In our tracking of Nigerian players abroad over the weekend for this piece, we witnessed the unleashing of thirteen goals contribution – seven goals and six assists.
Terem Moffi punished Paris Saint-Germain twice as Nice stunned Luis Enrique’s side in a 3-2 result at Parc des Princes. Moffi opened the scoring of the encounter in the 21st minute – and registered his second goal (Nice’s third of the game) with the assist provided by Gaetan Laborde in the 68th minute. The loanee from Lorient also set up Gaetan Laborde for his side’s second goal in the 53rd minute and departed the game in the 80th minute for Jeremie Boga. French international, Kylian Mbappe also registered two goals in the tie – netting in the 29th and 87th minute with the support of Achraf Hakimi and Randal Kolo Muani but he was on the losing side. Moffi has now amassed 3 goals and registered two assists in 5 league games for Nice this season.
Centre-forward, Rafiu Durosinmi followed the footsteps of Moffi, scoring a brace for Viktoria Plzen in their 7-1 win over Zlin on the road (Stadion Letna). Durosinmi’s first goal (Plzen’s fifth) came in the 49th minute through an assist from Jan Kopic and fired in his second and his side’s sixth goal in the 57th minute – assisted by Liberian international, Sampson Dweh. Durosinmi was also involved in another goal by setting up Pavel Sulc to put the ball in the back of the net for the third goal in the 26th minute. He was later substituted by Miroslav Koubek, with Jan Kliment taking his place in the 62nd minute. Though the opposition led by Pavel Vrba played the most part of the game with ten men following the sending off of Czech player, Jakub Cernin seven minutes into the game.
Ademola Lookman also made it to the scoresheet in Atalanta’s tie against Fiorentina at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Lookman started the game for Gian Piero Gasperini’s tutored side and in the 53rd minute, he struck the ball into the bottom left corner to beat Pietro Terracciano for his team’s second goal after linking up with Marten de Roon’s pass. Lookman was substituted for Mario Pasalic in the 59th minute and they lost out 3-2 to Vincenzo Italiano’s men. Teun Koopmeiners scored the first goal (deflection) for Atalanta in the 20th minute, while goals from the trio of Giacomo Bonaventura, Lucas Martinez Quarta and Christian Kouame in the 34th, 45th and 76th minute respectively turned the tie in Fiorentina’s favour.
In a related development, Moses Simon recorded the only goal of the game in Nantes’ victory over Clermont in the French Ligue 1. Moses Simon made a good use of Florent Mollet’s effort to slot the ball into the back of the net in the 48th minute as Pierre Aristouy’s men clinched the vital win over Pascal Gastien’s side.
Elsewhere, Victor Olatunji came on for Jan Kuchta in the 61st minute in Sparta Prague’s contest with Slovacko. Olatunji found the back of the net with a header twenty minutes later for his side’s fifth goal with a cross from Jakub Pesek as Brian Priske’s Prague whitewash Martin Svedik’s team at Epet Arena.
In the same championship, three Nigerian internationals were involved in the clash between Sigma Olomouc and Ceske Budejovice. Dele Israel came on for Jan Navratil with seven minutes on the clock representing Olomouc, while the duo of Wale Musa-Alli and striker, Quadri Adediran started for Budejovice. Alli played every minute of the game, whereas Adediran was replaced by Tomas Zajic in the 69th minute. In the 20th minute, Alli created the assist that ensured Jiri Skalak got a breakthrough. However, Israel was on the winning side as they see out the game in a 2-1 scoreline at Andruv Stadion.
Solomon John started from the left flank of Mlada Boleslav against Hradec Kralove in Czech Republic top division. John found joy as early as the fifth minute – finding Daniel Marecek, who scored his side’s opener. He was subbed off for Tomas Ladra in the 75th minute and they decimated opposition 5-1 at Lokotrans Arena.
Still in Czech Republic top division, Abdullahi Tanko was introduced to take the place of Filip Kubala in the 72nd minute, representing Banik Ostrava against Bohemians.Tanko set up Matej Sin to get the equaliser with three minutes left on the clock, after trailing in the 80th minute through Antonin Krapka’s header from a free-kick taken by Robert Hruby – and the game eventually ended a goal apiece at Dolicek after full-time whistle. Also, David Fadairo could only watch from the bench for Banik Ostrava as he didn’t get to feature in the tie.
