Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong make a return to action for Udinese who forced Hellas Verona to a 0-0 draw in their Serie A clash at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, reports Completesports.com.
Troost-Ekong missed Udinese’s last two league games as a result of injury.
It was the centre-back’s third league appearance of the season for Udinese.
In Spain, Ramon Azeez took the place of Darwin Machis in the 57th minute in Granada’s 1-1 away draw against Real Valladolid.
Azeez has scored twice in five league appearances for Granada this season.
Also in Spain, Samuel Chukwueze was in action for 90 minutes as Villarreal fell to a 2-1 defeat against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
Chukwueze has scored once and recorded one assist in five league appearances for the Yellow Submarines this season.
Henry Onyekuru was benched for 90 minutes as Monaco edged out Nice 3-1 at the Stade Louis 11.
Onyekuru has made four league appearances for Monaco this season.
By Adeboye Amosu
27 Comments
The two biggest news worthy information missing from the roundup:
Kelechi Iheanacho gets game time for Leicester against Luton and scores the final goal in the 4-0 win. 19 minutes played
Stephen Odey plays 90 minutes for Genk in the Belgian cup and gets his first goal for the Belgian champions. Onuachu also on the score sheet in their 3-0 win
Yea. Good one @ BigD
One website states thus…”With Iheanacho ending his goal drought, Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has a big decision to make in the coming days regarding the striker’s inclusion in the squad for the friendly against Brazil.”….And I cant agree any less.
Having stated his ‘Best team’ will be called up and there will be no new faces in the team for the upcoming friendly, Kelechi IMHO still belongs to that group the forms Rohr’s ‘Best team’ at the moment. Even though he might not be up there fitness wise, for which I would have fancied a move away from LCFC during the summer to anywhere he can get regular competitive game-time, he showed last night he’s still got some ‘exquisiteness’ in his game, upon which he can build, if only someone trows an arm around his neck and show him a vote of confidence, that which I think Rohr is doing at the moment. He did it with Ighalo and it paid dividends, did it with Uzoho and its paying off now……lets hope Iheanacho ‘responds to treatment’ as soon as practicable.
I just hope he will continue to work harder and harder and make the best use of the 15-25 minutes gametime he can be getting for now (at least till January) with goal(s) and/or assist(s) each and everytime he set foot on the pitch, as he is way down the pecking order in LCFC’s attack. Unfortunately, its at times like this that that coconut head Jamie Vardy wont stop scoring or get injured.
@Dr Drey
I can’t but agree with your submission;
I have always being one that respects the quality in Iheanacho,and I believe most Nigerians do. He was let down by his attitude,and I hope this blip in his career has taught him a thing or two in professionalism.
I am happy he took his chance yesterday,that showed he is still very much in the mix and can hold his own against his competition.
Relating this to the super eagles; I think he is a very useful part of the integral unit.. iheanacho brings something different to the table which others don’t, he can play as a false nine and behind the main striker,besides,he has always come good when he plays for us.
I think that should be useful.
He is a similar position like Sanchez in chile,lukaku as well not seeing much game time in manchester united,(before they left)but always come good in chile, and bendtner with denmark.
Those trio succeeded cause their country always supported them.
We should do same,as long he has the right attitude,and still proving it with the little time he is given on the pitch..
Lukaku(belgium)
@Mr Hush, yes, he has quality, but I’m loathe to invite a player based on one goal, one appearance lasting 19 minutes this season in a match against “lower level opposition”. His goal came against a team in the lower half of the next league down – The English championship. A team Leicester were expected to beat. They are not contenders for promotion, the last time they were in the premier league was the 1991/92 season ( 27 years ago).
Personally, I’d like to see a run of games before he is called up.
There are players who are performing week in week out that are being overlooked. Honestly, I don’t know what the criterion that was used was to invite Leon Balogun and Iheanacho to the last game against Ukraine and think the although it may be too late for this game, the NFF really do need to go for broke now on players they want to invite to the national team. Players like Tammy Abraham need to be put on the spot and told ” we have the papers ready to process, will you honor it or should we go elsewhere”, we also have Chuba Akpom to look at with PAOK, and many others who I have mentioned before.
Even if we use them as training material whilst we find a permanent solution, they deserve it more than a one goal in a year striker. I just wonder what he does to justify continuous callups
@BigD
You are right though; it ain’t right to invite a player based on a match, but I think the yardstick used for the invitation of Iheanacho is based on him being part of the team,and based on his past requisite. We all know what Iheanacho can do; and he showed it yesterday albeit against a lower division side,but you can only beat what’s in front of you.
I still believe Iheanacho would come good;
As for Balogun.
