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Former SuperSport United and Bidvest midfielder Cole Alexander has left Indian Super League side Odisha FC.

The player and the club both confirmed they agreed to mutually part ways.

Leaving Odisha comes after just a season with the Indian outfit in what was his first time to play outside South Africa.

“It is with sadness, but so much gratitude, that I can announce that I will not be returning to India for a second season,” Alexander announced on social media.

“This decision was not an easy one, but one that had my family's well-being at its core. I would like to thank the entire Odisha family. To the management and coaching staff, thank you for your support, and for taking care of me during my time in India. 

“To my teammates, I've loved working with you and learning and laughing with you. I wish you guys only the very best for the upcoming season and the ones to follow. Thank you to each one of the Odisha fans. You guys really kept us going.  I've loved the experience while playing in India. I will never forget the lessons, the amazing culture and lovely people. I am forever grateful. Thank you for your support.”

Alexander leaves the Indian club he joined last October and still had one year remaining on his contract.

Odisha president Raj Athwal also confirmed the player’s departure. 

“On behalf of Odisha Football Club, I would like to thank Cole for his contributions last season,” Athwal told the club website.

“A popular figure amongst the players, staff and supporters, we wish him and his family all the best and hope to one day see him back in an Odisha jersey.”

The latest developments on Alexander has sparked speculation he could be following Stuart Baxter at Kaizer Chiefs.

KickOff and Soccerladuma have reported the midfielder is on his way to Amakhosi and is set to be unveiled as their player soon.

It was Baxter who took the player to Odisha when the Englishman was at the helm of the Indian side before recently rejoining Chiefs.

The two also previously worked together at SuperSport United. 

Manchester United fans in Africa were excited after news of the club's signing of former Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

The 21-year-old, who has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, was finally unveiled on Friday for a fee of £73 million ($101m).

Sancho, who was in the England squad that lost to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final, completed his medical and agreed personal terms, becoming the first signing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer ahead of the new season.

His arrival at Old Trafford means United, who finished second to Manchester City last season on the Premier League table, will boast an impressive forward line that includes Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood, and Anthony Martial.

United fans have received the news of Sancho with joy but others feel the new signing could be a "flop like Alex Sanchez" who joined from Arsenal.

Below are the best African reactions to Friday’s development.

The new Liga MX campaign is underway and last season's Clausura runners-up Santos Laguna will commence with an away game against Necaxa.

Watch Necaxa vs Santos Laguna on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Necaxa finished bottom of the table in the Clausura last season, having won just two games and will be determined to get off to a good start in the Apertura this time around.

Ahead of the game, Goal has the details of how to watch on TV, stream online, team news and more.

TV channel, live stream & how to watch

In the United States (US), Liga MX matches can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (watch with a 7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

Team news & rosters

Necaxa have added several new faces to their team ahead of the new campaign, while a few senior players moved on over the summer.

Free signing Angel Sepulveda could be called on to line up on the right wing and fellow new boy Vicente Poggi could be drafted in at the base of midfield.

Coach Guillermo Vazquez could maintain trust in Rodrigo Aguirre and Maximiliano Salas up front, though free transfer Luis Arcadio Garcia or Pachuca-loaned Mauro Quiroga could be given a chance.

Predicted starting XI: Hernandez, Julio Gonzalez, Meza, Quintana, Dominguez, Fernando Gonzalez, Poggi, Sepulveda, Zendejas, Aguirre, Salas. 

The 2021 Clausura runners-up are eager to get the new campaign off to a good start. 

They are aiming for a top-four finish in the Apertura campaign and a place in the play-offs.

They will be without midfielder Alan Cervantes due to his role in Mexico's Gold Cup campaign and Eduardo Alguirre is missing because he is competing in the Olympics.

Ayrton Preciado will not be playing either as he has been given time to recover from playing in the Copa America with Ecuador.

Predicted starting XI: Acevedo, Govea, Torres, Doria, Andrade, Rivas, Gorriaran, Valdes, Otero, Ibarguen, Jeraldino

Last five results

Head-to-head

Ricardo Ferretti will be hoping to get his tenure as Juarez coach off to a strong start when they take on Toluca.

