Izuchukwu Okosi
There were league actions in European leagues over the weekend albeit football took a back burner of some sorts due to the rising political tension in Ukraine.
Prime Business Africa Senior Correspondent IZUCHUKWU OKOSI presents the review of the performances of Nigerian players.
ENGLAND
Emmanuel Dennis (Watford)
Watford striker Emmmanuel Dennis was in action for 90 minutes as the relegation threatened side played out a scoreless draw against Manchester United at the Old Trafford stadium on Saturday.
The forward who missed the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations due to the club’s unwillingness to release him for the tournament has scored nine league goals so far.
Super Eagles assistant captain William Troost-Ekong and winger Samuel Kalu did not make the Matchday squad.
Alex Iwobi (Everton)
Super Eagles midfielder cum forward Alex Iwobi put in a decent shift in Everton’s 1-0 defeat to league champions Manchester City at the Goodison Park on Saturday night. Iwobi made his his third consecutive start under new manager Frank Lampard was replaced by Anwar ElGhazi in the 88th minute.
Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley at Selhurst Park on Saturday and Michael Olise who was one of four English-born players of Nigerian descent that head coach Austin Eguavoen spoke with for possible change of allegiance recorded his fifth assist in the Premier League in the game.
Eberechi Eze who is making a return to full fitness after his hamstring injury setback was not in action.
Frank Onyeka (Brentford)
At the Brentford Community Stadium, Frank Onyeka was also benched as Brentford’s poor run continued following their 2-0 loss to Newcastle despite the availability of Christian Eriksen who is making a return in Brentford after eight months of health-induced absence.
GERMANY
Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin)
In the German Bundesliga, Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi continued his fine form for Union Berlin in their 3-1 win over Mainz on Saturday.
Awoniyi affectionately called ‘pastor’ by a select group of his fans netted his 10th goal of the league season in the 75th minute.
SPAIN
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
Samuel Chukwueze was a second half substitute as Villarreal defeated Espanyol 5-1 in Sunday’s LaLiga game which teammate Yeremy Pino was the star with three goals.
Chukwueze was making his 16th La Liga appearance and has scored two goals this ongoing season.
Umar Sadiq (Almeria)
Umar Sadiq was on target for Almeria in their 2-0 win against Fuenlabrada in the Spanish Segunda Division on Friday. The Nigerian striker has scored 14 goals with seven assists in all competitions this season.
TURKEY
Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk)
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa scored the winning goal as Fatih Karagumruk defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 in their Turkish Super Lig clash on Saturday evening.
The former CSKA Moscow forward has scored two goals in 21 league appearances for his club this season.
Anthony Nwakaeme (Trabzonspor)
Anthony Nwakaeme assisted one and scored a goal as Trabzonspor came from 2-0 down to defeat Kayserispor 3-2 to remain at the top of the Turkish Super Lig table on Friday.
The strike was Nwakaeme’s nine goal – and nine assists in 21 appearances – in the Turkish topflight this season.
ITALY
David Okereke (Venezia)
Nigerian striker David Okereke returned from his one-match suspension and scored for Venezia in their 3-1 defeat to Verona on Sunday. The former youth international has scored six goals in 22 league apperances this season.
BELGIUM
Paul Onuachu (Genk)
In Belgium, Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu scored a goal with an assist for Genk in their 2- 0 win over Kortrijk on Sunday. The 27-year-old has now scored 16 goals with two assists in 25 league games this season.
FRANCE
Terem Moffi (Lorient)
In France, Super Eagles striker, Terem Moffi played for 70th minute as Lorient defeated Brest 1-0 in Sunday’s Ligue 1 game. The game was the 24th appearance for the visitors.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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