Nigerian Players Abroad: Lookman on Target as Okoye Keep Clean Sheet in First League Appearance

It was not an impressive outing for Nigerian players abroad in terms of numbers over the weekend as we recorded just a goal for this piece.

Ademola Lookman registered the only goal of the game in the 58th minute to see Atalanta beat Roberto D’ Aversa’s Lecce 1-0 at Gewiss Stadium. Gian Piero Gasperini later subbed Lookman for Aleksey Miranchuk in the latter stages.

Maduka Okoye was in between the sticks for Udinese – his first League appearance against Bologna. Okoye kept a clean sheet and Isaac Success took the place of Lorenzo Lucca with three minutes left as they breezed through opposition in a 3-0 scoreline in front of their fans. Bologna manager, Thiago Motta was shown a red card in the 83rd minute – and the trio of Roberto Pereyra (23rd minute), Lorenzo Lucca (48th minute) and Martin Payero (52nd minute) made the scoresheet for the side led by Gabriele Cioffi.

Ola Aina featured for Nottingham Forest as they welcome Manchester United to the City Ground. Aina operated from the left-back and provided steel for his side until he exited the contest for Harry Toffolo in the 87th minute. Taiwo Awoniyi missed action for Nottingham owing to groin injury – and they won 2-1. Nicolas Dominguez, who was set up by Gonzalo Montiel scored the first goal for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the 64th minute and Anthony Elanga, freed by Morgan Gibbs-White fired home the second in the 82nd minute; while Marcus Rashford registered United’s goal in the 78th minute off Alejandro Garnacho’s pass.

The duo of Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi were involved in Fulham’s game with Arsenal at Craven Cottage. Bassey saw the end of the game, while Iwobi didn’t as Marco Silva subbed him for Andreas Pereira in the 72nd minute – and they defeated the Gunners 2-1. Raul Jimenez (29th minute) and Bobby De Cordova-Reid (60th minute) netted for Marco Silva’s side; while Bukayo Saka registered Arsenal’s goal five minutes into the tie.

Former Villarreal player, Samuel Chukwueze came on for Rafael Leao in the 81st minute as AC Milan slug it out with Alessio Dionisi’s Sassuolo at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Christian Pulisic’s goal, with the effort of Ismael Bennacer in the 59th minute sealed a one nil win for Stefano Pioli’s side.

Simy Nwankwo led the line for Salernitana in their visit to Verona in the Italian Serie A. Nwankwo failed to register a goal and Filippo Inzaghi replaced him for compatriot, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi in the 88th minute. Salernitana got the better of Marco Baroni’s men on the road following Loum Tchaouna’s finish in the 48th minute.

At Unipol Domus where Empoli faced Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari, Tyronne Ebuehi held the right-back position for Aurelio Andreazzoli’s team playing the entirety of the tie and it ended in a stalemate.

Bruno Onyemaechi and Chidozie Awaziem were in action for Boavista against Gil Vicente in the Portuguese top-flight. Onyemaechi, in the left-back position was subbed for Portuguese player, Filipe Ferreira in the 74th minute and Awaziem, in the heart of defence played every minute, but they were on the losing side following Murilo Costa’s strike (penalty) four minutes after the hour mark.

Midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali had 62 minutes under his belt donning Chaves’ shirt versus Porto at Estadio do Dragao in Primeira Liga (Portugal) before he was taken off for Bernardo Sousa (Benny). Nwakali’s input before his ouster was not enough to clinch a point for Luis Morgado’s team, hence Joao Mario struck after 58 minutes to seal it for the host, managed by Sergio Conceicao.

The duo of Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers started for Rangers versus Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership. Balogun’s time on the pitch came to end when he was red carded in the 71st minute, whereas Dessers completed the game, though they lost 2-1. Paulo Bernardo (25th minute) and Kyogo Furuhashi (47th minute) scored for Celtic – while James Tavernier got the goal for Philippe Clement’s side in the 88th minute.

Frank Onyeka was a substitute (63rd minute) replacing Mads Roerslev Rasmussen in Brentford’s colours against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Roy Hodgson’s men came out victorious in a 3-1 result. Jordan Ayew provided the assist for Michael Olise’s goal in the 14th minute, Eberechi Eze grabbed the second after 39 minutes and Olise recorded his brace for the third two minutes before the hour mark. Similarly, Rasmussen teed up Keane Lewis-Potter for Brentford’s goal two minutes into the game.