Eagles Watch

Journeyman, Obasi, steals headline in Swedish Cup

 

…veteran defender, Echiejile, shows up in Finland

After going into oblivion for some time, Super Eagles fringe player and journeyman, Chinedu Obasi made the headline by scoring twice as a substitute to send his club, AIK Solna into the semi-finals of the Swedish Cup.
Elsewhere, out-of-favour left-back, Elderson Uwa Echiejile signed a oneyear contract at less fancied club, HJK Helsinki in Finland. The former Insurance defender was without a club after being released from his contract with AS Monaco of France.
In another extensive package, the News Editor, ADEBAYO OLODAN captures the performances of Nigerian players abroad.

ENGLAND
Wifred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City): Ndidi ran the show in midfield as his club secured a 3-1 win against Fulham. The midfielder won 14 massive duels out of 16, 85 per cent pass accuracy, one key pass, 7 tackles won out of 9 and one interception in 90 minutes. His teammate, Iheanacho was an unused substitute in the match.

Isaac Success (Watford): The former youth international was back in action for his team after weeks of being absent due to injury but was unable to save his team as they fell 1-3 to defending champions, Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Success made way for captain Troy Deeney in the 66th minute with the English forward providing the assist for Gerard Delofeu who scored the team’s consolation goal.

Leon Balogun (Brighton): He was not in the squad that recorded an impressive 2-1 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Seagulls number 14 has returned to full training but the match against Crystal Palace came too soon for him.

Ademola Lookman (Everton): He was an 82nd min substitute as his club surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 away at Newcastle United.

CHAMPIONSHIP 
Semi Ajayi (Rotherham Utd): He was on the receiving end as his team lost 0-2 at Sheffield United.

Mikel Obi (Middlesbrough): The Super Eagles captain was in action when his team lost 1-2 at home to 12th placed Brentford endangering their chances of making the promotion playoffs at the end of the season. The former Chelsea star was shown the yellow card in the 38th minute of the game.

Dominic Iorfa (Sheffield Wednesday): The winter recruit scored his second goal for his new employer as they shared the spoils with Derby County at Pride Park. The former England U-21 star rescued a point for the Owls when he powered home a header in the 57th minute.
Derby County loans out Eyoma
Through a publication on their official website, National League club Braintree Town has confirmed the signing of promising midfielder Aaron Eyoma.
The 21-year-old is joining The Iron on loan from Championship outfit Derby County.
Eyoma was not in the Derby County U23 side that lost 3-1 to Liverpool U23s in a Premier League 2 clash on Friday afternoon.
He is available for selection on Saturday when Braintree Town host Harrogate Town at Ironmongery Direct Stadium.
Aaron Eyoma, whose younger brother Timothy represents Tottenham Hotspur, spent several years at Arsenal Academy before joining Derby County on a free transfer last summer.
He enjoyed a brief loan spell at Woking earlier in the season, scoring one goal in six appearances before returning to his parent club.

FRANCE
Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux): Kalu was a 61st min substitute in his club’s 1–1 away draw at Monaco.
Nigerian young sensation Funsho Bamgboye was the hero in the Hungarian OTB BANK Liga as he helped Haladas beat Upjest 3 – 2. Bamgboye scored the team’s first goal in the 62nd minute as they came back from two goals down to beat Upjest 3 – 2.

ITALY 
Ola Aina (Torino): The Chelsea loanee was introduced as a substitute with 21 minutes left to play when his team secured a 2-1 win at Frosinone.