Watch Juarez vs Toluca on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

The Chihuaha club had a disappointing Clausura campaign, finishing third bottom in the table with just 15 points.

They have a difficult start to the 2021 Apertura season, however, as they take on a Toluca team that reached the playoffs in last season's Clausura.

Ahead of the game, Goal has the details of how to watch on TV, stream online, team news and more.

TV channel, live stream & how to watch

In the United States (US), Liga MX matches can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (watch with a 7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

Team news & rosters

Juarez have had a busy summer transfer window, with a large contingent of new signings coming in.

They will be hoping the new additions lead to a stronger campaign this time around after udnerwhelming in the second half of last season.

Predicted starting XI: Rodriguez, Nevarez, Velazquez, Garcia, Olivera, Garcia, Esquivel, Santos, Fabian, Galvan, Del Valle.

Toluca will be hoping to fight for a place in the play-offs once again.

They, too, have seen many players come and go since the end of the Clausura but Juarez have had something of a spell over them in recent years, having won four of the last five meetings between these teams.

Predicted starting XI: Garcia, Lopez, Ortega, Barbieri, Torres Nilo, Baeza, Vazquez, Sambueza, Castanesa, Canelo, Estrada.

Last five results

Head-to-head

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could play against one another again during the annual Joan Gamper Trophy exhibition between Barcelona and Juventus on August 8.

It will be a double-header of football action, with the women's sides for the respective clubs also facing off in the partial re-opening of Camp Nou. The stadium will be limited to 20 per cent capacity, according to current Covid-19 restrictions.

Messi will need to officially sign his contract extension with Barcelona in order to participate, which is not yet guaranteed to be done by then as the club attempt to nativigate financial turmoil.

Joan Gamper Trophy history

Barcelona host the Gamper Trophy every year as a way of welcoming in the new club football campaign. The tradition has existed since 1966.

Messi actually faced Juventus in the exhibition as a youngster in 2005 but tasted defeat to the Turin club on penalties.

The Blaugrana have won the past eight Gamper Trophy affairs, last losing in 2012 to Sampdoria.

Bigger picture

Messi and Ronaldo last met in December 2020 during the Champions League. With Ronaldo no longer in La Liga, and the stars reaching the latter stages of their careers, these clashes hold great entertainment value.

Further reading

Sweden will look to make it two Olympic wins from two at Tokyo 2020 as they face Australia, with leadership of Group G and a place in the quarter-finals at stake in Saitama.

Watch the Olympics on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

The Blue and Yellow were silver medalists at Rio 2016 and got their campaign underway with a shock rout of the USWNT - but face another stern test in the form of the Matildas.

Ahead of the game, Goal has the details of how to watch on TV, stream online, team news and more.

TV channel, live stream & how to watch

In the United States (US), this year's Olympics soccer games can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (watch with a 7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

Team news & rosters

Having delivered a surprise demolition job on the USWNT, the Blue and Yellow may be loath to make any changes, meaning that Magdalena Eriksson may miss out again.

That means that Stina Blackstenius, after her opening brace, will keep her spot up front while Eriksson's Chelsea team-mate, Jonna Andersson, will hold down the defence.

Predicted Sweden starting XI: Lindahl; Glas, Ilestedt, Bjorn, Andersson; Angeldal, Asllani, Seger; Jakobsson, Blackstenius, Rolfo.

Having run out as relatively comfortable victors against New Zealand thanks to two first-half goals, the Matildas will be looking to seal their place in the last eight too against their rivals.

Sam Kerr will certainly keep her place up front for such a crunch clash, but there could be space for Kyra Cooney-Cross to get a start after coming off the bench last time out.

Predicted Australia starting XI: Williams; Carpenter, Polkinghorne, Catley; Raso, Van Egmond, Luik, Cooney-Cross; Simon, Kerr, Foord.

Matchday two fixtures

Theo Bongonda rescued a point for Paul Onuachu's Genk with his stoppage-time equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Standard Liege.

Bongonda linked up with Nigeria's Cyril Dessers for the 92nd-minute goal as they avoided defeat in their 2021-22 Belgian First Division A opening fixture.

Onuachu led Genk's attacking line at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne but he could find the back of the net before his substitution in the 62nd minute.

