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.

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. 

Salim Fargo Lawal: Nigerian striker tops wish list of major Belgian clubs

 

Sensational Nigeria and NK Istra striker, Salim Fargo Lawal is a subject of interest from notable clubs in the Belgian Jupiler league following his impressive performance with the Croatian club.

Totori News scooped that K.V Mechelen, an elite Belgian club side are among the clubs interested is signing the Nigerian attacker, who has continued to improve his game to the delight of the management of the club and fans.

Lawal has been a great phenomenon in Croatia after scoring three goals in 12 league games last season and started in seven games, but the hallmark of the striker, is his energetic performance in every match, that is imbibed with speed, strength and skills, with one of the goals in reckoning for the goal of the season in Croatia.

He has shown tremendous ability to learn fast, added with his professional discipline on and off the pitch, which has endeared him to the technical crew and the management of the club.

The 21- year old former Mavlon FC striker signed a three- year deal with NK Istra last year and he has continued to improve his game in the new season where he had made four starts and despite the transfer interests from clubs both within Croatia and across Europe, Lawal prefers to continue to ply his trade with NK Istra, where he has become the delight of the fans.

At the moment, the decision for Lawal to remain with NK Istra lies with the management of the club, as transfer negotiations are still on the table for the sublime striker.

Salim Fargo Lawal reveals inspiring conversation with Maduka Okoye after Udinese, Istra friendly

Nigerian striker, Salim Fago Lawal showed his predatory instinct as he scored for Croatian club, 1961 Istra against Maduka Okoye's Udinese on Wednesday. 

Lawal scored the only goal for Istra in the 4-1 friendly against the Serie A side with Okoye in goal for the Italian club. 

It was pure striker's goal and the build- up from the left side of the attack of NK 1960 Istra showed Lawal running into the box where he connected the low cross with a cool finish in the 39th minute.

Although Lawal and his teammates lost the friendly to Udinese, there was no doubt that the former Mavlon FC of Lagos attacker was a torn in the flesh of Udinese's defenders.

His incredible performance drew encomium and praises from Okoye as revealed by Lawal to Totori News. 

"It was mixed feelings for me despite scoring because my team lost the game 4-1, though it was friendly, but we were not happy.

The good thing was the commendation I got from Maduka Okoye for my goal against him and my overall performance.

"I hope to continue working hard and improving my game as we prepare for the new season," Lawal said.

By Wale Mustapha

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.