Ex-Arsenal starlet of Nigerian descent makes unofficial debut for West Ham first team

Published: July 13, 2021

Eighteen days after his signing was confirmed by West Ham United, Irish-Nigerian winger Armstrong Okoflex made his unofficial debut for the Hammers first team as they were held to a goalless draw by Leyton Orient in a pre-season friendly staged at Breyer Group Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Okoflex was brought into the starting lineup to face The O's as manager David Moyes had to split the squad, with another West Ham team in action versus Northampton Town at about the same time.

Wearing the number 26 jersey, the former Arsenal schoolboy started and was in action for 75 minutes before making way for Amadou Diallo.

On five minutes, Okoflex had the first real chance of the game but goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux made an easy save as he didn't get enough power behind his shot.

Three days ago, the 19-year-old helped West Ham U23s secure a win in their first pre-season match, scoring from the spot in a 4-1 rout of Loughborough University.

In the Hammers second friendly of the evening at Sixfields Stadium, Mipo Odubeko was named in the starting lineup as they secured a 2-1 win against Caleb Chukwuemeka's Northampton Town.

Odubeko was involved in the build-up to West Ham's second goal netted by Conor Coventry in the 13th minute.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : whufc.com

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