EiE: Ogu, Musa on target, Ndidi-less Leicester lose again

It was another weekend to follow the progress of Super Eagles players in their respective club sides. Here is a scorecard of what was a quiet weekend for most of them in their various European teams.

We kickoff this with a trip to England, where Victor Moses was on parade as dethroned PL champions, Chelsea completed a stunning comeback at St. Mary’s.

The Blues found themselves down by two goals, but turned it around in the space of eight second half minutes thanks to goals from second half substitute, Olivier Giroud, who inspired the comeback with a brace, and Eden Hazard.

However, the defending champions were without their Nigerian wingback until the 86th minute, when he came on for match winner, Hazard.

It was Moses’ 24th league game of the campaign, with two goals and two assists to his name. At Turf Moor, Leicester City made it back-to-back losses without their dependable defensive midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi.

Ndidi missed last week’s 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United due to suspension, following his red card a week earlier against Brighton.

His compatriot at the club, Kelechi Iheanacho, came off the bench to give Claude Puel’s team a glimmer of hope, as he was the one who provided the assist for Jamie Vardy’s 72nd minute goal, which halved the deficit with 18minutes to go.

Iheanacho, who was booked late on the game, was on for 26minutes before registering his third assist of the season, after coming on for Shinji Okazaki at the break with his side already 2-0 down

Alex Iwobi, Arsenal
Playmaker, Iwobi was handed a start by Arsene Wenger for Arsenal’s visit to St. James’s Park.

For the 86 minutes he was on the pitch, Iwobi showed his ability on the ball, linking up well with the duo of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

The 21-year-old, who was replaced by youngster, Edward Nketiah,  had two key passes, and completed two dribbles but unfortunately ended on the losing as side as goals from  Ayoze Perez and Matt Ritchie earned Rafa Bentinez’s Newcastle United side their first win over the Gunners since 2005.

Ola Aina, Hull City
In the Championship, Ola Aina ended on the losing side as Hull City were beaten 1-0 at home by Sheffield Wednesday.

Aina had an average game, but despite his attacking play, in which he dribbled past his markers twice, and provided two key passes, the Tigers failed to score a goal, losing for the first time in four games.

The versatile defender has created 32 chances in 41 appearances in the league for his side this season, but only three of these have been put away by his team mates.

France
Chidozie Awaziem, Nantes

Having missed his team’s last two outings, including the thrashing by Saints Etienne, Awaziem returned to the Nantes squad as the hosted 11th placed Dijon.

The on loan Porto man started on the bench, but was called to action earlier than he had expected after he replaced the injured Diego Carlos just six minutes after the half-hour mark.

Awaziem came close to stealing a point for Nantes, but his well taken free kick in added time was superbly saved by Dijon’s goalkeeper.

Italy
Joel Obi, Torino

Italy based midfielder, Joel Chukwuma Obi, was nothing but as spectator, as his Serie A team, Torino, went, saw and held their host Chievo Verona to a dull goalless draw.

Obi, who failed to impress on his return to the national team during the last international break, has been good for Torino this season, scoring five goals and laying two others for his teammates in 21 Serie A games.

Spain
Oghenekaro Etebo & Imoh Ezekiel, Las Palmas

An all-round performance from midfield workhorse, Etebo, saw him emerge as his side’s star player against Real Sociedad at the Estadio de Gran Canaria.

Etebo completed 89% of his passes, won 13 duels, including two tackles, with four successful dribbles. But it wasn’t enough as his side lost 1-0 to their visitors, Sociedad.

Etebo’s Las Palmas look sure candidates for the Segunda division next season, after their fourth loss in five league games. For his compatriot, Imoh Ezekiel, it was a disciplined display from the Rio Olympics star, who was on for 71 minutes before he was substituted.

Belgium
Uche Agbo, Standard Liege and Simon Moses, Gent.

It was Uche Agbo against Simon Moses when Standard Liege hosted Gent in the Belgian Championship playoffs.

Both players featured for their clubs, but while Simon lasted the 90, Uche came off the bench for Razvan Main, just before the hour mark.

Nevertheless, Renard Emord’s 90th minute penalty proved the difference between the two teams, as Uche and Liege secured a vital 1-0 win and all three points.

Israel
John Ogu, Hapoel Beer Sheva

Israel based midfielder, John Ogu was in inspirational form for his table topping Israeli champions, Hapoel Beer Sheva, who came twice from behind to rescue a point against Hapoel Haifa at home.

With Sheva down 2-0 at home to Haifa, Ogu started the revival when he pulled one back with 11 minutes for go.

The comeback was completed thanks to an own goal from Eden Ben Basat at the stroke the 90 as both sides shared the spoils.

Holland
Tyronne Ebuehi, ADO Den Haag

Ebuehi’s ADO returned to winning ways with the Dutch-born fullback playing for 71minutes in their 2-1 win over FC Twente.

Russia
Byran Idowu, Amkar Perm

A weekend to forget it was for Russian born Idowu and his Amkar side, who were at thrashed 3-0 by their visitors, Rubin Kazan.

A heavy defeat for Idowu and his team mates, amongst who was fellow Nigerians, Fegor Ogude and Aaron Samuel.

Idowu started and finished the encounter, as did compatriots, Samuel and Ogude, who picked up a yellow card in the game.

Ahmed Musa, CSKA Moscow
After his poor performance against Arsenal in the Europa League quarter final second leg, Musa atoned for some of his mistakes when CSKA took on UFA in the Russia Premier League.

Musa, on loan from Leicester, earned a point for CSKA, when he scored a late equaliser against UFA.

It was his first goal for the Russian side since he rejoined the club in January.

Turkey
Kenneth Omeruo, Kasimpasa

Omeruo’s 24th game of the season ended on a winning note, as he helped his Turkish outfit, Kasimpasa to a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Karabukspor.

The on loan Chelsea star lasted the duration of the game, and alongside defense partner,  Veysel Sari, expertly marshalled the Karabukspor forwards.

William Troost-Ekong, Mikel Agu and Shehu Abdullahi, Bursaspor

For the third consecutive game, the trio of Troost-Ekong, Agu and Shehu have ended on the losing side with their Super Lig side, Bursaspor. Their latest defeat came against Goztepe, who ran out 2-1 with the duo of Agu and Shehu on parade.

However, while Shehu lasted the duration of the game, Agu saw 72minutes of action while Troost-Ekong was considered for the bench.