Nigerian Players Abroad: Sor, 2 Others Net Brace as Boniface, Sadiq Record a Goal Each

Having tracked Nigerian players abroad across different countries in Europe over the weekend, we were able to record eight goals amongst those featured.

Yira Sor recorded brace for Genk as they play host to Gent at Cegeka Arena. Sor grabbed his first goal in the 21st minute and scored the second thirty minutes later. Wouter Vrancken subbed him for compatriot, Tolu Arokodare in the 76th minute. Meanwhile, Hein Vanhaezebrouck featured Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha for Gent. Orban was involved till the end and Torunarigha made way for Nurio Fortuna in the 46th minute. Tarik Tissoudali also had a brace in the tie, thus 2-2 at the end of action.

Elsewhere, Ibrahim Olawoyin also scored twice in Rizespor’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir at home. Olawoyin struck for his first in the 13th minute with assist provided by Jonjo Shelvey – and the second (his side’s third) at the death of the minute feeding off Benhur Keser’s pass.

Bosnian international, Dal Varesanovic registered Rizespor’s second goal in the 17th minute. Meanwhile, Polish player, Krzysztof Piatek (6th minute) and Jerome Opoku (45th minute) found the back of the net for Basaksehir. Azubuike Okechukwu missed action for Rizespor owing to ankle injury.

Kenneth Mamah registered two goals for Goztepe versus Giresunspor in their 3 nil success (TFF First League in Turkey). Mamah struck in the 23rd (his team’s first goal) and 72nd minute (his side’s third goal) respectively – and Faruk Can Genc put the ball in his own net in the 55th minute for the second goal. He was subbed for Turkish player, Firatcan Uzum in the 87th minute.

Victor Boniface scored for Bayer Leverkusen in their face-off with Dortmund at Bay Arena. Boniface found the back of the net in the 79th minute to seal a point for Xabi Alonso’s side after Julian Ryers had earlier put the visitors in front as early as five minutes. The goal takes his tally to eight in the German Bundesliga so far this season.

In a related development, Umar Sadiq got a goal for Real Sociedad in the 41st minute at Osasuna (Estadio El Sadar). Imanol Alguacil later subbed him for Mikel Oyarzabal in the 75th minute. Moi Gomez had earlier put Osasuna in front two minutes into the game, hence 1-1 scoreline.

Kenneth Omeruo played in defence for Kasimpasa against Gaziantep and he was red-carded in the latter stages, though they edged their rival 4-2 in front of their fans.

Former Villarreal player, Samuel Chukwueze had no goal contribution in AC Milan’s game with Frosinone. Chukwueze was then trotted off for Yacine Adli in the 64th minute and they enjoyed a 3-1 success at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Luka Jovic, Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori scored for AC Milan – while Marco Brescianini’s free-kick was the goal for the travellers.

Frank Onyeka shielded the defence effectively for Thomas Frank’s Brentford against Luton Town. However, they conceded one and outscored opposition, thus they breezed through Rob Edward’s Luton 3-1 at Brentford Community Stadium.

Raphael Onyedika did a yeoman’s job for Club Brugge KV in the middle of the pack as they welcome Standard Liege at Jan Breydel Stadion. Onyedika’s team were able to keep a clean sheet and won 2-0.

Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers commenced Rangers’ tie with St. Mirren at Ibrox Stadium in the Scottish League. Balogun was present all through in defence and Dessers departed the game for Danilo in the 62nd minute. They were on the winning side (2-0) following brace by Senegalese forward, Abdallah Sima in the 45th and 70th minute respectively.

Olakunle Olusegun operated from the left flank of Krasnodar’s front three but he misfired. In the same team, Moses David Cobnan replaced Russian player, Aleksandr Koksharov in the 85th minute and they recorded a 2-1 triumph at home.

Victor Olatunji was upfront in Sparta Prague’s colours versus FK Pardubice at CFIG Arena. The opposition defenders contained Olatunji, hence no goal – and was subbed for Jan Kuchta in the 46th minute. The contest ended in Olatunji’s team favour (2-1). Tomas Zlatohlavek fired home Pardubice’s goal in the 26th minute, while Ladislav Krejci (19th minute) and Krejci’s second (brace in the 65th minute) was what earned it for Sparta.

Two Nigerian internationals were present in the game between Nantes and Nice. Moses Simon played every minute of action for Nantes from the left side of the attack. In the same vein, Terem Moffi led Nice’s forward line but Florent Mollet’s goal in the 25th minute won it for Nantes at home.

