Nigerian-born winger Chuba Akpom was on target as Greek side, PAOK were held to a 2-2 draw at home by last season semi-finalists, Ajax Amsterdam in the UEFA Champions League, third qualifying round, first leg fixture on Tuesday night at the Stadio Toumbas, Thessaloniki, reports Completesports.com.
PAOK went behind in the 10th minute with Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech putting the visitors ahead
Akpom equalised for the hosts in the 32nd minute after he was set up by Dimitris Giannoulis.
The home team took the lead for the first time six minutes before the break courtesy of a fine effort by Leo Matos.
Ajax however equalised in the 59th minute through Klass Jan Huntelaar.
Nigerian midfielder Anderson Esiti was also in action for PAOK for 90 minutes in the game.
The reverse fixture will take place next week Tuesday at the Johan Cryuff Arena, Amsterdam.
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
Good job guys. We are watching.
Good performance from Akpom and Esiti. Akpom, Iheanacho, Osimhen, Simy Nwankwo…..We are not short on strikers at all. Esiti should be looking to join the likes of Ndidi and Etebo in the SE midfield. Add Zubby Okechukwu, Joe Aribo and a fit again Onazi to the mix, and midfield don set. We need some grade A friendlies asap so we can start trying out our different options.
I agree Bro. It is good that these players are warming up. As they are playing and performing let friendly matches be organized to test the players
Forgot to add the red hot David Okereke to the list of forwards. O BOY!
Pre/early season forms of a number Nigeria-eligible players are looking promising.
Will they be able to carry this form into the season or will their forms pale off?
We wait eagerly.
Akpom has been in great form for PAOK since his move last season. Great to see him on score sheet again yesterday against Ajax. Equally happy that Anderson Esiti who just linked up with Greek champs was also in action for entire duration of the game. I hope they ‘d be able to carry on this form into the season. I also hope Esiti would be able to use this new opportunity at PAOK to relaunch and revive his football at the international level for SE. A powerful and hard tackling defensive midfielder’s experience would come in handy in the national team.
Anderson Esiti don’t look it to me. He loses possession n misplaced passes. This is a taboo, a massive no no for d defensive midfield position. That quality was what was kept Mikel in that Chelsea’s defensive midfield position for years cos you surely gonna need a whole day to get d ball off him or get him to misplace his passes. Except Esiti improves on those areas, I don’t see him making to the SE.
@Glory i disagree with you esiti is a very good mildfielder and he has everything. He is better than ndidi.
Hahahaha…. Hey my brother @Stan, dis kind comparing Ndidi with Esiti,na only person wey Ndidi snatch him girl friend go fit make that comparison o..Abeg try 4 give Ndidi. 95% of women go run follow am, no bcos he handsome pass you or me but dz women wan go collect. How sad…Lol
Anderson Esiti stats according to sofascore who rated his performance at 6.9 (pretty good). Comparing him to Ndidi is a folly. The question should be “is he good enough”? He slotted straight into PAOK’s starting lineups and they have been unbeaten in the two games since he joined (friendly against Fortuna Sittard 5-1 and CLQ against Ajax 2-2. He played 90 minutes in both. Worth a look at least
Minutes played
90′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
33
Accurate passes
15 (93%)
Key passes
0
Crosses (acc.)
0 (0)
Long balls (acc.)
3 (3)
Shots on target
0
Shots off target
0
Shots blocked
0
Dribble attempts (succ.)
1 (1)
Ground duels (won)
8 (3)
Aerial duels (won)
1 (1)
Possession lost
4
Fouls
3
Was fouled
0
Clearances
3
Blocked shots
2
Interceptions
2
Tackles (won)
2 (1)
Possession won (final third)
6 (0)
Dribbled past
1