Posted: Feb 21, 2011
The team comes first, not personal glory, Obafemi Martins has insisted.Martins was drafted in on loan from Rubin Kazan, of Russia, to boost Blues’ firepower to the end of the season.
Although the Nigerian striker said he wanted to hit the goal trail as quickly as possible, and then continue to score with regularity, Premier League survival was more important.
“I’m not the sort of guy who will come in and say I’m going to score ten or 15 goals.
“We’re in the relegation group at the moment. We need to get out of that and move up the table.
“I’m here to score goals, yes of course, but not get relegated. It’s about helping the team to do
that and it doesn’t matter how many I get, as long as we stay in the league.”
Martins’ arrival gives Alex McLeish a variety of options at the top end of the pitch. Matt Derbyshire has lost out the most, having failed to get in the 18 for the last four matches.
Martins said that everybody had to muck in, and deal with it if not selected: “I think in every part of the team there’s good competition. Strikers, midfielders and defenders.
“The better player will play. I think we don’t have problems in this team because if I don’t play, then some other striker will play. The important thing is the support and to try to win and get the three points.”
Martins made his debut against Stoke City alongside Nikola Zigic. It must have been interesting, considering his last competitive match was at Barcelona in the Champions League at the beginning of December.
“It’s not been easy coming back after two years to the Premier League, which is all about running. I hope to get in shape very soon.
“Zigic is a big lad. Nice guy, playing well and scoring goals and helping the team. I think it’s going to be fun playing close to him. I hope we play very well together.”
McLeish has stated Blues have to get the ball into the right areas where Martins’ abilities can be exploited. “The more we all train together, I think it will come automatically in the game,” Martins reasoned.
KANU, YAKUBU, MARTINS SET ENGLAND ON FIRE
Posted: Feb 21, 2011
Akpala, Aluko Also On Target; Ike Uche Returns For Zaragoza
ENGLAND
Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth): Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu headed in Portsmouth’s solitary goal in a 1-0 win over Bamsley on Saturday at the Fratton Park.
Kanu lept high to nod in a Greg Holford’s inch perfect freekick in the 84th minute from about 6 yards .
The goal was Kanu’s second of the campaign, his first strike coming on January 15th in Pompey’s 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Leicester City): Super Eagles ‘bad boy’, Yakubu Aiyegbeni netted his fifth npower Championship goal in Leicester City 2-1 home win over Bristol City on Friday at the Walkers Stadium.
The Foxes other goal come from Martin Waghorn in the 90th minute.Aiyegbeni who is staking a claim back to national team reckoning scored in the 21st minute.
Yakubu was however wasteful before his terrific finish as he fired wildly over the top from 10 yards, echoes of South Africa 2010 World cup reverberated.
Seyi Olofinjana (Cardiff City), Dele Adebola (Nottingham Forest): Super Egles forgetten midfielder, Seyi George Olofijana was on the losing side on Saturday afternoon in a 2-1 defet in the hands of Nottinham Forest at the latter’s City Ground.
Olofinjana whoonly last week scored his fifth goal of the season played for all 90 minutes.
The Bluebirds who are now 4th on the npower Championship log.
Ibadan-born Dele Adebola played for just one minute. He came on from the bench in the 89th minute to replace Paul Anderson. It was his 24th league game of the season.
The bulky striker is yet to score a goal so far.
Obafemi Martins (Birmingham City): Dimunitive Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins scored his first Birmingham City goal on Saturday in the Blues comfortable 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the 5th Round of the FA cup at St. Andrews.
Martins who is staking a place in Alex McLeish’s side to face Arsenal in the final of the Carling Cup on February 27 had an impressive all-round performance and capped his first start for the team with a 17th minute goal, the second in the game.
The strike was also the Weapon of mass Destruction’s first goal in the English FA cup. He was not on target representing Newcastle United, his first British clup in the 2006/07 season in the competition.
John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Victor Anichebe (Everton): Super Eagles mercurial midfielder, John Mikel Obi played for 45 minutes in Chelsea’s 4th Round FA cup replay against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunch time.
Mikel was impressive in the game which ended 1-1 at regulation time but was ultimately won by Everton 4-3 via penalties after 120 minutes (after extra time).
Frank Lampard scored Chelsea’s goal in the 103rd minute but just when Carlo Ancelotti and his charges thought a passage to the 5th Round had been wrapped up, Laighton Baines floated a marvellous freekick in the 119th minute to break the hearts of fans at the Bridge.
