Akpabio heads for Viking Stavanger

By Ojeikere Aikhoje

Nigeria Premier League (NPL) top scorer, George Akpabio (pictured) on Friday left for Norway where he will be guest of topflight team, Viking Stavanger.

Akpabio, who is in his first season in Nigeria’s elite class, has scored 14 goals to emerge as the hottest property in the highly rated NPL with four matches to the end of the season.

The Norwegians are confident that Akpabio can fit into their plans after monitoring his performance in Nigeria.

Akpabio told SuperSport.com that he is prepared for the task ahead.

“This is the biggest break of my soccer career. The Nigeria Premier League has made me a better player and it's the ambition of every footballer to play in Europe. I intend to maximise the opportunities available.

“God has been good to me and I believe my goals can bring the desired results for Viking,” Akpabio said to SuperSport.com.

The striker expressed gratitude to his Nigerian team, Plateau United.

Sources close to Viking’s coach, Age Hariede told SuperSport.com that the club wants to utilise the Norwegian transfer window, which opens on Monday to strengthen the squad with the Nigerian forward.

Stavanger based newspaper, Rogaland Avis, has already profiled Akpabio in one of their editions and the fans are eager to see their Nigerian star.

The Plateau United star has impressed followers of the NPL with his pace, sublime skills, brilliant first time touch, powerful shots and deadly finishing.

Plateau United boss, Bitrus Bewarang applauded Akpabio for his contributions to the team.

“Akpabio started from our youth team before graduating to the first team,” Bewarang, a former assistant coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles said to SuperSport.com.

Akpabio will join Nigerian-born Benin Republic international, Isaac Loute, who has since arrived Stavanger.

The success of compatriot, Anthony Ujah at Lillestrom has boosted the profile of Nigerian players in Norway and Hariede believes it is time for Viking to source for goalscorers in Africa.

Sunshine stun JSK in Algiers

Orange Caf Confederation Cup debutants, Sunshine Stars of Nigeria, upset the apple cart on Friday night when they defeated their more illustrious Algerian opponents, JS Kabylie by 2 – 1 at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers.


Playing without three key players in Ibrahim Ajani, Ukeyima Akombo and cup-tied Cameroonian midfielder, Medrano Tamen, coach Gbenga Ogunbote’s men had to claw their way from a goal down to take all points in this feisty encounter.


Goals from Sunday Emmanuel and Atanda Sakibu ensured that the Nigerians kept their 100 per cent start in the competition after the Algerians had shot into the lead through Salim Hanifi.


The Algerians got off to a fine start when Lamara Douicher’s tackle ended a Sunshine Stars’ attack on 16 minutes that lead to the opening goal.


Saad Tedjar’s shot was blocked in the counter-attack that resulted into a corner kick from which Hanifi smashed home on 18 minutes to hand the hosts a one-goal lead.


JS Kabylie stepped on the brakes after that goal and nearly got a second when striker Sofiane Younes was played through on goal with just Sunshine Stars; goalkeeper, Moses Ocheje to beat on 24 minutes.


But Younes failed to hit target on that occasion and the Nigerians were left off the hook.


On 36 minutes, Emmanuel’s effort slipped through the hands of JS Kabylie’s 25-year-old keeper, Malik Asselah, to level the game at 1 – 1.


Attempts by Hamza Boulemdais and Tedjar to put the Algerians back in front met stern resistance from the Sunshine Stars back four of Ofem Inah, Precious Osasco, Alaba Osawe and Godfrey Oboabona.


Four minutes into the restart, right-back Inah came close to scoring after squeezing past the JS Kabylie defence but his effort at goal went agonisingly wide.


Tedjar and Boulemdais combined well in the 53rd minute but the latter’s hooked strike did not connect goal.


And four minutes later, Sunshine Stars were nearly made to pay for leaving Hanifi unmarked when he nodded wide from a corner kick off Tedjar’s boot.


However, it was Sunshine Stars that would grab the winning goal just 14 minutes to time through Sakibu’s strike.


The former Enyimba man received the ball at the edge of JS Kabylie’s goal area and whipped it past Asselah to earn his side a big win in Algiers.


Tedjar, who had been in the centre of almost every move by the Algerians sprung to life and centred a long ball for Hocine El Orfi at the far post but the attempt at goal passed by.


JS Kabylie’s playmaker on the night, Tedjar, nearly got on the score sheet through a volley from Hamza Ziad’s free kick but Ocheje threw himself at the ball to block the goal-bound move and kept Sunshine Stars' lead intact.


The Algerians last real chance came in the second minute of the three added minutes when Ziad could only watch as his shot flew wide after great work from Chemseddine Nessakh on the right channel of JS Kabylie’s attack.


The result leaves Sunshine Stars top of their group since DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo and Maghreb de Fes of Morocco did not win their opening games.


The Nigerian side now have six points from their opening two games.