Nigerian Players Abroad: Adams Scores Brace as Osimhen, 5 Others Record a Goal Each

Evidently, the new season is gathering momentum and some Nigerian players abroad are equally showing that they can contend with the pace that accompanies it as we witnessed over the weekend.

Former Flying Eagles star, Akor Adams scored a brace in Montpellier’s 3-0 victory over Lorient at Stade du Moustoir. Adams opened the scoring off Musa Al-Tamari’s effort in the 30th minute and grabbed his second (Montpellier’s third) in the 89th minute. On this occasion, the assist was provided by French international, Joris Chotard – and Teji Savanier scored a penalty for the second goal in the 73rd minute.

Victor Osimhen came off the bench to replace Giovanni Simeone in the 46th minute in Napoli’s tie against Leece at Stadio Via del Mare. Five minutes upon his introduction, Osimhen registered Rudi Garcia’s side second goal feeding off Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as they mauled Leece in a comprehensive 4-0 result. Leo Ostigard broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, with assist provided by Piotr Zielinski; Gianluca Gaetano registered the third goal – utilising Giacomo Raspadori’s pass in the 88th minute and Matteo Politano further compounded opposition woes by converting a spot-kick before stoppage time.

Paul Onuachu, in Trabzonspor’s outfit broke the deadlock three minutes into the game, assisted by Anastasios Bakasetas in their clash with Pendikspor. Bakasetas doubled the lead in the 27th minute but Albanian midfielder, Endri Cekici pulled one back for Pendikspor in the 36th minute as Trabzonspor see out the tie in a 2-1 scoreline at Papara Park. Also, Trabzonspor’s player, Batista Mendy was red-carded in the 72nd minute after receiving a second yellow.

In a related development, Rafiu Durosinmi levelled terms with a header for Viktoria Plzen after making good use of Lukas Kalvach’s cross from a corner in the 26th minute after going behind through Qazim Laci’s goal (who received a pass from Lukas Haraslin) for Sparta Prague in the third minute. Sparta Prague scored their second goal a minute after opposition’s equaliser coming off Jan Kuchta and assist created by Lukas Sadilek. Victor Olatunji played for Brian Priske’s Sparta Prague – coming on for Veljko Birmancevic in the 67th minute and he was on winning side with the game ending 2-1 at Epet Arena in his team’s favour.

Abdullahi Tanko scored the first goal of the game after he was spotted by Filip Kubala in the 11th minute as Banik Ostrava put three unreplied goals past Sigma Olomouc. Ewerton gave Ostrava a two-goal cushion in the 29th minute – assisted by David Buchta and Buchta also netted to make it three in the 78th minute – assisted by Jiri Boula. Banik Ostrava’s goalkeeper, Matus Macik had earlier exited the game in the 19th minute following a red card.

Elsewhere, Adeleke Akinyemi was upfront for Karvina as they welcome Slovan Liberec at Town Stadium Karvina. Akinyemi recorded his side’s third goal four minutes before half-time break with the help of Patrik Cavos. In the same team, David Moses was available in midfield and was later subbed for Sebastian Bohac in the 65th minute, while Lucky Ezeh was an unused substitute for Karvina. Meanwhile, Ahmad Ghali featured for Liberec and Okoh Michael Chidera came on for Luka Kulenovic in the 81st minute. Karvina won 5-2 after 90 minutes of action. Alex Ivan, Lukas Budinsky, Amar Memic and Aboubacar Traore were the other goalscorers for Karvina – whereas Jan Mikula and Lubomir Tupta scored for Slovan Liberec.

In Russia, Olakunle Olusegun registered Krasnodar’s second goal in the 86th minutes after replacing Russian international, Nikita Krivtsov in the 75th minute – in their face-off with Rubin Kazan. Colombian international, Jhon Cordoba scored the opener in the 24th minute – hence they won 2-0 at AK Bars Arena. Forward, Moses Cobnan also tasted action for the winning team – replacing Joao Bachiessa at the death of the minute.

Umar Sadiq made the assist that ensured Takefusa Kubo increased it two in the 48th minute for Real Sociedad against Athletic Bilbao in the La-Liga. Robin Le Normand gave Imanol Alguacil’s side the lead in the 30th minute and Mikel Oyarzabal scored the third in the 66th minute as Sociedad breeze through opposition in a 3-0 result at Reale Arena.

Tolu Arokodare was Genk’s talisman against Westerlo at Cegeka Arena. Arokodare set up Daniel Munoz for his side’s first goal – and was subbed for Swiss international, Andi Zeqiri in the 64th minute. Yira Sor didn’t get to feature for Genk and they also had to play with a man down following Christopher Bonsu Baah’s red card before half-time break.- but the game finished 3-3.

Victor Boniface led the attack for Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen against Mainz at Mewa Arena in the German Bundesliga. This time, Boniface misfired and was subbed for Czech international and forward, Adam Hlozek in the 79th minute, though they recorded a 3-0 win – with goals scored by Sepp van den Berg (own goal in the 18th minute), Alejandro Grimaldo (59th minute) and Jonas Hofmann in the 65th minute assisted by Amine Adli.

Former Villarreal player, Samuel Chukwueze was on the pitch for AC Milan when he took the place of Christian Pulisic in the 82nd minute against Lazio at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Prior to Pulisic’s ouster, he put Milan in front in the hour mark and Noah Okafor increased the tally in the 88th minute. Rafael Leao laid the assists for the both goals as Stefano Pioli’s team got the better of Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio 2 nil.

Kelechi Nwakali was on from the beginning in Chaves’ outfit as they slug it out with Arouca. Nwakali had no goal contribution and departed the game for Joao Pedro in the 79th minute. In the other end, Yusuf Lawal replaced Cristo Gonzales in the 82nd minute. Arouca’s player David Simao was sent off before half-time break and they lost 2-0.

