UCL Playoffs: King Battles Ogu, Nwakaeme In Isreal; Olaitan Also Set For Action

By Rilwan Musa Gawu -

King Battles Ogu, Nwakaeme In Isreal; Olaitan Also Set For Action

Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu, could find himself being marked by his former Flying Sports Academy teammate Ikenne King when Hapoel Beer Sheva host Hungarian League champions, Honved Budapest in Wednesday's 2017/2018 UEFA Champions League second preliminary round qualification clash at the Yaakov Turner Toto Stadium.
The 29 year old Nigeria international who is equally looking forward playing against Honved reveals that he is in good shape after the summer break. 
He was also wary of the threat Ikenne could pose to his side's chances on the field of play.
"I have worked and gotten myself prepared for the objectives ahead. Looking forward to the UCL playoffs starting on Wednesday," Ogu said.
"I can't wait to come up against Ikenne. I told him back in June during our holidays that we could be paired against each other and it has happened. Now we just need to face each other and defend our teams to the best of our abilities."

Ogu has made six appearances and has scored once. For King, it will be his debut appearance in the competition.
His compatriot  Anthony Nwakaeme will hope to open his goal account for the Camels when he make his seventh UEFA Champions League qualification appearance having provided one assist so far in the competition.
Also expected to play a crucial part in his team's quest for a third round berth in the competition is Olaitan Yusuf who will feature for seven time Slovakian champions, MSK Zilina who face reigning Danish champion FC Copenhagen in another encounter on Wednesday.
The former U-17, U20 and U-23 forward scored 11 goals in 18 appearances last season for Zilina as they lifted the title. 

UCL PLAYOFFS FULL FIXTURES
Tuesday,  July 11
Qarabag FK vs Samtredia
Hibernians vs Salzburg
Partizan Beograd vs Buducnost Podgorica
Rijeka vs TNS

Wednesday,  July 12
 FK Spartaks vs FC Astana
 APOEL Nicosia vs F91 Dudelange
 FC Sheriff vs Kukesi
 Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Budapest Honved
 Malmoe FF vs FK Vardar Skopje
 Zrinjski Mostar vs Maribor
 BATE Borisov vs Alashkert FC
 IFK Mariehamn vs Legia Warszawa
 Zalgiris Vilnius vs Ludogorets Razgrad
 Zilina vs FC Koebenhavn
 Dundalk vs Rosenborg
 FH Hafnarfjordur vs Vikingur

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