Ovie Ejaria has arrived Cairo to undergo trial with Egyptian giants Zamalek.
Ejaria, according to Kingfut was recommended by Zamalek head coach Jose Gomes, who coached the player during his stint Sky Bet Championship club, Reading
During his trial, Ejaria will train in Mit Okba until the Egyptian Super Cup and if he performs well, he may earn himself a contract with Zamalek.
Speaking on the news, Zamalek’s official spokesperson Ahmed Salem said: “The file for negotiations with new players and reinforcements is ongoing, and it will remain open until the last moment.
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“There are negotiations in more than one direction, and we still have time until the registration window closes.
“Nothing is official regarding new signings. Some have claimed that Zamalek have officially signed ex-Liverpool player Ovie Ejaria, but the truth is that the player has been offered to us, and the decision has not been finalized yet.”
Ejaria started his career with Arsenal before moving to Liverpool in 2014.
The midfielder made eight first team appearances for the Reds and also spent time on loans at Sunderland, Rangers, and Reading.
This summer, he went on trial with Championship side Oxford United, but he failed to impress and ultimately the club decided not to sign the player.
By Adeboye Amosu
18 Comments
What happened to this fellow?
At 26, he should be in his prime.
It might be worth it for someone in the NFF to keep communication lines open. The talent is there. If he can overcome any issues he’s currently dealing with, he could be useful to Nigeria someday, somehow.
With a little encouragement, that could happen.
Some that cannot pass trial at a league club is what NFF should keep a line of communication with? Hian na wa oo!! Naija una go take anything sha! No standard again!!! Please let’s be guided o.
You have spoken well Pompei. I agree with you on this. What a talented young player Ovie Ejaria is.
A rare talent with unique skills. But it quite unfortunate that I do not have that for you, said my man. The only thing NFF is good at is brown envelopes. Very corrupt people. All the best Ovie Ejaria. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Ovie was a very technical player at readings alongside Osayi Samuel. He was so good if compared to Olise but a series of injury has hampered his progress. I don’t know if he’s the same player of before because his play making talent is not something you find around too often.
Jordan Ibe was playing for Liverpool and doing 9ja yanga that time. Now he is struggling to find club.
Am telling you oooo let’s just forget about these stupid set of oyibo born players who only return for nigeria when every other options failed fashanu was their grandfather we don’t need them in as much as so many things are not going right in Nigeria its not a reason to take a big nation like Nigeria for a ride all these group of I have not decided on international afliation should go we don’t need them they even need us more than we need them look at ovie going to play n Egypt reuben agbola Abbey gorge iwobi Leon halogen lookmanbashiru etc are players that play for Nigeria with all their heart ❤️ let’s forcus on them and the once we have from here bad as eee bad no pikin dey talk outside say im mama soup no sweet.
Are you talking about the GEORGE ABBEY who was born and raised in Port Harcourt, playing for Sharks before he “japa-ed”?!
I’d like to look at this story from a different positive perspective: The fact that Zamalek in Africa is doing something groundbreaking. They’re breaking the glass ceiling and poaching coaches and players from the English league (Even if they’re at the twilight of their careers). Ramos and now Ejaria? Maybe more are coming — lured in by Zamalek’s new ex-English League coach, Gomes.
It’s similar to what Saudi Arabia has been doing for the past three years or so. Egypt in Africa is now experimenting with the idea.
What’s exciting? Zamalek plays in CAF club competitions, and this whole setup could rub off on the quality of team play in CAF club competitions. Hopefully, these elite players from European leagues would be willing to travel away to other African countries with poor pitches for an away fixture.
Egypt, SA, and maybe DRC, and Tanzania clubs are building the economic and financial muscles to sign elite players. NPFL and NPWFL have been able to do so with players from Cameroun and Ghana, maybe.
Times are changing. Interesting times ahead…
How is a cast off from the lower-rungs of English football an “elite” player?
The rampant INFERIORITY COMPLEX on this forum never ceases to bemuse. Anyway (on the more substantive issue), CAF ensures that pitches (and stadia) for continental competitions are up to scratch, so that’s not an issue. And I am glad that CAF is insisting on better standards for AFRICAN players to play on. Anyone else who comes to Africa and feels he’s better than Africans who play on CAF-approved pitches is free to return to Peckham and go flip burgers for a living. SMH
@9jaRealist, you’ve muddled up the intended meaning of my use of the term ‘elite.’ I don’t subscribe to and will never subscribe to racial or locational superiority.
