Nigerian Super Eagles players continued to impress the watchful eyes of national team selectors, led by manager, Gernot Rohr, in their respective clubs in Europe. Here is how they fared at the weekend, including a veteran, who can’t stop scoring at the moment.
England
Victor Moses, Chelsea
African player of the year nominee, Victor Moses started his first game for Chelsea since his return from injury and played like he never left as the Blues defeated Newcastle United 3-1. Moses went about his business in typical fashion, as he did his defensive and offensive duties as required. Moses played from start to finish, and was involved in two of the three goals scored by the home side. He provided the assist for Alvaro Morata’s opener in the 33rd minute, and also won the penalty that Eden Hazard converted for his second and Chelsea third goal of the match.
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Alex Iwobi, Arsenal
Iwobi played for 75minutes and was in his best creative element for Arsenal against Manchester United at the Emirates. He started on the bench, but an early substitution saw him replace Mustafi after the first quarter, with Arsenal already 2-0 down.
We've been forced into our first change…
🔛 @alexiwobi
↩️ @MustafiOfficial #AFCvMUFC 🔴 0-2 ⚫ (15) pic.twitter.com/4onkRPQ84l
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 2, 2017
Despite his brilliant contribution, Iwobi was unable to prevent Arsenal from defeat, as the Red Devils survived massive pressure piled on by Iwobi and his team mates, who were thwarted by an excellent David de Gea, to win 3-1 courtesy of a Jesse Lingard brace.
Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa, Leicester City
It was another frustrating weekend for the duo of Iheanacho and Musa, who once again failed to get a minute of action in Leicester’s 1-0 home win against Burnley, a match that saw their compatriot, Ndidi, last the 90.
It was Ndidi’s 15th successive start and game for the Foxes this season, with Iheanacho an unused substitute while Musa was not listed at all.
Ola Aina, Hull City
It was an unusual sight at the Hillsborough stadium, where on loan Chelsea defender, Ola Aina, watched Hull City battled to a 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday from the bench.
Michael Dawson’s late equaliser rescued a point for the Tigers, who continue the search for a first win in five games and as a result, have now sacked their Russian manager, Leonid Slutsky.
France
Chidozie Awaziem, Nantes
Awaziem made his tenth start of the season for Nantes, who held their host Saint-Etienne to a 1-1 draw. Awaziem gave a good account of himself, but Nantes failed to build on their good win against Monaco in midweek, settling for a point at Stade Geoffroy.
Germany
Leon Balogun, Mainz 05. Balogun expectedly missed Mainz’s 3-1 home defeat to Augsburg, as he continues to nurse a broke hand.
Spain
Odinaka Uzoho, Deportivo la Coruna B
Young goalkeeper, Uzoho kept a third successive clean sheet as Deportivo la Coruna’s B team were held to a goalless draw by Rapid Bouzas at home.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, former Akwa United playmaker, Alhassan Ibrahim saw 90minutes as Austria Wien shared the spoils with table toppers, Salzburg in Austria.
In Cyprus, Shehu Abdullahi’s Anorthosis are back at the top after their 1-0 home win against Nea Salamis, with Shehu on from start to finish.
ADO Den Haag suffered a heavy defeat to FC Groningen without their first choice right back, Tyronne Ebuehi, who served his ban following last week’s red card against Vitesse in Holland‘s Eredivisie.
ADO were taken apart 3-0 by the visitors, with Jesper Drost particularly impressive for Groningen.
At the Koning Willem II Station, 2002 World Cup star, Bartholomew Ogbeche was the star performer as Willem defeated Heracles 3-1.
🐂 #wilher pic.twitter.com/jISLrnDYpU
— Willem II (@WillemII) December 2, 2017
It was a Rohr-are-you-watching performance at the weekend by the 33-year-old Ogbeche, who put Heracles to the sword. He netted a brilliant brace against Heracles, taking his tally for the season six goals in just five games.
In Norway, Chidiebere Nwakali’s Sogndal failed to hold on to their first leg lead, as they lost to Ranheim on penalties in a Norwegian cup game. Nwakali, however, played no part in the game as he was an unused substitute.
It was another weekend, another loss for Oghenekaro Etebo’s CD Feirense, who were beaten 1-0 at home by visitors, Aves in Portugal. Etebo lasted the 90, but was unable to save his side from another defeat nor add to his four goals so far.
And in Russia, Bryan Idowu’s return to the start team at Amkar Perm ended in heavy defeat as they lost 3-0 away to FC Ufa. Idowu’s Amkar were taken apart by his compatriot at Ufa, Sylvester Igboun, who was head and shoulders above everyone on the day, as his two goals earned Ufa all three points.
It was Igboun’s sixth of the season, but he wasn’t done just yet with Idowu, Fegor Ogude, the other Nigerian at Amkar. Igboun capped his brilliant performance with an assist, as he was the one who provided the ball that led to Ufa’s third of the day, scored by Ivan Oblyakov.
Belgium
Henry Onyekuru, Anderlecht. Onyekuru found the back of the net again as Anderlecht defeated Lokeren 2-1 away. It was the Everton man’s eighth of the season.
⚽️ @henryconyekuru celebrating his goal against Lokeren #RSCA #COYM #ANDLOK pic.twitter.com/HINPNeP0Zv
— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) December 2, 2017
Uche Agbo, Standard Liege
Agbo saw 90minutes as Liege were held at home to a 1-1 draw by Royal Antwerp.
Moses Simon, Gent
Simon scored the only goal in Gent’s 1-0 win at Zulte-Waregem, where team mate and fellow Nigerian, Anderson Esiti, was red carded, after two yellow card offences.
Turkey
William Troost-Ekong, Mikel Agu, Bursaspor
Another commanding performance by Bursaspor, this time away at Konyaspor, were they picked up all three points after a 3-0 win.
However, the two Nigerians at the club, defender, Troost-Ekong and defensive midfielder, Agu, were both missing in action for their Turkish side.
Kenneth Omeruo, Kasimpasa
Omeruo was on from start to finish, but was powerless as Kasimpasa lost 4-2 to giants, Fenerbahce.
Elderson Echiejile, Sivasspor
A terrible day it was for Elderson-less Sivasspor, who were outclassed and outfought 4-0 by Genclerbirligi. Echiejile played no part in the game despite having returned to training.
