Posted by Everest Onyewuchi on
Nigerians are not terrorists, but beginning from 4p.m this afternoon, they will set football fields on fire at different stadia in England as the 2006 Premiership League kicks off.
Nigerians are not terrorists, but beginning from 4p.m this afternoon, they will set football fields on fire at different stadia in England as the 2006 Premiership League kicks off.
From the Reebok to the Merseyside stadia, Super Eagles players are recharged to showcase their talents in the most publicized and recently, the most prized league in the world.
Midfield maestro and captain of the Bolton Wanderers, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, leads his teammates to Aston Villa. It will be Okocha's 98-league appearance for Bolton since arriving at the Reebok stadium three seasons ago.
Last season, Sam Alardyce's team finished fifth on the log, therefore, it will be in tandem with their pre-season plans if they seek away victory in their opener.
A win at Aston Villa will be a birthday gift to Okocha, who turns 32 on Sunday (tomorrow), having been born on August 14, 1973.
Super Eagles' reliable defender, Joseph Yobo, who clocks 25 on September 6, would be making his 80th Premiership league appearance at the Merseyside stadium as his club, Everton, host famous Manchester United.
Yobo continues to impress his coach, David Moyes, and needs to remain in form as Everton combine the league with their campaign in the Champions League.
Another Super Eagle, who is at home and is expected to be the cynosure of all eyes is Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who has a burden to justify his £5million transfer from Portsmouth to Middlesbrough in his debut game.
Coach Steve McClaren leads out Aiyegbeni and his other players against the visiting European champions, Liverpool. Aiyegbeni, who will be 23 on November 22 this year, has come a long way from his Macaiba Haifa days in Israel. He made 30 league appearances for Portsmouth before his transfer to Middlesbrough.
Former Dream Team captain and Olympic gold medallist, Nwankwo Kanu, continues to trudge on with West Brom that are away to Manchester City. Although Kanu has gone down on the striking perking order of coach Bryan Robson, he showed that he still has some fire left in him during the pre-season games.
The former Ajax and Inter Milan attacker, who turned 29 on August 1, has made 28 league appearances for West Brom since his free transfer from the London Gunners, Arsenal.
On Sunday, Celestine Babayaro's club, Newcastle, visit Arsenal for their opening season's match. Babayaro, who will clock 27 years old on August 29, has been plagued by injury.
He has only made seven league appearances for Newcastle since coach Graeme Sounness bought him from the Premiership defending champions, Chelsea.
SATURDAY PUNCH, August 13, 2005