Nigeria international, Mikel Agu, has expressed his delight at playing his first Portuguese Primeira Liga game for Vitoria Setubal on Sunday since he rejoined the club as a loanee from FC Porto, and has vowed to help the modest team to get even better with more games under his belt, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
The Super Eagles midfielder was on for all of 90minutes in Setubal’s 1-1 draw away at Vitoria Guimares’ Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques and posted an excellent performance for his team.
Speaking exclusively to Completesportsnigeria.com, Agu explained the reason for his delayed league debut after making a deadline day switch from parent club FC Porto.
“It was good to be on the pitch again, and I feel I’m gradually getting back to my best. It wasn’t an easy game because we played against a very good side. On my part, I think I had a decent game considering the fact that I have been away from playing for so long,” Agu told CSN.
“My league debut was delayed because I got here on transfer deadline day, and the follwoing week was the international break, so there was no club action.
“After the break, I played for Setubal in a Cup game against CD Nacional, Ibrahim Alhassan’s team, and the game ended 3-3. The following week was a league game against FC Porto but I was ineligible to play against them. So, here we are. Hopefully, I can keep things going like this,” Agu said.
Nuno Valente’s last minute goal secured a point for Setubal after the home side had taken the lead in the 61st minute through Yodan Osorio but the highlight of the game for Agu was his yellow card a minute from half-time.
He explained: “My yellow card resulted from a surprise counterattack. We were pressing for a goal when they suddenly broke away and the player was so smart because he drove the ball neatly into my front and I was left with no choice than to either foul him and save the team or allow him get away to score.
“The decision was made almost without thinking, but I guessed it saved us a lot of trouble afterwards and probably gave us the chance to get anything from the game.”
It was Agu’s second spell at Setubal, the former club of late Nigerian scoring legend Rashidi Yekini, and the 25 year old claims he’s glad to be back.
He said: “It was a good decision for me to come here and with more games, I will hit my best form.
“For me, it was a good feeling to wear the Setubal jersey again because I had a lot of good memories from the 2016 season when I last played here. I will love to recreate the same this season,
but l really need to work hard.”
Having made his league debut, Agu is now focused on helping his team, currently placed 14th in the league table, to finish as high as possible.
“The plan is to get into the team and, having done that, my target is now to help Setubal to be the best we can by going as far as we can in the league and also the cup competition. Who says we cannot win the Cup?,” he concluded.
Setubal’s next game is at home against Moreirense FC on October 6th.
MATCH STATS
Goals:
1-0: Osorio (62 ‘)
1-1: Nuno Valente (90 ‘+ 4’)
VITORIA GUIMARÃES: Douglas; Sacko, Osorio, Pedrão, Rafa Soares, Akaso, André André (Celis, 82 ‘), Tozé, Ola John (Tyler Boyd 73 ‘), Guedes, Davidson (M. Oliveira, 90’).
Coach: Luíz Castro
VITORIA SETÚBAL: Joel Pereira; Mano, Dankler, Vasco Fernandes, Nuno Pinto, Mikel, Semedo (Nuno Valente, 85 ‘), Hildeberto, Éber Bessa (Valdu Té, 69 ‘), Costinha (Alex, 81’), Mendy.
Coach: Lito Vidigal