Several Nigerian-born youngsters were involved in youth league games across England, with West Ham United attacker, Dapo Afolayan showing the way with a goal, while former Golden Eaglets’ goalkeeper, Daniel Jinadu was an unused substitute, megasportsarena.com reports.
Afolayan was on the scorers’ sheet in The Hammers’ 2-0 victory over Manchester United in an English Premier League 2 clash at Rush Green, where Shola Shoretire went the full ninety for The Red Devils’ kids, while his Nigerian-born pal at Old Trafford, Dillon Hoogewerf netted his first career hat-trick for their under-18 squad.
While Hoogewerf treble shot him into the spotlight for the second weekend running, it was at the higher level that accolades rained for Afolayan, as the Chelsea product kept up his strong contention for Premier League 2 Player of the Month on the back of his brilliant form this month.
Afolayan took his tally for November to five goals in four games with his double against this past Friday against Man United, while also having earlier hit target in each of his last four games for The Hammers, starting against Derby County on November 2 as well as back-to-back matches against Liverpool, Leicester City and Manchester United.
The 23-year-old fast-rising striker gave West Ham the lead in the 33rd minute, then doubled the home team’s advantage through a well-taken spot kick a minute into the second half, but Jinadu was an unused substitute for West Ham, while Shoretire went the whole duration for United.
Same evening, Nigerian-born whiz-kid, Dillon Hoogewerf netted his first career hat-trick for Man U’s youth team in a 4-1 rout of Newcastle United in an U18 Premier League fixture on Saturday at AON Training Complex.
The Dutch youth international, who arrived from Ajax Amsterdam of Holland in the summer of 2019, had previously bagged braces against Newcastle United’s under-18 squad in the English youth league and Lincoln City in the FA Youth Cup.
The Red Devils led 1-0 at half-time thanks to Hoogewerf who smashed a left-footed finish into the roof of the net and, though De Bolle put The Magpies back with a solo goal four minutes into the second half, the Nigerian-born lad restored United’s one-goal lead in the 53rd minute.
Just past the hour mark, Hoogewerf clipped in a brilliant finish for 3-1 and Savage wrapped up the scoring with six minutes left on the clock, thereby giving The Red Devils their seventh win in eight games and they stay top the U18 Premier League North standings with 21 points.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s youth team goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo made his first appearance of the season for The Gunners and helped them beat Derby County at Meadow Park, where the 19-year-old shot-stopper stormed back to reckoning after last featuring in an English Premier League 2 tie with Leicester City on April 26, 2019.
Okonkwo, who missed the whole of the 2018/19 campaign due to injury and faced similar struggles last season, was joined in The Gunners’ starting lineup against The Rams by the Nigerian-born trio of Miguel Azeez, Ryan Alebiosu and Tim Akinola.
While Arsenal’s former Ajax Amsterdam of Holland winger, Joel Ideho went on in injury time, coach of the side, Steve Bould gave Okonkwo the nod over fellow-Nigerian-born goalkeeper, Ovie Ejeheri and he pulled off a stunning save 24 minutes into the game to deny Jahmal Hector-Ingram from equalising from a penalty kick won by Josh Shonibare.
On Saturday, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, Joshua Oluwayemi got his maiden outing against Altrincham, as he featured in the National League fixture with Maidenhead United, which he joined on loan last month in order to get regular first-team experience.
Oluwayemi’s expected debut for Maidenhead had been delayed by top form from his main rival, Taye Ashby-Hammond, who is on loan from Fulham, such that his fellow-Nigerian shot-stopper has found it difficult breaking into the starting lineup.
However, after acting as cover in seven consecutive matches since his arrival, Oluwayemi got his chance after the first choice sustained an injury towards the end of the first half and bowed out at half-time, thereby giving the newcomer the chance for his debut as the second half started.
Sadly, Oluwayemi had to pick the ball from his own net after Hancock converted a penalty and he was beaten again in the 77th minute, when Tom Peers also scored for the home team, such that it turned out to be a sour maiden outing for the lad from Spurs.
