The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Michael Olaitan

  • Olaitan makes KV Kortrijk debut

    Olaitan makes KV Kortrijk debut

    Ex- Flying Eagles midfielder, Michael Olaitan, made his debut for new club KV Kortrijk in their Belgian Pro League clash with Oostende on Friday night at the Guldensporenstadion.

    Xavier Mercier and Rolland were on target for Kortrijk, while Fernando Canesin scored the only goal for the visitors, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

    With the scoreboard reading 1-0 in favour of the home team, Super Eagle striker, Joseph Akpala had a glorious opportunity to equalize on the hour mark but wasted the chance.

    Olaitan played for 74 minutes in Kortrijk attack before he was replaced by Frenchman Rolland, who scored the game-winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

  • Otigba opens season goal account in Holland

    Otigba opens season goal account in Holland

    Super Eagles hopeful, Kenneth Otigba, scored his first goal of the season in SC Heerenveen 4 -1 victory over FC Twente in the Eredivisie on Saturday night.

    The former Hungary U-17 skipper profited from a mistake by Twente goalie, Joel Drommel , who failed to spot the danger from a free – kick taken by Larsson, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

    Slagveer and Larsson also scored for Heerenveen, while Ziyech pulled a goal back for the home team.

    Ex- Flying Eagles midfielder, Michael Olaitan, was introduced in the 72nd minute for Twente, while teammate Chinedu Ede was replaced at half – time.

  • Olaitan vows to adapt to Dutch football

    Olaitan vows to adapt to Dutch football

    Ex-Flying Eagles midfielder, Michael Olaitan, has said he will adapt to the Dutch system of football after his goal-scoring debut for FC Twente in a 1-1 draw with Schalke 04.

    “Everything was new for me and now I have to get used to the system in the Netherlands. But the trainer has helped me,” africanFootball.com quoted Olaitan as saying on Twente website.

    “It was a good game (vs Schalke), which helps us prepare for the start of the season.

    “We have achieved a good result against a big team, but we have to keep working hard.”

    Olaitan maintained his lucky jersey number 99.

    “Three years ago there was a famous player at my club Veria FC who wore this number. He decided to stop, and then became a director.  When I told him I would wear his number and would break his goal record, he thought I want to bring pressure on myself, but I succeeded. Since then it has been my lucky number,” he explained.

    Olaitan has now returned to Greece to sort out all the paper work concerning his loan move to Holland.

  • Olaitan joins FC Twente on loan

    Olaitan joins FC Twente on loan

    Olympiakos forward Michael Olaitan will spend the 2015-16 season on loan at FC Twente, the two clubs have announced.

    The 22-year-old is a product of Mighty Jets and has previously spent time on loan at Ergotelis, where he featured 12 times with a goal to his credit, Goal reports.

    “After discussions with my family, I have consciously chosen this club. Dutch football suits me, but also the way FC Twente play,” Goal quoted the former Flying Eagles midfielder as saying on the club’s official website.

    Twente’s technical director, Ted van Leeuwen, who is a big fan of the skillful Nigerian, also expressed his delight at Olaitan’s acquisition.

    “I followed Michael for four years, because I think he is a great striker,” he told club’s website.

    “Very versatile, very disciplined and cool. I find it extraordinary that we have managed to bring this talent to Enschede.

    “Although he’s still only 22 years old, he already has the necessary experience and his personality fits very well in our dressing room. His career again just needs a little push,” he concluded.

    Olaitan has been handed jersey No. 99.

     

  • Olaitan returns to action after heart scare

    Olaitan returns to action after heart scare

    Ex-Flying Eagles midfielder, Michael Olaitan, has returned to action after more than 10 months on the sidelines, africanFootball.com reports.

    The midfielder fell to the ground unchallenged during a Greek league game against Panathinaikos on March 2, 2014, and has not played again since then.

    Olaitan had to visit a top cardiologist in Belgium before he was given the all-clear to return to action.

    The midfielder featured for Olympiacos on Wednesday in a 3-0 win over Tyrnavos in the first leg, third round Greek Cup game.

    He came in as a substitute for Jorge Benitez in 62nd minute.

    Benitez scored two goals and Milivojevic scored once.

  • Ergotelis wants Olympiakos’ Olaitan

    Ergotelis wants Olympiakos’ Olaitan

    Greece league side, Ergotelis, has opened a line of communication with Olympiakos about the signing of Nigeria youth international, Michael Olaitan, sl10.ng reports.

