A quiet weekend for Nigerians and Super Eagles players in Europe, it was, especially with some of the leagues already half way in and now on break. However, here is the scorecard for those who were involved in the leagues not on break.
Ogenyi Onazi was in action for his Turkish side, Trabzonspor, and played for 82minutes in their 1-1 draw with Karabukspor. Onazi started his ninth game of the season, and put up a decent showing for his side.
Kenneth Omeruo’s Kasimpasa suffered a 2-1 loss at home to table toppers, Istanbul Basaksehir. The 2013 AFCON star lasted the duration of the game but was unable to help his side to a clean sheet as the search for a first win in five games continues.
Still in Turkey, defensive midfielder, Mikel Agu, was back in action for Bursaspor, having missed more than a month due to an injury. Agu was his usual self in his club’s 1-1 draw with Genclerbirligi, with compatriot, William Troost-Ekong, also featuring. Both were on from start to finish.
In Holland’s Eredivisie, right back, Tyronne Ebuehi was in top form for his modest side, ADO Den Haag, as he grabbed his second assist of the season. ADO thrashed PEC Zwolle 4-0, with Ebuehi assisting his side’s fourth of the day in his 17th game of the season.
In Amsterdam, it was a tale of woes for Bartholomew Ogbeche-less Willem II, who went, saw, but ultimately failed to conquer. Willem were taken apart by Ajax 3-1, with Ogbeche, 33, missed that game due to an injury.
Belgium
Henry Onyekuru, Anderlecht.
Anderlecht’s win at the weekend was overshadowed by a world cup threatening injury to their Nigerian star striker, Henry Onyekuru. He was taken off the stretcher in the 78th minutes, with the club confirming later he had damaged his ligament in their 1-0 win over the 21-year-old’s former club, KAS Eupen.
Uche Agbo, Standard Liege
Uche lasted the 90, as he continued to underline his importance to Liege with another good performance as they were held to a 1-1 draw by St. Truiden.
The very much versatile player put a shift in at the heart of his club’s defence, but couldn’t stop them conceding as they shared the spoils.
England
Ola Aina, Hull City
It was another bad day at the office for championship side, Hull City, who were once again on the losing side following a 1-0 defeat at Leeds United. The narrow defeat was with Super Eagles left back, Aina, who had an above average showing, on from start to finish.
In the top division, the Premier League, Wilfred Ndidi returned to Leicester City’s first eleven against Manchester United, having served the ban for his red card against Crystal Palace. Ndidi featured for the entire duration of the game, as the Foxes battled to a point after a late Harry Maguire goal earned them a 2-2 draw with United.
It wasn’t the 21-year-old’s best performance for the 2016 champions, as he lost 13 duels.
While the defensive midfielder played his 19th game for Leicester, his national team mates at the club, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa were nowhere near the match day team.
At Goodison Park, Victor Moses was on for 81minutes as champions, Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Everton.
Finally, an underwhelming display from our hero in the crucial world cup qualifier against Zambia, Alex Iwobi, didn’t stop the playmaker from playing a part in an exciting game at the Emirates, where Arsenal hosted Liverpool.
Iwobi was on for 78minutes, and assisted Granit Xhaka’s stunning equaliser for the Gunners before making way for Theo Walcott in an exciting 3-3 draw with the Reds.
