Nigerian Players Abroad: Momoh Nets Hat-trick, Onuachu Scores Brace as Awoniyi, 5 Others Register a Goal Each

Nigerian players abroad did good numbers over the weekend, thereby recording fifteen (15) goals contribution – 11 goals and 4 assists.

Francis Momoh scored hat-trick to propel Grasshoppers to a 5-2 win over Lausanne Ouchy at Letzigrund Stadion. Momoh registered his first goal twenty-six minutes into the game and his second two minutes later. He completed his hat-trick with his team’s fifth in the 51st minute – and Awer Mabil (36th minute) and Tsiy-William Ndenge (44th minute) netted the third and fourth respectively, while Giovani Bamba (3rd minute) and Liridon Mulaj (75th minute) recorded Ouchy’s goals. Momoh was off for Elmin Rastoder in the 68th minute.

Paul Onuachu netted twice, scoring both goals that earned Trabzonspor a 2-1 win against Konyaspor at home (Papara Park). Onuachu grabbed his first goal in the 59th minute by taking advantage of a rebound and fired home the second through Enis Destan’s pass with few minutes left on the clock; while Louka Prip fed off Nelson Oliveira to get one for the visitor in the 77th minute.

Taiwo Awoniyi registered Nottingham Forest’s first goal (44th minute) in their 3-2 defeat to David Moyes’ West Ham United at the London Stadium. In the same vein, Ola Aina teed up Anthony Elanga for the second three minutes after the hour mark. Meanwhile, the trio of Lucas Paqueta (3rd minute), Jarrod Bowen (65th minute) and Tomas Soucek (88th minute) scored for the host. Steve Cooper replaced Aina and Awoniyi with Serge Aurier and Chris Wood in the 76th minute.

Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi opened the scoring for Salernitana with the help of Pasquale Mazzocchi five minutes into the game against Sassuolo. Boulaye Dia then put in the second twelve minutes later, assisted by Loum Tchaouna. However, Kristian Thorstvedt (36th minute) and Thorstvedt again in the 52nd minute made it level for the opposition, thus 2-2 it finished. Similarly, fellow countryman, Simy Nwankwo replaced Ikwuemesi in the 56th minute.

Former Cremonese player, Cyriel Dessers fired home the opener for Rangers with a pass received from Tom Lawrence in the 26th minute versus Livingston at Macaroni Arena. James Tavernier doubled the lead via penalty in the 75th minute as Philippe Clement’s side won 2-0. Danilo replaced Dessers a minute after the hour mark and Leon Balogun was also involved for Rangers all through.

Zaidu Sanusi levelled scores in the 39th minute for FC Porto, after conceding through Andre Silva for Vitoria Guimaraes in the 17th minute. Francesco Canceicao, who aided Sanusi to net, grab the second in the 59th minute to see Porto win 2-1 on the road.

Few days after getting an invitation to the Super Eagles, Nathan Tella made the scoresheet with Bayer Leverkusen’s fourth goal in the 83rd minute in their 4-0 triumph over Urs Fischer’s Union Berlin. Alejandro Grimaldo (23rd minute), Odilon Kossounou’s header (57th minute), and Jonathan Tah (73rd minute) were other scorers for Xabi Alonso’s team at Bay Arena. Also, Victor Boniface represented Leverkusen but couldn’t score and was subbed for Adam Hlozek in the 87th minute.

Despite Moses Simon’s goal in the 12th minute through Nicolas Pallois’ effort for Nantes in the French Ligue 1, Metz registered three goals to achieve glory. Kevin Van Den Kerkhof (3rd minute), Simon Elisor (28th minute) and Joel Asoro (85th minute) recorded the goals for Metz.

Former Villarreal player, Samuel Chukwueze kicked off the game with AC Milan versus Lecce. Chukwueze provided the assist for Dutch international, Tijjani Reijnders to net Milan’s second goal. Olivier Giroud scored the first and Nicola Sansone and Lameck Banda got the goals for Lecce, thus 2-2 result at Stadio Via del Mare. Giroud was red carded in the latter stages of the game.

