.Kayode, Ndidi, Simon, Lawal, Balogun on parade .Echiejile missing
Olympiacos striker, Brown Ideye has expressed gratitude to the club fans after the team secured a place in the next round of the Europa League despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Young Boys.
The Super Eagles forward who has scored seven goals for the Greek side was in action for 90 minutes at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki.
Olympiacos are 2nd in Group B with 8 points and will move to the next round with leaders APOEL on 9 points.
“Thank you everyone for all the support? #nextround #olympiacos #wekeepondreaming #believe,” he said via @Ideyebrown.
Nigerian forward Olanrewaju Kayode however failed to hit target as Austria Wien lost 1-2 at home to AFC Astra in their Europa League clash on Thursday night.
Kayode who is expected to be called up by Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr for January’s international friendly against Egypt in Dubai, could not replicate his Austrian Bundesliga form where he has so far scored five goals this term against the Romanian side, leaving Austria Wien on third position with just five points in Group E, two points behind the Romanian side and six point adrift leaders, Roma.
Super Eagles left-back, Elderson Echiejile was missing as Standard de Liège record a 1-1 away draw to Celta de Vigo in their Europa League clash at the Estadio de Balaídos. The Nigeria defender has made just three appearances for the Belgian side since joining on loan from Monaco.
Wilfred Ndidi (top) celebrating the goal with his teammates
Midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi tasted 90 minute of action as he helped Genk secure a place in the next round following a 1-0 victory over Rapid Wien at the Luminus Arena. Ndidi’s superb form this season has seen him become a £16m transfer target for Premier League side, Leicester City.
Moses Simon in action against Sporting Braga
Defender, Leon Balogun was in action as Mainz 05 held Saint-Étienne to a goalless draw at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The 28 year old was however booked in the 16th minute of encounter.
Anderson Esiti taking on a Sporting Braga player
Moses Simon and Anderson Esiti helped Genk through to the next round after recording a 2-2 draw with Sporting Braga to top Group F with nine points. While Simon was substituted in the 70 minutes for Brecht Dejaegere, Esiti was replaced in the 85th minute by Jérémy Perbet.
Raheem Lawal featured for Osmanlıspor against Steaua Bucureşti on Thursday night
Raheem Lawal featured for 29 minutes as his Turkish side, Osmanlıspor lost 2-1 at Steaua Bucureşti. The Nigeria international replaced Adam Maher in the 61 minute as a precaution after the Netherland star was yellow carded. Despite the loss, Osmanlıspor sit on top Group L with seven points.
“Thank God and my fans for their prayers ?I’m back fully but unfortunately we lost the game last night and we’re still on the top of the table….We promise to get 3points next Europa League game to proceed to the knockout stage INSHA ALLAH ??⚽️… Jumat Mubarak,” Lawal posted on his Instagram page @raheem_lawal on Friday.
Former Flying Eagles striker, Olarenwaju Kayode, said he is flattered that Glasgow Celtic is interested in his signature, amid speculation linking him with a departure from Maccabi Netanya in the January transfer window.
The Scottish Premier League champions must see off competition from Club Brugge and Gent in the bid to sign the 21-year-old striker.
”Firstly, it’s a great feeling to be linked with Celtic because everyone wants to be in the top clubs in the world, and sure I will be successful there if I am signed,” Kayode told sl10.ng.
”Celtic is a big and fantastic club, and my brother Efe Ambrose is there. Everything about this club is right for my career.”
The club officials, according to sl10.ng, are in direct talks with Israeli agent Dudu Dahan, who handles the affairs of the young Nigerian.
Olanrewaju Kayode fired a hat-trick for his Israeli club to win 5-1 away from home on Monday.
The former Nigeria U-20 star hit target for Maccabi Netanya in the fourth, 14th and 60th minutes against Hapoel Rishon to take his goals’ tally to four since he was freed by FIFA following a logjam over his transfer.
“It’s really great. I have fully settled in and I’m enjoying my football again after those months of uncertainty,” Kayode informed MTNFootball.com from his base in Israel.
Kayode’s club Maccabi Netanya are now top of the Israeli second division with 26 points after 11 matches, four points ahead of their closest rivals. Their next game is at home to Hapoel Afula on Friday.
FIFA has granted Nigeria U-20 striker Olanrewaju Kayode provisional clearance to join Nigerian club Heartland.
MTNFootball.com gathered that the decision was taken by a single judge of the FIFA Players’ status committee on Friday.
FIFA authorised the Nigeria Football Federation to register Kayode with Heartland with immediate effect.
This then means the player could resume his career with Israeli club Maccabi Netanya as he was loaned out to the club by Heartland at the expiration of his contract with Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas.
“Justice has been served and the player is free to now resume his career after a major decision was taken on his future,” Kayode’s agent, Emeka Ezeala, told MTNFootball.com.
“He has been training with Netanya and now with this decision he can start playing official matches for the club.”
The Flying Eagles’ players led by Abduljaleel Ajagun have promised to successfully defend the African Youth Championship the team won two years ago in South Africa.
The Nigerian U-20 is drawn in Group B of the 2013 AYC in Algeria and begins the title defence on March 17 against Mali in Oran.
MTNFootball.com reports that debutants Gabon and DR Congo are the other teams in the group.
“We are ready for the battle,” assured skipper Ajagun.
“We know what is at stake and we promise to do the country proud in Algeria.”
The Nigeria Football Federation has doubled the team’s win bonus to $2,000 in the first round in an effort to further galvanise the team.
“This means we will redouble our efforts in the game,” said defender Chizoba Amaefule.
“This means we will die on the pitch to ensure we win,” added Aliyu Goyi.
Striker Olanrewaju Kayode said they appreciate the NFF incentive but they are already fired up to defend the country’s colours in Algeria.
“We appreciate the NFF for what they have done, but I can assure you that the main driving force for us is that we are committed to prove ourselves and so doing bring more honour to Nigeria after what the Super Eagles achieved in South Africa,” he said.
