It was different strokes for two England-based Super Eagles invitees for last week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers clashes with Libya, as Isaac Success was on for 75 minutes with Watford, while Leon Aderemi Balogun stayed on the bench of Brighton Hove Albion for 90 minutes.
It was a stark reversal of the duo’s fortunes on the international scale, as Balogun played both matches against Libya, in which Nigeria moved closer to the AFCON 2019 ticket with home and away victories against the North Africans, but Success was benched for the double-crackers.
However, footballllive.ng can report that, back in England, while Balogun sulked all evening on Brighton’s bench, Success his first start of the season for Watford, but could not score in The Hornets’ 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
While Nigerian-born Italy international, Stefano Chuka Okaka was not in Watford’s match day squad, goals from Etienne Capoue and Roberto Pereyra in the first half secured three points for the visitors against Carl Onuoha Ikeme’s former club.
Also in England, Jordon Ibe got off the bench with 13 minutes remaining as Bournemouth were held to a goalless draw at home by Southampton, but Nnamdi Ofoborh was left out of the side.
Balogun was benched for the sixth successive game, as Brighton got their third win of the EPL season by beating Newcastle United 1-0 away, as Beram Kayal got a 29th minute winner.