Izuchukwu OkosiSeveral league games in Europe had Nigerian players in action for their clubs over the weekend and on Monday night.
So how did the Nigerian players who have either represented the country or eligible to play for the Super Eagles perform for their clubs?
Prime Business Africa’s Izuchukwu Okosi presents the scorecard of the Nigerian stars in their clubs’ games.
ENGLAND
Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi was introduced 15 minutes to the end of the goalless draw between Fulham and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.
The game was the second league appearance for the former Arsenal and Everton star for the Cottagers.
Iwobi’s international teammate, Bassey, was an unused substitute in the game.
Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
Nigeria duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina were part of the Nottingham Forest side that lost 2-0 to reigning 10-man champions, Manchester City on Saturday evening at the Etihad stadium.
Awoniyi was booked (yellow card) for an altercation with goalkeeper Ederson moments into the second half.
The former Union Berlin striker has scored thrice and has two assists for his Premier League side this term. He created one goal scoring chance in the match.
Aina on his part, was impressive and was subbed off 15 minutes from full time. He made two tackles in the game.
Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)
Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was in action for 88 minutes at the King Power stadium on Saturday as Leicester City defeated Bristol City 1-0 to continue their dominance of the Championship and resolve to gain promotion back to the Premier League.
Ndidi has been one of the Foxes’ best players in their campaign in the second tier of the English football pyramid.
Iheanacho was a second half substitute in the game as he replaced Jamie Vardy.
Ndidi has scored three goals with one assist,while Iheanacho has recorded two goals with two assists in all competitions this season for their club.
GERMANY
Victor BONIFACE (Bayer Leverkusen)
One-cap Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface continued his goal scoring exploits for German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen over the weekend as he bagged a brace for his team.
Boniface who made his international debut for Nigeria in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe on September 10 was on target in the 9th and 74th minute of the game, the latter coming from the penalty spot.
Boniface has now scored eight goals with three assists in all competitions for Xabi Alonso’s side this season.
Kevin Akpoguma (Hoffenheim)
Super Eagles defender, Kevin Akpoguma was in action as Hoffenheim defeated Union Berlin 2-0 in Saturday’s Bundesliga game.
The Nigerian international, who was making a return to the team after he was out of the team due to injury, came on as a substitute for Pavel Kaderabek in the 90th minute.
ITALY
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has reinvigorated his career in the Italian topflight after a difficult period.
The former Leicester, Fulham and RB Leipzig winger scored for Serie A side, Atalanta in the 2-0 defeat of Cagliari 2-0 on Sunday evening.
The 25-year-old put Atalanta in front in the 33rd minute, and has now scored two goals in five league appearances for his club this season.
Victor Osimhen (SS Napoli)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen missed a chance to end his streak of not scoring in four consecutive Serie A games as Napoli played out a goalless draw against Bologna on Sunday evening.
However, he has scored three league goals in five appearances in the league this season.
Tyrone Ebuehi (Empoli).
Super Eagles right back Tyronne Ebuehi was in action for Empoli who lost 1-0 to visiting Inter Milan in the Serie A on Sunday.
Ebuehi played for 90 minutes in the game, and Empoli have now lost their all their five league games without scoring any goal this season.
FRANCE
Moses Simon (Nantes)
Super Eagles forward Moses Simon scored a goal and bagged two assists in Nantes’ 5-3 win against Lorient on Saturday evening.
Simon converted from the penalty spot in added time of the eight-goal thriller which was his second goal of the season.
Akor Adams (Montpelier)
Former Nigeria youth international Akor Adams fired blanks in Montpelier’s scoreless draw against Rennes on Sunday evening.
The pacey forward has scored twice with three assists (in six league games) to his credit this campaign.
SPAIN
Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad)
Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq came off the substitute bench on Sunday evening in Real Sociedad’s 4-3win against Getafe.
Sadiq who is making a return to full fitness after an extended period of time injured replaced Mikel Oiarzabal in the 58th minute of the game.
SCOTLAND
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers)
Cyreil Dessers was on target this weekend as Rangers claimed a 1-0 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon.
The goal arrived in the 24th minute of the game.
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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