Nigerian Players abroad Europa League: Iheanacho, Kayode Score As Osimhen Fires Blank

Victor Osimhen in action against Az Alkmaar in the Europa League opener. Napoli were defeated 1-0.

It was a mixed feeling for Nigerian players who are playing in this season UEFA Europa League after the opening games on Thursday across Europe.

Eight Nigerian players were involved in action for their various clubs.

There is no doubt that the performance of players for their club is a factor for international call up.

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Africatopsports.com monitored how the players performed for their clubs especially with the November double-header against Sierra Leone around the corner.

Victor Osimhen

After netting his first Serie A goal in Napoli’s 4-1 win against Atalanta, Osimhen fired blank.

It was not the best of night for the former Lille player and his Napoli teammates as they lost 1-0 at home to AZ Alkmaar.

Osimhen did his part in the game, but it was surely not Napoli’s day in the opening game.

Osimhen did not complete the game as he was substituted in the 66th minute by Andrea Petagna.

Leon Balogun

Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun made his first Europa League debut for Rangers.

Balogun missed all the qualifier for the Gers but was handed a starting XI place by Steven Gerrard in the opening game.

The former Wigan Athletic played all through the game as Rangers won 2-0 away against Standard Liege.

Joe Aribo

Joe Aribo also featured for Rangers as he is trying to get back to his form following injury that sidelined him.

The midfielder joined the fray in the 67th minute replacing Ianis Hagi.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho was the here of the night for Leicester City who troubced Zorya 3-0 at the King Power Stadium.

The Super Eagles forward stepped up to the occasion in the absence of Jamie Vardy who is injured.

Iheanacho provided two assists for Maddison and Harvey Barnes to put the Foxes in front.

He capped up the night with the third goal of the game before he was replaced by Ayoze Perez in the 71st minute.

Samuel Chukwueze

Chukwueze played for the whole duration as Villarreal got off to a resounding victory in their opening game.

The winger played a vital role as the Yellow Submarines defeated Sivasspor 5-3 at the Estadio de Ceramica.

Chukwueze assisted Takefusa Kubo who broke the deadlock for the hosts.

Kevin Akpoguma

Super Eagles new boy, Akpoguma was part of Hoffenheim squad who defeated FK Crvena Zvezda 2-0.

Akpoguma switched allegiance from Germany to play for Nigeria and made his first international debut in the friendly against Tunisia.

Kayode Olarenwaju

The former Flying Eagles player was on the score sheet for Sivasspor.

Kayode scored in the 33rd minute to reduce the deficit after Villarreal had went front with two goals.

The forward however didn’t complete the game as he was substituted out for Arouna Kone.

Chidera Ejuke

Chidera Ejuke came in as substitute for CSKA Moscow who held Wolsberger AC to 1-1 stalemate.

Ejuke joined the fray coming in for Nayair Tiknizyan in the 46th minute.

He was one of the player that was recently called up to the Super Eagles squad by Gernot Rohr in the last friedlies in Austria.

His first international cap was the 1-1 draw against Tunisia as substitute.


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