and-half year deal, according to his representative, Olanrewaju Famakinwa.

“Eduwo has undergone a successful medical with Sfaxien of Tunisia. He is expected to sign a-three-and-a-half year deal later today (Saturday),” Famakinwa disclosed.

“He is happy and we chose Sfaxien ahead of other clubs namely Esperance (Tunisia), Zamalek (Egypt) and Legia Warsaw (Poland) because we believe he will rapidly progress at Sfaxien.”

If the deal goes through, Eduwo will join Kingsley Sokari, who is on the books of Sfaxien.

The striker scored 16 goals for Lobi Stars last season and has been a part of the Eagles B team, but did not make the final 23-man cut for the CHAN 2018.

In a related development, another striker, Samuel Uche Onyedika has arrived Tunisia to negotiate a transfer to ES Métlaoui ahead of the new season.

EGYPT

Ajayi celebrates Super Cup win

Former Shooting Stars forward, Junior Ajayi took to his twitter handle to celebrate the victory of his club, Al Ahly in the Egyptian Super Cup at the weekend.

Al Ahly defeated Al Masry 1-0 on Friday in an explosive encounter with the Nigerian lasting 97 mins.

He said, “I thank God for being a part of the winning team today. Congratulations to @AlAhly! We are the #champ10ns of Super Cup. Glad I played my part. We will continue to win because winning trophy is a great thing. Thanks to my fans.”

 

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• DO YOU KNOW?

1. There are 13 English players starting in the Bournemouth v Arsenal match, the most in a Premier League game-involving Arsenal since January 2002 (Leeds v Arsenal, 14).
2. Against Bournemouth at the weekend, Arsene Wenger named his youngest Arsenal starting line-up in the Premier League since November 2012 v Aston Villa (25y 11d).
3. Harry Kane is now Tottenham’s joint highest goal scorer in the Premier League, matching Teddy Sheringham’s haul of 97.
4. Since his debut in August 2014, only Harry Kane (108) & Sergio Agüero (100) have had a hand in more Premier League goals than Alexis Sánchez (85 – 60 goals, 25 assists).
5. Arsenal has won 57% of their EPL games since 2014 when Alexis Sanchez has started, compared to 48% when he hasn’t.
6. Before the weekend match against Arsenal, Bournemouth has lost each of their last nine Premier League games against ‘big six’ opponents, scoring just twice and conceding 23 goals in that run.
7. Dele Alli has provided seven assists in 22 Premier League games this season, equalling his tally from 2016-17 (7 assists in 37 apps).
8. Mark Noble has now scored (35) or assisted (27) 62 Premier League goals for West Ham – only Paolo Di Canio (78) has had a hand in more for the club.
9. Antonio Conte has won 25 of his 30 Premier League home games in charge – no manager in the competition has ever won more of their opening 30 in the competition (level with Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti).
10. Harry Kane is now Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time record goalscorer in the Premier League, overtaking Teddy Sheringham on 97 goals.
11. Son Heung-Min is just the second Spurs player to score in five consecutive home Premier League games after Jermain Defoe, who did so between November and December 2004.
12. Watford has conceded 24 goals at Vicarage Road in the Premier League this term – the most of any side at home.
13. Pep Guardiola has become the first manager to win four successive Premier League Manager of the Month awards.
14. Andre Gray has scored his first goal for Watford at Vicarage Road, in what is his 12th appearance in all competitions there for the Hornets.
15. Bakary Sako has scored more goals in all competitions this season than any other Crystal Palace player.
16. Brighton have conceded 16 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season (inc. pens); a joint-high alongside Watford.
17. Hector Bellerin has scored as many goals in his last two Premier League games as his previous 97.
18. Marko Arnautovic is the sixth player to score in 3+ consecutive Premier League away games for West Ham and first since Diafra Sakho in October 2014.
19. Jack Wilshere scored his first goal in his last 43 Premier League games, since netting v West Brom in May 2015.
20. Francis Coquelin has played more games under Arsene Wenger than any other outfield player who hasn’t scored.
21. Javier Hernandez has the 9th best minutes per goal ratio of players to score 20+ goals in Premier League history (143 mins/goal); although, the Mexican has only averaged a goal every 261 mins this term.
22. Liverpool is unbeaten in 16 matches against Everton in all competitions – their longest unbeaten run against them in their entire history.