EiE: Wilfred Ndidi stars, Ajayi tamed in England

Following a successful first international break of the year, Super Eagles are back to their respective clubs with Wilfred Ndidi the standout performer.

Here is a recap of their performances for their European clubs at the weekend;

England
Ndidi had an excellent game for Leicester City in the Premier League, PL, as the Foxes secured a 2-0 win at home to AFC Bournemouth.

The defensive midfielder put in a man of the match display at the heart if his side’s midfield, winning an incredible 11 tackles, five interceptions, and five aerial duels while adding 14 ball recoveries.

That defensive masterclass from Ndidi, who played from start to finish, freed up his more attack minded partners, Youri Tielemans, who grabbed an assist, and English lad, James Maddison.

For his compatriot at the club, Kelechi Iheanacho, he was handed a cameo after replacing Jamie Vardy on the 90th minute, playing for just a minute.

At the Amex stadium, despite his excellent display for Nigeria during the international break, Leon Balogun was not listed as Brighton and Hove Albion suffered a 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

In the English second-tier league, Semi Ajayi was tamed as Rotherham United suffered a humiliating 6-1 thrashing at Derby County.

Ajayi, who was on a scoring spree before the break, played the duration of the game but could do nothing this time to save his side from the heavy defeat.

Oghenekaro Etebo and Stoke City were held to a goalless draw at home by Sheffield Wednesday with the Super Eagle one of his club’s better players.

Etebo lasted the 90, posting the most dribbles [5] in the game, while winning two interceptions and also completing 93% of his passes.

For our Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, and Middlesbrough, everything has really gone wrong following another defeat.

Mikel started and finished in the 1-0 home loss to Norwich City, picking up his third yellow for the Riversiders in his 10th game since joining them in January.

Spain
In the Spanish La Liga, Kenneth Omeruo was forced to miss his side’s victory due to accumulation of cards.

Omeruo picked up his fifth booking of the campaign before linking up with his international team mates, therefore, was suspended as Leganes defeated Getafe 2-0 away from home.

Villarreal threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to their hosts, Celta Vigo, but the Yellow Submarines were without their talented Nigerian youngster, Samuel Chukwueze.

Things have turned around at Levante for tricky winger, Moses Simon, after playing his 12th game of the season for the modest side in their 2-2 draw at home to Eibar.

For 80 minutes he was on the pitch, Simon proved to be a defensive hit for Levante, winning the most tackles [3], with two interceptions before he was replaced.

France
Samuel Kalu is still out injured and missed out on Bordeaux’s goalless affair with Amiens in the French Ligue 1.

Italy
William Troost-Ekong led his Udinese side to a clean sheet following their 2-0 victory over Genoa in the Serie A.

Playing for the duration of the tie, the Oyinbo Wall member won two interceptions and made six clearances.

Ola Aina’s Torino also played a draw, earning a valuable point at Fiorentina after a 1-1 result.

However, Aina, who missed Super Eagles two matches due to injury, was not listed for the trip.

Elsewhere, following his impressive debut for Nigeria, Paul Onuachu’s return to Denmark was an uninspiring one as Midtjylland played out a goalless draw at home to Nordsjaelland.

Onuachu featured for 83 minutes but could not affect the game as their visitors’ defenders superbly caged him all through before he was substituted.

It was a good day for John Ogu and Hapoel Beer Sheva in the Israeli league as they recorded a 4-1 away win against Hapoel Hadara, who had former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Austin Ejide, in goal.

However, Ogu, who picked up knock while on international duties with Nigeria, did not feature for the Israeli champions.