The 2020-21 First Division A season's top scorer was replaced by Dessers who later helped the visitors cancel out konstantinos laifis' 69th-minute opener.

Ghana's John Paintsil was also in action for Genk after coming off the bench in the 71st minute while Standard Liege had Cameroon's Collins Fai, DR Congo's Jackson Muleka and Mali's Moussa Sissako on parade.

The hosts were led by Senegal coach Mbaye Leye and they will turn their attention to next Sunday's trip to Zulte-Waregem for their second league match.

Genk, on the other hand, are scheduled to host KV Oostendefor their next league fixture on July 30 before taking on Shakhtar Donetsk in a Uefa Champions League qualifying match on August 3.

Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman has asked for patience from fans during the start of the 2021-22 season as the club adjusts to the management style of Miguel 'Piojo' Herrera, who took over for longtime boss Ricardo 'Tuca' Ferretti following the conclusion of the last campaign.

The Liga MX is returning this week, and Guzman acknowledges his usually high-performing team could experience a rough first month as it learns to do things differently than it did under Ferretti.

Still, he feels the CONCACAF Champions League holders will eventually reach the heights expected of them.

What has been said?

“You have to give everything time, you have to give everyone time," said Guzman via TUDN. "The demand will always be from people who want results, from journalism that generates expectations, but we all need our time. 

"In this case, the new coaching staff [needs a chance] to implement their new tactics, and time for us to adapt as quickly as possible to this change.

“My feeling from within the group is that the group quickly understood what is coming and it is good because maybe it shortens some [adjustment] times. Let's hope at the start of the season that progress shows. 

"Each player who has arrived here was integrated quite quickly, each guy who came up to the squad was integrated quickly, so it is our challenge to find ourselves with this new style as quickly as possible."

Herrera's managerial history

The Mexico boss has held many Liga MX jobs, most recently leading America.

Herrera also oversaw a strong 2014 World Cup effort while in charge of El Tri, with the nation making it to the knockout stage before falling to Netherlands. He was less successful in the ensuing Copa America, however, and was then fired following an altercation with a reporter.

Who do Tigres play in their opener?

Tigres meet Club Tijuana in their Apertura opener on Sunday.

Further reading

Atletico Madrid confirmed Geoffrey Kondogbia has tested positive for coronavirus after undergoing medical test on Friday morning.

The Central African Republic international got his test report just before Diego Simeone's side battled Numancia in a pre-season friendly match.

In his absence, both teams played out a 1-1 draw before Atletico secured a 5-4 victory on penalties.

The Spanish champions are currently preparing for their pre-season trips to Austria and Germany next week.

Atletico Madrid's travelling party embarked on a compulsory coronavirus test which came back negative for the entire team but it was a different case for Kondogbia who is looking forward to his first pre-season outing with the club.

“Our squad, coaching staff and members of the expedition have undergone antigen tests on Friday morning ahead of the trip to El Burgo de Osma, where we will face Numancia in our first friendly game of the summer. All tests came back negative,” read a club statement.

“However, Geoffrey Kondogbia has undergone an additional PCR test since he intended to travel in the next two days – which our team has off – and the country of destination required such a test. In this case, he has tested positive for COVID-19.

“Immediately after learning of this result, our midfielder was isolated in strict compliance with the health authorities' guidelines.”

They are scheduled to play RB Salzburg on July 28 before travelling to the AOK Stadion for another fixture against Wolfsburg, three days later.

Kondogbia joined Atletico Madrid last October from league rivals Valencia on a four-year contract.

The 28-year-old was brought in as a replacement for Thomas Partey who left for Arsenal, and he played a key role in helping Simeone's men win last season's La Liga title with his performances in 25 appearances.

Pumas have agreed to join the Florida Cup on short notice after Arsenal and Inter pulled out, and they will play Everton next Wednesday.

The Gunners had several members of their organisation test positive for Covid-19 just before embarking on their pre-season jaunt across the Atlantic, and the Nerazzurri followed their lead in cancelling their U.S. plans as a precaution.

That left only Everton and Millonarios in the competition, but Pumas have agreed to lend a helping hand, ensuring the tournament will continue. Atletico Nacional of Colombia have also signed on to meet Millonarios next week.

