Uche Agbo who was recently called up for the first time by Nigeria as a replacement for injured Leon Balogun ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Zambia, has for the first time this season miss out on a place at his club side Granada.

Agbo has played in all of Granada’s six games prior to today’s game against Leganes which they lost 0-1 with all of his appearances coming under recently sacked manager Paco Jemez.

Jemez converted the Nigerian who is on loan from Watford to a central defender from his preferred midfield role at the start of the season. However new manager Lluis Planaguma dropped the 20 year old from his first match day squad for the tie against Leganes.

Granada are however still searching for their first clean sheet despite new manager Planaguma dropping the Nigerian, who was part of the defence that conceded 13 goals before Planaguma’s appointment.

The 0-1 loss see them drop from 18th on the log of La-Liga Santander to 20th, with just two points from their opening seven games of the season.

According to reports exclusively gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com Hapoel Be’er Sheva midfield maestro John Ogu could be handed a shock call up to the Nigeria national team.

Ogu’s invitation is however subject to the involvement of Chelsea star man Mikel Obi, who is nursing an injury at the moment and could miss the World Cup 2018 qualifiers tie against Zambia.

If Mikel is declared unfit for the game. Head coach Gernot Rohr has already pencilled down Ogu as his replacement, owing to the arguments his initial exclusion generated.

The Nigerian is presently one of the best players for Israeli Champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva, and has played a big role in their unbeaten start to the Europa League.

27 year old Ogu last played for Nigeria during the AFCON 2017 qualifiers last year, in the first game against Chad in Kaduna where he was introduced as a second half substitute in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Chad.

As part of celebrations marking his 20th anniversary as coach of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger the manager of Arsenal has praised the impact African players have had on his managerial career.

Wenger transformed Kolo Toure from an unknown into a world-class defender, and re-ignited Kanu’s career when he signed the Nigerian in 1999.

“African players had a massive impact on my career because I always managed them right from the moment I started in the top league in France,” said Wenger.

“I had African players at Monaco and I like the fact that they were creative and they are usually attacking players with imagination. They have pace and power as well, and they usually combine strength and agility well. That’s very difficult to find.

“Africans are hugely passionate people and there is a big passion in Africa for the game. They are happy on the football pitch and that’s something which has been fantastic for us.

The official website of the gunners went a step further by asking fans of the team to vote for the greatest African player at Arsenal, with Nigeria legend Kanu mentioned in same breath as Emmanuel Adebayor, Alex Iwobi, Kolo Toure, Lauren and Christopher Wreh.

However manager Arsene Wenger was quick in pointing out one of his former protegee in George Opong Weah of Liberia, whom the manager handled while at Monaco.

“Kanu had a massive impact here, Kolo Toure too, I had George Weah too… so all these players had a massive impact.”

Weah dedicated his 1995 World Best Footballer Award to Wenger for his guidance and mentoring when he picked up the gong alongside best footballer in Europe back then.

Despite stating his willingness to play for Nigeria few years ago, Liverpool red hot teen Ovie Ejaria appears to have committed his international future to England following his recent call up to the England U-20 as exclusively reported by Owngoalnigeria.com last week.

Ejaria has been named in Paul Williams’ 24-man squad for the England U20s’ upcoming clashes with the Netherlands (October 5), Germany (October 7) and the United States (October 10).

Ejaria’s inclusion comes as something of a surprise, given the midfielder’s previous statement of allegiance to Nigeria, shortly after joining Liverpool from Arsenal.

“Though I was born in England, my parents are Nigerians,” the youngster said in 2014, “so I have pledged my international future to Nigeria.”

This is far from a definitive move, however, with Ejaria’s future under contention until he turns out for either the England or Nigeria senior sides.

But omitted from a youthful Nigeria squad for their World Cup qualifier against Zambia next month, despite the inclusion of Premier League youngsters Uche Henry Agbo, Alex Iwobi, Isaac Success and Kelechi Iheanacho, this could prove to be a significant move.

Hapoel Beer Sheva maintained their unbeaten start in the Europa League after playing a 0-0 draw against Southampton in Israel.

Nigerian midfielder John Ogu was a trojan in the middle for the Israeli side, dominating and winning most of his duels and, above all he was quick in turning defence into attack for the Israeli side.

The 27 year old was on for the entire duration of the game, same way he was on from start to finish in their 2-0 victory away to Inter-Milan two weeks ago.

Ogu showed why he is so highly rated and talked about in Israel with a performance, that raises more questions as to why he has been in the international wilderness with Nigeria.

He last played for Nigeria in 2015, in their first AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Chad in Kaduna, where he came on as a second half substitute.

Aside from the fact that this is the second time he is making the bench for Southampton in a competitive game, what else is known about this player?

Here are five facts…

1) Olomola may only be 18 but he cuts a very imposing figure. A big and strong striking unit he will not struggle physically at senior level.

2) The teenager arrived at Southampton in the summer of 2014 after departing Premier League side Arsenal.

3) The English striker has Nigerian parents and is eligible to play for both nations.

4) As well as playing as a central striker he can also play from the wide positions.

5) The teenager often goes by the name of Fela instead.

Culled from Hitc.com