Nigerian Players abroad Nigerian Players Roundup:Onuachu, Kalu Moses Score

It was a busy weekend of football actions across Europe as Nigerian players got involved for their clubs in the  2020/2021 season.


The Serie A and Bundesliga became the last top European leagues to get underway during the week.
Premier League and La Liga started September 12 while the French Ligue 1 resumed in August.


With the coronavirus which affected the 2019/2020 season, the new campaign started differently but have something on common, no fans are allowed into stadium.


However, some leagues has commenced pilot tests for the return of home supporters but it is not as usual.

Read Also: I Have No Doubt About Osimhen’s Quality- Gattuso


Africa Top Sports monitored the performance of some Nigerian internationals who are playing on top Europe leagues over the week.


With all the leagues now in full swing, we focused on some of tnr players and how they featured for their clubs.

England


The Premier League entered Matchday 2 and while it was a happy week for some Nigerian players, others have to wait and hope for a win this weekend.


Wilfred Ndidi is our player of the week in the Premier League following another outstanding performance with Leicester City.


Ndidi continued his role as a centre defender for the Foxes who defeated Burnley 4-2 at the King Power Stadium.


His compatriot, Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute.
It was the second win of the season for Leicester.


At Goodison Park, Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi played throughout the game as West Brom lost 5-2 to Everton.


It was the second defeat of the season for Ajayi and his Baggies teammates who just gained promotion back this season.


Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi played his first league game of the season for Everton.


The midfielder came in as substitute in the 71 minutes for hat trick hero, Calvert-Lewin.


Odion Ighalo made a late minute cameo for Manchester United who lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace in their first league game at home.


Ighalo joined the fray in the 81 minutes replacing Timothy Fosu-Mensah after the Reds Devils were already trailing 3-1.


On the winning side was Eberechi who made his second league appearance for Palace.


The highly rated winger who is yet to be called up to the national team came in as a substitute for Jeffrey Schlupp in the 75th minute.


Another yet to cap Nigerian, Bukayo Saka was in action for Arsenal who maintained their winning streak following a 2-1 win against West Ham United.


Busayo Saka was instrumental in the opening goal scored by Alexander Lacazette.


He was later replaced by David Luiz in the 89th minute.


Spain


Samuel Chukwueze played a vital role in Villarreal’s first win of the season following a 2-1 victory at home against Eibar.


Chukwueze assisted Gerard Moreno to score the equaliser in the 63 minutes before Paco Alcacer scored the winning goal.


He was then replaced with five minutes to regulation time with Manue Trigueros coming in his place.

Kelechi Nwakali was not included in Huessa squad that lost at home to Cadiz.


Germany


Two Nigerians, Kevin Akpoguma and Kingsley Ehizibue clashed in the Bundesliga as Koln hosted Hoffenheim.


Akpoguma put up an outstanding performance for Hoffenheim who defeated Koeln 3-2 away.


The defender who is yet to be capped played for 90 minutes before he was replaced by Joshua Brenet in a tactical substitution.


While Ehizibue came in as a substitute for injured Marco Hoeger but couldn’t help his team from losing.


France 


In the French Ligue 1, two Super Eagles players scored their first goal of the season for their respective clubs.


Samuel Kalu came off the bench and scored for Bordeaux who suffered their first defeat of the season.


Kalu who was left out of the starting XI came in for Remi Oudin in the 82 minutes and scored these consolatary goal in the five minutes of added time.


Bordeaux still lost 2-1 away to newcomer, Lens.
His compatriot Josh Maja replaced Nicholas de Preville in the 82 minutes.


For Henry Onyekuru it was a disappointing weekend as Monaco were defeated 2-1 by Rennes.


Onyekuru started from the bench and came in for Wissam Ben Yedder.


Simon Moses scored his first league goal of the season for Nantes who were held to a 2-2 draw by Saint Etienne.


Moses made his third appearance for Nantes and scored in the 71 minutes.


Italy


Victor Osimhen was not included in Gennaro Gattuso starting XI in Napoli Serie A opener against Parma.


Osimhen introduction into the game proved important for the Naples who went on to win 2-0 away.


The forward did not score but was praised by his manager for his contribution that changed the game.


Elsewhere, Simeon ‘Simy’ Nwankwo could not help Crotone to get the Serie A opener with a win.


Simy played for 89 minutes before he was replaced by Denis Dragus as Crotone were defeated 4-1.


Other Europe Leagues


Maduka Okoye is yet to make his debut in the Eredivisie.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper was an unused substitute as Sparta Rotterdam were defeated 2-0 by Vitesse.


Chidozie Awaziem played full time for Boavista who held Nacional to a 3-3 stalemate in the Portuguese League.


Another Nigeian international Zaidu Sanusi was in action for FC Porto who defeated SC Braga 3-1.


Sanusi came in as a substitute for Sergio Oliveira.
In the Belgium Jupiler, Paul Onuachu brace helped Genk to a 3-1 win against Mechelen.


The striker scored in the 10th minute and 68th minute.
His compatriot, Cyriel Dessers was an unused substitute.


Oghenekaro Etebo made his Turkish Super Lig debut for Galatsaray who defeated champions Basaksehir 2-0.


Etebo who had missed the league opener was introduced into the game in the 71 minutes.

He replaced Sofiane Feghouli.


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