Florida Cup organisers, Everton react to Pumas news

Covid problems in Mexico City

Just hours after announcing their participation in the Florida Cup, Pumas said their Liga MX season-opening match on Sunday against Atlas would be played behind closed doors because of rising Covid-19 cases in the area.

However, their plans to head to the U.S. are, as of now, not considered to be in jeopardy.

After the clash with Everton, Pumas will return to Liga MX action to play Monterrey.

Further reading

Ghana and Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus has stated he respects the decision of international teammate Kamaldeen Sulemana, who subbed interest from the Dutch club to sign for French outfit Rennes.

Kamaldeen was the subject of a heated transfer battle between Ajax, the Ligue 1 fold and Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, while Liverpool and Manchester United were also said to be in the race.

He was close to signing for the Lancers, having reportedly accepted personal terms with the club and gone as far as arriving in Amsterdam for a scheduled medical before later changing his mind.

"Of course, I talked to Kamaldeen about Ajax and outlined to him how good it all is here," Kudus, who linked up with Kamaldeen at the end of last season amid the transfer tug of war, told Voetbal International.

"I would have loved if he had come, but he chose something else, and I respect that.

"Each player chooses his own path in football."

Kudus and Kamaldeen played together at Danish outfit Nordsjaelland before the former left for Ajax in the summer last year.

On Kudus' departure, Kamaldeen inherited the former's No.10 jersey at Nordsjaelland, going ahead to make himself the club's new talisman with a fine display in the Superliga.

His performance, involving 10 league goals and four assists, earned the attention of Ajax, who quickly moved for his services in what would have been a reunion for the duo at club level.

In the end, the 19-year-old chose Rennes, penning a five-year contract reportedly worth €20 million.

“I’m very excited to be in this amazing club. The project here caught my heart and I just want to be here to help the team and help myself grow as a player, so I’m very happy and looking forward to the challenge here," the teenager told his new club's media on the switch.

The duo are likely to meet again in Ghana’s camp ahead of their 2022 World Cup qualifying matches against Ethiopia and South Africa in September.

Former Ghana international Sola Ayew believes Andre Ayew's move to Qatari side Al Sadd could be a good omen for the nation's pursuit of international titles.

On Thursday, Andre signed a deal which keeps him in Doha for the next two years, with an option to extend for a further one year.

The transfer comes three months before Ghana begin their 2022 World Cup qualifiers and their quest for the Africa Cup of Nations gold in January.

"It [Al Sadd move] could be that the Qatar move will be the luck the country needed to ensure we win a title in the coming years and I believe something good will come from it,” Sola, nephew of Andre, told Ashh FM.

According to media speculation, Thursday's deal will see the Ghanaian captain receive a monthly salary of $220,000 (€186,514.39).

That will put him among the top African football earners in the world.

"It’s the dream of every footballer who believes has achieved it all in the game to move to secure the money, and that is the case of Andre too," Sola, who also once played in Qatar, remarked.

“This is not the first time the family has seen someone move to Qatar, considering Abedi Pele and myself once played there before moving to Europe. It’s not something new in our family.”

Andre’s transfer has been criticised by a section of fans who believe the transfer has been made possible because of the reported windfall, and go on to cite previous criticism of Abedi Pele, Andre's father, as reference.

The attacker was reportedly courted by English side Crystal Palace and some other teams in Turkey before settling on the Qatari club.

Also, there have been concerns that the perceived low quality of the Qatari league could impact the 31-year-old’s form ahead of the upcoming major international assignments.

"Sometimes situations make us take certain decisions, so we all support him to play in the country. It’s not about his form but about enjoying football in Qatar,” Sola explained.

Last season, Andre scored 17 times in 46 league appearances for Swansea in their run to the Championship play-off final where they lost to Brentford and missed out on Premier League promotion.

Former Gor Mahia head coach Carlos Manuel Val Pinto has confirmed his appointment to the technical team of the Portuguese side CD Nacional.
 
Vaz Pinto left the Football Kenya Federation Premier League side earlier this month after Tusker had defeated K'Ogalo in a league fixture. The club confirmed they had reached a mutual agreement to end their association and the Portuguese coach left as the FKF Shield Cup champion.
 
