With the international break in full swing, it’s been a quiet week in the world of Oxford United.
Despite that, there’s still some news to bring and you’ll find it all right here.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: International Appearances and Tributes Paid to Former Defender
‘It’s a Proud Moment for Me’
Peter Kioso has thanked his family after the Oxford defender was called up for his first international duty with DR Congo.
Kioso, who was also eligible for the Republic of Ireland, was on the standby list for the Leopards but selected after an injury to Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe.
He said: “I’d definitely say it’s a proud moment for me and my family, especially my parents.
“A lot of hard work has gone into my career, and I obviously have to give credit to God.
“God’s got me here, and I know my parents have got me to where I am now, so there’s so much credit to not just my parents, but all my family. My grandma, my aunties and my sisters. I have to give all my thanks to them.
“I’m just happy, and more importantly I need to go there, do what I need to do, and be ready for when I come back as well.”
Former U’s Defender Dies
The football world was shocked on Wednesday night when former U’s and Sheffield United defender George Baldock was found dead at his home in Greece.
The 31-year-old, who enjoyed two separate loan spells with Oxford, made the move to Athens in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane.
The defender joined the U’s on loan from MK Dons in February, 2015 and scored once from 12 outings. The following season, he arrived on a season-long loan and despite being recalled by Karl Robinson in January, was named in the League Two Team of the Season as the club won promotion to League One.
International Round-Up
Peter Kioso had to wait to make his DR Congo debut after he was an unused sub in their 1-0 win over Tanzania.
The summer signing, who was called up to represent the Leopards, failed to get on in their FIFA World Cup African qualifier on Thursday night.
Greg Leigh and Marselino Ferdinan were also in action on Thursday. Leigh played the full 90 minutes and laid on an assist as the Reggea Boyz won 2-0 against Nicaragua while Ferdinan played 33 minutes and picked up a booking in their 2-2 in Bahrain.
Mark Harris was an unused substitute as Wales blew a two-goal lead in their Nations League draw in Iceland.
Elsewhere on Friday night, Dane Scarlett got a late cameo as England U21s came from behind to score two late goals in their qualification match against Ukraine.
The final game of the first round of matches came in Belarus but Ciaron Brown was an unused substitute in Northern Ireland’s goalless draw.
