It was not the best of performances from Nigerian players plying their trade abroad over the weekend. In fact, we recorded 4 goals involvement (3 goals and 1 assist) – the lowest we have gathered for this piece this season.
Akor Adams recorded a brace in Montpellier’s 3-0 victory over Toulouse at Stade de la Mosson. Adams grabbed his first goal (the opener) in the 13th minute after he was set up by Teji Savanier and slot in his second (his team’s third) in the 72nd minute, this time, the assist was created by Joris Chotard. Similarly, Khalil Fayad, who fed off Kiki Kouyate scored the second goal in the 63rd minute. The former Flying Eagles star has now amassed 7 goals in Ligue 1 this season, only Kylian Mbappe has more (10 goals).
Tolu Arokodare made a good use of Patrik Hrosovsky’s pass to break the deadlock in the 55th minute as Genk got the better of Kortrijk (3-0) on the road – and was subbed for Swiss international, Andi Zeqiri twenty minutes later. Yira Sor had only few minutes of action – taking Hrosovsky’s place in the 88th minute. Ghanaian player, Joseph Paintsil scored the second in the 72nd minute – and Colombain Daniel Munoz fired home the third six minutes later.
Elsewhere, Solomon John provided the assist for Vasil Kusej to score Mlada Boleslav’s first goal in the 24th minute versus Sparta Prague at Lokotrans Arena – and he was substituted for Lamin Jawo in the 72nd minute. Meanwhile, Victor Olatunji was involved for Prague – coming on for Veljko Birmancevic four minutes after the hour mark. John’s team, coached by Marek Kulic emerged winners in a 3-1 result.
Bright Osayi-Samuel made Fenerbahce’s team that mauled Pendikspor 5-0 away from home, though his time on the pitch came to an end in the 78th minute when he was replaced by Mert Muldur.
Frank Onyeka replaced Mathias Jensen in the 64th minute to add steel to Brentford’s midfield against Chelsea – and at the end of proceedings, Thomas Frank’s men breezed through Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Ethan Pinnock head in Bryan Mbeumbo’s cross from a close range in the 58th minute and Mbeumbo was released by Neal Maupay to tap into an empty net before stoppage after Robert Sanchez left his post in search of a goal for his side from a corner kick.
Kevin Akpoguma was in a three-man backline in Hoffenheim’s defence versus Stuttgart at MHP Arena. Akpoguma maintained his place all through the game but they let in two goals, however they outscored their rival, winning 3-2. Chris Fuhrich assisted by Deniz Undav (61st minute) and Deniz Undav (74th minute) netted for Sebastian Hoeness’ Stuttgart, while Grischa Promel (5th minute), Wout Weghorst (penalty – 21st minute) and Robert Skov (67th minute) got on the scoresheet for Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team.
Centre-back, Kenneth Omeruo was available for Kasimpasa as they play host to Istanbulspor AS. Omeruo’s side allowed one in and recorded three goals to clinch a 3-1 victory at home. Mamadou Fall (33rd minute), Aytac Kara (56th minute) – both assisted by Iron Gomis; and Julien Ngoy (72nd) were on the scoresheet for Kasimpasa, while Emir Kaan Gultekin registered the away side’s only goal in the 76th minute off David Sambissa’s pass.
Jordan Torunarigha was in defence for Gent in their home game with Standard Liege. Torunarigha and the other defenders conceded one but they outscored Liege by netting three to record a 3-1 triumph. Gift Orban didn’t make it past the bench for Gent. The game had three missed penalties – one by the host and the visitors missed the other two.
Igoh Ogbu and Muhamed Tijani featured for Slavia Prague in their visit to Bohemians at Dolicek. Ogbu enjoyed every minute in defence and Tijani, who started upfront had no goal contribution – and was subbed for Mick Van Buren before stoppage time and Bolu Ogungbayi only made the bench for Prague. At the end, Jindrich Trpisovsky’s Prague defeated opposition 2-0.
Terem Moffi was on for Gaetan Laborde in the 58th minute for Nice at Clermont, managed by Pascal Gastien. Upon Moffi’s presence on the pitch, he failed to score – and it was Hicham Boudaoui, who nicked the three points for Francesco Farioli’s Nice in the 74th minute.
Midfielder, Raphael Onyedika tasted every minute of action for Club Brugge KV against Royal Antwerp at Jan Breydel Stadion. In the same vein, Alhassan Yusuf played 90 minutes for Antwerp and Chidera Ejuke was an unused substitute. At the end, it was Onyedika’s team led by Ronny Deila that a claimed a 2-1 success.
Three Nigerian internationals were seen in Karvina’s shirt versus Viktoria Plzen at Doosan Arena. Adeleke Akinyemi led the line for Karvina but he misfired and was substituted for compatriot, Lucky Ezeh with five minutes left and David Moses, who also started made way for Dominik Zak same time. Rafiu Durosinmi was unavailable for Plzen owing to injury – and Patrik Cavos was able to convert Lukas Budinsky’s cross to a goal in the 76th minute to make it 1-0 in favour of Karvina after 90 minutes of action.
As always, Victor Boniface was selected to file out for Bayer Leverkusen as they lock horns with Freiburg at Bay Arena. Boniface fired blank and Xabi Alonso replaced him with Patrik Schick in the 90th minute. Leverkusen did enough to achieve 2-1 glory.
Former Cremonese player, Cyriel Dessers was on from the onset in Rangers game with Hearts in Scotland. Dessers couldn’t find the back of the net – and was subbed for Danilo in the 46th minute. Rangers pipped opposition in a 2-1 result at Ibrox Stadium.