In the Italian Serie A, Aurelio Andreazzoli replaced Bartosz Bereszyneki with Tyronne Ebuehi in the 63rd minute as Empoli battle Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples. Ebuehi went on to set up Viktor Kovalenko to hit the target before full-time, thereby giving Empoli the maximum points. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen is still sidelined for Rudi Garcia’s team due to injury.

While Fisayo Dele-Bashiru had 90 minutes to himself in Hatayspor’s midfield as they welcome Galatasaray, he had a goal contribution in their 2-1 win. Rigoberto Rivas and Didier Lamkel Ze (assisted by Fisayo) scored for the winning team – and former Crystal Palace player, Wilfried Zaha netted for the visitor.

Alhassan Yusuf was involved in Royal Antwerp’s six nil mauling over Standard Liege at Bosuilstadion. Yusuf had a good outing and Chidera Ejuke also joined in the feat, when Mark Van Bommel threw him in for Jurgen Ekkelenkamp in the 69th minute.

Johan Nkama Chinwendu had 25 minutes under his belt, replacing Ayman El Wafi in Lugano’s clash with Zurich in Switzerland at Stadio di Cornaredo. Ifeanyi Matthew commenced the game in midfield for Zurich but he was taken off for Marc Hornschuh before stoppage time. Matthew was on the winning side in a 3-0 result.

No goal for Umar Sadiq in his time on the pitch for Real Sociedad in their outing with Almeria. As a result, Imanol Alguacil subbed him for Mikel Merino in the 46th minute, but they were able to clinch 3-1 success over Gaizka Garitano’s men.

Three Nigerian internationals were seen in the game between Sigma Olomouc and Slavia Prague. Dele Israel replaced Jan Vodhanel in the 85th minute for Olomouc. Centre-back, Igoh Ogbu and forward, Muhamed Tijani featured for Prague. Ogbu was subbed for Tomas Vlcek in the 46th minute and Tijani made way for Mick Van Buren same time. Jindrich Trpisovsky’s Prague nicked it 3-1 over Vaclav Jilek’s Olomouc at Andruv Stadion.

Tolu Arokodare was involved for Genk against Leuven at Cegeka Arena. Arokodare struggled and made way for Slovak player, Patrik Hrosovsky’s in the latter stages. In the same team, Yira Sor came on for Ghanaian player, Christopher Bonsu Baah with twenty minutes left. Genk won 3-1 after 90 minutes of action.

Victor Moses came on for Russian player, Danil Prutsev in the 86th minute as Spartak Moscow welcome FK Rostov at Otkrytiye Arena. Guille Abascal’s Moscow pipped Valeri Karpin’s Rostov 2.1.

Ibrahim Olawoyin got involved for Rizespor as they play host to Istanbulspor AS. Olawoyin had no goal contribution and made way for Khusniddin Alikulov in the 89th minute. Olawoyin’s team won 1 nil in front of their fans following Jonjo Shelvey’s goal five minutes into the game.

Pavel Hapal selected Abdullahi Tanko to led the line for Banik Ostrava versus Sparta Prague. Tanko couldn’t find the back of the net and exited the tie for Jiri Klima in the 80th minute. David Fadairo only made the bench for Ostrava. Victor Olatunji didn’t get to feature for Prague. However, Filik Panak’s header in the 49th minute gave Brian Priske’s Prague the win away from home.

Solomon John made the starting line-up of Mlada Boleslav in their encounter with FK Pardubice at Lokotrans Arena. Marek Kulic took off John for Tomas Ladra in the 65th minute and they secured a 1-0 success through Vasil Kusej’s goal in the 48th minute.

Centre-back, Kenneth Omeruo played every minute of the game in Kasimpasa’s colours versus Kayserispor but they shipped in four, losing 4-3 in the process. Anthony Uzodimma was an unused substitute for the winning side.

Samuel Kalu, who operated from the left flank was involved till the end for Lausanne at Yverdon in the Swiss Super League. Kalu had no goal recorded and the contest was concluded at 2-2.

Kevin Akpoguma was available in defence for Hoffenheim at Augsburg. (WWK Arena). Wout Weghorst scored a header from Marius Bulter pass to give Hoffenheim the lead and Ermedin Demirovic cancelled it out (1-1).

