Nigerian Players Abroad: Boniface, Durosinmi Score Brace as Simon, 3 Others Record a Goal Each

Nigerian players abroad amassed 5 assists and 8 goals amongst themselves over the weekend in a comparatively immature outset of the 2023/2024 season.

Victor Boniface registered two goals in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-1 win over Heidenheim at Bay Arena. Boniface struck into the bottom right corner nine minutes into the game for the opener assisted by Exequiel Palacios and slot in his second for Xabi Alonso’s side beating opposition goalkeeper, Kevin Muller in the 74th minute through a penalty. Boniface was later subbed for Adam Hlozek in the 84th minute. The 22-year-old has now scored six goals and registered two assists in the German Bundesliga this season.

Rafiu Durosinmi repeated last week’s feat – netting a brace for Viktoria Plzen as they breeze through FK Pardubice 6-2 at Doosan Arena in Czech Republic top-flight (Fortuna Liga). Durosinmi got his first goal and his side’s fifth in the 82nd minute, assisted by Lukas Kalvach and scored three minutes later (his side’s sixth goal feeding off Tomas Chory effort. Prior to his two goals, he found Lukas Kalvach with a pass that saw him score Plzen’s first goal in the 23rd minute.

Elsewhere, Moses Simon started for Nantes in their clash with Lorient in the French Ligue 1. Simon set up Matthis Abline for his team’s first goal three minute before half-time break; and converted a spot-kick in the latter stages of the game, sending Yvon Mvogo the wrong way for his side’s fifth goal. The winger also assisted Florent Mollet for the fourth goal in the 83rd minute. Pierre Aristouy’s Nantes edge Regis Le Bris men in eight-goal thriller (5-3) at Stade de la Beaujoire. Bonke Innocent missed action for Lorient due to injury.

In a related development, Ademola Lookman opened the scoring for Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta with an assist from Charles De Ketelaere in the 33rd minute against Cagliari. Lookman was substituted for Mario Pasalic in the 67th minute, who increased the lead in the 70th minute as Atalanta claimed a 2-0 victory over Claudio Ranieri’s side at Gewiss Stadium.

Tolu Arokodare came on for Luca Oyen in the 46th minute as Genk play host to St. Truiden in the Belgian Pro League. Arokodare scored his team’s second goal in the 71st minute with an assist from Patrik Hrosovsky, though the tie ended 3-3. Yira Sor was an unused substitute for Genk.

Abdullahi Tanko made his presence in the attack count for Banik Ostrava against Zlin – netting his side’s last goal in the 82nd minute, assisted by Jan Juroska – and was replaced by Jiri Klima a minute later. David Fadairo could only make Ostrava’s bench and they decimated opposition 5-1 at home.

Ibrahim Olawoyin started for Rizespor as they welcome Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Lig. Olawoyin provided the assist that saw Bosnian international, Dal Varesanovic level terms in the 35th minute, after going behind in the 7th minute through Samuel Saiz’s goal. Olawoyin walked off for Jonjo Shelvey in the 46th minute. In the other end, Ahmed Musa replaced Turkish international, Burak Kapacak in the 81st minute and the game ended a goal apiece.

Three Nigerian internationals were involved in the clash between Ceske Budejovice and Mlada Boleslav. Wale Musa-Alli and striker, Quadri Adediran were on till the end for Budejovice who played at home. Adediran provided the assist for Zdenek Ondrasek to score in the 75th minute. However, Solomon John operated from the left flank for the travellers but could not record a goal and assist – and departed the game for Martin Suchomel in the 69th minute. John’s team came out victorious in a 2-1 scoreline with goals from Dominik Kostka (8th minute) and Martin Suchomel (83rd minute).

Former Almeria player, Sadiq Umar made Imanol Alguacil’s team as Real Sociedad clash with Getafe at Reale Arena. Umar had no goal and assist to his name – and exited the game for Mikel Oyarzabal in the 58th minute. However, he was on the glorious side as they clinched a 4-3 success.

Gift Orban was present in Gent’s game against Eupen at KAA Gent Arena. Orban had his time on the pitch cut short after he received a red card in the 44th minute, while Jordan Torunarigha (Gent) was introduced for Belgian international, Malick Fofana in the 79th minute. Despite the ‘one man disadvantage’, Gent clinched a 2-1 triumph.

Terem Moffi led the attack for Nice against Adi Hutter’s Monaco at Stade Louis II. Moffi could not deliver and was substituted for French international, Evann Guessand in the 78th minute. Ivorian international, Jeremie Boga registered the only goal of the game with few minutes left, to propel Francesco Farioli’s Nice to a 1-0 slim victory in a tie Monaco striker, Folarin Balogun had two penalties saved by Marcin Bulka.

Kevin Akpoguma could only feature for few minutes in Hoffenheim shirts – taking the place of Pavel Kaderabek against Union Berlin. Andrej Kramaric (penalty – 22nd minute) and Maximilian Beier’s goal in the 38th minute assisted by Grischa Promel earned Pellegrino Matarazzo’s Hoffenheim 2-0 result over Urs Fischer’s side.

Victor Moses was involved in Spartak Moscow’s game with Dynamo Moscow in Russia Premier League. Moses had no goal contribution and was substituted for Russian international, Roman Zobnin in the 65th minute. Theo Bongonda’s finish seven minutes into the game made the difference for Spartak Moscow at Otkrytiye Arena.

