Ighalo and 4 other Nigerian players to watch this weekend

The Barclay’s English Premier League, EPL, is in the second week, with other major European leagues also just starting or set to commence this weekend. Nigerian players, especially the strikers, hope to perform well to catch Sunday Oliseh’s attention as he prepares his first Super Eagles list for the Nations Cup qualifier against Tanzania in September.

Some of the players hoping for a call by the new gaffer include Odion Ighalo and Anthony Ujah.

Odion Ighalo – Watford v West Brom

EPL | Saturday, Aug.15 | 13:30

Odion Ighalo showed his class in less than 15 minutes against Everton last weekend but it remains to be seen whether his manager, Quique Sanchez Flores, will give him a starting berth on account of that show. The Super Eagles striker has now scored in Italy, Spain and England’s top tiers.

He says, “As a striker, when you are scoring you gain more confidence. I will keep my head up and keep learning every day so I can do the best for myself and for the team.” If he gets a starting shirt, he will need to score more goals to continually justify his starting berth.

Anthony Ujah – Werder Bremen v Schalke 04

Bundesliga | Saturday, Aug.15 | 14:30

Ujah is in a rich vein of form with the Bundesliga starting this weekend but his team faces a stern test against visiting Schalke 04 at the Weserstadion. The Nigerian, despite his good form in pre-season and in the DFB Pokal Cup, in which he scored last weekend, has to hit the ground running for his new side.

Vincent Enyeama – Monaco v Lille

Ligue 1 | Friday, Aug.14 | 19:30

For Enyeama, it must have been a painful loss to PSG at home by a lone goal last weekend but it does not get easier with a trip to the Stade Louis II to face Monaco. The goalkeeper will be hoping his side can get at least a point to get new manager, Herve Renard, his first point in Ligue 1.

Kenneth Omeruo – Gaziantepspor v Kasımpaşa

Super Lig | Sunday, Aug.16 | 20:00

It is a momentous season for Kenneth Omeruo as he seeks to restore a stock that has been bashed after he rose to prominence with the Super Eagles in 2013 and in the World Cup. The trip to Gaziantepspor will not be a easy one, but he needs to bring his experience to bear on his team to show that they signed the right player.

Kingsley Madu – DAC v Trencin

Super Liga | Saturday, Aug.10 | 18:00

The emerging Super Eagles left back has been a constant feature of the AS Trencin backline. Away to second placed DAC on Saturday, he will be hoping that his rising stock does not take a bashing. Just 19, more pedigreed European clubs are already casting lustful eyes; another good performance will turn those glances into glares.