I don’t think he deserve a call up anymore and I believe the coach is thinking towards this line,that is why Leon wasn’t used in the game against Ukraine.
Besides Kelechi has age on his side,and can fit in with this new set of Eagles to be built.
Can’t say same for Balogun.
Official according to the BBC
Chuba Akpom has signed the papers allowing him to switch allegiance to Nigeria.
Chuba is a product of the Arsenal youth academy and signed with Greek premier league champions PAOK in 2018. He also trained alongside Ebere Eze and Josh Maja with the Super Eagles in 2017.
He is a childhood friend of Alex Iwobi and is set to join him in the Super Eagles soon. It is not known at this time if it will be sanctioned by fifa in time for the Brazil game in 3 weeks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49800012
Good news on Chuma Akpom. Shey Ojo, a 2017 U-20 FIFA Cup winner with England, also categorically declared for Nigeria earlier in September:
“It’s starting to get to the time where I have to start thinking about my future. And of course, if Nigeria were to call me now it would be an honour,” he said.
Hope the team list Rohr submitted to NFF includes these 2 guys. Along with the last new invitees that impressed (Aribo, Maja, Dennis), I’m expecting we can also chase dudes like Tomori, Ebere and Lookman to add to the beautifully evolving squad.
@BigD, you made a good point on Simon Moses. Just as @Deo highlighted earlier, certain factors may have contributed to distort the style and panache of the Simon Moses we once knew. Maybe it’s Rohr’s specific instructions, but there’s no denying that lately there’s something off about him on the pitch for the SE — compared to live wires like Samuel Kalu, Chukwueze and Osimhen.
@ Dr Dre
Bro’ that verdy guy na real coconut head_ Loll… No be say na bad belle o’ but he’s eating all the Cake alone while kele our boy just dey do Longer throat Sidon dey look am`
Ko gbadu o’
The thing be say,
Vardy na leicester through and through; and you know how this English take their own. He must to play;
The best they can do for Kele na to find space to play along side Vardy. Which to be honest, the last coach did; but Kele let him down by not taking his opportunity then.
Now he get serious competition in Ayoze,Barnes et al. So it is even more difficult for Kelechi now.
Especially since Brendan Rodgers na person when no dey change him team like that; he works with very limited list of players,cause he is a manager that wants to always win. He did it at liverpool,and at Celtics. He is the old guard philosophy; of working with a few and getting things done.
But I definitely know,Iheanacho is in his plans,or he wouldn’t be there right now.he could have been sold or loaned out at the transfer window.
I am really glad, he took his chance yesterday.
That can only mean more game time,and hopefully,more goals and assists for Kele.
You are spot on mawn
I totally agree with you on that
WAKE UP CALL GUYS!!!
HENRY ONYEKURU
Much to the joy of football loving fans all across the country and abroad, we all celebrated Onyekuru’s permanent transfer to AS MONACO because it was a good step by him. Ever since he got to Monaco, he has played just 2 games and 2 short substitute appearance. He didn’t really impress on his debut against Dijon and followed that up by a superb showing in the next match at home against Amiens and he provided two assist but there opponent came from behind and equalized. The Coach decided to try out Gelson Martins of Portugal in his position in the next match and since then they’ve not lost a single match and also they’ve won matches after that change. Does a Coach changes his winning team?? Absolutely No! So since then, The Monaco Coach has sticked to the front 3 of Gelson, Slimani, Ben Yeeder/Golovin. He(Onyekuru) has gone on to make just one substitute appearance since then.
The present Super Eagles squad is based on regular showing for their respective clubs and consistent performance. We also have lots of wingers/attackers scattered all over and are performing well for there clubs. So should HENRY ONYEKURU be called up for the upcoming Brazil friendly ahead of other attackers presently in form or he should stake a claim in AS Monaco before he’s given a call-up?
Be that it is;
Henry has only missed the last game, he has been playing(albeit shorter minutes) and got some assists to his name. So I think he should be called up.
The problem with Henry right now doesn’t just affect him,it is a whole new Monaco and there are in a rebuilding phase with new players coming in; there are too many strikers/wingers jostling for same positions; so it is normal this would happen at the initial stage to Henry. There would be only problem if with time,he still fails to make the cut.
But I think Henry would definitely get his chance,he is as good as those challenging with him, if not better.
And for the Super Eagles; he definitely deserve a call up,being an integral part of the team; it is still early days to throw away the baby with the bath water..