Alhassan Yusuf and Chidera Ejuke played for Royal Antwerp against Oscar Garcia’s Leuven. Yusuf exited the game for Mandela Keita in the 66th minute and Ejuke was replaced by George Ilenikhena in the 74th minute. Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s goal before half-time whistle nicked it for Mark Van Bommel’s Antwerp.

Gabriele Cioffi started with Isaac Success to lead his attack in Udinese’s clash with Verona. Success had little time on the pitch after suffering an injury seven minutes into the game.

Consequently, Lorenzo Lucca took his spot. Kingsley Ehizibue also tasted action for Udinese – coming on for Martin Payero in the 87th minute, while goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye watched from the bench.

Three goals apiece was how it ended after full-time and Christian Kabasele (16th minute), Lorenzo Lucca (30th minute) and Lucca’s second (72nd minute) got on the scoresheet for Udinese – whereas Milan Djuric (37th minute penalty), Cyril Ngonge (61st minute) and Thomas Henry (before stoppage time) were the scorers for Marco Baroni’s Verona.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru had 90 minutes under his belt in midfield for Hatayspor versus Antalyaspor. Fisayo had a decent outing in a clash where both teams were at par for most part of the game thereby leaving the result at 3-3.

In Turkey (TFF First League), Chukwuma Akabueze (Bentley) and Olarenwaju Kayode were involved in Genclerbirligi’s visit to Erzurumspor. Bentley was substituted for Yigit Efe Demir before referee’s final whistle, while Kayode played 90 minute – and ended all square (1-1).

The duo of Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi started for Fulham against Liverpool at Anfield. Bassey maintained his place in defence till the end and Marco Silva subbed Iwobi for Bobby De Cordova-Reid after 75 minutes.

The clash finished in a seven-goal thriller with Jurgen Klopp’s side winning 4-3. Bernd Leno (own goal – 20th minute), Alexis Mac Allister (38th minute), Wataru Endo (87th minute) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (88th minute) hit it home for Liverpool, while Harry Wilson (24th minute), Kenny Tete (before half-time whistle) and Bobby De Cordova-Reid (80th minute) scored for Fulham.

Kevin Akpoguma made Hoffenheim’s three at the back system alongisde German player, Kevin Vogt and Turkish international, Ozan Kabak in their trip to Borussia Monchengladbach (Borussia Park) but they lost out 2-1.

Guille Abascal introduced Victor Moses for Russian international, Roman Zobnin in the 67th minute at Akhmat Grozny (Akhmat Arena) in the Russian Premier League. Moses couldn’t turn the tie around for his team as they lost 2-1.

Paul Onuachu misfired in Trabzonspor’s attack against Kayserispor in the Turkish Super Lig. However, Anthony Uzodimma was in the opposition – replacing Lionel Carole in the 59th minute. Stephane Bahoken scored the only goal of the game with two minutes left to give Kayserispor an away victory.

At Stade Louis II in France, Michel Der Zakarian filed out his team (Montpellier) with Akor Adams as the target man, though he couldn’t score and that led to his removal for Kevin Yeboah in the 76th minute.

Goals scored by Takumi Minamino (9th minute) and Wissam Ben Yedder (90th minute mark) won it for Adi Hutter’s Monaco two nil. Montpellier were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Kiki Kouyate in the 69th minute.

Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi was the striker for Filippo Inzaghi’s Salernitana against Fiorentina at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Ikwuemesi misfired and was substituted for Jovane Cabral in the 81st minute. Similarly, Simy Nwankwo didn’t make it beyond the bench for Salernitana – and they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Vincenzo Italiano’s side.

Victor Osimhen struggled to make something out of Napoli’s game with Inter Milan at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Despite playing every minute of action, he fired blank and Inter put three past them. Hakan Calhanoglu (44th minute), Niccolo Barella (62nd minute) and Marcus Thuram (85th minute) were the goalscorers for Simeone Inzaghi’s side.

The duo of Chidozie Awaziem and Bruno Onyemaechi were in action for Boavista all through the game against Arouca. Awaziem was in the heart of defence and Onyemaechi played the left-back position – and they conceded four, thereby losing 4-0 at home.

The game had both teams receiving red cards – Bohdan Milovanov (Arouca player) was sent off in the 49th minute and Tiago Morais for the host, was shown a red card with few minutes left on the clock.