Yet again, it was a weekend worth remembering for some Nigerian players abroad as we recorded ten goals contribution – 3 goals and 7 assists for this piece.
Victor Osimhen converted a penalty – putting it past Pietro Terracciano before half-time whistle for Napoli to restore parity after going behind through Josip Brekalo’s goal in the 7th minute against Fiorentina at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Vincenzo Italiano’s men responded with two more goals by Giacomo Bonaventura (63rd minute) and Nico Gonzalez, assisted by Fabio Parisi before stoppage time as Fiorentina pipped Rudi Garcia’s team 3-1. Osimhen was subbed for Giovanni Simeone in the 77th minute after netting his sixth Serie A goal of the season.
Elsewhere, Victor Boniface registered his seventh German Bundesliga goal of the season as Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen beat Steffen Baumgart’s FC Koln in a comprehensive 3-0 scoreline at Bay Arena. Boniface reaped from Jonas Hofmann’s service to slot in the third goal in the 67th minute, and was substituted for Adam Hlozek in the 81st minute. Hofmann and Jeremie Frimpong scored the first and second goal in the 22nd and 32nd minute respectively.
Wale Musa-Alli scored the only goal of the game between Ceske Budejovice and Karvina in the 87th minute; assisted by Quadri Adediran. As a result, Budejovice sealed the game. Marek Nikl brought in Michal Hubinek for Alli before stoppage time, and subbed on Adediran for Jiri Skalak few minutes after the hour mark; before he went ahead to provide the assist later in the game. Meanwhile, the duo of David Moses and Adeleke Akinyemi kicked-off with Karvina. Moses was subbed for Aboubacar Traore and Akinyemi for Martin Dolezal (both changes in the 62nd minute), whereas no game time for Lucky Ezeh in Karvina’s shirt.
It was double assists for Ahmad Ghali in Slovan Liberec’s tie with Slavia Prague at Stadion U Nisy. Ghali grabbed his first assist by laying a pass for Luka Kulenovic in the 5th minute for his team’s first goal – and located Dominik Preisler with a pass that freed him to score in the 8th (Liberec’s second) & exited the game for Mohamed Doumbia in the 73rd minute. The same team had Okoh Michael Chidera, who replaced Michal Fukala in the 90th minute. Similarly, Slavia Prague had centre-back, Igoh Ogbu and Muhamed Tijani in their ranks. Ogbu played 90 minutes, while Mojmir Chytil ousted the game for Tijani in the 63rd minute and Bolu Ogunbayi was an unused substitute. Prague fought back to score three goals; completed by Ivan Schranz (16th minute), Mick Van Buren (53rd minute penalty) and Christos Zafeiris (87th minute) – and won 3-2.
Rafiu Durosinmi created the assist for Matej Vydra to record Viktoria Plzen’s third goal in the 46th minute against Jablonec in Fortuna Liga (Czech Republic). Durosinmi was ousted for Jan Kopic in the late minute. Meanwhile, Plzen first and second goals were registered by Erik Jirka (22nd minute; penalty) and free-kick off the boot of Jhon Mosquera in the 38th minute – and Jablonec also recorded two goals; Matous Krulich (30th minute) and Jan Chramosta in the 34th minute; Plzen nicked it 3-2 at Doosan Arena.
Loanee from Watford, Samuel Kalu started for Lausanne in their home encounter with Luzern in the Swiss Super League. The winger teed up Chris Kablan for his team’s first goal in the 68th minute – and they registered two more goals via penalties converted by Noe Dussenne (73rd minute) and Senegalese forward, Mamadou Kaly Sene four minutes later, while midfielder, Ardon Jashari found the back of the net for the travellers in the 31st minute. Consequently, the game finished 3-1.
Midfielder, Ifeanyi Matthew made the pass that Antonio Marchesano finished perfectly for Zurich second goal as they play host to Winterthur. Matthew continued to help Bo Henriksen’s side build momentum in the attacking phase as Zurich grind out a 3-2 result.