The former St George SC head coach said he was elated with the new adventure that will see him work with CD Nacional, which is based in his home town of Madeira.

"There's a new adrenaline rush. a new challenge," the coach posted on his Facebook page. "There's a new picture and another set-up. Back to the language where I learned the lyrics. Back to Madeira, where the journey made before, brought me here.
 
"There is happiness. Just give us a piece of grass and a ball. Then it's letting the work, flow. It was with great satisfaction that I received Costinha's invitation to join his technical team at Clube Desportivo Nacional."
 
When he left Gor Mahia, the tactician showered praise the players whom he said had worked hard despite the challenges they faced collectively.
 
"When you are outside of your country, everything is supposed to be okay, but it was hard times but I gave my best and after the cup final, I thought my job was done. This season, no one believed that Gor Mahia could win anything or qualify for Caf competitions," he commented after his departure.

"This has been a team effort all the way, that’s why I am super proud of each and every one of you guys. You must believe in hard work and in the power of team spirit, so keep strong and rely on the work of the next coach. I will always be your supporter!! Fight hard with a commitment up to the last second of the game!"
 
When he left, Sammy Omollo was given the responsibility of taking charge of Gor Mahia until the season ends. So far, Mark Harrison - a former Chippa United and Golden Arrows head coach - has been linked with the club.

Former Kenya international forward Boniface Ambani insists he holds the Football Kenya Federation Premier League goals record after stating he scored 26 goals in the 2006 season while with Tusker FC.

The number of goals the now 38-year-old scored have been questioned, considering the fact that past records show in the aforementioned season the former forward scored 21 goals. 

It is something Ambani insists is wrong and he is sure of the number of goals he scored for the Brewers.

Why is Ambani questioning the 'facts'?

"My record remains 26 goals scored while at Tusker, and if it is not there it is not my mistake, was I not the one scoring?" Ambani posed a question to Goal.

"The problem is that some goals were not even recorded. The one who wrote 21 is not even sure; I am sure because I scored them.

"For example, we went to Kisumu, played against Kisumu Posta, and beat them 4-1. I scored a hat-trick in that match but there was nowhere it was captured. 

"So when someone misses information like that, is the mistake mine?"

Who holds the record?

In Kenyan history, according to the records, former Gor Mahia striker Maurice Ochieng is the only one to have scored 26 goals in the 1976 season as K'Ogalo went on to win the league crown.

The player who came closest to matching or breaking that record is ex-Tusker forward Allan Wanga, who scored 23 goals while with the Ruaraka-based side in 2007, which was his debut season.

Jesse Were, who coincidentally also played for the 11-time league champions, comes in the third position with 22 goals. The goals came in 2016, and after the end of that season, Zambian heavyweights Zesco United came for his signature.

This season, Kariobangi Sharks striker Eric Kapaito has been in good form and has so far scored 22 goals for the Slum Boys this season.

The 25-year-old is keen on breaking the record considering his team has seven games remaining to complete the season.

Mauricio Pochettino has signed a contract extension that will keep him tied to Paris Saint-Germain until 2023.

The Argentine coach joined the French side in January, replacing Thomas Tuchel at the helm.

Pochettino's initial deal was set to expire in 2022 but he and his coaching staff have committed for another 12 months.

What has been said?

“I'm really very happy, for myself and also for my staff," Pochettino told the club's website.

"It's very important for us to feel the confidence of the club and we will give our maximum so that the supporters are proud of Paris Saint-Germain.

"That's why we will try and reach our objectives all together, as one. Twenty years ago I was captain of this club and today I am the coach… It's a dream come true."

Meanwhile, chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi said he is excited about the club's future after tying the ex-PSG midfielder down to a new deal.

“We are delighted that Mauricio has reaffirmed his commitment to the Paris Saint-Germain family," he said.

"Having also captained the team 20 years ago, he understands the club values, ambition and vision for the future. With Mauricio’s leadership, we’re excited and confident about what the future holds."

How have PSG performed under Pochettino?

The former Tottenham manager was unable to save PSG's Ligue 1 title challenge last season.

The capital club finished second in the French top-flight, one point behind champions Lille.