William Troost-Ekong (Udinese): He was unable to stop the brilliance of Juventus as the defending champions ran out 4–1 winners after 90 mins in Turin.
The Nigerian international who was on for the entire duration of the encounter could do nothing about the goals as the champions showed their quality despite the absence of key players who were rested by coach Massimiliano Allegri ahead of their champions league fixture against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

SPAIN
Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes): The Super Eagles defender was in the heart of defence as his team suffered a 0-1 loss at Atletico Madrid.
Omeruo’s brother, Lucky, joins Leganes
After completing a move to La Liga outfit CD Leganes, Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has congratulated his younger brother Lucky Omeruo over the career-changing move from Lithuanian club FK Palanga.
The forward completed his move to the club and teams up with his brother who is on loan from English side Chelsea.
Reacting to the move, Lucky Omeruo took to his Instagram handle to announce the deal in a series of posts. He wrote. “Success is not only by talent but by hard work and determination, Thank God for making this a success, and thanks to my family and friends for their love and support, big shout out to my brother and manager @omeruo for being the wheel behind this whole process, God bless you bro.”
Kenneth Omeruo who orchestrated the deal also took time out to congratulate the brother and also encouraged him to work harder. “Congratulations my brother. it’s now time to work harder and excel.. this is just the beginning for you. it’s time the world know how talented you are.  @omeruo1 welcome to Leganes”
CD Leganes is yet to make a public announcement on the deal on any of their social media handles or website.

GERMANY
Anthony Ujah, Karim Onisiwo (Mainz 05): Super Eagles fringe forward, Ujah was replaced in the 55th min while Onisiwo played the last 19 minutes of their club’s 0-1 loss at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach.

DIV 2
Iyoha breaks 8-game goal drought
Erzgebirge Aue striker eligible to represent Nigeria, Emmanuel Iyoha, ended his broke his eight-game goal drought while also providing his team’s second of the day to condemn Jamilu Collins’ Paderborn 07 to defeat as his team picked up a 2-1 win in the German 2. Bundesliga.
Prior to scoring at the Erzgebirgsstadion at the weekend, Iyoha had failed to find the net since scoring in a 5-0 win over Greuther Furth in December 2018.
With just eleven minutes played, he curled home the opener from the left side of the six-yard box to the high centre of the goal after profiting from a pass from Pascal Testroet and then laid on the second for Phillip Zulechner.
The young attacker, who has also represented VFL Osnabruck, is on a season-long loan deal from topflight club, Fortuna Dusseldorf who have Nigerian goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye in their ranks.
Standing at 1.91 meters, he is well known for his aerial abilities and an impressive technique on the ball and Veilchen coach, Daniel Meyer who is already aware of his qualities has tipped him to hit new heights in his development.
Born in Germany 21 years ago, Iyoha represented the European nation in the FIFA U20 World Cup competition in the 2017 edition held in South Korea.
Super Eagles full-back Collins, meanwhile was in action for the entirety of the clash for Paderborn 07.

PORTUGAL (DIV 2)
Pius’ lone strike wins it for Pacos
Junior Pius was the match hero for promotion favourites, Pacos de Ferreira, scoring his third goal of the season as they defeated S.L Benfica B 1-0 to move 10 points clear at the summit of the table.
The 23-year-old started his 21st league game of the campaign whilst compatriot Sadiq Fatai was made to start from the bench with both sides going into the break goalless.
Fatai was them introduced after the hour mark for Rafael Barbos before Junior Pius scored the winning goal a few minutes later when he headed home a Pedrinho cross to hand the away side all three points.
The win edges Pacos to the league title and an automatic qualification spot as they now have 58 points from 25 games, 10 points ahead of second-placed Famalicao.

TURKEY
Victor Moses (Fenerbahce): The winger lasted the duration of his club’s 1-2 loss at Istanbul Basaksehir.

Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor): He was cautioned in the 85th minute and was on for 90 minutes when his team drew 0-0 with Ankaragucu.

Samuel Eduok (Erzurum): The former Esperance forward was substituted in the 61st minute of his team’s 1-2 loss at Alanyaspor.
Okechukwu Azubuike, Chidozie Awaziem and Aminu Umar (Rizespor): The duo of Azubuike and FC Porto loanee, were on for 90 minutes while Umar was substituted in the 75th minute of their club’s 3-0 trouncing of Kayserispor.

