By Victor Kanayo
Unexpectedly, Nigeria’s Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho displayed the highest form of his life while playing for his club Omonia in the late night Europa League match against Manchester United inside Old Trafford on Thursday.
Uzoho in a magnificent fashion pulled 12 great saves for his side to keep the Red devils that paraded the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Rashford.
The encounter nearly ended goalless but a late goal from Scott McTominay secured United a hard fought win.
With the defeat, Omonia remain bottom of group E with no point.
Real Sociedad currently with perfect 12 points, lead the group and have booked their passage to next stage after dispatching Sheriff 3-0 on Thursday night. United after winning three matches so far are second on the log with one more game in the group stage. They are also through.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka’s fourth goal of the season proved decisive as Arsenal extended their winning run in the Europa League Group A with a 1-0 triumph at Bodo/Glimt.
The Gunners now have nine points and just need one more victory to seal their place in the next round of the competition.
Mikel Arteta named a relatively strong side for the trip to Norway, with Saka, Martin Odegaard, Ben White and William Saliba all included in the starting line-up.
Bodo/Glimt – who famously thrashed Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 last season, were searching for a remarkable 15th consecutive home victory in Europe – made a bright start but found themselves behind following a tidy Arsenal team move. After playing an exchange with Albert Sambi Lokonga, Saka gave the visitors a 24th-minute lead with a deflected effort.
But the hosts should have equalised just minutes later when the club’s top goalscorer Amahl Pellegrino was played through on goal but contrived to get his angles badly wrong as he shot wide.
The Norwegian side grew in confidence after the restart and should have been level when Runar Espejord blasted over from inside the box, while Ola Solbakken went close from further out.
Arsenal, like they have done so often this season, managed to grind out victory, even if it wasn’t pretty at times.
The Gunners lead Group A with three wins from three and will progress if they can defeat PSV next Thursday.
In Group C, Betis drew 1-1 with AS Roma after a goal from Sergio Canales was cancelled out by Andrea Belotti early in the second half.
However, it was enough for the LaLiga side to secure a top-two position while Roma have a challenging task ahead as they are equal with Ludogorets on four points, having played one game more.