@Chairmanfemi, bro thanks, for the good write up.U just demonstrated your independent mind once again.The new super Eagles call up is based on current showing for their various clubs quote from Rohr himself. Iheanacho, onyekuru,Onuachu,should sit this one out.iheanacho in particular needs to be given time to sort things out, go on loan or stay and tug it out with Vardy or Madison. I think the likes of okereke, Denis, and Maja should get the nods again.Current forms, playing regularly, should be the yardsticks not old glory or sentiments.Iheanacho has been given many chances, but the lad just don’t ve it for now.We can’t continue to gamble with our players selection, super Eagles is nobody’s birthrights, selections should be based on rewards by performances.
Fully supported. In addition, names like Ebere Eze, Joe Aribo, and (if available and willing), Tomori, Lookman, Okoye and maybe Olayinka to team up with the old guards like Ahmed Musa, Samuel Kalu, Ndidi, Etebo, Ekong, Omeruo etc. Simon Moses and Ezenwa should also sit this one out. Since Rohr has submitted his list, NFF should stop delaying and must not smuggle in names of godsons so camping and team gelling can start early.
If anybody deserves a call up,
It is Tomori,Maja,Akpom and Sheyi Ojo.
Not for anything,(with due respect)but because I feel they can be better addition to what we presently have..
Tomori could be seen as a long term replacement for Balogun;who hasn’t been playing much and age isn’t his friend.
With Tomori addition,we could play with the idea of using Ajayi has a DMF as well as a CB. Ajayi could be the much needed replacement for Ogu.his utility is top notch.that would leave room for Aribo to be involved with Iwobi as our creative outlet.
Sheyi Ojo is an upgrade to Simon,and I dear say Musa, in the wings.. with Ojo,we can push Musa to his natural position as a false nine or top man(like Vardy). Moses Simon could be converted to a wing back,since these days,he is more defensive than attack minded.
As for Maja and Akpom,they would do good by giving competition to Osimhen in the top 9.cause for me,i have seen enough of Onuachu to know he isn’t going to cut it in the Super Eagles,atleast not long term.
We should stick to the momentum,but build around a nucleus. We should be careful not to get carried away, cause every team needs a nucleus and a national team should be changed systematically and not intermittently, so for me Iheanacho and Onyekuru,should still have a look in,to compliment the aforementioned.
@kel, the question now is with Moses Simon winning a nomination for player of the month with Nantes for August, would it be justifiable to drop him given that we want players invited on merit and based on their club form?
I know he is a player that divides opinion, but just musing. Sheyi ojo does not have the paperwork yet for change of national code.
The second question is, who should be invited in place of Ezenwa, given that we will see Uzoho and Okoye.
…fully, I concur with @Kel and @Sunnyb… sentiments aside… folks like Peter Olayinka for the guts against Inter Milan should be in… Players should be made to earn their spots… IMHO Onuachu is not a bad Player… He has started living it up again in Belgium… I think Onuachu and Dennis… to me the latter guy looks sharper than even Musa with nice footwork and forward play… Kelechi is part of SE but he needs to inspire more confidence with his club situation… Ajayi irrespective of playing championship fball needs to remain a key player in SE still… believe me… People like that have had very good football education… he rise to captain Arsenal U-23 before moving to pastures new, the guy is decent and get goals too… easily q utility player… Championship football is not a minus as we can clearly see with Etebos improvement but he needs to play full throttle for 90minutes and not tire out… Onyekuru… Iheanacho and even Ahmed Musa should sit on the bench even if they all get called up… I want to see Dennis Bonaventure start ahead of Musa let’s have better time space to assess his readiness for the big masquerade dance against Brazil… Onuachu did not impress much at Afcon because of loneman attack formation favoured by Rohr in Afcon which is often tough and physical… go ask Sallah and Mane…
Yes Mr Hush, Moses Simon’s strengths these days come in the more ‘stabilising and defensive’ part of his game.
Having watched some of his league games this season, I can now totally understand why Rohr would want him around the squad to be introduced with about 15 minutes to go.
The guy’s game is going through an evolution brought about by 2 things: injuries and the way he was deployed at Levante.
Rather than pierce through defences like hot knife through butter, Simon now holds on to ball, takes his time and tries to pick out passes while offering very good support to his full back.
His courner kicks are quite good and his composure noteworthy.
However, those convincing and credible dribbles are not there anymore (though he is pacy and can attempt to outrun a sluggish defender).
Because he doesn’t have conviction in his take-ons anymore, it leads to hesitation (and doubts in his mind) when he tries to do this often leading to him losing possession all together.
So, with this in mind, he waits, looks, buys time and then elects to pass the ball knowing fully well that his that recent success rate of his (predictable) take-ons are low.
But, his passes are really good. Also, attracting attention to himself while deciding what to do, allows his team mates ample time to run into space and cause damage which is good overall for the team.
