The Nation Newspaper

Tag: striker

  • Owello to be deployed as a striker

    Owello to be deployed as a striker

    Former Nigeria  Under-20   international Solomon Owello could be deployed as a striker this coming season, IK Start coach, Mons Ivar Mjelde, has strongly hinted ahead of their opening game in the Tippeligaen against Lillestrom.

    The 26-year-old, who is primarily an old fashioned playmaker, has been utilized in midfield in IK Start tune – up games, and has caught the eye with a string of fine performances.

    But Owello has confessed that it is taking him time to adapt to his new position, saying he often assists in defensive duties which is no longer his main responsibility.

    “Yes, of course. I’ve grown up playing there. The new role is a challenge for me,”  Owello told Norwegian newspaper, Aftenposten.

    “Sometimes I want to work way back in defense, to win the ball. I must remember that I am not a central midfielder anymore.”

    The IK Start number 10 has scored 2 goals (8 assists) in 130 Premier League games.

     

  • Wenger rules out striker sign-on this summer

    ArseneWenger has no intention of signing a striker after Milan denied that Arsenal has lodged a bid for Mario Balotelli.

    The London club were reported to have agreed a fee for Italy striker Balotelli at the weekend, but Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani insisted that is not the case.

    “Balotelli to Arsenal? We have not received any offer and at the moment there is nothing,” he told reporters.

    Wenger had been expected to bolster his forward line ahead of the new season, and he has already completed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona.

    And the Frenchman has now revealed that bringing in a goalkeeper and possibly a centre-back are his priorities for the remainder of the transfer window.

    “It depends whether our midfielders get through now until the start of the season without injuries,” said Wenger.

    “Up front we don’t need any more, maybe I will still bring in one centre-back. I will bring in a goalkeeper for sure and we are still out there to strengthen our squad.

    “You do the deals when it’s possible, this time we could do it early and I am very happy with what I have done until now. It’s easier to prepare, but we are not the only club who have done business.

    “Some other clubs have also done business – Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have bought great players and the competition should be interesting again next season.”

  • EMENIKE ROARS: Play me as striker

    EMENIKE ROARS: Play me as striker

    •And get goals

    Emmanuel Emenike has promised to score more goals in Turkey if he is played as his club’s main striker.

    The Nigeria striker has now scored three goals in his club’s last two games after going several games without a goal and he said he hopes to add to the tally. He had told MTNFootball.com that his barren run was caused by the fact that he was being played on the wings and not as the top striker.

    “Well, if I played as a striker, I can get goals as expected. Right now, I feel very good and fit. Nice weather we got. Bursaspor and Galatasaray are our next two games, we will maintain our leadership by defeating them,”he told fanatik.com.

    Fenerbahce lead the Turkey Super League table with 22 points from nine matches.

  • Tunisia’s striker Jemaa out of Afcon

    Tunisia’s striker Jemaa out of Afcon

    Tunisia striker Issam Jemaa will play no further part in the African Nations Cup after spraining his knee in his country’s opening match this week, the Tunisian Football Federation said on Thursday.

    The former French-based striker had to come off after 16 minutes of Tunisia’s 1-0 win over neighbours Algeria in Rustenburg on Tuesday.

    “He has to rest for the next six weeks,” said a federation statement.

    Jemaa, 28, was competing at his fifth successive Nations Cup tournament.

    Tunisia will not be able to replace him as they did injured defender Fateh Gharbi on Monday, before their opening game, when they flew in Houcem Haj Mabrouk from CA Bizertin as a replacement.

    Tunisia next face Ivory Coast in Group D on Saturday.