Shola Ameobi is something of a cult hero amongst Newcastle United supporters.
Ameobi is now the loan coordinator at Newcastle United, having returned to his boyhood club for the role shortly after retiring from football in 2018.
Though not always the most popular figure on Tyneside since his retirement considering some of his comments during the Mike Ashley era in which he appeared to defend the former owner, his contribution on the pitch can hardly be forgotten.
The club have had better players than the Newcastle United academy graduate, but few have shone quite as brightly as the former striker did during Tyne-Wear derbies.
Indeed, Ameobi scored seven goals in nine starts against Sunderland, earning him the nickname ‘The Mackem Slayer’.
On Wednesday night, Ameobi represented Newcastle in a FA Cup-themed five-a-side tournament called the “Emirates 5’s” and scored a fine goal.
Shola Ameobi’s brilliant goal for Newcastle United five-a-side team
The tournament was contested by teams from Birmingham, London, Manchester and Newcastle.
Each team were captained by a former player, with Ameobi leading Newcastle out, Ben Foster skippering Birmingham, Shaun Wright-Phillips doing so for Manchester and Jermain Defoe doing the honours for London.
Each team was also made up of players of influencers and non-league players who played for their respective team in the FA Cup, along with “individuals making a positive change in their local communities.”
Also playing in the Newcastle team was Michael Ndiweni, who has also featured in Baller League after leaving St James’ Park in 2024.
Newcastle actually won the tournament by beating Manchester in the final but it was Ameobi who stole the show in the semi-final against Birmingham.
The 43-year-old backheeled the ball into the advertising boards before playing a one-two and slotting past Foster.
In commentary it was described as “goal of the day” and “liquid”.
Michael Ndiweni’s message after Newcastle United release
Ndiweni was released by Newcastle in 2024, only shortly after making his first-team debut.
He played against Chelsea in October 2023 and was even on the bench when Eddie Howe’s side travelled to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in November of that year.
The 21-year-old has since joined non-league side Newcastle Blue Star and was recently speaking about his release from the Magpies.
Ndiweni admitted he saw his Newcastle exit coming and has since started playing in the Baller League, which is shown on Sky Sports.
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