Jordan Torunarigha put in a good shift in defence for Gent versus Anderlecht. Gift Orban also featured for same team coming on for Hugo Cuypers in the 69th minute. Matisse Samoise broke the deadlock to put Gent in front 39 minutes into the game and Kasper Dolberg scored the equaliser as the game ended 1-1.

Ahmad Ghali made Slovan Liberec’s team that travelled to Hradec Kralove at Malsovicka Arena. Lubos Kozel subbed Ghali for Dominik Preisler in the 69th minute and Okoh Michael Chidera watched from the bench. With game ending at 1-1; Daniel Vasulin was on the scoresheet for Kralove (27th minute) and Christian Frydek levelled terms three minutes later.

Olakunle Olusegun donned the jersey of Krasnodar against Zenit St. Petersburg at Gazprom Arena in Russia. Olusegun departed the game for Serbian international, Mihajlo Banjac in the 83rd minute. The same team had Moses Cobnan but he didn’t go beyond the bench. It finished all square, with Eduard Spertsyan netting for Krasnodar (63rd minute) and Colombian international, Mateo Cassierra restoring parity seven minutes later.

Gabriele Cioffi selected Isaac Success in Udinese face off with Atalanta. Success missed a penalty in the 31st minute and exited the game for Lorenzo Lucca in the 82nd minute. Goalkeeper, Maduka was only on the bench. Also, Gian Piero Gasperini introduced Ademola Lookman in the place of Mario Pasalic in the 46th minute. Walace Souza Silva netted for Udinese in the 44th minute – and Ederson assisted by Davide Zappacosta restored parity before full-time as both teams shared the spoils. Kingsley Ehizibue didn’t get to play fo Udinese owing to knee injury.

Two Nigerian strikers were involved in the clash between Montpellier and Nice. Akor Adams was upfront for Montpellier and Terem Moffi for the rival. Adams finished the game but Moffi exited the tie for Evann Guessand in the 67th minute. It was goalless at Stade de la Mosson after 90 minutes.

Bright Osayi-Samuel held the right-back position for Fenerbahce against Adana Demirspor at Yeni Adana Stadyumu. Bright was substituted for Mert Muldur in the 75th minute and the contest ended in a stalemate.

Midfielder, Raphael Onyedika was available for Club Brugge KV in their clash with Cercle Brugge KSV. Onyedika left the pitch for Casper Nielsen four minutes after the hour mark – and the game finished goalless at Jan Breydel Stadion.

Kelechi Nwakali tasted action for Chaves at Portimonense but he couldn’t salvage a point for his side. Nwakali was ousted for Joao Pedro in the 74th minute and they were beaten 2-1. Helio Varela and Ronie Carrillo scored for the victorious side and Bernardo Sousa reduced the deficit in the 87th minute.

In Czech Republic, Adeleke Akinyemi was in the attack for Karvina against Bohemians at Dolicek. Opposition defenders made it tough for Karvina, hence he failed to net. Similarly, Lucky Ezeh took the place of Patrik Cavos in the 76th minute and Emmanuel Ayaosi was on the bench. They lost by a lone goal, thanks to Erik Prekop who scored for Bohemians in the 52nd minute.

The duo of Quadri Adediran and Wale Musa-Alli were called upon in Ceske Budejovice’s tie with Teplice. Wale played till the end and Adediran was subbed for Jiri Skalak in the 66th minute but they lost to Tadeas Vachousek’s goal, which came earlier in the game.

Emmanuel Dennis fired blank in Basaksehir shirt in their visit to Besiktas. As a result, he was subbed for Deniz Turuc in the 72nd minute and they lost 1-0 at Tupras Stadium after Congolese striker, Jackson Muleka made the difference four minutes before the hour mark.

Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi filed out with Fulham against Aston Villa at Villa Park. Bassey played the entirety of the game and Iwobi was subbed for Harrison Reed in the 82nd minute. At the end of proceeding, Unai Emery’s Villa outclassed Marco Silva’s team in a 3-1 scoreline.

Thomas Frank introduced Frank Onyeka for Vitaly Janelt in the 46th minute in Brentford’s visit to Liverpool at Anfield, though they suffered 3 nil defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s men with goals coming from Mohamed Salah (brace) and Diogo Jota.