Eagles Friday Round-Up: Iheanacho fails to deliver on return to action, honeymoon over for Onyeka
Kelechi Iheanacho returned to action Friday evening as a 14th minute substitute for Isaac Romero but failed to deliver the goals for Sevilla who lost 2-1 to their host, Deportivo Alaves at the Estadio Mendizorroza.
The Nigerian was left on the bench for the entire duration of Sevilla’s 1-0 defeat of Getafe at the Estadio R. Sanchez Pizjuan after he returned late from the international break with Nigeria.
Sevilla fans had been complaining about their Nigerian import’s less than impressive showing in the 75 minutes he had played since he was brought to the club as a free agent in July, but the Nigerian got more than the 75 minutes, he had in his first two games but could not save the club losing for the third time in five games.
Chidera Ejuke, Iheanacho’s compatriot at the club was also subbed on in the 66th minute for Lucien Agoumé but his presence did not change much except galvanizing the visitors to score what ended as a consolation goal by Dodi Lukébakio on 83 minutes.
In Germany, Frank Onyeka started for the second straight game in his first season at Augburg and the Bundesliga but could not weave his magic this time as his side lost 3-2 to visiting Mainz 05 at the WWK Arena.
Onyeka scored on his debut for the club last week and made Whoscored Team of the Week for what his coach called an outstanding performance.
The on-loan Nigerian was also great in the loss, but his tree could not make Augsburg’s forest in the game.
In Italy, former Sweden U20 star, Emmanuel Ekong, son of former Nigeria international Prince Ikpe Ekong was an unused substitute as his side, Empoli lost 2-0 away at Cagliari. Tino Anjorin, who was born to a Nigerian father was on for 58 minutes in the match for Empoli.
In France, 18-year-old Nigerian, Victor Orakpo was subbed on for Mohamed-Ali Cho in the 77th minute as his club, OGC Nice walloped their guest, Saint-Etienne 8-0 in a Ligue 1 match week five game at the Allianz Riviera.