Ghana midfielder, Michael Essien replaced Mikel at halftime.
The game marked Mikel’s 16th FA Cup game for the Blues since he joined them in the 2006’07 season, same campaign he cored the two chelsea FA Cup goals that has remained his only strikes for his team till date.
He has however played 21 times in the EPL this season
Dickson Etuhu (Fulham): Super Eagles midfielder, Dickson Etuhu returned to Fulham bench after missing the Cottagers last four games in their 1-0 home loss to Bolton Wanderers at Craven Cottage Sunday evening. He has so far played 19 games for Fulham this season in all competitions scoring only one goal.
Osaze Odemwingie (Westbrom): Super Eagles striker, Osaze Odemwingie was caged for the entire duration in his 22nd start for the Baggies as they played cut a 1-1 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Hawthorns Sunday afternoon.
In his last three games for Westbrom Osaze is yet to add to his goal tally of 9 in the EPL. He has so far provided three assist for the Roy Hodgson’s men.
Sam Sodje (Nott County): Super Eagles defender, Sam Sodje was not listed by coach Paul Ince as his side were bathered by Manchester City at the Eastlands in an FA Cup replay fixture Sunday evening. Sam is yet to play a game for Nott County since joining them from his short spell at Skoda Xanthi in Greece.
SPAIN
Kalu Uche (Almeria)
Super Eagles creative midfielder, Kalu Uche was handed a starter’s shirt for Almeria as they played a 1-1 draw at home to Deportivo La Corona whom they had earlier defeated thrice this season at the Mediterraneo stadium Sunday evening.
It was his 19th appearance for the relegation threatened side albeit scoring five goals and providing three assist so far in the La Liga season.
Ike Uche (Real Zaragoza): Super Eagles petit striker Ikechukwu Uche made a cameo return to action after a long lay off for his side, Real Zaragoza in their 1-0 home loss to Athletico Madrid at the La Romareda stadium Saturday evening.
The Injury-prone striker who was given the nod to return to action a forthnight ago after successfully undergoing two career threatening injury on his knee replaced Said Brutahar in the 72nd minute and in 89th minute, his right footed shot from the edge of the box crashed the cross bar.
It was his first appearance for the club. His last competitive football was for the Super Eagles in a warm up game against Saudi Arabia prior to the World Cup.
FRANCE
Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille): Super Eagles left back, Taye Taiwo played was on for the entire duration in his 18 appearance for Marseille as they pipped St. Etienne 2-1 at the Velodrome Saturday night.
It was the former Lobi stars of Markurdi’s defender has so far and has scored three goals and provided two assist from the 22 shots he has taken.
John Utaka (Montpellier): Super Eagles striker John Utaka was not listed for Montpellier as they defeated Lille by a lone goal courtesy of Tounes Belhanda late strike at the Dela Mossin stadium Sunday evening.
Since joining Montpellier in the January transfer the former Portsmouth of England star is yet to feature for the club.
Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco): Super Eagles midfielder, Having Lukman played for only 20 minutes for Monaco’s they sluped to a 2-0 away loss to Brest at the Fracis Le Ble stadium on Saturday.
Apache as he is fondly called has so far played nine games for Monaco i the current campaign and is yet to score a goal neither bag a yellow card in the colours of Monaco this term.
Brown Ideye (Sochaux): One-cap eagles striker, Brown Ideye played for the entire duration of Sochaux’s 3-2 away win against Lens at the Felix Bollaert stadium and failed to add to his goal tally of 10 in the current Ligue 1 season.
It was his 24th appearance for the club albeit providing five assist so far in the on-going season.
ITALY
Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (Torino): Former Super Eagles invitee, Angelo Obinze Ogbonna played his 23rd game for Torino as they came from a goal down to defeat US Pescara 3-1 at the Olmpico Grande stadium on Saturday.
He bagged his sixth yellow card of the season in the encounter. His compatriot Christian Obodo however was not listed for the encounter. The former Fiorentina and Udinese midfielder has played only 13 games for the Turin based outfit scoring one goal.
Daniel Adejo (Reginna): Former Flying Eagles defender, Daniel Adejo played the entire duration in Reginna goalless draw at home to Atalant a Saturday evening.
It was Adejo’s 25th appearance for Reginna. He is yet to score albeit provide an assist so far in the Serie B this term.
