Victor Osimhen, Simon Score, Simy’s Crotone Relegated
Nigerian footballers across Europe this weekend had an exciting performance in their various clubs and a closer look at the teams outlined below will guide you on how they performed.
ENGLAND
Striker Kelechi Iheanacho provided an assist in Leicester City’s draw against 10-man Southampton in the English Premier League Friday. The in-form forward earlier handled the ball inside the box, with James Ward-Prowse converting the ensuing penalty in the 61st. He was on hand to provide a perfectly placed ball for defender Jonny Evans to convert in the 68th minute later.
The assist is his second in the league in 21 appearances while he has scored 10 goals. The striker was on for the entire duration, along with compatriot, Wilfred Ndidi.
Ola Aina, Josh Maja, Tosin Adarabioyo and Ademola Lookman were in action for Fulham, who lost 2-0 to a Kai Havertz inspired Chelsea on Saturday at Stamford Bridge as the Cottagers continue to slip into relegation. The trio, Aina, Lookman and Adarabioyo had 90 minutes of action while Maja came off for Aleksandar Mitrovic in the 81st minute.
At Goodison Park, Alex Iwobi was in action for 76 minutes in the Toffees’ 2-1 loss to Aston Villa Saturday. The forward, who has only managed one goal in 28 appearances from the right wing-back, made way for Bernard.
SPAIN
Sodiq Umar’s brace could only hand Almeria a point as Real Oviedo fought back to force the encounter to a 2-2 draw in the Spanish Segunda Saturday. The 24-year-old registered his goals in the 22nd and 30th minutes, before the visitors scored twice to share the spoils. The brace takes Sadiq’s tally for the season to 18 in 32 appearances, with five assists.
ITALY
Victor Osimhen thought his 13th-minute opener for Napoli had handed them the maximum points but the 94th strike from Nahitan Nandez ensured Napoli shared the spoils with visiting Cagliari.
The 22-year-old had a second effort chalked off by the Video Assistant Referee for an infringement on Diego Godin in the 53rd minute. He now has eight goals in 20 appearances.
The Nigerian was substituted in the 75th minute for Dries Mertens, after a head collision.
FRANCE
Samuel Kalu returned to the starting line-up for Bordeaux in their 1-0 win over 10-man Rennes in the French Ligue 1 Sunday to further increase their chances of survival. It’s Kalu’s second appearance in Bordeaux’s last six outings. He made way for Hatem Ben Arfa in the 59th minute.
Moses Simon scored and provided an assist for Nantes in their 4-1 win at Brest Sunday. Moses opened score in the 15th minute, his sixth goal of the season in 30 appearances, as he hopes to help drag the team out of the muddy relegation waters with three games left to play. He also turned provider for Imran Louza, who scored the team’s third in the 56th minute. Nantes are currently 18th on the log, four points off 17th-placed Lorient.
Striker Terem Moffi was not on target as 10-man Lorient won 2-0 against Angers to keep their hopes of staying in the topflight alive. Moffi has been one of Lorient’s key players, scoring 14 Ligue 1 goals this term.
NETHERLANDS
Maduka Okoye made two important saves and one clearance as Sparta Rotterdam ran out 2-1 winners over FC Groningen in the Eredivisie Sunday. The Nigerian shot-stopper has kept eight clean sheets in 25 appearances.
Paul Onuachu continued where he left, scoring in Genk’s hard fought 3-2 win over Royal Antwerp in the Belgian league championship play-offs Friday. The league’s top scorer grabbed his side’s equaliser in the 73rd minute before Theo Bongonda’s 88th-minute strike ensured they began the round with a win.