Anthony Nwakaeme (Trabzonspor): He was on target as his team came from a goal down to beat Akhisar Belediyespor 2–1. The former Hapoel Be’er Sheva forward scored the team’s equaliser in the 70th min before midfielder Jose Sosa scored the winner in the 76th min.
In the last three games, Nwaekeme has scored four goals.

DENMARK
Marvin Egho (Randers FC): He scored his team’s second goal in the 65th minute of the 2-0 defeat of AC Horsens and was substituted in the 90th minute of the match.
Daniel Anyembe (Esbjerg FB): He lasted the entirety of his club’s 1-3 loss at SonderjyskE.
Paul Onuachu, Frank Onyeka and Rilwan Hassan (FC Midtjylland): Leggy forward, Onuachu provided an assist for his team’s first goal in the 25th min and lasted 90 minutes alongside Onyeka while their teammate Hassan was introduced in regulation time when their team earned a 2-1 away win at Hobro.

Ogude who scored 5 goals in one match misses Vejle trip
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ogude missed Vendsyssel’s match against Vejle Boldklub in the Danish Superliga having failed to recover from an injury.
The 24-year-old has not done badly since his move to Denmark in the 2015 and is one goal shy of reaching the double-digit mark for goals for the third straight season.
He etched his name into the history books of Vendsyssel when he netted five goals in a Sydbank Pokalen second round clash against Egen UI in September 2018.
Ogude represented Maccabi Petah Tikva, Hapoel Ashkelon, Maccabi Kiryat Gat and Boldklubben af 1893 prior to his shift to Vendsyssel in the summer of 2017.

Rohr defends invitation of Onuachu, Ozornwafor to Eagles
Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has defended his decision to hand maiden call-ups to striker Paul Onuachu and defender Valentine Ozornwafor for the upcoming games against Seychelles and Egypt.
The invitation of the FC Midtjylland star was a good public relations move as several Super Eagles fans wanted him in the team thanks to his rich vein of scoring form in Denmark, while the Enyimba defender was one of the players who shone for the Flying Eagles as they qualified for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup last month.
On Onuachu, Rohr told CAF’s official website: “He has the experience of Europe at the height of his 24 years.
“His size is obviously his strength with his 2m01 and the beautiful goals scored in the Danish championship. This is another profile for us in attack.”
Explaining the choice of Ozornwafor, the German tactician stated: ”I expect this player to bring his freshness, his physical strength (1m97) and technical quality left-handed.
”It also offers us an additional option since we have a lot of right-handed advocates. I saw him in Niger at the CAN and I like his aerial game.”
Onuachu is the only Scandinavian-based player named to the Super Eagles latest roster while Ozornwafor is the only home-based outfield player selected.
BULGARIA
Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv): The lanky central defender inspired his team to a 4-1 win over Dunav Ruse.
SWEDEN
Godswill Ekpolo (Haecken): He saw out his team’s 4-1 defeat of GAIS.
Nwakali debuts for Kalmar FF
Chidiebere Nwakali finally made his long-awaited debut for Swedish top division side Kalmar FF as they lost 2-1 to Malmo in a friendly game ahead of the new Swedish League season.
The 22-year-old joined the club late January but had to wait to make his debut with his new teammates after recovering from a slight illness which forced him out for about two weeks.
He, however, came on with 15 minutes of normal time left and would have earned a point for his side after he set up Mahmoud Eid with a glorious assist but the forward scuffed the effort and Malmo held on to win the match.
Nwakali, who was excited with his performance, admitted afterward that he would have loved to start on a winning note but insisted there were a lot of positives for his team to take away from the game.
He may start his first game for the Magnus Pehrsson-led side when they take on Oskarshamn’s AIK in another preseason game on Monday as they continue their build-up to the new season which begins at the end of the month.
Swedish Cup: Obasi nets brace to send AIK into semis
Former Super Eagles forward, Chinedu Obasi was the match hero for AIK as they defeated Osters IF 4-2 in extra time to reach the semi-final of the Swedish Svenska Cup.
The 32-year-old returned to the club after being released by Elfsborg in January and had to do with a place on the bench for the clash.
But with both sides locked at 1-1, the former Schalke 04 player was introduced after the hour mark but it was the hosts that gained instant priority as Dragan Kapcevic scored his second of the night to put Osters 2-1 up.
But Damel Sundgren had other ideas as he equalized five minutes from time to send the clash into extra time much to the frustration of the home fans.
Ogbuke then took over the extra time proceedings as he scored both in either side of the half, 98th and 109th minute to hand AIK the win and send them into the semifinals of the cup competition.

