EiE: Semi Ajayi scores again, Collins grabs first assist

Semi Ajayi  can not stop scoring at the moment after finding the back of the net once again in a weekend that saw German based left back, Jamilu Collins, grab his first assist of the season.

Here is the scorecard (including some brilliant individual displays) of Super Eagles players in Europe ahead of the first international break in 2019.

Ajayi’s impressive form for Rotherham United in the English SkyBet Championship continued as he scored his third goal in two weeks to take his tally for the season to seven.

With Rotherham trailing 1-0 at home to Norwich City, Ajayi stepped up to be the hero for them again, letting fly a fierce effort from outside the box to bring his side level in the second half.

However, despite also winning the most tackles (three) in the match, this time, his goal was not enough to earn United at least a point as they fell 2-1 at home to Norwich.

At the Villa Park, Middlesbrough lost for the third consecutive time with Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, on the pitch.

Mikel played for the whole 90 minutes, picking up a yellow card, in their 3-0 thrashing by Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, it was also FA Cup weekend in England, so, there were some postponed matches in the Premier League with Leicester City the only team in action.

Leicester saw off Burnley at Turf Moor with Wilfred Ndidi their only Super Eagles star on the pitch.

The talented defensive midfielder, who created one chance, also won the most tackles (3), and duels (9) in the match.

His compatriot at the club, Kelechi Iheanacho, was missing as he was not even listed at all.

In the FA Cup, Isaac Success and Watford booked a place in the semifinal after a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road. But Success watched from the bench for the duration of the game.

Another Super Eagles player whose side sealed their place in the last four of the FA Cup was Leon Balogun following Brighton & Hove Albion penalty shootout win against Millwall. Balogun was not listed as he is currently out with an injury.

Aina sees red in Italy

Ola Aina‘s impressive loan spell at Torino received its first blemish on Saturday after he was sent off in their 3-2 loss at home to Bologna.

With the game almost done, Aina, who won 100 percent of his tackles and one interception, picked up two yellow cards in the space of two stoppage time minutes.

William Troost-Ekong and Udinese fell to the superior firepower of SSC Napoli following a six-goal thriller in Naples.

Troost-Ekong had a game to forget, with just three defensive duels won as a Dries Mertens inspired Napoli were worthy 4-2 winners.

In Spain, Kenneth Omeruo and Leganes fell 2-0 at home to Girona with Omeruo on from start to finish, while Levante earned a point at a difficult San Sebastien with Moses Simon a substitute.

Simon played for 29minutes after coming on as a substitute in their 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad.

Samuel Chukwueze and Villarreal continued their recent revival with another impressive result. The Yellow Submarines coasted to a 3-1 win against Real Vallecano with Chukwueze playing for 84 minutes.

To Germany now where an impressive performance from Jamilu Collins saw a first assist of the season by the left back for his second division team, Paderborn.

Playing in his 26th game of the season, Collins put in a solid display in their 3-1 win against Ingolstadt on Sunday.

He completed the most dribbles (3) and created three chances, one of which was the assist for their opening goal, scored by Philipp Klement.

He also added three interceptions to his excellent performance.

In the Belgian Jupiler League, Victor Osimhen grabbed his 13th of the season in the 2-1 defeat of Sporting Charleroi by Eupen.

It was Osimhen’s second in as many matches but was not nothing but a consolation for his side.

Newly invited Super Eagle, Paul Onuachu, was outshone by his compatriot at Midtjylland, Frank Onyeka, in their 2-1 win at home to Sonderjyske in Denmark.

Onyeka scored one and assisted the other goal while Onuachu, who created one chance and completed 100 percent of his dribbles, was the most fouled player in the game.

John Ogu and Hapoel Beer Sheva continued their newly found form with a narrow 1-0 win at Maccabi Netanya.

They grabbed their fourth win in the last five matches with Ogu on from start to finish.

Bryan Idowu‘s bench role continued on Sunday in Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0 win at home to FC Krasnodar. He started on the bench but came on just before the start of the second half.

Finally, in the Turkish Lig, it was a battle between two Super Eagles as Bursaspor and Shehu Abdullahi hosted Henry Onyekuru and Galatasaray.

With both players on the pitch from start to finish and the game tied at 2-2, Onyekuru superbly setup fellow African and team mate, Sofiane Feghouli, to smash home what turned out the winner just after the hour mark.

Onyekuru was however booked on 82 minute for his trouble in the 3-2 victory for him and Galatasaray.

The Everton man was the best passer on the pitch, completing 100 percent of his passes while creating two chances.

Earlier in Saturday, a brilliant defensive performance from Chidozie Awaziem helped his side to a clean sheet.

Awaziem won six aerial duels, one interception and 100 percent of his tackles as Rizespor secured a valuable 2-0 win away at Konyaspor.

Bonus
Anthony Nwakaeme, Trabzonspor

This man, Anthony Nwakaeme, is back in our Bonus section again after another match winning performance for his Turkish side, Trabzonspor.

Despite losing the most possession (6) in the game, Nwakaeme scored the most important goal as Trabzonspor defeated their hosts, Erzurum EB 1-0.

That goal took Nwakaeme’s tally for the season to eight in 19 Lig matches.

A complete performance from the 29-year-old wide forward who also won three (3) tackles, one interception, and completed two dribbles.

Nwakaeme is the second highest Nigerian scorer in the Turkish Lig, three goals behind Galatasaray’s Onyekuru.