At the weekend, a number of Super Eagles players and wannabes were impressive for their clubs in Europe, hopeful of making coach Gernot Rohr’s list of players for the upcoming dead rubber against Algeria. The final game in what has been a successful 2018 World Cup qualifying series, and an international friendly against South American giants, Argentina.
England
Victor Moses, Chelsea.
The wingback was expectedly missing in Chelsea’s comeback win over Watford at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Wilfred Ndidi, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester City.
Of the trio, only Ahmed Musa was not listed for Foxes’ trip to the Liberty Stadium, where they picked up a 2-1 win against Swansea. Ndidi, as has become customary, featured for the entire duration of the game, while Iheanacho was an unused substitute. However, despite the sacking of their former coach, Craig Shakespeare, there was still no space for Musa in the side.
Alex Iwobi, Arsenal. Iwobi was conspicuously missing for Arsenal, who thrashed Everton 5-2 without their Nigerian playmaker. It was the second consecutive Arsenal game Iwobi has missed, after he also missed their 1-0 win over Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ola Aina, Hull City
Newly capped Nigerian international, Aina, was in good form for his Hull City side, as he helped them not only keep a clean sheet, but to their first away win in over a year.
The Tigers defeated Barnsley 1-0, with Aina playing the whole game.
France
Chidozie Awaziem, Nantes Porto on loan defender, Awaziem, again showed why Claudio Ranieri has put faith in him this season, as he helped Nantes secure a 2-1 win over Guingamp in the French Ligue 1. Awaziem powered home a header in the first half, to put Nantes on their way to another three points, but was unable to help his side keep a clean sheet.
Germany
Leon Balogun, Mainz. Balogun featured for 80 minutes in his club’s 2-0 loss to Schalke, as he was replaced with ten minutes left to play with an injury.
Turkey
William Troost-Ekong, Mikel Agu, Bursaspor. Troost-Ekong and his compatriot, Agu, featured as Bursaspor earned a point away at Sivasspor, where Elderson Echiejile plays. Troost-Ekong lasted the 90, while Agu only played for hour, with Elderson missing the game due to an injury.
Ogenyi Onazi, Trabzonspor
Onazi started for his club, Trabzonapor, in their 1-0 loss to Yeni Malatyaspor, with the defensive midfielder playing for just 60minutes.
Belgium
Simon Moses, Anderson Esiti, Samuel Kalu, KAA Gent. Gent secured a point away at KV Kortrijk with their Nigerian contingent all playing a part. Simon, who played the entire game, gave them the lead, when he scored at the hour mark, with Esiti substituted in the 84th minute, while little known Kalu was a second half substitute.
Henry Onyekuru, Anderlecht. Everton’s on loan striker, Onyekuru, lasted the 90 but couldn’t add to his six goals this season as Anderlecht fell to a 1-0 defeat at home.
Emmanuel Bonaventure, Club Brugges Little known Bonaventure, who has scored six league goals this season, was edged as he fired blanks in his club’s 1-0 home win over Royal Antwerp.
Taiwo Awoniyi, Royal Excel Mouscron and Uche Agbo, Standard Liege. It was a battle between these two Nigerian, as they clashed on Friday.
However, while Awoniyi continued his brilliant form for sixth placed Royal, it was Agbo’s Liege that emerged victorious, after a 3-1 win with both players lasting the duration of the game.
Holland
Tyronne Ebuehi, ADO Den Haag
Ebuehi posted man of the match performance at the weekend, as he helped his side, ADO, to a clean sheet and three points in an solid 2-0 away win at VV Venlo. Ebuehi was not only solid, defensively, but also contributed offensively, as he assisted with ADO’s first goal scored by Erik Falkenburg.
Denmark
Paul Onuachu, Midtjylland
Onuachu was brilliant once again for his club, Midtjylland, in the Danish league, as he scored his side’s last goal in their 4-2 defeat of Horsens. The goal was his eighth of the campaign, but he was however booked, for the second time this season.
