Salim Fargo Lawal: Sensational Nigerian striker makes team of the week in Croatian league

The scintillating performance of Nigerian striker, Salim Fago Lawal in the colours or NK Istra against NK Lomotiva in Croatian top- flight league game on Sunday has earned him a slot in the team of the week in Croatia.

Lawal scored in the 45th minute of the game to put his team in a commanding 2-0 advantage going into the break and he had a commanding presence all through the game that later ended 2-1 in favour of the visitors from Istra.

Lawal was indeed a tormentor against the defenders of NK Lomotiva all through the time he lasted on the pitch before he suffered a knock that made him to be replaced in the 58th min, but his display was good enough to be voted into the team of the week in Croatia.

The former Flying Eagles striker has continued to develop his game after joining the club in August, 2023 and this latest feat in Croatia will definitely propel him to continue to work harder and the reward will come.

Lawal has been on the radar of some clubs in Europe due to the great quality of his game for NK Istra.

Caleb Ochedikwu: Nigerian midfielder hits brace to help Croatian club record success

 

Two weeks after scoring his maiden goal for his club Uljanik against Kustosija, Flying Eagles midfielder, Caleb Ochedikwu had a brace to his name to seal victory for his team against Segesta reports www.totorinews.com

Ochedikwu, a box to box midfielder had a commanding presence on the pitch, as he was all over the place in the thick of the action and little wonder that he scored for Uljanik in both of the encounter.

It was a very entertaining Croatian top flight league game on Saturday, Uljanik made their intentions known from blast of the whistle with Lorenzonl Travaglia opening the net in the 13th minute.

The energetic Nigerian midfielder, blessed with visionary passes, scored in the 35th minute to increase the tally to 2- 0 and the scoreline stood the same going into the break.

Segesta were not ready to be slaughtered at an away game without a fight and they registered a goal through Tonci Kukoc Petraello nine minutes into the second half.

It was a goal that gave the visitors a glimpse of hope that they could claw their way back into the game from two goals down, as they intensified pressure on the home team for the equaliser.

However, reality of losing the maximum points was confirmed when Ochedikwu hit the back of the net with his brace in the 73rd minute of the thriller.

The third goal from Uljanik was back - breaking goal. The fighting spirit of Segesta disappeared into the thin air, with Uljanik missing some couples of goal scoring opportunities that woud have turned the tie to a more harvest of goals before the referee signalled the end of the game.

The former Mavlon Fc midfielder, who just signed for the club during the summer transfer window is gradually proving to be goal scoring midfielder with his three goals in two games consecutively.

It is more interesting to note that the Nigerian midfielder has played seven games and scoring three times thereby making him the rave of the moment in Croatia.

Ochedikwu's goal not enough to give Uljanik match points

 

Caleb Ochedikwu's 49th minute goal for Uljanik failed to seal the victory for his club against visiting Kustosija, reports www.totorinews.com.

Nigerian midfielder, Ochedikwu was in the thick of the action in the thrilling encounter where Kustosija scored six minutes before the end of regulation time to earn a draw.

The former Mavlon midfielder has featured six times for the modest Croatian side and he registered his maiden goal in this tie.

Uljanik are not well placed on the Dugla NL as they are in the red zone (14th) haven garnered 11 points from 12 games. 

Mavlon's Sunday Oche claims Golden Boot award at Olea Cup

 

Sunday Oche, the lethal weapon of Mavlon FC has won the golden boot award after scoring six goals in Olea Cup tournament in Croatia, reports www.totorinews.com.

Oche, who has been described as the new 'Osimhen' due to his similar style of play with the Super Eagles striker, showed his class at Olea Cup when he scored two consecutive hat tricks to send strong messages to European clubs that another great goal poacher from Mavlon FC is around the corner waiting to embrace European club football.

It was not just his two hat tricks that endeared Oche to the organisers of Olea Cup and scouts from some top European clubs, but the manner in which the goals were sublimely dispatched into the net.

The striker at 16 years old, is very proficient with both legs as witnessed by the goals he scored in the tournament. He scored a spectacular bicycle- kick goal against GNK Dinamo. 

He is also good aerially. He dribbles effortlessly to create space for himself to score and also create assist. He is endowed with skills, strength and speed needed to flourish as a striker.

The goalkeepers of FK DAC and GNK Dinano will never forget in a hurry the way Oche condemned them into picking balls from the net in the tournament.

Mavlon FC came third in the tournament. The team did not win the tournament, but one that is definitely sure is the fact that their young U17 players on display were delight to watch, from the goalkeeper to defenders, midfielders and attackers.