Kelechi Nwakali started for Chaves as they welcome Gil Vicente in Portuguese top division – and made way for Pedro Pinho a minute before the hour mark. Prior to his exit, Nwakali assisted Hector Hernandez for the host’s opener in the 26th minute. Ruben Ribeiro was sent off for Chaves before stoppage time but they completed the job – with Hernandez adding two more goals to reach hat-trick and Sandro Cruz getting on the scoresheet, while Felix Correia and Swiss international, Maxime Dominguez responded with two goals for the visitors, leaving the final score at 4-2.
Vaclav Jilek subbed on Dele Israel to replace Radim Breite in the 84th minute for Sigma Olomouc against Mlada Boleslav. In the other end, Solomon John replaced Lamin Jawo in the hour mark. Boleslav’s player, Ondrej Karafiat was sent-off in the 72nd minute. Olomouc put four unreplied goals past opposition and Juraj Chvatal, Ondrej Zmrzly, Jakub Pokorny and Vits Benes were on the scoresheet.
Moses Simon made Pierre Aristouy’s side for Nantes face-off with Strasbourg at Stade de la Meinau in the French Ligue 1. Simon was involved all through but fired blank, though Nantes were able to score through Marcus Coco (50th minute) and Samuel Moutoussamy (58th minute) to win 2-1 over Patrick Vieira’s team – and Moise Sahi Dion scored for Strasbourg in the late minute.
Former Everton player, Alex Iwobi played a part in Fulham’s 3-1 over Sheffield United at Craven Cottage. Iwobi didn’t register a goal or assist and was subbed for Harrison Reed in the 79th minute. Marco Silva also subbed on Calvin Bassey for Issa Diop in the 71st minute. Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Own goal by opposition goalkeeper; Wesley Foderingham and Willian made it happen for the Cottagers – while Sheffield had their goal through Antonee Robinson’s own goal.
Injury to Ozan Kabak in the 65th minute compelled Pellegrino Matarazzo to ‘launch’ Kevin Akpoguma into the game involving Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim at Weserstadion. Akpoguma’s Hoffenheim were able to outscore rival to establish 3-2 success. Maximilian Beier, Grischa Promel and Marius Bulter were on target for Hoffenheim, while Bremen had their goals from Romano Schmid and Jens Stage.
Terem Moffi was in the outset for Nice at Metz, but was forced out for Evann Guessand in the 67th minute by virtue of injury, though Francesco Farioli’s Nice registered a 1 nil result on the road – goal scored by Hicham Boudaoui courtesy Melvin Bard’s support in the 14th minute.
Victor Olatunji led the line for Sparta Prague against Hradec Kralove at Malsovicka Arena. Olatunji’s time on the pitch lasted 19 minutes; a red card to that effect but Prague’s coach Brian Priske was able to tweak things to slot in three goals off Adam Karabec’s brace and Jan Kuchta’s goal; compared to Kralove’s one – converted by Vaclav Pilar, thereby propelling them to a 3-1 triumph.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was available in the colours of Hatayspor against Konyaspor in the Turkish top-flight. Fisayo eventually played 90 minutes and helped to spur his side to a 3-1 victory at home.
Defensive midfielder, Ededem Essien represented Pari Nizhny Novgorod – coming on for Nikolay Kalinski in the 56th minute versus Krylya Sovetov. Essien solidified the midfield – keeping a clean sheet in the process and finishing by Edgar Sevikyan (13th minute) and Ze Turbo (latter stages) aided them to 2-0 success at home.
Emmanuel Dennis replaced Brazilian forward, Joao Figueiredo in the 83rd minute in Basaksehir’s encounter with Gaziantep at the Fatih Terim Stadium in Istanbul. Jerome Opoku put Basaksehir in front four minutes into the game and Senegalese international, Papy Djilobodji scored an own goal in the 37th minute to make it two, thus Dennis was on the winning side as it ended 2-0.
Ibrahim Olawoyin had in excess of 18 minutes under his belt – coming on for Gustavo Sauer in the 72nd minute as Rizespor welcome Samsunspor. Despite being down by a man following Mithat Pala’s sending off in the 13th minute, Olawoyin’s Rizespor went ahead to clinch a 1-0 triumph and goal scored by Turkish international and winger, Benhur Keser in the 80th minute.
