Not so many games involving Nigerian players abroad over the weekend; but we witnessed three (3) goals involvement (a goal and 2 assists) amongst those featured in this piece.
Babajide David Akintola broke the deadlock as early as the first minute feeding off Turkish international, Yusuf Sari for Adana Demirspor in their clash with Antalyaspor at Yeni Adana Stadyumu in the Turkish Super Lig. While Akintola was on till the final whistle, Emre Akbaba doubled the lead in the 45th minute – and Erdogan Yesilyurt put in one for the visitors with five minutes remaining to see Demirspor claim a 2-1 victory.
Paul Onuachu led the attack in Trabzonspor’s colours against Istanbul Basaksehir at Papara Park. Onuachu set up Batista Mendy for his side’s equalizer in the 34th minute after Dimitrios Pelkas gave Cagdas Atan’s men the lead twelve minutes into the game. Both teams shared a point in a one-all result and Abdullah Avci subbed off Onuachu for Enis Destan in the 71st minute.
The duo of Chidera Ejuke and Alhassan Yusuf featured in Royal Antwerp’s home game (Bosuilstadion) against Westerlo in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. Ejuke operated from the left flank all through the tie and Yusuf, who came on for Jurgen Ekkelenkamp in the 63rd minute assisted Toby Alderweireld for the second goal twenty-two minutes later. Arbnor Muja fired home the first for Mark Van Bommel’s men before half-time break and Lucas Stassin grabbed a brace for the side led by Rik De Mil in the 71st and 77th minute respectively (2-2).
Raphael Onyedika was present in midfield for Club Brugge KV against RWD Molenbeek at Edmond Machtens Stadium in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. Onyedika had an impressive performance before he was replaced by Polish international, Michal Skoras in the 77th minute and they decimated opposition 6-1. Igor Thiago scored an hat-trick in the 9th, 55th & 66th minute – and Philip Zinckernagel (9th minute), Andreas Skov Olsen (45th minute) and Hans Vanaken (72nd minute) completed the six goals; while Ilay Camara scored the only goal for the host four minutes before the hour mark.
Forward, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi replaced injured Boulaye Dia in the 48th minute and Simy Nwankwo didn’t feature for Filippo Inzaghi’s Salernitana versus AC Milan. Meanwhile, Samuel Chukwueze represented AC Milan, coming on for Christian Pulisic in the 70th minute. The tie finished 2-2 at Stadio Arechi. Federico Fazio (42nd minute) and Antonio Candreva (63rd minute) registered Salernitana’s goals; while Fikayo Tomori (17th minute) and Luka Jovic (90th minute) were on target for Stefano Pioli’s side. Salernitana goalkeeper, Vincenzo Fiorillo, who was on the bench was shown a red card in the 95th minute.
Kingsley Ehizibue and Issac Success played for Udinese in their face-off with Torino. Gabriele Cioffi subbed on Ehizibue for injured Hassane Kamara in the 71st minute and Success was introduced for Festy Ebosele seven minutes later, while goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye only made the bench. However, it ended a goal apiece – and it was Oier Zarraga, who netted for Udinese in the 81st minute and Ivan Ilic levelled terms for Ivan Juric’s tutored side with two minutes left on the clock.
Bright Osayi-Samuel was present in the right-back position for Fenerbahce as they play host to Galatasaray at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul. Bright played the entirety of the game but his team couldn’t find the back of the net – and their rival also failed to score, hence the tie ended in a stalemate.
Former RB Leipzig player, Ademola Lookman was in action for Atalanta against Bologna. Lookman had no goal contribution and Gian Piero Gasperini subbed him for Gianluca Scamacca in the 72nd minute. Lewis Ferguson’s header in the 86th minute secured the winner for Bologna at home.
Nuno Espirito Santo threw in Ola Aina for Harry Toffolo in the 85th minute as Nottingham Forest slug it out with Bournemouth. Taiwo Awoniyi missed action for Nottingham due to injury and they were defeated 3-2 at City Ground. Anthony Elanga (47th minute) and Chris Wood (74th minute) registered Nottingham’s goals, whereas Dominic Solanke struck thrice for Andoni Iraola’s team in the 51st, 58th and 94th minute respectively. Nottingham player, Wily Boly was red carded in the 23rd minute.
Yira Sor and Tolu Arokodare were in action for Genk versus Anderlecht. Sor commenced the game and was replaced by compatriot, Tolu Arokodare eight minutes after the hour mark. Before his ouster, Sor fired blank and Arokodare also couldn’t find the back of the net upon his introduction. Genk had two red cards in the latter stages; one was shown to Joseph Paintsil and the other to the manager, Wouter Vrancken – and they lost 2-1 on the road (Lotto Park). Theo Leoni (74th minute) and Anders Dreyer (91st minute) recorded the goals for Brian Riemer’s team – while Alieu Fadera struck for Genk in the 70th minute.
Victor Osimhen started for Napoli against Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma in the Italian Serie A. Osimhen was red-carded after receiving a second yellow in the 86th minute. He got his first in the 73rd minute. Matteo Politano had earlier received the first red card for Walter Mazzarri’s side in the 66th minute. Consequently, they suffered a two nil loss to Roma at Stadio Olimpico with goals registered by Lorenzo Pellegrini off El Shaarawy’s effort in the 76th minute and Romelu Lukaku; assisted by Evan Ndicka in the 96th minute.
Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi made Marco Silva’s starting line-up for Fulham versus Vincent Kompany’s Burnley in front of their fans (Craven Cottage). Bassey played every minute of action, partnering with Tosin Adarabioyo in the heart of defence. Similarly, Iwobi was on the pitch all through the encounter, but they were pipped by opposition 2-0 – and Wilson Odobert, assisted by Lyle Foster (47th minute) and Sander Berge (66th minute) with Odobert’s pass yet again secured the maximum points for the winners.
Right-back, Tyronne Ebuehi played the entirety of the game for Aurelio Andreazzoli’s Empoli as they welcome Lazio to Stadio Carlo Castellani. Ebuehi and his teammates conceded twice, thus they were pipped 2-0. Matteo Guendouzi (9th minute) and Mattia Zaccagni (67th minute) made it count for Maurizio Sarri’s side.
Samson Lawal had four minutes under his belt replacing Joel Nouble in the 86th minute in Livingston’s visit to Celtic (Celtic Park), but the host got the better of them in a two nil scoreline.
Thanks for your unflinching support since the inception of TheLensNG in the course of the year as this will be the last piece on Nigerian players abroad for 2023, we will continue to promote Nigerian football come 2024. In the meantime, stay with us for other interesting stories. Merry Christmas!!!