Far away in Belgium (Jupiler Pro League), Swiss international and striker, Andi Zeqiri exited the game for Tolu Arokodare in the 77th minute as Genk travelled to face Royale Union SG at Stade Joseph Marien. While Zeqiri assisted Joseph Paintsil to break the deadlock for Genk in the 16th minute, Arokodare made the hope of any comeback inevitable for the opposition by creating a chance for Matias Galarza to register the second goal at the death of the minute. Hence, they came out victorious in a 2-0 result.
In the battle between Westerlo and Royal Antwerp, Yusuf Alhassan came on for Belgian international and midfielder, Arthur Vermeeren in the 84th minute as they won in a comprehensive manner (3-0) away from home (Het Kuipje).
Raphael Onyedika was present in Club Brugge’s midfield as they slug it out with Charleroi at Jan Breydel Stadion. Onyedika shielded his side’s defence for the entirety of the game, putting in timely tackles and interceptions but they conceded twice – though, they won 4-2 in a six-goal thriller in front of their fans.
Victor Moses started for Spartak Moscow in their tie with Dmitri Khokhlov’s Sochi at Otkrytiye Arena. Moses wasn’t able to punish opposition, which lead to his ouster from the game in the 66th minute, as he was replaced by Paraguayan international, Jesus Medina. Left-back, Solomon Agbalaka could only make Sochi’s bench. Meanwhile, Serbian international and defender, Srdan Babic, with assist created by Quincy Promes at the death of the minute scored the only goal of the encounter to separate both sides, giving Guille Abascal’s Spartak Moscow a 1-0 win.
Anthony Uzodimma held his own in the right-back position, playing every minute of the game for Kayserispor against Gaziantep at Kadir Has Stadium. Uzodimma’s performance was pivotal to his side keeping a clean sheet as they won 2-0 with goals scored by Mame Thiam (brace) in the 6th minute, through a penalty and the second in the 89th minute.
The duo of centre-back, Igoh Ogbu and striker, Muhamed Tijani started for Slavia Prague in their tie with FK Pardubice at CFIG Arena. Ogbu played all through the game and was dogged in defending, which morphed into his side keeping a clean sheet in the process. On the other hand, Tijani didn’t score a goal and was off for Mojmir Chytil in the 68th minute. Vaclav Jurecka scored the winner for Prague after converting a penalty in the 28th minute.
Similarly, the duo of Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi took part in the second half as Fulham play host to Luton Town at Craven Cottage. Iwobi replaced Harrison Reed in the 63rd minute, while Bassey was subbed on for Willian in the latter stages of the game. Iwobi (former Everton player) didn’t register a goal or assist upon his introduction, however, Carlos Vinicius’ goal five minutes after the hour mark aided Marco Silva’s side to nick it over the team led by Owen Edwards.
Segun James Adeniyi was also in action for Tuzlaspor in the Turkish Super Lig as they welcome Adanaspor AS at home. Eren Safak introduced Adeniyi in the 58th minute to replace Cameroonian international and striker, Abdoulaye Yahaya but he couldn’t record a goal. Midfielder and French international, Abdoulaye Dabo opened the scoring for Ozhan Pulat’s Adanaspor in the 32nd minute, while Kevin Nzuzi Mata’s goal a minute after the hour mark and Azerbaijani international and defender, Bakhtiyar Hasanalizada’s goal in the 70th minute witnessed the host come from behind to earn a 2-1 triumph.
Former Royale Union SG forward, Victor Boniface played every minute of action for Bayer Leverkusen against Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena. Boniface showed moments of brilliance for Xabi Alonso’s side – thereby putting the rival defenders under pressure but it didn’t amount to goal or assist. Meanwhile, England striker and former Tottenham Hotspur player, Harry Kane scored first in the 10th minute – while Alejandro Grimaldo levelled scores in the 24th minute. Thomas Tuchel’s men went ahead yet again through Leon Goretzka with a finish into the bottom right corner in the 86th minute and the away side responded via Exequiel Palacios at the death of the minute to see out the tie in a 2-2 scoreline.
