NIGERIANS IN 2017-18 EUROPA LEAGUE PART 2
GROUP F
UBONG MOSES EKPAI (FASTAV ZLIN, CZECH REPUBLIC)
Ubong Ekpai’s Fastav Zlin will be making their Europa League debut this season. The Cobblers will be contending in Group F with the likes of FC Copenhagen of Denmark, Lokomotiv Moscow of Russia and Sheriff Tiraspool of Moldova for a spot in the knockout rounds.
Ekpai, one of the Cobblers’ seven summer signings, has been an instant hit, scoring two winning goals in the opening five games in the Czech top flight. The winger joined Zlin from Israeli side, Macabi Haifa.
Manager, Bohemil Panik will count on the 21-year old former Akwa United and Kano Pillars player’s Europa League experience while on a season-long loan at Slovan Liberec last season.
GROUP G
JOHN OGU | ANTHONY NWAKAEME (HAPOEL BEERSHEVA, ISRAEL)
After failing to get past the Uefa Champions league preliminary stages, Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s Nigerian international duo, John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme will now turn their attention to the Europa league.
Last season, Ogu, 29, played 30 leagues games, scoring once and also featured in Be’er Sheva’s seven Europa League campaign. This season, Ogu and Nwakaeme, 28, have played all of Be’er Sheva’s UEFA Champions League Qualification matches.
Nwaekeme scored four times while Ogu was on the score sheet for the 2017 league champions as they failed to advance. They earned automatic qualification to the Europa League after the away-goals rule denied them victory over Slovenia side NK Maribor.
GROUP H
ALEX IWOBI | (ARSENAL, ENGLAND)
Alex Iwobi and his Arsenal teammates will make their debut in Europa league against FC Cologne of Gemany.
The 21-year old Nigeria international, a product of the Gunners youth system, signed a pro contract at the Emirates in the summer of 2015, where he went on to score two goals in 13 Premier League appearances.
Last season, Iwobi played 26 Premier League games, scoring three goals.
This season, he has featured just once for Arsene Wenger’s side – coming on as a late substitute for Granit Xhaka in the matchday two loss at Stoke City.
Iwobi has European experience, having featured in the London club’s Champions League campaigns in the last two seasons, with nine appearances and a goal.