Foreign Legion 25-09-2017

ENGLAND

As always, we take off from the thrills of the English premier league where Nigeria’s victor Moses was instrumental as league champions, Chelsea made light work of Stoke City as the Blues put four unreplied goals past their host at the Bet365 stadium.

26-year-old Moses who has made five league appearances so far this campaign is yet to open his season goal account with Chelsea.

At the King Power stadium, the Eagles duo of Wilfred Onyinye Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho both tasted action for Leicester City for their 6th league fixture of the season as luck failed to smile on them in their 2-3 home loss against Liverpool.

While Ndidi saw the whole match duration, Iheanacho was a 74th minute introduction in what was Leicester’s 4th league loss in six games this term.

24-year-old Ahmed Musa was however, not listed for the fixture after featuring for the Leicester City’s U23 side against Chelsea and yet to play a single game for the Foxes’ senior team this season.

At the Liberty stadium, Isaac Success continued to find lots of liberty on the Watford bench as he saw all the match duration once more from the substitute bench.

Success, who made 19 league appearance in his first season is yet to make an appearance this term for the Hornets.

CHAMPIONSHIP

In the English Championship, Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina made his 9th league appearance for 17th placed Hull City who recorded their 3rd draw of the season as they played out a 1-1 draw against Sone Aluko’s Reading at the Madejski stadium.

Aina who is on a season long loan from Chelsea has made all league appearances for the Tigers this term while Aluko was making just his third.

Nigeria midfielder, Hope Akpan was a 75th minute introduction for Burton Albion in their barren draw against host, Queens Park Rangers as the two teams slugged it out at the Loftus Road.

BELGIUM

We head now for the Belgian Pro league where Abdul Ajagun saw 90 minutes of action in Kortrijk’s 8th match of the campaign as they feel 3-0 (Nil) away against Royal Antwerp.
24-year-old Ajagun who is a former Levadiakos and Roda JC player is enjoying his first season in Belgium with The Guys who are currently, 10th on the league table.
Henry Chukwuma Onyekuru made an early second half appearance for league champions, Anderlecht as they piped 8thplaced Waasland-Beveren 1-2 to go 7th on the standing.

Onyekuru who scored 12 league goals last season has netted thrice this term in 7 games for Anderlecht.

At the Ghelamco Arena now, it was a sore loss for the trio of Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu and Anderson Esiti as they were all in action for Gent I their solitary goal home loss in the hands of Peter Olayinka’s Zulte Waregem.

Former 36 Lion FC winger, Olayinka was cautioned in the 28th minute in what was his 8th game of the current campaign and boosts of 3 league goals already.

Nigeria youth international, Taiwo Awoniyi continued to impress for new team Royal Excel Mouscron as he played an integral role as the REM ran away with a 3-2 home victory over visitors, Eupen.

The Liverpool loanee has made an instant impression in Belgium already with 2 goals in six matches.

Henry Uche Agbo was shown his third yellow card of the season for Standard Liege and enjoyed 83 minutes of football in the colourful encounter which ended 2-1 against visiting Lokeren at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

SPAIN

In Spain, Super Eagles striker, Olarewaju Kayode was again on the losing side with Girona as they were thrashed 0-3 against unrepentant Barcelona.

Kayode and Girona who are 17th on the league table are without a win in their last four league games; losing 3 with just a draw.
GERMANY

We head now to the German Bundesliga where former U17 sensation, Victor Osimhen was not listed for Wolfsburg in their spirited last ditch 2-2 fight back stalemate against league champions Bayern Munich at the Alianz Arena.

18-year-old Osimhen is yet to make an appearance for The Wolves this season.

Super Eagles defence stalwart, Leon Balogun watched the whole 90 minutes from the bench in Mainz’ 1-0 (Nil) victory against 10-men Hertha Berlin.

 

AUSTRIA

A quick delve to the Austrian Bundesliga where newly signed Alhassan Ibrahim made his second league appearance for league champions Austria Wien who failed to break down a resolute Salzburg side in their 0-0 draw at the Red Bull Arena.

20-year-old Alhassan who is popularly called Mu’azzam joined the Austrian champion from NPFL side Akwa United on a season loan deal with a possibility of an extension based on performance.

TURKEY

In the Turkish Super Ligue, Super Eagles vice captain, was not able to make his third league appearance of the season after he was left on the bench in Trabzonspor’s 3-4 home loss In the hands of Alanyaspor.

Elderson Echiejile and Sivasspor registered their 4th loss of the season as they were reduced to 10-men and were a goal short in their 2-3 home loss to third placed Goztepe at the Sivas stadium.

Echiejile who has rekindled his career with newly promoted Sivasspor has made an impressive six league appearances this term starting five of those.

At the Timsah Arena, William Troost Ekong and Mikel Agu were on from start to finish for Bursaspor who were piped 1-2 at home against Galatasaray.

Another Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo saw 90 minutes of action for Kasimpasa who were denied their third win of the season as they played out a 1-1 stalemate against Kayserispor.

While Omeruo was making just his second league appearance for Kasimpasa; Esperance loanee, Emem Eduok watched the match from the substitute bench.

Former Nigeria U20 midfielder, Okechukwu Azubuike  and Yeni Malatyaspor recorded a famous 2-4 away triumph over Karabukspor.

Nigeria’s Imo Ezekiel was missing in action for Konyaspors’s 2-0 home victory against Akhisar Belediyespor as they improved their standings to go 13th on the league table after match day six.

ITALY

In the Italian Seria A now, the Nigerian duo of Sadiq Umar and  Joel Chukwuma Obi were both missing in action for Torino’s Turin derby 4-0 loss against Juventus at the Allianz stadium.

26-year-old Joel Obi is still recovering from the injury he sustained in Torino’s lone goal win against Benevento on match day three.

CHINA

Finally, to the Chinese Super League where Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi was on for the whole match duration for relegation threatened Tianjin Teda as they kept their survival hopes alive with an impressive 4-1 derby victory Tianjin Quanjian.

The game was Mikel’s 8th of the season after an injury ravaged debut in China.

Nigerian veteran striker, Obafemi Martins, was missing in action for Shanghai Shenhua due to injury as his side played out a 3-1 home win over Guangzhou R&F.

32-year-old Martins who boosts of seven goals in 11 appearances so far this season has failed to play in Shenhua’s last four fixtures in the Chinese Super League.

Odion Jude Ighalo was goal shy for Changchun Yatai in their barren draw fixture against 3rd placed Hebei CFFC.

Forgotten Eagles forward, Anthony Ujah made 22nd league appearance for Liaoning Hongyun who were defeated by a lone goal against Yanbian at the Yanji stadium.

CHIDIEBERE ANUGWOLU

TWITTER– @Chidi_maestro