Victor Osimhen tasted every minute of the game for Napoli against Genoa at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Osimhen fired blank and could aslo not get an assist, however Mattia Bani and Mateo Retegui put Alberto Gilardinho’s Genoa in front with two goals in the 40th and 56th minute, while Giacomo Raspadori and Matteo Polotano goals in the 76th and 84th minute rallied Rudi Garcia’s Napoli back into the game as the tie ended two-all.
Akor Adams was upfront in Montpellier’s colours as they travel to play Strasbourg at Stade de la Meinau. Adams was kept in check by opposition defenders, leading to his misfiring and was subbed for Kelvin Yeboah in the 70th minute. Patrick Vieira’s side and Michel Der Zakarian’s Montpellier shared the spoils in a 2-2 result. While Wahbi Khazri and Arnaud Nordin scored for Montpellier to give them a two-goal lead in the 35th and 40th minute respectively, Benjamin Lecomte (own goal) in the 63rd minute and Lebo Mothiba’s goal six minutes later propelled Strasbourg to fight back as the game ended two goals apiece.
Gift Orban was involved in Gent’s game against Leuven at Den Dreef. Orban beat his markers on a number of occasions but it didn’t result into a goal or assist and he was subbed for Moroccan international and winger, Tarik Tissoudali in the 67th minute. Norwegian striker, Jonatan Brunes registered the first goal of the tie to give Leuven the lead six minutes into the game, while Ismael Kandouss levelled terms for Gent in the 37th minute as Marc Brys’ Leuven and Hein Vanhaezebrouck side ended the game in a 1-1 result. In the same vein, defender, Jordan Torunarigha was an unused substitute for Gent.
Ahmed Ghali started for Slovan Liberec against Jablonec at Stadion Strelnice and went ahead to feature all through. In the same team, Okoh Michael Chidera came on for Luka Kulenovic in the 72nd minute. Lubomir Tupta gave Liberec the lead in the 8th minute and Nemanja Tekijaski restored parity for the host, utilizing Matej Polidar’s cross in the 53rd minute, with the game ending 1-1 after 90 minutes of action.
Thomas Frank trotted off Christian Norgaard for Frank Onyeka in the 72nd minute in Brentford’s face-off with Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at the St. James’ Park. Though, Onyeka was able to give the Bees stability in midfield when he was introduced but Callum Wilson’s strike off the spot-kick in the 64th minute was enough to secure all three points for the Magpies.
Adeleke Akinyemi led Karvina’s attack in their home tie at Town Stadium, Karvina with Teplice. Akinyemi failed to score and did not register an assist and was subbed for Martin Dolezal in the 73rd minute. In the same team, David Moses replaced Lukas Budinsky in the 73rd minute and Lucky Ezeh came on for Patrik Cavos in the 80th minute, albeit they lost 1-0 through Daniel Fila’s goal in the 82nd minute.
Olarenwaju Kayode took the place of Chinese player, Wu Shacong in the 76th minute – donning the jersey of Genclerbirligi as they host Eyupspor at Eryaman Stadium. Kayode had no goal contribution when he came on and they were defeated 3-1 in front of their fans. Also, forward, Chukwuma Akabueze (Bentley) didn’t get involved at all for the host.
Imanol Alguacil subbed on Umar Sadiq to replace Mikel Oyarzabal in the 81st minute against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu. Sadiq could not hurt the Spanish heavyweight in the few minutes given, though Ander Barrenetxea scored the first goal of the game in the fifth minute and the Los Blancos turned things around with goals from Federico Valverde (46th minute) and Joselu (60th minute) assisted by Fran Garcia to pip the travellers 2-1.
Former yellow submarines (Villarreal) player, Samuel Chukwueze was involved in AC Milan’s game with their rival, Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Chukwueze was introduced in the 56th minute – replacing American international and former Chelsea player, Christian Pulisic. Chukwueze had little or no impact as Stefano Pioli’s men were pummeled 5-1. Henrik Mkhitaryan recorded two goals – Hakan Calhanoglu, Marcus Thuram and David Frattesi were also on the scoresheet for Inter, while Portuguese international, Rafael Leao scored Stefano Pioli’s side only goal in the 57th minute.