Umar Sadiq had ten minutes under his belt when Imanol Alguacil threw him in for Takefusa Kubo in Real Sociedad’s away game at Rayo Vallecano. The only goal that went in after Sadiq stepped onto the pitch was for Vallecano, thus, it ended two goals apiece.
The duo of Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi made Marco Silva’s team (Fulham) that visited Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Stadium. Iwobi was ousted for Sasa Lukic in the latter stages. Meanwhile, Evan Ferguson assisted by Gross Pascal gave Roberto De Zerbi’s men the lead in the 26th minute – and Joao Palhinha with Harry Wilson’s effort restored parity for Marco Silva’s side in the 65th minute, thus they shared the spoils (1-1).
Isaac Success was present in Udinese’s tie as they slug it out with Monza at Brianteo. Success could not punish opposition and it ended 1-1. Goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye watched from Udinese’s bench and Kingsley Ehizibue missed action as a result of knee injury.
Ahmad Ghali featured in the entirety of the clash for Slovan Liberec against Slovacko and Okoh Michael Chidera was only present on the bench for Liberec. Meanwhile, Milan Petrzela gave Slovacko the lead ten minutes into action and Lubomir Tupta’s header level terms six minutes later to see the game finish 1-1.
Ifeanyi Matthew commenced Zurich’s game in midfield as they welcome Lausanne Ouchy at Letzigrund Stadion in the Swiss Super League. Matthew was later subbed for Swiss international, Bledian Krasniqi in the 72nd minute – though the game ended all square (1-1). Ismael Gharbi recorded the travellers’ goal in the 24th minute and Congolese player, Jonathan Okita restored parity from a spot-kick in the 44th minute.
Paul Onuachu was involved in Trabzonspor’s game at Karagumruk. Onuachu misfired and the game ended in a stalemate.
Wale Musa-Alli and Quadri Adediran were in action for Ceske Budejovice in their tie with FK Pardubice in Czech Republic top-flight. Wale played every minute and Marek Nikl subbed on Adediran for Marcel Cermak in the 34th minute. Tomas Zlatohlavek was on target in the 9th minute for Pardubice to run away with a 1-0 win at Strelecky Ostrov.
In a contest where two Nigerian players were teammates, Abdullahi Tanko formed a partnership with Czech international, Filip Kubala in Banik Ostrava’s colours and David Fadairo replaced David Buchta with two minutes left on the clock as they face Jablonec. Tanko exited the game for Jiri Klima in the 77th minute and Jan Chramosta’s finish off David Houska’s effort in the 84th minute provided the maximum points for Jablonec on the road.
Forward, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi donned the jersey of Filippo Inzaghi’s Salernitana when he replaced injured Matteo Lovato in the 64th minute versus Genoa at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Ikwuemesi had no breakthrough to keep his side in the game as Albert Gudmundsson buried the ball in the back of the net, with assist provided by Ruslan Malinovsky thirty-five (35 minutes) into the game for Alberto Gilardinho’s Genoa to earn 1-0 triumph.
Winger, Yusuf Lawal had three minutes under his belt representing Arouca when he replaced Guinean international, Morlaye Sylla (87th minute) in their encounter with Moreirense at Estadio Municipal de Arouca. Despite Jeremy Antonisse’s sending off for Moreirense before full-time whistle, Marcelo’s goal in the 39th minute won it for them.
Olakunle Olusegun started for Krasnodar as they travel to battle CSKA Moscow at VEB Arena in Moscow. Olusegun was subbed off for countryman, Moses Cobnan two minutes after the hour mark and they lost out 1-0 following Fyodor Chalov’s goal before half-time whistle.
Ibrahim Olawoyin played behind the striker for Rizespor against Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig. Olawoyin couldn’t make something tangible out of the game and they lost 1-0 to Sergio Oliveira’s goal, assisted by Mauro Icardi in the 68th minute in front of their fans. Azubuike Okechukwu was left out for Rizespor due to ankle injury.
Emmanuel Dennis played a part in Istanbul Basaksehir’s tie at Antalyaspor and failed to score. Dennis departed the tie for Philippe Kenny in the 66th minute and they were beaten 1-0.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru played every minute of Hatayspor’s game with Kayserispor in Turkey. Fisayo had two shots but none resulted to a goal. Meanwhile, Anthony Uzodimma featured in the other end, taking the place of Miguel Cardoso in the 69th minute and they garnered 2-1 success on the road.
The duo of Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi were involved in Nottingham Forest’s tie with Liverpool at Anfield. Aina started and exited the game for Harry Toffolo in the 69th minute, while Awoniyi was subbed on for Willy Boly same time. Awoniyi had little or no influence on the game as Jurgen Klopp side thumped Steve Cooper’s three nil and goals were scored by Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.
Pierre Aristouy selected Simon Moses from the onset in Nantes’ face-off with Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the French Ligue 1. Simon struggled to stamp his authority in the game and made way for Kader Bamba in the hour mark. Consequently, Nantes were whitewashed in a 4-0 result and the likes of Florian Sotoca (penalty – 27th minute), Facundo Medina (58th and 72nd minute) & Neil El Aynaoui (89th minute) were on target for Franck Haise’s side.
Kelechi Nwakali took the place of Hector Hernandez six minutes after the hour mark in Chaves’ encounter with Vitoria Guimaraes but his introduction had no impact as they were decimated by five unreplied goals in the hands of opposition. Joao Mendes (3rd minute), Tomas Handel (43rd mins), Jota Silva (before half-time break), Andre Silva (52nd minute) and Manu Silva in the latter stages made it count for the victors. However, Ygor Nogueira (Chaves player) was shown a red card in the 44th minute.