Obiora Nwankwo (Parma): Super Eagles invitee, Obiora Nwankwo was expectedly not listed for Parma in their 2-2 home draw to Lesena at Ermio Tardim Stadium Sunday evening.
Obiorah is yet to fully recover from the thigh strain whch stopped him from making his home debut for the Super Eagles in their 2-1 win over the Loene Stars of Sierra Lone in an international friendly. He is currently on loan till the end of the season from current Italian and European Champions Inter Milan.
Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan): Former Flying striker, Nnamdi Oduamadi was not considered for AC Milan bench in their away him over Chievo Verona who once paraded Victor Obinna Nsofor at the Mar Antonio Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Oduamadi has so far made only three substitute appearances for the Rossoneri in the current campaign.
Edward Ofere (Lecce): Nigerian player Edward Ofere expectedly did not feature for Lecce in their 2-0 home win over Juventus at the Communale Via del Mare Stadium Sunday evening.
It was the sixth consecutive game the former Malmo FF attacker was missing for Lecce. He has so far scored 3 goals for lecce in Ql appearance. It was his ninth consecutive game he was missing for the 15th placed team.
HOLLAND
Oluwafemi Ajilore (Groningen): Super Eagles midfielder, Oluwafemi Ajilore played for 74minutes in Groningen 4-1 home shock loss to Roda JC Kerkrade at the Euroborg stadium on Saturday.
It was his 14th appearance of the Eredivisie season for Groningen thsi term. He is yet to score a goal which is a short fall comparing his goal feat last season.
Super Eagles dashing winger, Ahmed Musa and Michael Uchebo fired blanks in their 12th respective starts for VVV Venlo’s in their 1-0 away loss to Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena Sunday afternoon.
While Musa was replaced in the 53rd minute by Jorge Chula Uchebo played for 86 minutes before being substitute by Bran Linssen. He has so far scored only two goals while former NPL goal king Musa has found the back of the net three times.
Their compatriot Alex Nkume was benched for the entire duration of the encounter. The former Rangers of Enugu player has so far chalked up 13 appearances for the relegation threatened side.
BELGIUM
Joseph Akpala (Club Brugge): Super Eagles fringe striker, Joseph Akpala scored his second Belgian Jupiler goal of the season in Club Brugge’s 2-1 home win over Lokeren, the one-tme club of Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia.
The goal on Saturday came in the 53rd of the match.
Akpala only last week scored his first goal of the campaign in a 2-0 win over Zulte-Waregem. It was his 15th game of the season.
The former Bendel Insurance lad has now played 665 minutes of club football this season.
ISRAEL
Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv): Super Eagles first chance goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama was on goal in Hapoel Tel Aviv’s 3-0 comprehensive bashing of home side, Hapoel Be’er Sheva at the Arthur Vasermil stadium on Saturday evening. Toto Tamuz, son of Nigerian-born football international Clement Temile grabbed a 4th and 27th minute brace while last in the 60th minute. Enyeama made his 21st Israeli League appearance in the game. He has been in goal in all of his team’s matches so far in the 2010/11 season a total of 1,890 minutes of club football.
The former Enyimba safe hands, unlike last season which he scored five leagues goals through penalty kicks is yet to register his name on the scorers chart so far this term Enyeama has been booked (yellow card) once this season.
Ambrose Efe, Emmanuel (FC Ashod): Former Flying Eagles stars, Ambrose Efe and Emmanuel Sarki both played for 90 minutes in FC Ashod’s 0-0 away draw against Beiter Jerusalem at the Teddi Malcha Stadium on Saturday.
Former Kaduna United ace, Efe, who represented Nigeria at the 2007 FIFA World Cup in Canada has thus played 20 times for Ashdod this season with a goal to the bargain while Chelsea trainee and Congo 2007 African Youth Championship star for Nigeria’s U-20 side, Sarki was also making his 20th league appearance.
Like his compatriot, Efe, Sarki has also scored one goal in the present campaign.
GERMANY
Macauley Chrisantus (Karlsruhe): Former Flying Eagles striker Macauley Chrisantus failed a last minute fitness test to feature for Karlsruhe in their 2-1 away win over FSV Frankfurt at the Volksbank stadium on Sunday.
Macauley has so far missed his side’s last six games in the Bundesliga 2 after successfully undergoing a minor surgery on his lower abdomina. He has played 13 games scoring four goals.