SLOVAKIA
Emeka Umeh (AS Trencin): The teenage striker struck in the 68th minute as his team lost 2-4 to Zemplín Michalovce. It was his third goal in all competitions this season.
HUNGARY
Funsho Bamgboye (MSzombathelyi Haladás): The 2015 U-17 World Cup-winning striker was the star of the show as MSzombathelyi Haladás came from two goals to beat újpest 3-2.
The 20-year-old halved the deficit in the 62nd minute and went on the score the winner five minutes later.

LATVIA
NFF moves for release of Zakari
The Nigeria Football Federation has opened a line of communication with Latvian club, FK Metta over the release of Lukman Zakari ahead of the forthcoming U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
For one month, Dream Team Coach, Imama Amapakabo penciled Zakari’s name as one of the foreign-based professionals to be called up for the two matches against the North African opponents.
Zakari’s camp has given assurances that the central defender will honour the invitation and will report for international duty after FK Metta’s next two league games.
The Unity Academy product was one of the unsung heroes as the Golden Eaglets won the FIFA U17 World Cup for a fifth time in 2015, going the distance in all their seven games during the tourney in Chile.
He was later promoted to the Flying Eagles team that failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Former Manchester United youth-teamer Tosin Kehinde and Rio Ave defender Kelechi John are already training with the Olympic Eagles ahead of the double-header against Libya.

FINLAND
Echiejile completes HJK Helsinki switch
Through a statement on their official website, Finnish Veikkausliiga champions, HJK Helsinki has announced the signing of one of Elderson Echiejile.
The left-back has penned a one-year contract with HJK, with the option of an additional year inserted into the agreement.
“Elderson is an experienced player. He is also good enough in the aerial game, so we get added value to our special situations, ” said HJK manager Mika Lehkosuo.
“Edi immediately adapted to the team and got along well with others. Training sessions are now important to Edi, because he is lacking game time. We have the time to get him fit for the beginning of the season”.
Elderson’s last club was Monaco, whom he left in the summer of 2018, and before then he played for Sporting Braga and Rennes, while he enjoyed loan spells with Cercle Brugge, Standard Liege and Sporting Gijon during his time with the Principality club.
The deal that took the Bendel Insurance product to HJK was brokered by Rotimi Fernandez Dawodu, who is the Executive Director of Double Diamond Sports, and his American partners.

SAUDI ARABIA
Musa inspires Al-Nassr’s comeback win
Super Eagles assistant captain, Ahmed Musa was in action for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League at the weekend as they came back from two goals down to beat 9-man Al-Ettifaq 3–2 in a fiercely contested home fixture.
Musa who was in action for the entire duration of the match as he returns to full fitness after a long spell away from the sport.
The visitors took the lead in the 27th minute through Ramon Arias while Filip kiss doubled the score line for the away team in the 56th minute despite going a man down when Brahian Aleman was sent off at the stroke of half time.
The home team started their comeback through Abderazak Hamdallah in the 70th minute before Fahad Bin Jumayah got the team’s equalizer in the 89th minute. Abderazak Hamdallah completed his brace in the 90th minute of the game. Al-Ettifaq was further reduced to nine-men when Hussien Sayed was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute.
With the win, Al-Nassr now moves four points behind the log leader Al-Hilal as they continue their title chase.

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