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Nigeria Players Abroad

Troost-Ekong: Super Eagles Skipper Helps Watford Defeat Arsenal

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By Freedom Ekawu

Super Eagles skipper William Troost Ekong and teammate Tom-Dele Bashiru were in action for Sky bet Championship side Watford, during a friendly match against Premier league table topping Arsenal, as Watford ran out 4-2 winners of the tie. The game was a behind closed doors game which took place at Arsenal’s London Colney training facility on Saturday afternoon.
Both the Super Eagles captain and Dele Bashiru were brought into action before the start of the second half.
Involving all the players who weren’t involved in World cup action for their respective nations, Mikel Arteta featured a strong starting lineup featuring the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, Kierian Tierney, Eddie Nketiah and Club Skipper Martin Odegaard.
The Gunners took the lead around the 28th minute mark, after 19 year old youngster Marquinhos curled superbly into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Watford however responded eight minutes later after poor defending by Gabriel, as he failed to cut out a long ball into the box, allowing Keinan Davis the opportunity to fire past Karl Hein in goal for the leveler.
Their jubilation was shortlived however, as moments later Eddie Nketiah powered a superbly picked out cross by Kieran Tierney into the back of the net with a header, to give the Gunners the lead heading into the half time break.
Mikel Arteta rang in the changes after the break though, as a couple of youngsters were introduced, including the Premier League’s youngest player, Ethan Nwaneri, all brought in for the final 45 minutes of the game.
Watford did not take time to level proceedings against an inexperienced Arsenal side as Davis once again headed home from a Watford freekick.
Just before the hour mark though, the championship side soon took the lead as surging Pedro laid on for Asprilla, who cut inside before firing into the top corner for the Hornets.
Pedro then went for glory himself in the 77th minute as he picked up the ball on the left hand side, before engaging a host of red shirts to then pick out the bottom corner with a deflected effort to put the game to bed.
Arsenal will then focus on their warm weather training camp in Dubai as they participate in the Dubai Super Cup, facing AC Milan, Lyon and Liverpool, and are also poised to involve in a friendly match with Juventus on December 17th, before resuming their title surge, as they sit five points clear on the table, on boxing day in a London derby against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium. Watford however will take on fellow Championship side, Hull City, on December 11th, before games to Huddersfield and then Millwall.

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National Team News

Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau: Rating Of Nigeria Super Eagles Players

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The Nigerian Super Eagles came through with a shambolic display which led to the team defeat against the ‘Wild Dogs’ of Guinea-Bissau, in one of the AFCON 2023 qualifiers fixture played earlier today at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

First half goal from Mama Balde was enough to seal all maximum points for the visitors at the expense of the Nigeria Super Eagles.

Following the team poor outing, below is a rating of the individual performances of the Nigeria Super Eagles team.

1. Francis Uzoho (6/10)

Once more Uzoho who retained his place in goal failed to keep a clean-sheet regardless coming through big the few times he was called to action.

2. Bright Samuel-Osayi (8/10)
Arguably Super Eagles man of the match, Samuel-Osayi was a beauty playing from the right back position.

Samuel lived up to expectations offensively and defensively and played a vital role which earnable Samuel Chukwueze to express himself.

3. Zaidu Sanusi (6/10)

Unlike Samuel-Osayi, Zaidu Sanusi failed to live upto expectations. The Guinea-Bissau side capitalized on his deficiency to always operate from his side often and on with many success.

Zaidu Sanusi contributed to the reason why Ademola Lookman wasn’t able to live up to his full potentials.

4. Kevin Akpoguma (6/10)

Akpoma was the weak link in the Eagles backline, many times, the defender was found napping and one of those times resulted to the visitors goal.

5. Calvin Bassey (7/10)

Adventurous Bassey was committed to cleaning up the mess in the Eagles backline.

His partnership with Kevin Akpoguma was below par as the lacked the needed cohesion,little wonder they were found napping in the build up of Guinea-Bissau goal.

6. Ndidi Wilfred (7/10)

Tho below par but a decent display from Ndidi Wilfred, the Leicester City winger won much tackles but had his rating reduced failing to convert a begging chance.

7. Alex Iwobi (8/10)

Iwobi came to the party and gave in his all. The Everton man was virtually everyone and strived to make things happen for the Eagles from the middle of the park.

8. Samuel Chukwueze (7/10)

A decent one from Samuel Chukwueze, his cohesion with Samuel-Osayi made their wing lively but had his rating reduced as he failed to make key moments count.

9. Ademola Lookman (5/10)

A total bad day in office it was for Ademola Lookman, the Atalanta winger was a shadow of himself in the game as basically nothing worked for him in the game.

10. Kelechi Iheanacho (5/10)

Iheanacho was more like a passenger in the game, Kelechi was a shadow of himself but had a decent rating following one scoring opportunity provided.

11. Victor Osimhen (7/10)

Napel striker, Osimhen arguably had a bad day in office. The little fed striker made things work for him but unfortunate not to score.

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National Team News

Paris 2024: Abiodun Ogunniyi Optimistic Olympics Eagles Will Overrun Guinea In Morroco To Qualify

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Futbola klubs Auda and Olympic Eagles winger, Oluwatimilehin Abiodun Ogunniyi, has described Nigeria U-23 stalemate against Guinea U-23 as unfortunate but remained optimistic of the team causing an upset in the second leg of the fixture slayed for 28th March in Morroco.

In a post-match reaction, visibly gutted Oluwatimilehin Abiodun Ogunniyi expressed high optimism of him and the team getting the job done in Morocco.

“The first leg of the fixture is done and dusted and we have shifted our focus to the next fixture in Morroco”

“We played and gave in our best but we were unfortunate not to get a goal but it’s not the end of the road for us”

“We can possibly seal an U-23 AF ON ticket in Morroco and the whole team is resolute to make it happen”

“We have the quality and it’s now left for us to show quality by matching our opponent’s toe to toe in the second league”

After a disappointing draw at home, the Nigeria U-23 will have their fate in their hands as a win in Morroco will see the team through.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for the Africa U23 Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco later this year, at which Africa’s flag bearers at next year’s Men’s Olympic Football Tournament will emerge

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Nigeria Players Abroad

Official: FK Haugesund Unveils Promising Nigerian Youngster Segun Otusanya

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Norwegian based side FK Haugesund have completed the signing of highly rated Nigerian striker, Segun Otusanya.

The highly promising striker started his professional football career with Nigerian based outfit, Stars Builders Academy.

Following his exciting development in his Nigerian based Academy,Segun Otusanya, caught the eyes of Nigeria Flying Eagles coach, Ladan Bosso, as he was handed invitation to the Nigerian U-20 camp.

Whilst in the colours of the Nigeria National team, Segun Otusanya. was outstanding but failed to make the final list for the just concluded U-20 AFCON held in Egypt.

After signing the dotted lines, FK Haugesund’s Sporting Director, Eirik Opedal, praised the talent of the youngster

“FK Haugesund is very happy to sign Segun Otusanya. He is a good boy with a lot of talent. We are looking forward to exploring his talent and hopefully develop him to a successfull footballer,”

Otusanya who is renowned for his huge sense of positioning and incredible finishing instincts will join a long list of Nigerian footballers to have donned the colours of Haugesund; a list which includes Super Eagles assistant captain William Troost-Ekong.

FK Haugesund will open their campaign in the new Eliteserien League season on Monday April 10 with a trip to newly promoted side SK Brann.



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