Moses Lamidi (RW Oberhausen): Nigeria Moses Lamidi fired blanks in his 14th appearance for Oberhausen as they lost to VFL Osnabruck at the Osnatel Arena, Sunday afternoon.
He replaced Mike Terranova in the minute of the encounter. He Lamidi has so far scored six goals in the current Bundesliga 2 campaign.
GREECE
Benjamin Onwuachi, Bartholomew Ogbeche (Kavala)
Benjamin Chukwuka Onwuachi played for 63 minutes before being substituted by his compatriot, Bartholomew Ogbeche in Kavala’s goalless draw at home against Panserraikos on Saturday.
Onwuachi only last week scored his 10th Greek league goal of the season.
Investment’s replacement, Ogbeche, who played for the Super Eagles at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan has netted just once so far this season.
While Onwuachi, a former Juventus of Italy trainee was making his 22nd league appearance, Ogoja, Cross River State-born Ogbeche was playing in his 16th match for their club.
SCOTLAND
Omatsone Aluko (Aberdeen): Super Eagles fringe winger, Omatsone Aluko scored his first goal of the season in his side 5-0 demolition of Kilmarnock at the Pittodrie stadium on Sunday.
It was Aluko’s second goal in four days for Aberdeen. He was replaces in the 87th minutes by Mites Anderson.
The fromer Birmingham winger has so far played 17 games for Craig Brown’s side in the SPL in the on-going campaign.
SWITZERLAND
Adewale Wahab (Benllinzona): Little known Adewale Wahab was on the bench for 90 minutes as Bellinzona defeated Luzern 2-0 at home over the weekend.
TURKEY
PLAYERS OUT
Emmanuel Emenike (Karabkupkor): Super Eagles striker, was expectedly left out of his club’s 2-3 away win over Genclerberligi on Saturday.
Emenike who made his Nigerian debut on February 9 in a friendly against Sierra Leone is out through a knee injury which he aggravate in the friendly.
Danny Shittu (QPR): “Big man” Danny Shittu sat out the entire duration of Queens Park Rangers 1-1 draw away to Preston North End at Deepdale Stadium on Saturday.
ENGLAND
Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth): Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu headed in Portsmouth’s solitary goal in a 1-0 win over Bamsley on Saturday at the Fratton Park.
Kanu lept high to nod in a Greg Holford’s inch perfect freekick in the 84th minute from about 6 yards .
The goal was Kanu’s second of the campaign, his first strike coming on January 15th in Pompey’s 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Leicester City): Super Eagles ‘bad boy’, Yakubu Aiyegbeni netted his fifth npower Championship goal in Leicester City 2-1 home win over Bristol City on Friday at the Walkers Stadium.
The Foxes other goal come from Martin Waghorn in the 90th minute.Aiyegbeni who is staking a claim back to national team reckoning scored in the 21st minute.
Yakubu was however wasteful before his terrific finish as he fired wildly over the top from 10 yards, echoes of South Africa 2010 World cup reverberated.
Seyi Olofinjana (Cardiff City), Dele Adebola (Nottingham Forest): Super Egles forgetten midfielder, Seyi George Olofijana was on the losing side on Saturday afternoon in a 2-1 defet in the hands of Nottinham Forest at the latter’s City Ground.
Olofinjana whoonly last week scored his fifth goal of the season played for all 90 minutes.
The Bluebirds who are now 4th on the npower Championship log.
Ibadan-born Dele Adebola played for just one minute. He came on from the bench in the 89th minute to replace Paul Anderson. It was his 24th league game of the season.
The bulky striker is yet to score a goal so far.
Obafemi Martins (Birmingham City): Dimunitive Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins scored his first Birmingham City goal on Saturday in the Blues comfortable 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the 5th Round of the FA cup at St. Andrews.
Martins who is staking a place in Alex McLeish’s side to face Arsenal in the final of the Carling Cup on February 27 had an impressive all-round performance and capped his first start for the team with a 17th minute goal, the second in the game.
The strike was also the Weapon of mass Destruction’s first goal in the English FA cup. He was not on target representing Newcastle United, his first British clup in the 2006/07 season in the competition.
John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Victor Anichebe (Everton): Super Eagles mercurial midfielder, John Mikel Obi played for 45 minutes in Chelsea’s 4th Round FA cup replay against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunch time.
Mikel was impressive in the game which ended 1-1 at regulation time but was ultimately won by Everton 4-3 via penalties after 120 minutes (after extra time).
