Mikel edges closer to first goal
by Sammy Wejinya 27 December 2012, 12:35
Nigerians in Europe impressed on Wednesday as the Boxing Day fixtures took centre stage in England and Belgium.
John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses helped Chelsea record an important win against Norwich City at Carrow Road while Osaze Odemwingie watched from the sidelines as West Bromwich Albion beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road.
In Belgium, Derrick ‘Chuka’ Ogbu broke his goals drought as he netted OH Leuven’s consolation in the 1-2 defeat at Zulte Waregem.
Efe Ambrose continues to impress at Celtic while Rabiu Ibrahim continues to languish at the sidelines.
On another evening to remember for Nigerians in Europe, supersport.com now rounds up the best of the action.
England (Barclays Premier League)
Odemwingie has been hogging the headlines in recent days.
He was excluded from Nigeria’s provisional 32-man list for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and subsequently went on an astonishing tirade on Twitter that lasted till Boxing Day.
The West Bromwich Albion manager, Steve Clarke may have questioned the mental state of the player as he was left on the bench as the Baggies beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road.
Victor Anichebe scored the winner for Everton in their 2-1 win over West Ham United at Upton Park at the weekend. The striker played for 70 minutes before he was substituted by the Toffees’ manager, David Moyes in their 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic at Goodison Park.
Another player who has been in the headlines following the release of Nigeria’s provisional Afcon squad is striker, Shola Ameobi who was drafted in as a 72nd minute substitute in Newcastle United’s dramatic 3-4 defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Shola’s younger brother, Sammy came on as a sub for the Magpies with ten minutes to go and almost scored the winner late on but was denied by a combination of the United goalkeeper, David de Gea and the post as the Red Devils went on to claim maximum points thanks to a Javier Hernandez stoppage time winner.
At Carrow Road, Mikel almost scored his first Premier League goal for Chelsea in the 33rd minute but his effort from outside the box fizzled just over the bar.
Moses also came close to scoring severally but both Super Eagles’ stars played their part in a crucial 1-0 win for the Blues over the home side, Norwich City.
Belgium (Jupiler League)
Michael Uchebo was on for Cercle Brugge for all 90 minutes as the side suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat at the hands of Lokeren at Daknam.
Ogbu came on as a 78th minute substitute for OH Leuven and scored with his first touch of the ball in the 1-2 defeat at Zulte Waregem.
Ogbu is now the third leading scorer at Leuven.
Scotland (Scottish Premier League)
Ambrose was on for all 90 minutes for Celtic as the Hoops beat Dundee FC at Dens Park 2-0 to go top of the SPL.
Rabiu Ibrahim who was recently included in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2013 Afcon was not listed by the Celtic manager, Neil Lennon.