But can we really rule out the advantages of the physical infrastructure and economic leverage of the host country of a professional? It doesn’t always matter, but it does when combined with the concerned individual’s latent talents, resources, and hard work. In that context, I used the word ‘elite’: That Zamalek – and, by extension, Egypt – now shows it has the economic muscle and infrastructure that could attract players already used to excellent facilities and a juicy weekly take home. Similar to what Saudi Arabia is doing – able to compete globally for signatures for high-earning European players.
We all know players don’t just sign for footballing reasons alone. It’s the financial perks on offer. Musa and Abdullahi are back in Nigeria, but will they demand same salary as when they were overseas? Is it not going to be mostly pro-bono or out of love and passion for their country and favorite club, Kano Pillars?
Talking about when the registration window is going to be closed and all what not … I’m laughing in Ishan Language.. ho hihihihi éhén ooooo.
Meanwhile, Big Man Small Boy Syndrome’ in which The Big Man controls and gives orders is one of the main challenges in African clubs management; the Small Boy obeys and does not dare to speak his mind is part of the mismanagement but we keep maintaining objectivity in players’sign on.
Like Ovie, young Africans have faced considerable challenges related to player registration and contract management. And not conceeding tarnishing of club’s reputation occasioned with such unnecessary delay, it also reflects a broader concerns relating to players’ settlement and getting down to do their main business.
He should come play for Enugu Rangers sha…
Good to have you here, OseOdion. Much ado wouldn’t suffice here, so, on that, Zamalek is no mean club on the continent and their performance in domestic and continental competitions has demonstrated their potentials, clearly. It is certainly every player’s delight once it’s about playing in Africa. It’s currently no.15 ranked in Africa while the closest from fatherland is Dolphin FC which is ranked 30th closely followed by Eyimba@32 position. I think I can decide why Ejiara feels it’s the right place on the continent. Let’s wait to see how the negotiation goes though my advise is for Ejiara to be very careful in what documents he’s gonna append his signature in other not to be trapped.
Good to chat with you again. I fully align with your position mostly the advice, tnx.
That is meant for @Oseodion, sorry about that.
Good to have you here, OseOdion. Much ado wouldn’t suffice here, so, on that, Zamalek is no mean club on the continent and their performance in domestic and continental competitions has demonstrated their potentials, clearly. It is certainly every player’s delight once it’s about playing in Africa. It’s currently no.15 ranked in Africa while the closest from fatherland is Dolphin FC which is ranked 30th closely followed by Eyimba@32 position. I think I can decide why Ejiara feels it’s the right place on the continent. Let’s wait to see how the negotiation goes though my advise is for Ejiara to be very careful in what documents he’s gonna append his signature in other not to be trapped.
Csn, pls update us on Super Eagles’ preparation knowing well that we’ve got few hours to the game against Libya.
Ejaria’s downfall at Reading has been blamed on disciplinary issues. His footballing ability was never the problem, as far as I know. Yes, he tends to hold on to the ball a tad too long, but he had loads of end product. Scored plenty of goals and created assists.
Zamalek is not a small club in African football. They will not sign a player who is “finished”, or has no potential. They must have held trials, and he must have impressed them.
To be a giant in Egyptian football is no small thing. Was Amunike not a Zamalek player when he was shining in Nigeria colors at the 1994 world cup? Egyptian football now has huge stars representing Egypt in world football. Names like Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet, Elneny, etc.
So why do some here look down on this move to Zamalek so much? Zamalek is good enough to beat most teams in the English championship!
If Ejaria rolls up his sleeves and puts in the work, he still has enough gas in his tank to do some damage. And if that happens, Nigeria can cash in, especially if we maintained open line of communication with him while he is down.
It costs us nothing to befriend Ejaria now, and we could gain a whole lot if Ejaria gets back to form, and becomes eager to play for us. The fact that we came to him in his time of need is enough to make him extremely loyal if we ever need him.
This way of doing things should be applied to players we think have potential, Ejaria included. It’s a great way to secure the loyalty and commitment of players, because they won’t forget that we remembered them at their lowest moments.
If he never becomes good enough for the SE, so be it.
But what if he improves, and becomes the player he’s capable of becoming? That’s the outcome we hope for.