For the Super Eagles, he is surely not a starter (for me) but one to come in later on to stabilise things.
I think we still need him.
Conversely, his weaknesses are actually leading to a sort of maturity in his all-round play – I think.
@Deo
You are very right on Simon Moses.
His injury layoff took a lot from him,basically in his body; he is now robust than before; and also his injury affected him psychologically. He has lost that conviction,that self belief that let’s him take on his man; so that totally affected his style of play.
But I think his coach at Levante knew this about him,so tried to use his defensive side more in his 3-5-2 formation,deploying Simon as a wing back. But that took a toll on him since he wasn’t use to that.
So now,he comes across as a player in a metamorphosis stage,caught in between defensive or attack.and that happens in his mind.so it tends to slow down his play.
But he still have those quality passes,diagonal crosses and still good in the set piece.
For me,he just needs the coaches touch and his self belief to come back.
He is still very handy to us..
I think is about time we stop calling some players integral part of super Eagles, show improvement in your clubs,play regularly for your various clubs you would be rewarded with Eagles call up. Why should we sacrifice the hardworking peter Olayinka or ever improving Okereke for some lame players because they are integral part of the super Eagles. So called integral players were given many chances, but they’ve not grab those chances. Folks I think we should stop sugarcoating or justifying for mediocrity.We ve seen what quota system and sentiments ve done and still doing for Nigeria.Rewards for performances should be our new norms.
@Sunnyb
Although we want the best to play for the Eagles; we should be very careful by our selections.
Every team in the world has a nucleus,you have to build on something. You just don’t change every now and then because one shining thing just came up.
You change when it is necessary to,and as such on positions that needs it,for improvement.
I enjoyed Peter Olayinka’s match against Inter; but is one match good enough justification to invite a player to a national team? And how many do watch the Czech league?
Not taking anything away from Olayinka,but come on!
We still got Akpom,that has been knocking in goals and assists,and deservedly in a better position to get a call up rather than an Olayinka.
I have watched Okereke and Dennis in club brugge,and I feel Dennis is far more experienced and versatile to be in the Super Eagles rather than Okereke. Yes,Okereke has done well for himself,but for me,the verdict is still out on him.
Let’s focus on Maja,Akpom,Dennis,Ojo(if he can be called in),in addition with the “integral” players,Osimhen,Musa,Kalu,Chukwueze.
Just my opinion,but the coach knows best.
Its about time we get Ebere Eze By all means, this guy is a midfield gem, a wonderful addition to the team in every sense, I will feel deeply hurt to see this guy slip away just like Dele Alli. Our goalkeeping dept. is till a huge concern, we had a good keeper at the 2018 olympics (where is he now?), theophilus Afelokhai is a very reliable home base keeper, why is he not invited? why continue to invite balogun when its obvious he doesnt get enough playing time and also prone to errors when ever he plays? I honestly believe that Rhor is too technically and tactically deficient to handle our eagles, when you see a coach that knows his onions, its so easy to identify. For the first time in a very long time, i have seen Nigeria blessed with young, exciting and quality players springing up from different parts of the world, playing youthful and skillful football. give a coach Amuneke or Herve Renard the super eagles job and you will see the wonders they will make of it.. . its just a sad situation!!
“Form is temporary, Class is permanent”…….Its not mediocrity, its the true nature of the game…! The hallmark of the greatest players hasn’t ever been about their form, its always been about their class.
If you see Iheanacho’s name on the teamlist and you feel constipated as a result, kindly look for an eraser and clean it.
It is unfair for people to make illogical comments just to favor their favorite players. All over the world, only few players are blessed with class (Messi, Ronaldo etc.). Since Mikel is no longer involve in the scheme of SEE, the present set-up can be regarded as average players playing for average teams.
Therefore, invitation of players into SE should be based on current form and consistency. The goal keeping dept needs to be overhauled with reliable GKs, Our central defence needs players with steeland skills (Tomori), SE midfield needs more competition (Azeez/Agu/Aribo), the attack needs additional strength (Ejike,Olayinka, Ajayi, Ojo, Lukman,Saka, Maja, Dennis).
The only way forward for current set-up of average players is through invitation of players based on reward for consistency.
i watched some tapes on EBERE EZE now and i think we actually that guy more than we need ABRAHAM the boy is a baller just imagine NDIDI/ARIBO/EZE in our midfield then kalu and chukwueze on the wings hmmmm then if we ofen even play Omonaija for attack self he go score goals tire .
Nah men, we need Mr. Ibu in the Super Eagles attack. That guy na fire. Very fast, nimble movement, deadly in front of goal, don’t be deceived by the big belly. The guy will break Yekini’s record within one year!