It was another weekend of football in Europe, with Nigerian players impressing for their club sides. On loan Porto midfielder, Mikel Agu, was in superb form for his Turkish side, Bursaspor, while Olarenwaju Kayode, who’s on loan from Manchester City, helped his side secure a shock result at the weekend.
England
Alex Iwobi, Arsenal
Despite making a return in midweek for the Gunners, playmaker, Iwobi was missing in action for his London based side, as they once again came from behind to beat Swansea City, who paraded British born Nigerian striker, Abraham, 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Iwobi, who has been good for Arsenal this season, was an unused substitute at the Emirates.
Victor Moses, Chelsea
Winger cum wingback, Victor Moses, was expectedly missing for defending Chelsea, who traveled to the Vitality stadium, where they beat Bournemouth narrowly. Moses has been out of action for the Blues since he limped off in the PL game against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Wilfred Ndidi, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester City. Of the Nigerian trio at Leicester City, it appears only Wilfred Ndidi will continue to enjoy game time despite the Foxes changing manager.
Only recently, Leicester named Claude Puel as their new manager, replacing Craig Shakespeare. Iheanacho and Musa returned to a familiar places, with the former returning to the bench, while Musa was once again not listed as the 2016 champions defeated Everton 2-0 at home.
Ola Aina, Hull City
Newly capped Super Eagle, Ola Aina, was on for the entire duration of Hull City’s clash with Nottingham Forest, but was unable to prevent the Tigers from falling to a 3-2 defeat. The on loan Chelsea defender has been impressive for the Tigers, but was helpless as his club conceded three times.
Chidozie Awaziem, Nantes
Awaziem and Nantes suffered their first defeat in six matches after Dijon beat them 1-0.
Awaziem has been brilliant for the Ligue 1 third placed side, but the Claudio Ranieri led side lost their unbeaten run. Awaziem, who almost equalised in added time, was listed as one of the nominees for Nantes’ man of the match despite the defeat.
Spain
In the Spanish La Liga, Olarenwaju Kayode played for eight minutes, but was a constant menace as his modest side, Girona, shocked Spanish champions, Real Madrid, 2-0.
It was the first time Real Madrid lost to a La Liga new comer, but for Kayode, who is still searching for his first goal for the club, it was a very good cameo against the European champions as his Girona bounced back from their midweek defeat to Levante in the Copa Dey Rey’s.
Belgium
Henry Onyekuru, Anderlecht
Onyekuru’s return to the club that helped announce him in Europe, AS Eupen, was an eventful one, as Anderlecht ran out 3-2 winners.
Onyekuru failed to register a goal, for the second week running, but played for 87 minutes, before he was substituted for Ivan Obradovic.
Simon Moses, Anderson Esiti, Gent
It was a bad weekend for Gent’s Nigerian duo, Simon and Esiti, as Gent lost 2-1 to Charleroi.
Simon lasted the duration of the game, while Esiti wasn’t listed at all.
Uche Agbo, Standard Liege
Defensive midfielder, Uche Agbo, played the whole 90 as Liege saw off Waasland-Beveren 3-1. It was Uche’s 13th game of the season for Liege, as he continues to be a mainstay in the midfield of the Belgian side.
Turkey
It was a good weekend for Super Eagles players in the Turkish Super Lig, as they featured for their clubs, who all recorded victories at the weekend.
Kenneth Omeruo, Kasimpasa
Omeruo was on from start to finish as Kasimpasa won their first league game in five matches. They beat Goztepe 3-1, with Omeruo playing his sixth game of the season.
For the duo of William Troost-Ekong and Mikel Agu, it was also a good outing, as Bursaspor decimated Antalyaspors, 4-0. Both players featured for 90 minutes, defensive midfielder, Agu, on loan from Porto, opened the scoring for Bursaspor in the 37th minute.
It was Agu’s second goal in three matches, as he continues his superb form for his club side. For his compatriot, Troost-Ekong, he was solid as he helped his club to a clean sheet.
For Ogenyi Onazi, who played for 89 minutes, it was also a victorious weekend as his club, Trabzonspor recorded the win of the week.
Onazi and his side defeated the Turkish giants Galatarasay 2-1, with Onazi at the heart of it all before he was substituted late on.
Sivasspor overcame Kardemir, after their 1-0 win but were without left back, Elderson Echiejile, who continues to be out due to injury.
Holland
In the Dutch’s Eredivisie, Tyronne Ebuehi was unable yo repeat his last weekend’s heroics as ADO Den Haag were defeated 2-0 by PEC Zwolle. Ebuehi was man of the match in their last game against VV Venlo, but this weekend, while he played from start to finish, he was unable to prevent ADO’s falling by two goals.
Denmark
Paul Onuachu, Midtjylland
Onuachu was superbly kept out as Midtjylland drew 2-2 with Lyngby. Onuachu has scored eight goals in the Danish league this season, but the Lyngby defence marshalled him, and he was eventually substituted with twelve minutes left to play.
Portugal
In the Portuguese Primera Liga, Super Eagles workhorse, Oghenekaro Etebo and his club side, CD Feirense, were beaten 1-0 by champions, Benfica.
Etebo featured for 90 minutes, in what was his tenth league game of the season, but couldn’t add to his three goals scored so far.
Cyprus
In the Cypriot league, Shehu Abdullahi featured for his club, Anorthosis, in their 1-1 draw with Omonia Nicosia. Shehu, who missed Anorthosis’ last games due to suspension, was on from start to finish as they were held to a draw which saw them drop to second on the league table.
Israel
The Duo of John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme were on parade as Hapoel Beer-Sheeva secured a 3-1 away win against Ashdod. While Ogu was unusually absent, his compatriot, Nwakaeme, stole the show, as he inspired his side to a win after scoring a brace. The goals were Nwakaeme’s third of the campaign in six matches, as he underlines his importance to Beer-Sheva.
