Super Eagles star Etebo missing in action, Odubajo starts as Aris secure crucial advantage in Greek Cup

The Nigeria international midfielder failed a late fitness test that ruled him out of the match

Super Eagles midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo did not make the matchday squad but Aris Thessaloniki did enough to claim an impressive 2-1 win over Levadiakos in the Greek Cup.

Etebo was expected to be one of the first names on the Aris team sheet for their crucial first-leg Round of 16 clash away to Levadiakos on Friday evening.

But the Stoke City-owned star suffered an injury – diagnosed to be a discomfort in his right gastrocnemius – in training on Wednesday. A late fitness test was carried out on Thursday but the Etebo could not overcome the setback.

But with Moses Odubajo available in the starting eleven for Aris, the Yellow-Blacks came from conceding the first goal to beating their hosts at the Municipal Stadium of Livadeia.

The return leg is scheduled for January 10 but Aris FC will face the same Levadiakos on Tuesday (December 21) as the Greek Super Lig returns from the World Cup break.

Elsewhere, Nigerian striker Josh Maja struck the second goal as Girondins Bordeaux seal a 2-0 win over Boavista in a friendly game.

The former Sunderland striker scored in the 63rd minute to make it 2-0 after Zuriko Davitashvili had opened the scoring for the French club in the first half.

Maja continues his fine scoring form after also finding the net as Bordeaux pipped Brentford 2-1 in another friendly game six days ago.

With seven goals in 15 league games, Maja is in joint third place in the top scorers’ chart in the French second-tier division.

Photo credit: Aris Twitter