Meanwhile, they were eliminated from the Champions League at the semi-final stage after losing 4-1 on aggregate to Manchester City.

Pochettino did guide the team to two trophies, however, winning the Trophee des Champions and Coupe de France.

Further reading

New Al Sadd acquisition Andre Ayew is excited by the opportunity to play under Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, who coaches the Stars League outfit.

The Ghana captain is the newest face in the camp of the Qatari side, having put pen to paper on a two-year deal.

It is his next destination since parting ways with EFL Championship side Swansea City in June.

“I am very happy and proud to be a member and player of Al Sadd Club with many titles," Ayew said, as reported by his club's official website.

"My goal is to win titles, make the fans happy, and strive hard and try to win the Asian Champions League.

"The coach of the team, Xavi, was a great player and played for a long time with the biggest and best clubs in the world in Barcelona, and he is now a coach for the best Gulf clubs after playing with the team for five years.

"I follow the Al Sadd team and watched the development that took place in the team’s performance in terms of exciting football. The position of the players and the good tactics in which the team plays, and I expect to learn a lot from him [Xavi] during my time with him."

Andre is not the first Ayew to join Al Sadd.

In signing for the Doha-based outfit, the 31-year-old follows in the footsteps of his father and Olympique Marseille legend Abedi Pele, who started his career outside Ghana with the King of Hearts.

Both Ayews were present at Thursday's contract signing and unveiling.

"Certainly there are wonderful memories that I got from my father during his time with Al-Sadd in the past," said Andre.

"He told me a lot about Al-Sadd and Qatar, and he helped me make the right decision to play for Al-Sadd. Al Sadd are the reigning Qatari champions and are set to play in the Asian Champions League.

"I know [Algeria striker] Baghdad Bounedjah, who I played against in Africa, as well as Akram Afif, Hassan Al Haidos and Saad Al Dosari, I know them well with the Qatari national team, and the Spanish [midfielder] Santi Carzola during his playing in the English Premier League.

"I hope to be a great supporter of them in the upcoming events."

Ayew has previously played for West Ham United in England, Turkish fold Fenerbahce and French clubs Marseille, Arles-Avignon and Lorient.

Oghenekaro Etebo said Watford will ensure to give their all when the 2021-22 Premier League season begins.

The 25-year-old was added as a midfield reinforcement to Xisco Munoz's side following the Hornets' promotion to the English top-flight last season.

Ahead of his maiden Premier League season, the former Getafe and Galatasaray star predicted "a long campaign" for the Hornets.

He has also thanked his new teammates and the club's staff for welcoming him to "the family".

Etebo told the club’s website: “I’m excited, I’m happy to be part of the family. It’s been a joy to me since I came in. The lads, the management, everyone in the club has been good. I see it is a family club. I’m just trying to settle in, which I think is going to be fine for me.

“It’s going to be a long season, but let’s see. The most important thing is for us to keep our heads up, and make sure we’re going to give everything.”

The combative Super Eagles midfielder has been in England since 2018 following a reported €7.2 million move from Feirense.

Having had an experience of Championship football at Stoke City, Etebo admitted that the second division is tough but he cherished the playing opportunity he got.

“When I first signed for Stoke I had people telling me coming to England wouldn’t be easy, especially in the Championship,” he continued.

“Everyone knows it's one of the toughest [leagues], you have to keep running, chase people down.

“Every league is difficult, it all depends on how you set out the team, No league is easy. Coming to England to play, it’s a good league, it’s tough, but it’s a joy to me.”

Etebo’s move to Vicarage Road reunites him with his compatriots William Troost-Ekong, Isaac Success and Emmanuel Dennis whom he has played with in the Super Eagles’ set-up.

He also disclosed that he has linked up with Nigeria youth star Tom Dele-Bashiru for the first time at Watford.

“I’ve known [Troost-Ekong] for a very long time because I’ve played with him at the Olympic Games, the World Cup, the Afcon, so I’ve been with him for a very long time,” he said.

“I’ve also known [Success] for a very long time, even Dennis as well. Tom Dele-Bashiru, I hadn’t met him before but for the past few weeks in training I’ve got to know him.

"I’d heard about him, and that he was invited to go to the Under-20 World Cup.”