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Monaco manager Niko Kovac says Henry Onyekuru is an important player in his team despite the Nigerian below par showing in the 2-2 home draw against Stade de Reims on Sunday, reports Completesports.com.
Onyekuru was replaced by Sofiane Diop at half-time of the keenly contested encounter at the Stade Loius 11.
The hosts rallied from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils in the game.
Boulaye Dia gave Reims the lead in the fifth minute, while El Bilal Touré doubled the advantage in the 21st minute.
Axel Disasi reduced the deficit for Monaco late in the first half before Benoit Badiashile netted the equaliser in the 55th minute.
“Henry Onyekuru is an important player in the squad, having only been with us for two weeks. As you have seen, Sofiane Diop made a good appearance off the bench. I’m happy with both players,” Kovac told a news conference after the game.
“We have a very young bench, we have to take the time to get all of our players on the pitch. As for Aurélien Tchouaméni, he is a midfielder with a great work ethic, playing box to box. He has great physical and technical quality, he is a rock. We will all progress together, there is great potential in this team.”
Monaco will travel away to Metz for their next game.
By Adeboye Amosu
