It was a flying start for the former Stars Builders Academy player, as he came off the bench to register his name on the score sheet with a goal and two assists for his side’s big win on the night.

Segun’s involvement was meant to be an assessment of his fitness level ahead of the start of the Eliteserien league, but his impact proved too strong and very clear that he is in top shape and very much ready to paint the league red with goals when it officially gets underway next week.

Segun who recently signed a deal with the Norwegian side last month impressed during the club’s preseason tour of Spain and is being considered as one of the biggest prospects they will be looking forward to when the league starts next week.

Segun is also expected to be one of the foreign based professional players Coach Isah Ladan Bosso will be tilting towards when he begins preparation ahead of the FIFA U-20 men’s world Cup.

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Otusanya who remains one of Nigeria’s hottest prospect, with his rich vein of goalscoring form caught the attention of Haugesund and several other suitors but was invited by the Norwagian club early in February, seeing the huge potentials in him while in the camp of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles.

A statement by the Club’s Sporting Director, Eirik Opedal says “FK Haugesund is very happy to sign Segun Otusanya. He is a good boy with alot of talent. We are looking forward to exploring his talent and hopefully develop him to a successfull footballer”

Responding to the deal, Segun’s manager Mr Tunde Soneye expressed delight with the way everything turned out and was equally excited with the conclusion of the deal.

“We had a lot of offers for Segun due to his brilliant performance while in camp with the National U20 team”

“We had to carefully look through them and select what we feel is the best for the boy in terms of his development and career progression”

“Segun is a talented natural goal scorer who will some day lead the attack for the senior national team”

Segun was one of the hottest striker at the U-20 national team camp. He scored 8 goals in 6 matches for the Flying Eagles in their build up games before the U-20 AFCON championship in Egypt where the team secured a world cup ticket and finished third at the competition.

The youngster, who was part of the U23 side that eliminated Tanzania in the Olympics Qualifier in October, has been given a call-up to the Flying Eagles ahead of the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

It will be recalled that Bosso’s side have been in camp for a few weeks with a large pool of players, but the former Adamawa United coach has extended call-ups to other youngsters after a significant number of them were sent home due to various reasons.

Otusanya’s call-up comes as one of the rewards for Stars Builders Academy following their victory at the Ogun State League about four months ago. A final where Otusanya starred by scoring a brace to ensure his side claim their first title since creation.

Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles clinched the WAFU B title back in May, defeating Benin Republic in the final to represent the zone in Egypt next February.

The U20 Africa Cup of Nations will take place from 18th February – 12th March 2023 in Egypt. The top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup scheduled to hold in Indonesia from 20th May – 11th June next year.

Young but hugely experienced, Ezema was an integral part of Imama Amapakabo’s backroom staff that brought the NPFL title back to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in 2016, ending a 32-year drought while playing some of the most exhilarating football in Nigerian topflight history.

He was also there with Gbenga Ogunbote as Rangers ended an even longer dry spell in the Federation Cup with a stunning comeback that saw them claw back three goals with fifteen minutes left to defeat Kano Pillars on penalties in Asaba in 2018.

After five years with the Flying Antelopes, Ezema has now deployed his considerable talents to moulding raw talent at the Ijebu Ode-based Stars Builder Academy.

It’s a different kind of environment to what he is used to but the LaLiga-trained coach says while he believes he is ripe for a job in the topflight, working with youngsters is not widely removed from what he’s done throughout his professional career.

“Well, it has not been very challenging for me because I think I’ve been long overdue to head a team in the Premier League,” he told busybuddiesng.com about the demands of working with young talent.

“But being that I’m here, it’s still an opportunity for me to develop players, to coach football, to instil my own game ideas and it has not been a problem for me because these things have been structured over the years and, these things have been organized so it’s just me putting it to work.”

And while he enjoys what he does at the moment, Ezema says he is open to opportunities to head a team in the NPFL and his self-belief bubbles to the surface as he lists his accomplishments with Rangers to show “that there is no Premier League club in the country that I cannot lay my hands on and I won’t do well”.

“Talking about the Premier League, I think that there is no Premier League club in the country that I cannot lay my hands on and I won’t do well,” he says.

“I spent five seasons in Rangers and I was instrumental in Rangers winning the league and the FA Cup and participating in the CAF Champions League [and] Confederation Cup in consistent seasons so I’m not new to any level.

“I’m happy here, if bigger chances come, I’ll still prove myself. Football is football anywhere.”

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Speaking to the media after the game, Chairman of Stars Builders, Kayode Momoh, attributed the success of the Academy to the hardwork and commitment of everyone involved.

‘Today is a monumental occasion in the history of our Academy. Today is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our management, staff, and players.