All these points to the fact that Mavlon FC is a bedrock of young talented footballers in Nigeria and the club will continue to discover and nurture talents in the round leather game.

Oche has shown great potential in Olea Cup in Croatia scoring six goals in the tournament and it will not be a surprise if some European clubs begin to jostle for his signature counting down to when he will clock 18 years.

Mavlon FC arrives Croatia for Olea Cup

 

Modest Nigerian club side, Mavlon FC have landed in Europe for Olea Cup taking place in Croatia, where the best of the best clubs in Eastern Europe will compete at the U17 football tournament, www.totorinews.com reports. 

Mavlon FC are drawn in Group A, comprising of three other highly formidable clubs- GNK Dinamo, NK Istra and FK DAC 1904 in the region.

The Nigerian representative skippered by Simon Cletus, the captain of the Golden Eaglets to WAFU B U 17 tournament in May, will begin their quest to raise the flag of Nigerian football high when they tackle NK Istra 1961 on Tuesday in their opening game in Group A.

Incidentally, two former players of Mavlon FC in Salim Fago Lawal and Israel Ayuma,  plies their trade with NK Istra of Croatia, though, they are above 17 years. 

Nigerian midfielder, Ochedikwu joins Croatian club side

Talented Nigerian midfielder, Caleb Ochedikwu has increased number of Nigerian players who made a switch to abroad this summer following his move to Croatian side, NK Uljanik Pula of Croatia, www.totorinews.com reports.

Ochedikwu agreed to sign a three year deal with NK Uljanik Pula after a successful trial that saw him impressed both the technical and management of the club. 

The 19 year old midfielder was discovered and nurtured by Mavlon FC of Lagos, a modest Nigerian club side that is gradually becoming the hub of football talents for European clubs with the latest acquisition of Ochedikwu.

With a playing style similar to that of Rodri of Manchester City and Spanish international, it was therefore not a surprise that he was handed three years contract.

The talented midfielder is known for winning the ball to thwart the threat of opponents, initiating attack right from the deep. 

He is also richly endowed with great shooting ability and visionary passes that can split open the opposition in a jiffy, setting up his attacking teammates for onslaught in search of goals.

The midfielder was a member of Flying Eagles team that won the bronze medal at the AFCON U-20 tournament hosted by Egypt in 2023.

NLO strengthens image branding, visibility as Honourable Agara visits Zagreb to sign pact with SofaScore

 

Poised to take the nation's grassroot football to enviable heights, Chairman of the Nationwide League One, His Excellency Silas Agara arrived in Zagreb, the Croatian capital for a sports business conference. 

On Wednesday 5, June 2024 in Zagreb, the former Nasarawa State Deputy Governor began his trip, as a guest at the headquarters of Sofascore, where he met Zlatko Hrkać (the co-founders of Sofascore) and other top executives Marta Bihar, Toni Jermaniš and Filip Vrlec.

From there Agara was at Hotel Falkensteiner & SPA Iadera located on the Adriatic Coast of Croatia, for his first event, which was to network with all the partnership clubs of Sofascore across the world. 

Next on his trip, the NLO boss will attend a two-day Sunset Sports Media Festival beginning from Thursday to Friday. 

While speaking from Zagreb with the NLO Media Channel, a delighted Agara said. 

"Football in Nigeria has over the years been in high demand, looking at the quality that makes it to Europe and other parts of the world. More so there are a lot of on-tapped talents everywhere, thus making the Nationwide League One the best platform that can create a career pathway for many of these talents. 

"We are delighted that the NLO now has  international interest amongst fans and corporate brands, this development in the long run can help our grassroot football realise its enormous potential. 

"Our first season with Sofascore has been a rewarding one, as it has provided an opportunity for more fan engagements, by way of comments, predicting the scoreline of matches and also seeing minute-by-minute live scores of their teams pop up on their devices by way of notifications once they have the app."

Salim Fago Lawal: Nigerian youth international scores in Istra's humbling of Rudes

Nigeria youth International, Salim Fago Lawal was in terrific form for his club, Istra 1961, as he scored one of the goals in their 3-1 away win against Rudes, www.totorinews.com

It was yet another masterpiece for Istra 1961 in the Croatian top flight condemning Rudes home defeat. 

Lawal, the former Mavlon FC striker, who featured for the Flying Eagles of Nigeria at the last FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina hit the back of the net in the 16th min to make a strong statement that Istra 1961 came for the three points at stake.

But the joy of Istra 1961 travelling fans was short-lived when Riad Masala restored parity for Rudes three minutes later.

It was a ding- dong affair for both teams going into the break.

