Stars Abroad

Malta: Udinese chases Aganun

Italian Serie A side, Udinese are on the heels of young Nigerian Olushola Olumuyiwa Agagun, the player who has scored 6 goals in the Malta premier league this season.

Udinese has already opened talks with his club MSIDA for a possible full transfer or on loan basis, so as to lure the free scoring star to Italy.

Italy is a familiar terrain for Aganun, as he played along side Inter Milan teenage sensation, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins at Reggiana for a year before moving to Sampdoria FC for 3 months.

His performance in the Maltese league has drawn attention from Western Europe and Msida management will have their hands full to keep the youngster.

Meanwhile, the player is ruled out of his club’s game this weekend due to a one game ban slammed on him and three other players by the disciplinary committee of the Maltese Football league.

…Sliema hails Akanji

Across the city, league leaders and defending champions of the Maltese premier league, Sliema Wanderers are still basking in their Super Six success, www.nigeriasports.com exclusively gathered.

The club’s weekly magazine highlighted their run up towards the title and praised former Julius Berger and Super Eagles goal keeper, Murphy Akanji for his heroic performances between the sticks.

“Just when all hopes were dwindling, Murphy keeps pulling the strings and we wonder where Wanderers would have been without this brave man” the magazine was quoted as saying.

It also went further to predict better days ahead with the Nigerian playing a major impact all over again; “Our dreams of playing in the champions league next season is getting brighter and with him in goal, our back looks covered and less vulnerable”.

Germany: Omodiagbe begins life without Okpala

SPVGG Unterhaching midfielder, Darlington Omodiagbe will start life in the German second division without fellow country man, Chris Okpala who recently departed for Augsburg in the third division.

Omodiagbe informed www.nigeriasports.com via telephone that he will miss the affection and bond that existed between him and the former Rangers of Enugu striker.

Okpala’s one year deal with Unterhaching ran out in October 2003 and the one time FC Thun and Aarau FC of Switzerland attacker’s contract was not renewed and he had to seek for playing time elsewhere.

According to the former Sharks of Port Harcourt player, it will be tough for him NOT having his fellow country man around;

“Although Chris met me here, but we’ve come to compliment each other so well, on and off the field of play, I just wish him well at his new club and hopefully we’ll get to play against each other in the cup games” Omodiagbe added.

Italy: Onwuachi all the way

Juventus of Turin young striker, Benjamin Onwuachi is getting all the rave reviews at the Dell Alpi stadium, of the 1996 Uefa champions’ league winners.

Onwuachi who rose from the youth team of the white and black stripes is the target of two Serie A outfits, AC Perugia and his former club Reggiana.

Speaking with www.nigeriasports.com, the young Ajegunle born star says, he hope to do better with ‘Juve’ before looking at the offers, which his manager will analyse before bringing him into the picture.

“You are right, offers came in and I saw it in the Gazzette (Gazetto dello sport) and I just laughed cos am still learning so many things from the likes of Del Piero and Nedved” the Italian cup goal hero explained.

Meanwhile, the 19-year old is playing down all the media hypes that have surrounded his short career.

“Everyone is comparing me with Akin (Martins) but am just being me, I think I just want to be the greatest player in the world in my own name” he said with loud laughter.

Spain: Muyiwa Lawal dreams better days

The only Nigerian in the Spanish top flight, Muyiwa Abass Lawal Albacete is optimistic of better days, he confided in www.nigeriasports.com.

The former Athletico Madrid star still regrets the terrible injury that robbed him of a place in Nigeria’s squad to the on going Africa cup of nations, and instead take solace in a new lease of life in Albacete.

“I was happy that my efforts over the years hasn’t gone unnoticed but for the injury I would have a made a difference” the former junior international opined.

Lawal explained his goals for the season in one word ‘God is able’.

“I know the same God that made me what I am will do another one for me, I am not relenting at all, and I am going to put in more time and energy once am back on my feet again” he added