4th January, 2011
By Tunde Oyedele
Tonight’s English Premier League match involving Fulham and West Brom will not only feature two Nigerian players, but it would pit two good friends, Dickson Etuhu
and Osaze Odemwingie, against each other at the Craven Cottage.
Etuhu and Osaze are close friends on and off the field. Both players have many things in common, especially when they stay together in a room during national duties. Osaze’s move to England was masterminded by Etuhu, who described his half-cast compatriot as ‘a great footballer and a loyal friend.’
Explaining the reason for their closeness, Osaze said: “I like Dickson not just as a fellow Nigerian, but he is like my blood brother. That’s why we are always together during Super Eagles’ matches.â€
Their closeness would again be demonstrated when both players hold each other in a warm embrace that will precede pre-match formalities at 8p.m tonight. But, soon after that, Etuhu, a midfielder and his friend would be at ‘war’ for 90 minutes when the match gets underway.
Osaze, who has scored six goals for West Brom, who are 14th on the table with 22 points, has the pace to frighten any defence and, together with midfielder Chris Brunt, their Fulham opponents are in for a tough time.
Although, both teams have been out of form over the last month but West Brom’s ability to score goals could be the crucial factor with Osaze likely to make things happen. Morrison, Thomas, Cech, Mulumbu, Fortune and Dorrans would also be in action for the visitors.
With Fulham and the Baggies both having lost two games over the holiday period, three points remain crucial at this time of the season. After a promising start under manager Mark Hughes, Etuhu and his teammates have really faltered recently.
Dempsey, who has scored six times for Fulham, five in the league is listed alongside Etuhu, Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Pantsil, Murphy, Duff and Andrew Johnson to help rescue the Cottagers, who are occupying the 18th position with 19 points from an imminent relegation.
However, reports say Fulham have not lost at home to West Brom in the league since October 1967, a run of 11 games. The clubs have met 75 times in all, with West Brom leading by 36 wins to 24, including a 2-1 win at the Hawthorns last October.
Fulham’s good home record is another headache that Osaze, who missed a penalty against Manchester United on New Year’s day has to contend with. But his manager, Roberto Di Matteo believes that the Nigerian and his colleagues would deliver.