    Greek radio station Nova Sport FM 94.6 said the Heraklion-based club hopes to complete the signing of Olaitan few days after the transfer market opens for business.

    Olympiakos did not register the striker for the first stanza of the Super league as he was undergoing rehabilitation, following the unfortunate incident which occurred on March 2, 2014 against Panathinaikos.

    But there is now light at the end of the tunnel, with the Olympic national team invitee resuming full training with the Reds after he was given the green light by club medics.
    Olaitan has contractual obligations with Olympiakos until June 30, 2017.

     

  • Olaitan expected back in August

    Olaitan expected back in August

    Olympiakos forward Michael Olaitan is expected back at training in August after being out of action for four months due to an inflammatory cardiomyopathy (inflammation of heart muscle).

    The forward slumped without any contact during the League game against Panathinaikos in March, and looked immobile as team-mates, opponents and the referee frantically called for medical personnel.

    He was treated on the pitch and immediately taken to hospital where Greek. Edit reported later in the day that he was in a ‘stable condition’.

    Thrylos’ Spanish coach Míchel confirmed that he would wait for Olaitan to recover and won’t search for a replacement until the player’s state is clear.

    Olaitan was one of the key players for the club side last season – before his collapse – scoring eight goals in 16 games for Olympiakos.

  • PAS strike, my best —Ajagun

    PAS strike, my best —Ajagun

    Panathinaikos midfielder Abdul Ajagun netted his fourth Super League goal of the season in the 1 – 0 defeat of PAS Giannina on Sunday.

    And the 21-year-old has admitted that the strike at the Stadio Zosimades (Ioannina) was his best goal in his career.

    In his post-match comments, Ajagun also expressed delight that his Flying Eagles colleague Michael Olaitan had been discharged from the Metropolitan Hospital in Greece.

    “Olaitan feels much better. It was not easy for me because I was shocked (at the news of Olaitan’s loss of conciousness). Football comes second place when human life counts. The important thing is that Olaitan is well,” Ajagun said.

    It should be noted that Ajagun’s four goals in the Greek championship came in away matches. Panathinaikos occupy the fourth position in the standings, just three points behind Atromitos in second place. They meet OFI in the semi final of the Greek Cup today.

     

  • Juventus to spy on Michael Olaitan

    Juventus to spy on Michael Olaitan

    Scouts representing Juventus will be in the podium to watch the Super League tie between Olympiakos and Panthinaikos today.

    In all likelihood,the game will see two of the biggest clients of Prosport, Michael Olaitan and his Flying Eagles skipper Abdul Ajagun, coming head- to- head.

    Gazzetta.gr says not only the Italian champions are interested in the meeting between two of the biggest teams in Greece.

    Also, representatives of clubs from nearby countries plus emissaries of Manchester United will watch the clash at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki.

    Their mission is to monitor at close quarters Super Eagles invitee Michael Olaitan and three other players in the Olympiakos squad.

    The likes of Valencia, Auxerre, Nice, Valenciennes and Genoa are understood to be mulling over a bid for the 21-year-old attacker this summer.

  • Olaitan: I try to keep myself awake

    Nigeria’s Michael Olaitan is always awake whenever he finds himself on the football pitch.

    The 20-year-old scored a brace for Olympiakos’ against his old club Veria, despite playing as a sub from the hour mark. He set up the game’s opening goal seconds after being brought on the pitch and later added match’s third and fifth in 70th and 90th minute, respectively.

    “It was really a great feeling as we played well and we won here, as well because I came here in Veria and was greeted with much warmth. I still feel very comfortable here in town and on the field, as if it is the second home for me.

    “I know that I have made a big step coming to Olympiakos. To return and score goals playing against my old team was something nice.

    “I try to keep myself awake! Sometimes I see the game from the bench and I say to myself: If the coach to invites you to enter the game, you have to give it your best and change the flow of the match!,” the former Flying Eagles player told the club’s website moments after the game.

    Meanwhile, Olympiakos manager, Spanish legend Michel also highlighted the Nigerian’s performance.

    “He is a basic and important player for Olympiakos. He was called to fill the gap of Mitroglou and succeeds in the best possible way. I wish I had the other players like Olaitan!”