Amidst the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) call-up which has seen most Nigerian players abroad return to the national team for the tournament, we did not relent in tracking others plying their trade outside the shores of the country.
Consequently, we had two goal contributions – a goal and an assist, with both players playing a pivotal role in their teams’ success.
Ibrahim Olawoyin scored Rizespor’s second goal in the 82nd minute as they defeated Hatayspor two nil at home in the Turkish Super Lig. Bosnian international, Dal Varesanovic had earlier struck the opener in the 19th minute. Olawoyin went ahead to play 90 minutes – and Azubuike Okechukwu was unavailable for the host owing to injury. Meanwhile, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru featured for the visitors all through the tie, but his side lost out.
In the same championship, Paul Onuachu located Edin Visca with a pass that led to a goal thirty minutes into the game which saw Trabzonspor claim a 1-0 victory over Ankaragucu at Eryaman Stadium. Abdullah Avci later subbed Onuachu for Enis Destan in the 84th minute.
Terem Moffi was involved all through for Nice against Auxerre in the Coupe De France. No goal was recorded after 90 minutes and the clash went into penalties. However, Moffi converted his spot-kick and they won 4-2 at Allianz Arena.
Midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali tasted action for Chaves against Famalicao in the Primeira Liga, Portugal. Nwakali had no goal contribution before he was substituted for Joao Pedro with eight minutes remaining. Both teams shared the spoils in a 2-2 result.
Babajide David Akintola had 90 under his belt from the left side of the midfield, linking with the attack in Adana Demirspor’s colours in their visit to Istanbul Basaksehir (Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium), though he could not find the back of the net and the tie ended in a stalemate.
Filippo Inzaghi called upon Simy Nwankwo in Salernitana’s face-off with Juventus in Serie A at Stadio Arechi. Nwankwo fired blank – and made way for fellow countryman, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi in the 77th minute. Giulio Maggiore reduced Salernitana to ten men after he received a second yellow card in the 53rd minute and Massimiliano Allegri’s side capitalized on it to win 2-1. Maggiore registered his team’s goal off Loum Tchaouna’s effort in the 39th minute before his ouster; while Samuel Iling Junior (65th minute) and Dusan Vlahovic (91st minute) made the scoresheet for the travellers.
Maduka Okoye kept his place in goal for Udinese having made his debut the last time out against Bologna, but this time versus Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio. The duo of Isaac Success and Kingsley Ehizibue were also substitutes in the same team. Success came on for Lorenzo Lucca seven minutes after the hour mark and Festy Ebosele made way for Ehizibue in the 75th minute. Success failed to score upon his introduction and Okoye conceded two, thus they lost 2-1 in front of their fans. Luca Pellegrini (12th minute) and Matias Vecino (76th minute) nicked it for the visitors; while Walace Souza Silva registered the goal for Gabriele Cioffi’s men in the 59th minute.
Tyronne Ebuehi commenced the game for Empoli as they welcome AC Milan to Stadio Carlo Castellani. Ebuehi operated from the right back position and exited the game for Filippo Ranocchia in the 28th minute due to injury. They equally suffered a 3-0 mauling in the hands of Stefano Pioli’s team. Rafael Leao provided the assist for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to break the deadlock after 11 minutes, Olivier Giroud’s penalty twenty minutes later doubled the lead and Chaka Traore teed up Christian Pulisic for the third in the 88th minute.
