Eagles’ defender, Ebuehi joins Benfica


• Belgian-born Sanusi wants to play for Nigeria
Benfica is on the verge of announcing the capture of Nigeria international, Tyronne Ebuehi, according to reports in the Portuguese media yesterday.

Portuguese sports daily Record reported yesterday that the ADO Den Haag right-back is undergoing a medical at Hospital da Luz ahead of his move to the Eagles.

According to www.allnigeriansoccer.om, Ebuehi’s contract with ADO Den Haag runs out in the next five months and the Dutch Eredivisie club have given the green light for him to move to Portugal instead of losing him for nothing at the end of this season.

Benfica are in the market for a right back after losing Portugal star Nélson Semedo to Barcelona last summer while his replacement André Almeida has been linked with a departure from the club in the near future.

Norwich City, RSC Anderlecht and Olympiakos were credited with an interest in Ebuehi before he traveled to the Portuguese capital.

The 22-year-old Ebuehi made his debut for the Super Eagles against Togo in June 2017.

Meanwhile, Belgian-born Nigerian midfielder, Ryan Sanusi, who wants to play for the Super Eagles has been appointed the new captain of Dutch Eredivisie side, Sparta Rotterdam.

Manager Dick Advocaat confirmed at a press conference yesterday that central defender Michel Breuer has lost the captain’s armband to Sanusi.

The Belgian-Nigerian was the third captain of the team, behind Breuer and goalkeeper Roy Kortsmit in the first half of the season.

Sanusi joined Sparta Rotterdam from Willem II in 2015 and helped the club gain promotion to the top-flight in his first season; he has suited up 76 times in all competitions for the oldest club in the Netherlands.

He will lead his teammates, including Nigerian striker Fred Friday, when they enter the pitch in today’s home game against Vitesse.

The 26-year-old is targeting a place in Nigeria’s 23-man 2018 World Cup roster.