Carabao Cup Second Round: Okoye, Dennis make debut as Iwobi, Iheanacho feature

The 2022-23 Carabao Cup second round commenced on Tuesday August 23rd with a number of Super Eagles stars appearing for their clubs in the games.

Former Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper and Super Eagles first-choice Maduka Okoye made his debut belatedly for Watford as they faced MK Dons at Vicarage Road. The Hornets lost 2-0 in front of their own fans, with goals from Matthew Dennis and Darragh Burns giving the visitors a place in the third round draw of the competition. Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong also made his first start of the season for the Hornets.

Following his big-money transfer from Watford to Nottingham Forest, Emmanuel Dennis was handed his debut as the Reds faced Grimsby Town in their Carabao Cup second round encounter. The Super Eagles forward was lively and helped set up the first goal for Ryan Yates in their 3-0 win. Taiwo Awoniyi was a second half substitute for Nottingham Forest as Sam Surridge added two more goals to give the side a place in the third round.

Alex Iwobi continued with his evolution into a brilliant central midfielder as he laid on the decisive assist for Everton in their 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town in their Carabao Cup second round clash. The Super Eagles star assisted Demarai Gray to score the winner for the side against their lower-league opposition.

Joe Aribo was a second-half substitute for Southampton as they claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over Cambridge United. A brace from Che Adams and a goal from teenage debutant Dominic Ballard gave the Saints a place in the third round draw.

Kelechi Iheanacho featured for Leicester City as they played out a goalless draw away to Stockport County in their Carabao Cup second round meeting. Danish goalkeeper Daniel Iversen was the Foxes’ hero as he saved three penalties in the shootout to earn his side a 3-1 win.

Frank Onyeka made his first start of the season for Brentford as they cruised to a 2-0 win over Colchester to qualify for the third round of the Carabao Cup. The midfielder was hauled off 10 minutes into the second half as goals from Keane Lewis-Potter and Mads Bech Sorensen gave the Bees the win.