Olakunle Olusegun’s time for Krasnodar came when he stepped on the pitch to replace Nikita Krivtsov in the 79th minute versus FK Rostov. Olusegun didn’t have much to do, while his teammate and compatriot, Moses Cobnan could only see the game from the bench but they secured a 3-2 victory at Krasnodar Stadium.
In the battle of two ‘Moscows’ in Russia, Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow slugged it out at Otkrytiye Arena. Victor Moses made it from the onset for Spartak but had it tough – and departed the game for Ruslan Litvinov in the 58th minute. It ended all square (2-2) at the end of proceedings.
Jordan Torunarigha played every minute of the game for Gent as they welcome Genk at KAA Gent Arena. In the same team, Hein Vanhaezebrouck threw in Gift Orban in the 31st minute to take the place of injured Ismael Kandouss. Also, Wouter Vrancken subbed on centre-forward, Tolu Arokodare to replace Andi Zeqiri for the visitors in the 68th minute – and Yira Sor was on for Joseph Paintsil with few minutes left to play. The game ended 1-1 – with Andi Zeqiri netting for Genk three minutes after the hour mark and Matisse Samoise – assisted by Moroccan player and winger, Tarik Tissoudali levelling things for Gent in the 84th minute.
Abdullahi Tanko was included in Banik Ostrava’s team that faced FK Pardubice. Tanko misfired and was replaced by Ladislav Almasi in the 72nd minute. In the same team, David Fadairo came on for David Buchta with three minutes left. The tie ended a goal apiece; Krystof Danek netting for Pardubice in the 42nd minute and Ewerton getting the equaliser eight minutes later.
Aurelio Andreazzoli selected Tyronne Ebuehi in Empoli’s game with Udinese at Stadio Carlo Castellani. Ebuehi was efficient defensively on the right side and his team were able to keep a clean sheet in a stalemate affair. Andrea Sottil also called upon Isaac Success for Udinese – replacing Lorenzo Lucca in the 63rd minute. Still in the same team, goalkeeper, Maduka could only make the bench, while Kingsley Ehizibue couldn’t make it due to knee injury.
Gian Piero Gasperini left it till the hour mark before he subbed Ademola Lookman for Gianluca Scamacca in Atalanta:s contest with Lazio at Stadio Olimpico. Lazio manager, Maurizio Sarri was red-carded in the 85th minute – and could still muster 3-2 result.
Thomas Frank used Frank Onyeka to cover for Vitaly Janelt in the 70th minute as Brentford ‘ruffle feathers’ with Manchester United at Old Trafford. A deflected shot of Mathias Jensen rendered United’s shot-stopper, Andre Onana helpless in the 26th minute; whilst 87th minute substitute for Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay level things in the 93rd minute and scored the determiner four minutes later with Harry Maguire’s help.
Umar Sadiq replaced Mikel Oyarzabal in the 90th minute – who scored Real Sociedad’s goal in the 73rd minute with assist provided by Carlos Fernandez against Atletico Madrid at Metropolitano Stadium. The time Sadiq was introduced meant he had little or no impact. Meanwhile, Samuel Lino and Antoine Griezmann scored for Diego Someone’s side to ‘usurp’ Imanol Alguacil’s men 2-1.
Raphael Onyedika was donning the jersey of Club Brugge at Standard Liege. Onyedika was in midfield for the entirety of the game – albeit they conceded two; slotted in by Merveille Bope Bokadi and Isaac Price; while they scored once through Andreas Skov Olsen – losing 2-1 at Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
Kenneth Omeruo was in action for Kasimpasa versus Fenerbahce in Turkey. Omeruo and his teammates were eclipsed by Edin Dzeko in the 6th minute and Serbian international, Dusan Tadic (via spot-kick) before half-time whistle as they lost 2 nil at home.
Anthony Uzodimma featured for Kayserispor against Ankaragucu at Eryaman Stadium. Uzodimma played the right-back position and they shipped in three goals; punished by Garry Rodrigues, Road Bajic and Federico Macheda – without scoring any (3-0).
