EiE: Ogenyi Onazi, Ogu head into Super Eagles camp in fine form

Ogenyi Onazi and John Ogu lead a crop of impressive performing Super Eagles players into the the first international break of the season.

We review thesw respective performances in Europe as they prepare for the AFCON qualifier against Seychelles at the weekend.

England
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester City

Ndidi and Iheanacho faced yet another difficult opposition this week, as league leaders Liverpool visited the King Power Stadium.

Ndidi was on from start to finish, but picked up a late booking while Iheanacho came off the bench as the Foxes lost 2-1 at home to the Reds.

Iheanacho was instrumental to Leicester’s consolation goal, after stealing the ball off goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, before setting up team mate, Rachid Ghezzal to pull a goal back.

Leon Balogun, Brighton and Hove Albion
After his brilliant display against Manchester United and Liverpool, Balogun found himself on the bench when Fulham came calling.

Following the return of Lewis Dunk, the ex-Mainz man was an unused substitute as a late Glenn Murray penalty rescued a point in their 2-2 draw with the London side.

Alex Iwobi, Arsenal
The playmaker was not listed in his side’s successful visit to Wales, where they defeated newly promoted side, Cardiff City 3-2.

Oghenekaro Etebo, Stoke City
Etebo was on for 81minutes in the English Championship as Stoke City fell 2-1 at West Brom Albion. His two key passes were just not enough to salvage at least a point for the Potters.

France

Samuel Kalu, Bordeaux

Newly invited forward, Kalu, was on from start to finish but was kept quiet by Rennes defenders, as Bordeaux lost 2-0.

Israel
John Ogu, Hapoel Beer Sheva

Ogu was in superb form for Israeli champions, Beer Sheva, playing from start to finish and registering a goal. The midfielder opened the scoring for his side, but Maccabi Tel Aviv equalised in the second half to ensure the spoils are shared.

Italy
William Troost-Ekong, Udinese

Troost-Ekong played the duration of the game but could not help his side Udinese to a clean sheet this time as they lost 1-0 at Fiorentina.

Ekong finished that game with four aerial duels won, four clearances and 100 percent tackles won..

Joel Obi, Chievo Verona
Obi returned to the Chievo starting team, and played for 81minutes in their goalless affair against Empoli at home.

Ola Aina, Torino

Aina was in excellent form for his Serie A outfit, Torino, helping them to not just clean sheet but all three points. He featured for 86minutes as they narrowly defeated SPAL 2013.

Aina finished the game with nine duels won, three tackles, and two interceptions.

Spain
Kenneth Omeruo, Leganes

Omeruo was another Super Eagles star who failed to taste action, but watched helplessly as his La Liga outfit were put to the sword 4-1 at the Bernabeu by Real Madrid.

The center back is yet to get on the pitch for Leganes since joining them on loan from Chelsea.

In the Spanish second division, national team goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, was not listed at all by his new side, Elche, who were beaten 2-0 by Reus.

Russia
Bryan Idowu, Lokomotiv Moscow

Idowu was also an unused player in Lokomotiv’s 2-1 loss at FC Krasnodar.

Turkey
Ogenyi Onazi, Anthony Nwakaeme, Trabzonspor and Henry Onyekuru, Galatasaray

Onazi will be joining the national team camp in good mood, after his goal for his Turkish side.

Onazi’s Trabzonspor was up against Onyekuru’s Galatasaray, with Onazi putting up a goalscoring performance. He  netted his side’s opening goal of the match, but countryman, Nwakaeme would still the spotlight from him after his brace.

Trabzonspor defeated Onyekuru and Galatasaray 4-0, with the forward, who was well caged playing for 81minutes while Onazi lasted 74minutes.