It was not a good outing for Victor Osimhen in Napoli’s game with Bologna. Osimhen missed a penalty in the 72nd minute and was replaced by Giovanni Simeone with four minutes left on the clock. It finished in a stalemate for Rudi Garcia and Thiago Motta’s team at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Muhamed Tijani and Igoh Ogbu represented Slavia Prague in their contest with Sparta Prague at Fortuna Arena. Tijani was ousted for Mojmir Chytil in the 74th minute, while Victor Olatunji started for the away side and was subbed for Lukas Haraslin in the 61st minute. Both teams were red-carded in the 88th minute; Ladislav Krejci for Sparta Prague and Jan Boril for Slavia Prague, hence the tie ended 1-1.

Raphael Onyedika was in midfield for Club Brugge KV at Anderlecht in Lotto Park. Onyedika played every minute of the game and gave it a ‘good fight’ against opposition as they share the spoils (1-1).

Forward, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi was on for Pasquale Mazzocchi in the 67th minute for Salernitana versus Frosinone at Stadio Arechi. Ikwuemesi was restricted from scoring when he came on – and they were punished by Simeone Romagnoli’s header in the 12th minute but Jovane Cabral levelled scores in the 52nd minute from a close range – and it was 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Kelechi Nwakali in Chaves colours took the place of Portuguese international, Ruben Ribeiro in the 71st minute against Estrela. Nwakali did not have much influence on the game upon his introduction – and while the visitors, Estrela were reduced to ten men in the latter stages of the game following Mansur’s sending off, the tie finished two all.

Ahmad Ghali tasted action for Slovan Liberec in their battle with Teplice at Stadion U Nisy. Ghali failed to register a goal and assist – and Okoh Michael Chidera (Liberec) was substituted for Ivan Varfolomeev in the 66th minute, who netted his team’s third goal. Stepan Chaloupek scored an own goal through Ghali’s input in the 19th minute for Liberec’s first goal. Teplice finished the tie with ten men following Petr Hronek’s red card (second yellow) in the 73rd minute, and consequently 3-3 scoreline.

Former Flying Eagles star, Akor Adams led the line for Michel Der Zakarian’s side, Montpellier in their encounter with Rennes at Stade de la Mosson. Adams misfired and was taken off for Kelvin Yeboah in the 81st minute. The game didn’t produce any goal, hence stalemate affair after 90 minutes of action.

Alex Iwobi replaced Andreas Pereira in the 75th minute for Fulham against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Iwobi and his teammates found it difficult to break down the defence of Roy Hodgson’s side, thereby leading to goalless affair. Similarly, Calvin Bassey was an unused substitute for Fulham.

In the Swiss Super League, midfielder, Ifeanyi Matthew was in action for Zurich all through the game versus Lausanne at Stade de la Tuiliere. Meanwhile, Samuel Kalu replaced Alvyn Sanches for the opposition in the 71st minute. The contest finished goalless.

At the Brentford Community Stadium, Thomas Frank subbed Vitaly Janelt to introduce Frank Onyeka for Brentford in the 62nd minute against Everton. Onyeka’s presence was not enough to alter result in Brentford’s favour as they were wallopped 3-1 – with Abdoulaye Doucoure (6th minute), James Tarkowski (67th minute) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (71st minute) scoring for the Toffees, while Mathias Jensen netted for the host in the 28th minute.

The duo of Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi were in action for Nottingham Forest versus Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Aina was subbed for Divock Origi in the 75th minute -Awoniyi had a tough time and failed to score – and also made way for Chris Wood same time, though Rodri was red-carded in the 46th minute, but Phil Foden’s strike and Erling Haaland’s header was enough for the defending champions to get the better of Steve Cooper’s men in a 2-0 scoreline.

Loanee from Nottingham Forest, Emmanuel Dennis was available for Basaksehir against Galatasaray. Dennis fired blank and made way for Deniz Turuc in the 46th minute. Leo Dubois recorded Basaksehir’s goal, while Hakim Ziyech and Mauro Icardi scored for Galatasaray in the 43rd and 50th minute respectively as they secured a 2-1 victory on the road.

Andrea Sottil called on Isaac Success in the 63rd minute to replace Florian Thauvin in Udinese’s face-off with Fiorentina at Dacia Arena. Success could not punish rival – and goals by Lucas Martinez Quarta (32nd minute) & Giacomo Bonaventura few minutes to stoppage time resulted in Fiorentina’s 2-0 victory. Also, goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye and Kingsley Ehizibue did not get to feature for Udinese.

Adeleke Akinyemi was in the attack for Karvina at Slovacko. Akinyemi could not find the back of the net and in the same team, Lucky Ezeh was subbed on for Patrik Cavos in the 73rd minute, while David Moses replaced Daniel Bartl same time. At the end of the game, Karvina lost 2-0 on the road.

Forward, Segun James Adeniyi was subbed on for Turkish international, Ahmet Yazar in the 46th minute for Tuzlaspor in their visit to Boluspor. Adeniyi failed to register a goal for his side and they lost 2-1 on the road. Guinean international, Guy-Michel Landel scored twice (23rd and 75th minute) for Boluspor; while Kevin Nzuzi Mata recorded the goal for the visitors in the hour mark, with assist created by Samet Asatekin.

Tyronne Ebuehi held the right-back position for Empoli as they slug it out with Simeone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan. Ebuehi was present for the entirety of the game but Federico Dimarco’s goal in the 51st minute ensured Inter got one over Empoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani.