Nigerian Players Abroad: Dessers, Moffi, 2 Others on Target as Tella Record Assist

We gathered five (5) goals contributions (4 goals and 1 assist) amongst Nigerian players abroad featured in this week’s piece.

Cyriel Dessers registered Rangers second goal capitalising on Todd Cantwell’s effort before half-time break in their 3-1 success over Hibernian at Ibrox Stadium in the Scottish Premiership. English international, James Tavernier struck for the first goal in the 26th minute and Rabbi Matondo on target for the third with five minutes left. Similarly, Myziane Maolida scored for Hibernian to make it 1-1, though they eventually lost. Dessers did not witness the entirety of the game, thus replaced by Abdallah Sima in the 80th minute – and Leon Balogun was an unused substitute for Philippe Clement’s side.

Terem Moffi netted for Nice after slotting in a penalty in the 72nd minute against Nantes at Allianz Riviera but they were pipped 2-1 as Matthis Albine (19th minute) and Mostafa Mohamed’s penalty in the 76th minute made it count for Antoine Kombouare’s team.

Abdullahi Tanko and Quadri Adediran made the scoresheet for Banik Ostrava in a comprehensive 4-1 win over Teplice. Tanko broke the deadlock after six minutes and Adediran who replaced Jiri Klima in the 81st minute registered the fourth seven minutes later. Matus Rusnak (22nd minute) and Ewerton (51st minute) scored second and third respectively; while Nojus Audinis had one in for Teplice in the 76th minute.

Nathan Tella was a substitute for Bayer Leverkusen replacing Jeremie Frimpong with four minutes left in their face-off with Hoffenheim at Bay Arena. Tella provided the assist for his side’s second goal via Patrik Schick five minutes later. Hoffenheim took the lead following Maximilian Beier’s finish in the 33rd minute and Robert Andrich fired home the equaliser in the 88th minute giving Xabi Alonso’s men a 2-1 victory. Leverkusen remains unbeaten in 39 consecutive matches – the only team yet to taste defeat in European major leagues this season. Victor Boniface was unavailable for Leverkusen owing to groin injury and Kevin Akpoguma could only make the bench of opposition.

Jordan Torunarigha was in action for Gent against St. Liege in Belgium. Torunarigha put in a good shift till he was substituted for Jorthy Mokio in the 90th minute and they decimated opposition 5-1 at KAA Gent Arena.

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were involved in the clash between Napoli and Atalanta at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples. Osimhen led the attack for the host all through but misfired; while Gian Piero Gasperini introduced Lookman for Gianluca Scamacca in the 61st minute – and they dispatched Francesco Calzona’s side 3-0.

In Czech Republic, Ahmad Ghali commenced Slovan Liberec’s tie with Viktoria Plzen at Doosan Arena. Ghali was later substituted for Michal Fukala in the 57th minute and they came out victorious in a 3-1 result. Meanwhile, Rafiu Durosinmi couldn’t play for Plzen due to injury.

Igoh Ogbu and Muhamed Tijani donned the jersey of Slavia Prague at Slovacko. Ogbu started the game in Prague’s defence and Jindrich Trpisovsky brought on Tijani for Mojmir Chytil in the 88th minute; while Bolu Ogungbayi did not make it past the bench. They were on the winning side in a 3-1 scoreline.

Solomon John had 28 minutes under his belt for Mlada Boleslav versus Zlin, replacing Daniel Marecek in the 62nd minute and they won 3-2. Kenneth Ikugar did not feature for Zlin due to injury.

Former Flying Eagles star, Akor Adams was upfront for Montpellier at Le Havre (Stade Oceane). Adams could not record a goal and Michel Der Zakarian took him off for Tanguy Coulibaly in the 73rd minute but they a claimed a 2-0 glory.

