Izuchukwu Okosi
Join our WhatsApp Channel
By Izuchukwu Okosi
SUPER Eagles striking duo Emmanuel Dennis and Taiwo Awoniyi who were left out of Nigeria’s last two 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde have spoken glowingly about their goals on Saturday for their respective European clubs, reports Prime Business Africa.
Dennis scored once and assisted twice in Watford’s 3-1 chastening defeat of Manchester United at the Vicarge Road while Awoniyi also scored in the 2-0 win by Union Berlin in the Berlin derby against Hertha in the German Bundesliga.
Awoniyi thus took his tally in the German top flight to eight goals in 12 league games.
Dennis praised his Watford teammates after the win against a United side that are now 12 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
The Nigeria international has now scored four goals and five assists in 11 league appearances this season.
The versatile forward was deployed in the centre of attack with Josh King on the left flank.
“I can play anywhere in the front three, it’s okay to me and I did the job,” a jubilant Dennis told the club’s official website.
I’m very happy, we deserved to win. Winning was the only thing in our heads, we kept going and got a very important three points.
“We kept going, I missed the chance before the penalty, I could have scored but we kept going and I got a goal!”
The former Club Brugge striker recounted the build-up to Watford’s fourth goal of the game, and his fourth strike of the season.
“I’m really happy for him,” said the forward. “He was emotional, which is normal, this is the Premier League. I’m happy I could give him the assist.
“I was running and I thought Cucho [Hernández] was going to chest it to me but he took it for himself. The defender was on Cucho so I took the ball, I knew he was going to stay with Cucho, and then the good finish.
“It [the win] was really important with the big games coming up, we’re really happy.”
Taiwo Awoniyi’s last league goal came on October 24 in a 1-1 draw at Stuttgart, a return to winning ways for Union Berlin who had failed to register a win in their last three games (two defeats, one draw).
The 24-year-old opened scoring in the eight minute after pouncing on a mistake by an Hertha Berlin player at the back before hitting a low strike past the keeper.
Union now climb to fifth position on 20 points in the league standing.
“I’m already loved. I’m already chosen. I know who I am,” Awoniyi, whose endearing Christian life is noticeable over the years said in an emotional social media post.
“I know what You’ve (God) spoken. I’m already loved more than I could imagine And that is enough. You (God) are enough 🙏🏿
“Berlin is red💪🏿💪🏿
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
Follow Us