It was a very good weekend for some of Super Eagles’ forwards, who painted their respective leagues with goals. We take a look at that and how others performed in their European clubs as well. But first. So, we kickoff in England, where Alex Iwobi gave his manager, Arsene Wenger is lovely parting gift.
England
Alex Iwobi, Arsenal
Alex Iwobi made a brilliant return to the Arsenal starting XI, after watching from the bench as Atletico Madrid ended their Europa League dreams on Thursday.
Iwobi chose the occasion of Wenger’s last game at the Emirates as Arsenal’s manager to shine, helping the Gunners to an emphatic 5-0 demolition of their Europa League rivals, Burnley.
The 22-year-old playmaker was an excellent presence for his side in his central attacking role, and was rewarded when he netted their fourth goal of the evening.
It was his second of the game, coming in his 23rd game of the season.
Victor Moses, Chelsea
Victor Moses was another Super Eagle who put up an inspired display for his club in London.
Moses was on for 89minutes, providing the pass that led to Olivier Giroud’s potentially decisive strike, which earned them a hard-fought 1-0 win over Champions League finalists, Liverpool.
The wingback was replaced by Davide Zappacosta eight minutes after picking up his second booking of the season.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Leicester City
Iheanacho was a second half substitute as the Ndidi-less Leicester City’s search for a first win in four games continues.
The ex-Man City star came on for Hamza Choudhury in the 61st minute, while Ndidi missed the game due to a hamstring injury as the Foxes fell 2-0 to West Ham United at home.
Ola Aina, Hull City
Aina lasted 82 minutes for Hull City, who held their hosts, Brentford, to a 1-1 draw at Griffin Park.
The versatile defender started on the bench, before coming on for the injured Ondrej Mazuch in the eighth minute.
Belgium
Simon Moses, Gent
Simon Moses fired blanks as Gent lost 1-0 at home to Sporting Charleroi in the Belgian championship playoffs.
He lasted the duration of the game, alongside his Nigerian team mate, Anderson Esiti.
Uche Agbo, Standard Liege
Uche picked up a yellow card, but put on an assured performance in Liege’s 5-0 thrashing of Genk.
It was Uche’s 28th of the season, but second game in the playoffs.
Germany
Leon Balogun, Mainz 05
Mainz 05 went, saw and conquered their hosts, Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park but without their Nigerian center back, Balogun.
The ‘Oyinbo Wall’ member missed his side’s 2-1 win against Dortmund, as he continues to step up his recovery from injury.
Italy
Joel Obi, Torino
Torino dented the title aspirations of SSC Napoli without midfielder, Joel Obi., who missed Torino’s 2-2 draw in Naples due to an injury, a hip problem.
France
Chidozie Awaziem, Nantes
Chidozie played for the 21st time in the Ligue 1, but was helpless as Nantes were beaten 2-0 at home by Montpellier.
A below average performance, it was, for young defender, who played at right back and was replaced by midfielder, Alex Kacaniklic, in the 76th minute.
Spain
Oghenekaro Etebo, Las Palmas
Las Palmas continued their free fall with yet another defeat, this time at home to Getafe.
Etebo played the entire game his already relegated team, as they lost 1-0 to their visitors. Etebo’s compatriot, Imoh Ezekiel also started the game but was substituted after just an hour.
Francis Uzoho, RC Deportivo
Uzoho made to back-to-back clean sheets for Segunda Division side, RC Deportivo, as they defeated Cercedes 1-0 away.
Israel
John Ogu, Hapoel Beer Sheva
Israel based duo of John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme were on parade as their club side, Beer Sheva returned to winning ways.
After last week’s draw, Ogu and Nwakaeme lasted the 90, as the defending champions hammered home team, Beitar Jerusalem 4-1.
Nwakaeme netted the final goal in the 76th minute, his10th of the season.
Netherlands
Tyronne Ebuehi, ADO Den Haag
Fullback, Ebuehi was absent in ADO’s 3-2 win at Roda JC. The defender missed the game courtesy of an injury.
Russia
Bryan Idowu, Amkar Perm
Bryan Idowu played from start to finish, helping his side, Amkar to a clean sheet as they beat Ural 2-0 away from home.
Ahmed Musa, CSKA Moscow
Musa and his CSKA side were too hot for Arsenal Tula to handle, as the former champions put six goals past their sorry visitors.
Ex-Pillars man Musa, was in sparkling form, as the Arsenal defense struggled all through to handle the on-loan Leicester forward, who went on to score a two goals.
Both goals were CSKA’s second and last as Musa took his tally for the Russians to five goals in four league outings.
Turkey
Abdullahi Shehu, Mikel Agu and William Troost-Ekong, Bursaspor
Shehu continued his role in midfield on Friday, when Bursaspor lost 2-1 to Fenerbahce.
It was very ill-tempered match, which saw two of Shehu’s team mates sent off, while his fellow Nigerians at the club, Agu and Troost-Ekong, were spectators as they were unused substitutes.
Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, vice captain of the national team, Ogenyi Onazi and defender, Kenneth Omeruo, faced each other in what turned out a thrilling Super Liga encounter.
While Onazi lasted the 90, with Omeruo watching from the bench as 9-man Trabzonspor and Kasimpasa played out a seven-goal thriller.
It would end 5-2 in favour of Omeruo’s team, with Onazi getting a 68th minute yellow card.