Stefano Pioli named Samuel Chukwueze in AC Milan’s starting line-up that faced Fiorentina at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Chukwueze was deployed on the right flank but could not punish rival and exited the game for Christian Pulisic in the 73rd minute. Milan secured a 2-1 triumph with goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao; while Alfred Duncan recorded Fiorentina’s only goal.

David Okereke played upfront for Torino alongside Duvan Zapata versus Monza in the Serie A. Okereke could not find the back of the net and departed the game for Antonio Sanabria in the 62nd minute, who later gave his side the winner through a spot kick in the 69th minute. Meanwhile, Monza ended the encounter with ten men after Matteo Pessina was sent off in the 72nd minute.

Wale Musa-Alli was available in the attack for Ceske Budejovice as they slug it out with Sparta Prague. Wale could not salvage a point for his side as they lost to Veljko Birmancevic’s strike in the 17th minute. Victor Olatunji came on for the winning team, replacing Lukas Haraslin in the 63rd minute.

The duo of Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi featured for Marco Silva’s Fulham at Sheffield United (Bramall Lane). Bassey played 90 minutes in centre-back partnership with Tosin Adarabioyo, while Iwobi was replaced by Tom Cairney in the 74th minute. They shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller (3-3) at the end of proceedings.

Ifeanyi Matthew was present in Zurich’s midfield against Basel at St. Jakob-Park. Matthew was available all through with the clash ending two-goal apiece.

Nuno Espirito Santo selected Ola Aina for Nottingham Forest’s encounter with Crystal Palace at City Ground. Aina suffered an injury and made way for Harry Toffolo in the 84th minute. However, the tie ended one-all with Eberechi Eze assisting Jean-Philippe Mateta for the opener 11 minutes into the game and Chris Wood feeding off Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross to level terms a minute after the hour mark. Meanwhile, Taiwo Awoniyi was missing in action for Nottingham due to muscle injury.

Gift Orban paired Alexandre Lacazette in Lyon’s attack as they welcome Reims to Parc Olympique Lyonnais in the French Ligue 1. Orban fired blank and exited the tie for Mama Balde in the 72nd minute. Joseph Okumu gave the visitors the advantage in the 55th minute – and Ernest Nuamah restored parity 10 minutes later through a header to see out the contest in a 1-1 result.

Alberto Gilardinho threw in David Ankeye for Milan Badelj in the 76th minute as Genoa play host to Frosinone at Stadio Luigi Ferraris and it finished 1-1. Albert Gudmundsson converted a penalty for Genoa in the 30th minute – and Reinier Carvalho scored for Frosinone six minutes later.

Chidozie Awaziem and Bruno Onyemaechi were also in action for Boavista versus Rio Ave in Primeira Liga (Portuguese top division). They both played 90 minutes and despite the sending off of Ghanaian forward, Emmanuel Boateng for Rio Ave in the 62nd minute, the contest ended in a stalemate.

David Moses and Adeleke Akinyemi played for Karvina in their game with Hradec Kralove at Malsovicka Arena. Moses started in midfield and was later ousted for Aboubacar Traore in the 66th minute; while Akinyemi came on for Martin Dolezal same time. The duo of Emmanuel Ayaosi and Lucky Ezeh were unused substitutes for Karvina and with red card to Amar Memic before half-time whistle, they fell short of victory in a 2-1 result.

The duo of Chidera Ejuke and Alhassan Yusuf featured for Royal Antwerp against Anderlecht at Lotto Park. Ejuke, who held the right wing of the attack was off for Soumalia Coulibaly in the 46th minute, while Yusuf in midfield witnessed every minute of the tie. Similarly, Victor Udoh replaced George Ilenikhena in the 81st minute and they were reduced to ten men following a red card shown to Owen Wijndal in the 43rd minute, hence they lost by a lone goal.

Junior Pius operated from the left back position in Chaves’ colours versus Benfica on the road but they lost to Joao Neves’ header in the 68th minute – and Kelechi Nwakali was an unused substitute for Chaves.