Frank Lampard scored Chelsea’s goal in the 103rd minute but just when Carlo Ancelotti and his charges thought a passage to the 5th Round had been wrapped up, Laighton Baines floated a marvellous freekick in the 119th minute to break the hearts of fans at the Bridge.
Ghana midfielder, Michael Essien replaced Mikel at halftime.
The game marked Mikel’s 16th FA Cup game for the Blues since he joined them in the 2006’07 season, same campaign he cored the two chelsea FA Cup goals that has remained his only strikes for his team till date.
He has however played 21 times in the EPL this season
Dickson Etuhu (Fulham): Super Eagles midfielder, Dickson Etuhu returned to Fulham bench after missing the Cottagers last four games in their 1-0 home loss to Bolton Wanderers at Craven Cottage Sunday evening. He has so far played 19 games for Fulham this season in all competitions scoring only one goal.
Osaze Odemwingie (Westbrom): Super Eagles striker, Osaze Odemwingie was caged for the entire duration in his 22nd start for the Baggies as they played cut a 1-1 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Hawthorns Sunday afternoon.
In his last three games for Westbrom Osaze is yet to add to his goal tally of 9 in the EPL. He has so far provided three assist for the Roy Hodgson’s men.
Sam Sodje (Nott County): Super Eagles defender, Sam Sodje was not listed by coach Paul Ince as his side were bathered by Manchester City at the Eastlands in an FA Cup replay fixture Sunday evening. Sam is yet to play a game for Nott County since joining them from his short spell at Skoda Xanthi in Greece.
SPAIN
Kalu Uche (Almeria)
Super Eagles creative midfielder, Kalu Uche was handed a starter’s shirt for Almeria as they played a 1-1 draw at home to Deportivo La Corona whom they had earlier defeated thrice this season at the Mediterraneo stadium Sunday evening.
It was his 19th appearance for the relegation threatened side albeit scoring five goals and providing three assist so far in the La Liga season.
Ike Uche (Real Zaragoza): Super Eagles petit striker Ikechukwu Uche made a cameo return to action after a long lay off for his side, Real Zaragoza in their 1-0 home loss to Athletico Madrid at the La Romareda stadium Saturday evening.
The Injury-prone striker who was given the nod to return to action a forthnight ago after successfully undergoing two career threatening injury on his knee replaced Said Brutahar in the 72nd minute and in 89th minute, his right footed shot from the edge of the box crashed the cross bar.
It was his first appearance for the club. His last competitive football was for the Super Eagles in a warm up game against Saudi Arabia prior to the World Cup.
FRANCE
Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille): Super Eagles left back, Taye Taiwo played was on for the entire duration in his 18 appearance for Marseille as they pipped St. Etienne 2-1 at the Velodrome Saturday night.
It was the former Lobi stars of Markurdi’s defender has so far and has scored three goals and provided two assist from the 22 shots he has taken.
John Utaka (Montpellier): Super Eagles striker John Utaka was not listed for Montpellier as they defeated Lille by a lone goal courtesy of Tounes Belhanda late strike at the Dela Mossin stadium Sunday evening.
Since joining Montpellier in the January transfer the former Portsmouth of England star is yet to feature for the club.
Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco): Super Eagles midfielder, Having Lukman played for only 20 minutes for Monaco’s they sluped to a 2-0 away loss to Brest at the Fracis Le Ble stadium on Saturday.
Apache as he is fondly called has so far played nine games for Monaco i the current campaign and is yet to score a goal neither bag a yellow card in the colours of Monaco this term.
Brown Ideye (Sochaux): One-cap eagles striker, Brown Ideye played for the entire duration of Sochaux’s 3-2 away win against Lens at the Felix Bollaert stadium and failed to add to his goal tally of 10 in the current Ligue 1 season.
It was his 24th appearance for the club albeit providing five assist so far in the on-going season.
ITALY
Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (Torino): Former Super Eagles invitee, Angelo Obinze Ogbonna played his 23rd game for Torino as they came from a goal down to defeat US Pescara 3-1 at the Olmpico Grande stadium on Saturday.
He bagged his sixth yellow card of the season in the encounter. His compatriot Christian Obodo however was not listed for the encounter. The former Fiorentina and Udinese midfielder has played only 13 games for the Turin based outfit scoring one goal.
Daniel Adejo (Reginna): Former Flying Eagles defender, Daniel Adejo played the entire duration in Reginna goalless draw at home to Atalant a Saturday evening.
It was Adejo’s 25th appearance for Reginna. He is yet to score albeit provide an assist so far in the Serie B this term.
Obiora Nwankwo (Parma): Super Eagles invitee, Obiora Nwankwo was expectedly not listed for Parma in their 2-2 home draw to Lesena at Ermio Tardim Stadium Sunday evening.
Obiorah is yet to fully recover from the thigh strain whch stopped him from making his home debut for the Super Eagles in their 2-1 win over the Loene Stars of Sierra Lone in an international friendly. He is currently on loan till the end of the season from current Italian and European Champions Inter Milan.
Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan): Former Flying striker, Nnamdi Oduamadi was not considered for AC Milan bench in their away him over Chievo Verona who once paraded Victor Obinna Nsofor at the Mar Antonio Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Oduamadi has so far made only three substitute appearances for the Rossoneri in the current campaign.
Edward Ofere (Lecce): Nigerian player Edward Ofere expectedly did not feature for Lecce in their 2-0 home win over Juventus at the Communale Via del Mare Stadium Sunday evening.
It was the sixth consecutive game the former Malmo FF attacker was missing for Lecce. He has so far scored 3 goals for lecce in Ql appearance. It was his ninth consecutive game he was missing for the 15th placed team.
HOLLAND
Oluwafemi Ajilore (Groningen): Super Eagles midfielder, Oluwafemi Ajilore played for 74minutes in Groningen 4-1 home shock loss to Roda JC Kerkrade at the Euroborg stadium on Saturday.
It was his 14th appearance of the Eredivisie season for Groningen thsi term. He is yet to score a goal which is a short fall comparing his goal feat last season.
Super Eagles dashing winger, Ahmed Musa and Michael Uchebo fired blanks in their 12th respective starts for VVV Venlo’s in their 1-0 away loss to Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena Sunday afternoon.
While Musa was replaced in the 53rd minute by Jorge Chula Uchebo played for 86 minutes before being substitute by Bran Linssen. He has so far scored only two goals while former NPL goal king Musa has found the back of the net three times.
Their compatriot Alex Nkume was benched for the entire duration of the encounter. The former Rangers of Enugu player has so far chalked up 13 appearances for the relegation threatened side.
BELGIUM
Joseph Akpala (Club Brugge): Super Eagles fringe striker, Joseph Akpala scored his second Belgian Jupiler goal of the season in Club Brugge’s 2-1 home win over Lokeren, the one-tme club of Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia.
The goal on Saturday came in the 53rd of the match.
Akpala only last week scored his first goal of the campaign in a 2-0 win over Zulte-Waregem. It was his 15th game of the season.
The former Bendel Insurance lad has now played 665 minutes of club football this season.
ISRAEL
Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv): Super Eagles first chance goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama was on goal in Hapoel Tel Aviv’s 3-0 comprehensive bashing of home side, Hapoel Be’er Sheva at the Arthur Vasermil stadium on Saturday evening. Toto Tamuz, son of Nigerian-born football international Clement Temile grabbed a 4th and 27th minute brace while last in the 60th minute. Enyeama made his 21st Israeli League appearance in the game. He has been in goal in all of his team’s matches so far in the 2010/11 season a total of 1,890 minutes of club football.
The former Enyimba safe hands, unlike last season which he scored five leagues goals through penalty kicks is yet to register his name on the scorers chart so far this term Enyeama has been booked (yellow card) once this season.
Ambrose Efe, Emmanuel (FC Ashod): Former Flying Eagles stars, Ambrose Efe and Emmanuel Sarki both played for 90 minutes in FC Ashod’s 0-0 away draw against Beiter Jerusalem at the Teddi Malcha Stadium on Saturday.
Former Kaduna United ace, Efe, who represented Nigeria at the 2007 FIFA World Cup in Canada has thus played 20 times for Ashdod this season with a goal to the bargain while Chelsea trainee and Congo 2007 African Youth Championship star for Nigeria’s U-20 side, Sarki was also making his 20th league appearance.
Like his compatriot, Efe, Sarki has also scored one goal in the present campaign.
GERMANY
Macauley Chrisantus (Karlsruhe): Former Flying Eagles striker Macauley Chrisantus failed a last minute fitness test to feature for Karlsruhe in their 2-1 away win over FSV Frankfurt at the Volksbank stadium on Sunday.
Macauley has so far missed his side’s last six games in the Bundesliga 2 after successfully undergoing a minor surgery on his lower abdomina. He has played 13 games scoring four goals.
Moses Lamidi (RW Oberhausen): Nigeria Moses Lamidi fired blanks in his 14th appearance for Oberhausen as they lost to VFL Osnabruck at the Osnatel Arena, Sunday afternoon.
He replaced Mike Terranova in the minute of the encounter. He Lamidi has so far scored six goals in the current Bundesliga 2 campaign.
GREECE
Benjamin Onwuachi, Bartholomew Ogbeche (Kavala)
Benjamin Chukwuka Onwuachi played for 63 minutes before being substituted by his compatriot, Bartholomew Ogbeche in Kavala’s goalless draw at home against Panserraikos on Saturday.
Onwuachi only last week scored his 10th Greek league goal of the season.
Investment’s replacement, Ogbeche, who played for the Super Eagles at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan has netted just once so far this season.
While Onwuachi, a former Juventus of Italy trainee was making his 22nd league appearance, Ogoja, Cross River State-born Ogbeche was playing in his 16th match for their club.
SCOTLAND
Omatsone Aluko (Aberdeen): Super Eagles fringe winger, Omatsone Aluko scored his first goal of the season in his side 5-0 demolition of Kilmarnock at the Pittodrie stadium on Sunday.
It was Aluko’s second goal in four days for Aberdeen. He was replaces in the 87th minutes by Mites Anderson.
The fromer Birmingham winger has so far played 17 games for Craig Brown’s side in the SPL in the on-going campaign.
SWITZERLAND
Adewale Wahab (Benllinzona): Little known Adewale Wahab was on the bench for 90 minutes as Bellinzona defeated Luzern 2-0 at home over the weekend.
TURKEY
PLAYERS OUT
Emmanuel Emenike (Karabkupkor): Super Eagles striker, was expectedly left out of his club’s 2-3 away win over Genclerberligi on Saturday.
Emenike who made his Nigerian debut on February 9 in a friendly against Sierra Leone is out through a knee injury which he aggravate in the friendly.
Danny Shittu (QPR): “Big man” Danny Shittu sat out the entire duration of Queens Park Rangers 1-1 draw away to Preston North End at Deepdale Stadium on Saturday.
Nsofor: I’m No Longer An Inter Milan Player
Posted: Feb 21, 2011
West Ham United striker Obinna Victor Nsofor has informed that he will quit Italian champions Inter Milan a free player at the end of the season.
The Nigeria international forward, who recently enjoyed a rich scoring vein for the Hammers, has specially revealed that Inter Milan failed to take advantage of tying him down to a new contract during the recent transfer window and this has now made him a free player by season’s end.
“Inter has no say any more about me. I had a loan deal until the end of the season with an option on my contract to be registered before the end of January for 2011 and 2012 but they (Inter) did not register it,” the former Chievo Verona star disclosed.
“So, now I have my contract (with West Ham) until the end of the season and after that I would be a free player too',Nsofor reportedly revealed to mtnfootball.
Expectations were very high when Nsofor, 24 next month, joined Inter in 2008 after a superlative season with modest Chievo Verona.
However, Nsofor has had to either be content with fringe roles at the top San Siro club or being shipped out on loan, first to Spanish club Malaga and now West Ham.
The Super Eagles star has only made a total of nine appearances and scored a goal for the Nerazzurri.
The Nigeria international forward, who recently enjoyed a rich scoring vein for the Hammers, has specially revealed that Inter Milan failed to take advantage of tying him down to a new contract during the recent transfer window and this has now made him a free player by season’s end.
“Inter has no say any more about me. I had a loan deal until the end of the season with an option on my contract to be registered before the end of January for 2011 and 2012 but they (Inter) did not register it,” the former Chievo Verona star disclosed.
“So, now I have my contract (with West Ham) until the end of the season and after that I would be a free player too',Nsofor reportedly revealed to mtnfootball.
Expectations were very high when Nsofor, 24 next month, joined Inter in 2008 after a superlative season with modest Chievo Verona.
However, Nsofor has had to either be content with fringe roles at the top San Siro club or being shipped out on loan, first to Spanish club Malaga and now West Ham.
The Super Eagles star has only made a total of nine appearances and scored a goal for the Nerazzurri.
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