One-cap Super Eagles forward Josh Maja and Super Eagles hopeful Tolu Arokodare were among a number of Nigerian goal scorers that contributed to their clubs’ achievements in the past weekend, www.aclsports.com reports.
It was quite a productive weekend for Nigerian players as a number of European leagues’ new season got underway. Here is a summary of some of them that got their names on the scoresheet.
ENGLAND:
Josh Maja(West Brom): The 25-year-old inspired Carlos Corberan’s men to a 3-1 victory against QPR, hitting a hattrick on the opening weekend of the Championship season. Maja scored a pair of headers before completing his treble with an acrobatic effort from just inside the area. By doing so, Maja became the first Baggies player to hit an opening-day treble in 101 years.
Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi also featured for the entire 90 minutes for West Bromwich Albion
BELGIUM
Tolu Arokodare(Genk): The lanky forward was on target in a strong second-half performance to help his side overturn a two-goal deficit against Raphael Onyedika’s Club Brugge at home. The visitors were leading 2-0 at the hour mark thanks to Andrea Skov Olsen’s brace. Genk pulled one back through Jarne Steuckers’ spot-kick, and Arokodare headed home a cross from Steuckers to drag his side level with seven minutes to play before Patrik Hrosovsky scored the winner in stoppage time to complete the incredible comeback. With the goal, Arokodare has now scored twice in three league games for Blauw-Wit this season.
SPAIN:
Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla): The Super Eagles pair, who just moved to the Andalusian club this summer, featured for their side in the 4-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield. It was Iheanacho’s first appearance for the Seville side, while winger Ejuke beat Trent Alexander-Arnold to set up Gerard Fernandez for the La Liga side’s only goal of the game.
AUSTRIA:
Michael Usor(LASK): In the Bundesliga, Michael assisted LASK’s only goal in their 2-1 home loss at the hands of Rheindorf Altach, with Brazil’s Gustavo Santos grabbing a brace for the visitors. It is the 22-year-old’s second goal involvement (1 goal, 1 assist) in three games this season.
SCOTLAND:
Cyriel Dessers(Rangers): Dessers scored the opening goal as Rangers beat Motherwell 2-1 at Hampden Park to get their first league win of the season. The Super Eagles star reacted quickest to Mohammed Diomande’s knock-down in the box to beat the goalkeeper in the 13th minute. The 29-year-old has now scored twice in three games for The Gers this season in all competitions.
Nigerian defender Leon Balogun came on as a 73rd minute substitute to help Rangers seal up their win.
KUWAIT:
Anayo Iwuala(Al Arabi): The former Enyimba star scored a wonderful individual goal to inspire Al Arabi to a fine 2 – 0 win over Kazma in their League opener. The 25-year-old, who had earlier asked to leave the club in the summer, played the entire duration of the contest.
