This week, ACLSports.com kicks off Eagles in Europe in Belgium, where it was a battle between Nigerians as Uche Agbo’s Standard Liege hosted Gent, who paraded three Nigerians, Simon Moses, Anderson Esiti and Simon Kalu.
However, there were no victors on the day, after both sides shared the spoils following a goalless affair. All four were on from start to finish, but for Kalu, who was substituted with two minutes left to play.
Henry Onyekuru, Anderlecht
It was a weekend to forget for Onyekuru and Anderlecht, after they were put to the sword by Club Brugge, who hammered them 5-0. Onyekuru failed to add to his goals tally this season, though he was on the pitch for just 32 minutes after coming on just before the hour mark.
It was another Nigerian who made an appearance off the bench, but this time in France, where Chidozie Awaziem only saw 15minutes in Nantes‘ 1-0 defeat of Angers in the Ligue 1.
In Austria, Alhassan Ibrahim was second half substitute in Austria Wien‘s 1-0 win over Strum Graz, while in Cyprus, Shehu Abdullahi’s Anorthosis remained top of the Cypriot league following a 2-0 victory over Aris Limassol. Shehu featured for duration of that game, putting up an above average performance.
Kayode Olarenwaju finally got minutes on the pitch after also coming on for Cristian Stuani in Girona‘s win over Getafe in the Spanish La Liga. It was Olarenwaju’s 11th game of the season, but he has only started two of them.
John Ogu, Anthony Nwakaeme and Hapoel Beer Sheva remained top of the Israeli league despite falling 1-0 at Maccabi Netanya, while Oghenekaro Etebo’s CD Feirense finally won a game, after a 1-0 win against Vitoria de Setubal in Portugal. Etebo lasted the 90 but was yellow carded in the game. It was Feirense first win in over five matches.
Holland
Tyronne Ebuehi, ADO Den Haag
A nightmare it was for Ebuehi’s ADO, who were taken to the cleaners by PSV Eindhoven, who put three goals past their visitors. Ebuehi played from start to finish, but watched as his side helplessly fell apart and had to play the final ten minutes with a man down following the dismissal of Thomas Meissner.
Bartholomew Ogbeche, Willem II
Ogbeche’s impressive run of seven goals in his last six games came to an end as he was caged by PEC Zwolle. Ogbeche’s side ended up on the losing side, following the away side’s 3-2 win.
Leon Balogun started in Mainz 05’s 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen, but the Oyibo Wall member was only on for 46miutes.
Turkey
Kenneth Omeruo, Kasimpasa
Omeruo’s Kasimpasa held Genclerbirlig to a goalless draw, with the AFCON winner playing for 90minutes.
Ogenyi Onazi, Trabzonspor, William Troost-Ekong and Mikel Agu, Bursaspor
Onazi was missing in action as Trabzonspor pipped Troost-Ekong’s Bursaspor 1-0 at home.
While Ekong played the entire game, Onazi watched in from the bench, while Agu was not listed at all, as he remains sidelined due to an injury.
Finally, in England, Wilfred Ndidi got more than he bargained for following a red card on his 21st birthday.
Ndidi, who has been brilliant for the Foxes his season, was initially booked in the 52nd minute for pulling Loftus Cheek, before he was sent off eight minutes later for simulation, which Claude Puel side already 2-0 down at the time. Leicester went on to concede another goal, as Bakary Sako scored late to hand Crystal Palace an incredible 3-0 win.
Alex Iwobi, Arsenal
Iwobi started but lasted 72minutes as a Mesut Ozil stunner earned the Gunners a narrow 1-0 win against Newcastle United at the Emirates.
Victor Moses, Chelsea
Moses was on the pitch for 82minutes in Chelsea’s win over Southampton. The 27-year-old posted an above average display as the Blues claimed back-to-back wins following their shock defeat at West Ham.
In the Championship, Ola Aina’s Hull City were beaten 1-0 by Cardiff City with Aina unable to stop his side from a defeat, despite putting up a lovely performance.