Loanne from Watford, Samuel Kalu was seen donning the jersey of Lausanne at Servette in the Swiss Super League. Kalu came onto the pitch in the 65th minute as Rares IIie was ousted. He couldn’t salvage a point for his side as they lost lost 2-1 away from home.

Defensive midfielder, Ededem Essien was introduced in the 68th minute to replace Russian international, Aleksandr Troshechkin in Pari Nizhny Novgorod’s visit to Lokomotiv Moscow at RZD Arena. Rifat Zhemaletdinov’s goal for Lokomotiv Moscow in the 83rd minute separated both sides.

Kenneth Omeruo played all through for Kasimpasa versus Karagumruk at Ataturk Olimpiyat. While Omeruo’s side shipped in two goals, they were able to register 3, winning 3-2 on the road.

Right-back, Bright Osayi-Samuel was in action for Fenerbahce as they host Rizespor. Bright had a good outing – playing a vital role that ensured his team kept a clean sheet but was subbed for Mert Muldur in the 83rd minute. Ibrahim Olawoyin represented Rizespor – taking the place of Bosnian international, Dal Varesanovic in the 46th minute. At the end of 90 minutes, Bright’s Fenerbahce decimated Rizespor 5 nil.

Solomon John was called upon in Mlada Boleslav’s game with Bohemians in Czech Republic. John operated from the left side of the attack but couldn’t record a goal – and was substituted for Gambian international, Lamin Jawo in the 65th minute. John’s team claimed three points in a 2-1 triumph at Lokotrans Arena.

Isaac Success represented Udinese in their game with Genoa at Dacia Arena. Success had it tough and taken off for Florian Thauvin in the 58th minute. In the same team, goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye watched from the bench and Kingsley Ehizibue missed action due to injury. Udinese were red-carded (Sandi Lovric) in the latter stages of the tie, and both teams shared the spoils (2-2).

The duo of Chidozie Awaziem (right centre-back) and Sopuruchukwu Bruno Onyemaechi (left-back) featured for Boavista in the battle with Famalicao. They both played 90 minutes and the game had three red cards – two to Famalicao (Jhonder Cadiz – 69th minute and Jorge Oliveira (Chiquinho) – 70th minute, while Boavista’s red card came when Tiago Morais was given a second yellow card in the 78th minute. However, the game ended in a 2-2 scoreline.

As always, Taiwo Awoniyi started for Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest in their contest with Brentford at the City Ground. Awoniyi didn’t record a goal and made way for Chris Wood in the 81st minute. Frank Onyeka replaced Mathias Jensen for Brentford in the 69th minute. While Nottingham Forest (Moussa Niakhate was shown a red card after receiving a second yellow in the 56th minute), the encounter ended one-all. Christian Norgaard scored for Thomas Frank’s side two minutes before the hour mark and Nicolas Dominguez responded for Forest seven minutes later.

In the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, Jordan Torunarigha was donning the jersey of Gent in their clash with Racing White Daring Molenbeek (RWDM). Torunarigha played 90 minutes and he was joined by Gift Orban – who came on for Moroccan international, Tarik Tissoudali in the 68th minute. The game ended a goal apiece at Edmond Machtens Stadium.

Raphael Onyedika made Club Brugge’s team that faced St. Truiden at Jan Breydel Stadion. Onyedika made way for Colombian international, Eder Alvarez Balanta in the 46th minute as they played out a 1-1 draw.

Quadri Adediran and Wale Musa-Alli were in action for Ceske Budejovice versus Zlin at Stadion Letna. Adediran could not punish opposition with a goal and was substituted for Zdenek Ondrasek in the 62nd minute, and Musa-Alli was off for Pavel Osmancik in the 75th minute. Budejovice took the lead via Samuel Sigut before half-time whistle, while Antonin Fantis cancelled out Sigut’s goal in the 85th minute – leading to 1-1 outcome.

Ademola Lookman made Gian Piero Gasperini’s starting line-up as Atalanta battle Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus at Gewiss Stadium. Lookman was contained by opposition defenders – thus misfired and was subbed for Luis Muriel in the 65th minute. Both teams failed to register a goal and it ended 0-0.

Terem Moffi fired blank in Nice’s goalless draw with Brest at Allianz Riviera before Francesco Farioli replaced him with Evann Guessand in the 83rd minute.

The duo of Igoh Ogbu (centre-back) and Muhamed Tijani were involved in Slavia Prague’s contest with Teplice. Tijani was off for Mojmir Chytil in the 58th minute. Soufiane Drame (Teplice’s player) was given a red card before stoppage time and the game ended in a stalemate.

While Yusuf Alhassan was on for Dutch international, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp in the 80th minute; Chidera Ejuke didn’t get to feature in Antwerp’s game versus KV Mechelen. No goal to decide a winner – hence scoreless result.

Midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru played every minute of the game for Hatayspor against Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Lig and it ended all square (0-0).

Pierre Aristouy listed Moses Simon in Nantes’ team that visited Bruno Genesio’s Rennes at Roazhan Park. Simon misfired and Mostafa Mohamed also received a red card in the 77th minute – thus they lost 3-1 in the process. Benjamin Bourigeaud, Desire Doue and Arnaud Kalimuendo registered Rennes’ goals and Pedro Chirivella netted Nantes’ only goal.

Right-back, Tyronne Ebuehi tasted every minute of action for Empoli at Bologna in Serie A. Ebuehi and his teammates didn’t cover themselves in glory – conceding three and Riccardo Orsolini scoring all three to give Bologna a 3-0 victory.