Valerenga's Nigerian Iniesta : Not Easy Playing Against Man Utd's Pogba, Lukaku, They Were Too Good
Published: July 31, 2017
Vålerenga's Nigerian winger Chidera Ejike, who has been dubbed the Nigerian Iniesta back in his homeland, was delighted to be named in the starting line-up in Sunday's friendly against European powerhouse Manchester United.
The 19-year-old fulfilled his ambition to play against Manchester United stars Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Daley Blind and Juan Mata, barely four months after signing his first professional contract with the Norwegian club.
Ejike admitted that the Manchester United players were too good and he picked up some lessons that will be useful to him after facing the Premier League stars.
''It was a good experience because I got to learn so many things from them, they are professionals and they've been playing worldwide for so long,'' Ejike told allnigeriasoccer.com.
''I was not in any competition with them, I was just playing to get some experience and how football is in Europe.
''It was not easy playing against Pogba and Lukaku, they were too good. ''
Vålerenga started the game brightly, holding their more illustrious opponents to a stalemate until a minute before half-time when Marouane Fellaini opened the scoring with a header.
''The first half was okay, we conceded late in the first half, but in the second half we lost concentration because some changes were made as well.
''I didn't get to exchange jerseys with any of the Manchester United players because most of the guys had already booked the jerseys,'' Ejike concluded.
Chidera Ejike was on the radar of Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City before his switch to Vålerenga.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
The 19-year-old fulfilled his ambition to play against Manchester United stars Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Daley Blind and Juan Mata, barely four months after signing his first professional contract with the Norwegian club.
Ejike admitted that the Manchester United players were too good and he picked up some lessons that will be useful to him after facing the Premier League stars.
''It was a good experience because I got to learn so many things from them, they are professionals and they've been playing worldwide for so long,'' Ejike told allnigeriasoccer.com.
''I was not in any competition with them, I was just playing to get some experience and how football is in Europe.
''It was not easy playing against Pogba and Lukaku, they were too good. ''
Vålerenga started the game brightly, holding their more illustrious opponents to a stalemate until a minute before half-time when Marouane Fellaini opened the scoring with a header.
''The first half was okay, we conceded late in the first half, but in the second half we lost concentration because some changes were made as well.
''I didn't get to exchange jerseys with any of the Manchester United players because most of the guys had already booked the jerseys,'' Ejike concluded.
Chidera Ejike was on the radar of Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City before his switch to Vålerenga.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Latest News
- 'South Africa is not going to be easy' - Adepoju predicts tough game for Super Eagles v Bafana Bafana
- 'We have the players that can do the job' - Nigeria legend warns Bafana Bafana, Cheetahs ahead of WCQs
- Online SportyBet review: Your gateway to exciting betting and gaming in Nigeria
- NairaBet Casino: Your premier online gaming destination in Nigeria
- Welcome to the thrilling world of Baba Ijebu online betting
- A comprehensive dive into 22Bet Nigeria: Your ultimate online betting sanctuary
- Welcome to the thrilling world of Bet Bonanza casino online
- NFF president visits injured Super Eagles trio Troost-Ekong, Simon, Sanusi ahead of 2026 WCQs
- Kylian Mbappe's replacement: Paris Saint-Germain make decision on Napoli striker Osimhen
- Wayne Rooney and his wife in attendance as Ogunneye helps Manchester United win U18 PL Cup
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football