Son of ex-Gombe United star steals the show for Chelsea U18s with goal and assist v West Ham
Published: February 23, 2025
Chizaram Ezenwata, son of ex-Gombe United player Ndubuisi Ezenwata, stole the show for Chelsea as they were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United in an U18 Premier League fixture on Saturday.
Six players of Nigerian descent were on parade at Cobham Training Ground, with Ezenwata joined in the starting lineup by Chelsea teammate Tayo Subuloye, while Rayan Oyebade, Elisha Sowunmi, Majid Balogun and Andre Dike were given minutes by Hammers U18s coach Lauris Coggin.
A wayward pass from Jack Austin in his own half enabled Sowunmi to evade Reggie Watson and dispatch a composed close-range finish, handing West Ham the lead in the 37th minute.
Former Manchester United schoolboy Balogun thought he had doubled the advantage before half-time but was flagged offside.
Ten minutes into the second half, Ezenwata, who has been in terrific form this season, finished off a lovely team move to bring Chelsea level.
And he turned from scorer to provider in the 60th minute when his attempted shot deflected into the path of Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, who finished expertly into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
Chelsea were denied three points by a stoppage time equalizer from Josh Landers, who fired past the goalkeeper after he was teed up by Sowunmi.
Ezenwata, who is in his final season as a schoolboy, has tallied seven goals in all competitions for Chelsea U18s in the current season, including six in the U18 Premier League and a goal on his FA Youth Cup debut.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Back to work: Chukwueze reports for pre-season training at AC Milan amid transfer speculation
- Golden Eaglets hat-trick hero at 2019 Fifa U17 World Cup to leave Viborg FF
- Motherwell ahead of Newcastle, Lyon in race for West Brom's Glasgow-born Nigerian striker
- 'I was driving' – Eguavoen recalls heartbreaking moment he learned of Peter Rufai's passing
- Done deal: 2019 Golden Eaglets invitee departs Brighton for Preston North End
- Mikel singles out two players for praise but slams Chelsea's second half display in win v Palmeiras
- 'I'm not aware' – Fabrizio Romano rules out Man Utd move for Osimhen, names three suitors
- After trials at Arsenal, Spurs and Wolves, Akaunu joins Bournemouth from Liverpool Academy
- 'Let's do a rematch' – Super Falcons defender Plumptre eyes revenge against Morocco
- The price of victory: Galatasaray target Osimhen prefers European stay, demands N27b-a-year


- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- okvip
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88