Second half completely belonged to Lawal and his teammates, as their efforts yielded fruits when substitutes Mario Cuic and Mateo Lisica scored in quick successions on the 73rd and 75th respectively to put the game beyond the reach of struggling Rudes.

Lawal played for 64 minutes before he was substituted.

Lawal Salim Fago: Nigeria youngster marks Istra starting berth with victory

Former Nigeria U20 forward, Lawal Salim Fago produced man of the match performance for his Croatia club side, 1961 Istra leading them to hard fought 2-1 win over Rudes on Saturday. 

The 21 year old Fago was handed his first start for the Pula based club and was instrumental to the team's first goal scored by Mario Cuic.

Rudes had taken an early lead through Fran Karacic but the host rallied to win the match despite going down to 10 men since half time. 

The former Mavlon FC striker's strong physical presence against NK Rudes defence was one of the factors that contributed to the 2-1 win of the host team.

Although, he did not score any of the goals, but there was no doubt that he had a good game with his aerial ability, dribbling, running into box, which helped in weary the defence of the away team.

The bully striker made his 69mins on the pitch to count to the delight of the fans of 1961 Istra and it is hoped that he will continue to raise the banner of Nigerian flag high at his modest Croatian club.

The victory has further cemented Istra stay in the Croatian top flight for next season. 

Salim Fago Lawal: Ex Mavlon striker hits brace in Istra humbling of Radnick

 

Former Mavlon Fc striker, Salim Fago Lawal continued with his goal scoring form for Istra in the 9-0 massacre Radnički NB, reports www.totorinews.com. 

The Nigerian junior international was a menace against the defence of Radnički NB and he was rewarded with two goals within 15minutes in the friendly encounter on Wednesday.

Lawal looked very sharp, quick, and precise on goal to score on 13th and 28th minute. He demonstrated strong predactor instinct in the box as a lethal striker.

Prior to him scoring, Advan Kadusic had opened the floodgate of goals in the 8th minute for Istra 1961 FC.

The bullish Nigerian attacker had earlier scored against Gorica where his team triumphed 2-0 and today's game was another improved performance from a striker who scored a goal against Italy at the FIFA U-20 tournament in Argentina last year.

There is no doubt that three goals and an assist in two games is a strong indication of a quality display of a young striker.

36 Lion product, Collins Sor pens five year deal with Banik Ostrava

 

36 Lion product Collins Yira Sor has joined Slavia Praha on a five-year-deal from Banik Ostrava.

The contract will keep the former Nigeria youth international at the Sinobo Stadium until December 2026, and he joins compatriots Peter Olayinka and Ubong Ekpai.

Sor has played 16 matches in the current Czech Fortuna Liga campaign, scoring three goals and providing five assists. 

He has the chance of playing in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

After completing the move, the attacker spoke of his ambition with his new side.

“I am very positive, both on and off the pitch and I am very much looking forward to this new challenge,” Sor told the Media.

“As a player I am versatile, I usually play as a winger but I can also play well in midfield and as a striker.

“My ambitions at the club? Help Slavia Praha beat Fenerbahce in the next round of UEFA Europa Conference League and of course become champions. I also want to win the League title too. We should aspire to that!”

Yira Sor developed his game in Lagos at 36 Lion before switching to Banik Ostrava in February 2021.

The 36 graduate made two appearances for the Nigeria team at 2019 U20 FIFA World Cup.  

The transfer was a bit frustrating but one of 36 Lion European representative Mr. Hannes D'Hoop made sure all stones were turned. Mr. D’Hoop left Belgium and stayed in Czech Republic for two weeks until Collins Sor signed.

Collins Sor kicked his first ball at Family Love Academy in Port Harcourt owned by Jeremiah Atu Kalu before coming to 36 Lion where his potentials was maximized as a young speedster.

Ibrahim Aliu bemoans Lokomotiva dropped points against Osijek

NK Lokomotiva of Croatia sensational winger, Ibrahim Aliu has expressed his displeasure over his side's 1-1 draw against Osijek in the HNL encounter at the weekend.

According to the Nigeria International attacker during the post match interview, 

“We're about picking the 3 points but we lost concentration at the tale end of the match. That is football for you, we’ll learn from our mistakes and would keep the legacy on”.

“We were supposed to pick the maximum points. We have all reasons to carry the maximum points. We created chances, we were better than the opponent but I can’t explain why”. 

The former U20 star who was completely outstanding in the game. His runs on the flank caused a lot of havoc to the opposition defense. 

Ibrahim Aliu concluded by saying “we look forward to the next game”.

Onigbinde Cautions Rohr ahead of Russia 2018 World Cup

Former Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, has said that the players must be well equipped for Nigeria to scale through to the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.