Goals rain for Nigerians in Europe

myDelsu News Staff 2

284 3 minutes read

Osimhen, Simon, Dessers, Solanke, Ajibade on target

Nigerian footballers scored frequently during the weekend in European leagues. EBENEZER BAJELA reviews the performances of 9 of the country’s top footballers.

ENGLAND

Edozie Aribo (Southampton)

Joe Aribo and Samuel Edozie played in Sunday’s 1-1 draw between Southampton and West Ham United.

Aribo played 74 minutes before Edozie replaced him.

Born in England to a Nigerian father and an English mother, the 19-year-old made an immediate impact but couldn’t help the Saints win.

IwobiAlex (Everton)

Iwobi played all 90 minutes as Everton lost 2-0 against Tottenham Hotspurs on Saturday.

Iwobi passed to Demarai Gray, who missed the opportunity.

Iheanacho (Leicester City)

With five minutes left in Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace, Brendan Rodgers replaced Harvey Barnes with Kelechi Iheanacho.

The forward had little or no impact as the game ended goalless in front of 31,298 fans.

Dennis (Nottingham Forest)

Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis’ side lost 1-0 against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Jesse Lingard replaced Dennis after 70 minutes. Despite some brilliant moments, the former Watford player couldn’t break the hosts’ defense and was booked.

Awoniyi was thrown into the fray with six minutes left.

The former Liverpool forward replaced Remo Freuler but couldn’t help the promoted side.

Solanke (Bournemouth)

Solanke impressed in Bournemouth’s 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday.

The English player of Nigerian ancestry scored the game’s first goal two minutes in before assisting Jefferson Lerma to put Bournemouth ahead again in the 29th minute.

Championship

Kalu Troost-Ekong (Watford)

William Troost-Ekong helped Watford push for Premier League promotion.

The defender was outstanding in the Hornets’ 2-1 win over Norwich.

The 29-year-old played the full 90 minutes as Slaven Bilic’s squad won.

Samuel Kalu was substituted on for Okoye with a minute remaining. In extra time, the winger replaced Ismaila Sarr.

Ekpiteta (Blackpool)

Ekpiteta was sent off in Blackpool’s 3-3 draw with Sheffield United. The Nigerian-born player was sent off in the 78th minute after being booked in the 55th.

Adebayo (Luton Town)

Adebayo scored as Luton Town beat QPR 3-1 on Saturday.

The Nigerian forward scored after 18 minutes as the home side cruised to victory.

League 2

Umerah (Hartlepool)

Josh Umerah of Hartlepool United also scored.

Former Charlton Athletic player scored in the 85th minute, but the visitors fell 2-1 to Harrogate.

ITALY

(Torino)

Aina played 78 minutes for Torino against Juventus, but the hosts lost to Dusan Vlahovic’s 74th-minute strike.

Aina played wingback and was impressive before being replaced by Wilfried Stephane Singo.

Osimhen (Napoli)

Osimhen scored on his comeback from injury against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, but he was on the bench when Napoli beat Bologna 3-2 on Sunday.

The forward, out since September, replaced Giacomo Raspadori in the 46th minute.

The former Lille striker scored Napoli’s winner in the 63rd minute off a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pass.

Lookman (Atalanta)

Lookman scored the game-winning goal for Atalanta versus Sassuolo at the Gewiss Stadium in Serie A.

Since joining Roma from Leipzig last summer, the winger has scored four goals and three in a row.

The Nigerian was replaced by Jeremie Boga after 68 minutes.

Dessers (Cremonese)

Dessers helped Cremonese to snatch 2-2 in Serie on Sunday.

The Nigerian took Spezia’s lead in the first minute before M’Bala Nzola equalized in the 19th.

FRANCE

Moffi (Lorient)

Moffi only played 25 minutes for Lorient on Saturday before getting injured and being replaced by Ibrahima Kone.

Simon Moses (Nantes)

Simon led Nantes to a 4-1 win over Brest in Ligue 1 on Sunday after a dismal Europa League performance on Thursday.

After falling behind to Noah Fadiga’s 18th-minute goal, the 27-year-old scored from the penalty spot in the 35th minute.

The Nigerian was a threat for the hosts, who scored three more goals to win.

BELGIUM

Offor chinonso (Zulte Waregem)

Offor helped his Belgian club beat Kortrijk 3-1 away in Division A.

In the 65th minute, the Nigerian scored his team’s second goal to put them ahead.

Turkey

David, Onyekuru (Adana)

Henry Onyekuru and Babajide David scored as Adana Demirspor beat Kasimpasa 4-1 away.

Younes Belhanda gave the visitors the lead in the 37th minute, and David put them in command five minutes later.

Belhanda assisted Onyekuru’s third-quarter goal. The winger was cautioned in first-half extra time before scoring.

NORWAY

Fred (Stroemsgodset)

Stroemsgodset’s Port-Harcourt-born Friday was cautioned in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Rosenborg.

The 27-year-old has scored five times this season but went scoreless on the road.

HOLLAND

Adekanye (Go Ahead Eagles)

Adekanye played with Ajax before being replaced by Finn Stokkers, but he underwhelmed. Referee Dennis Higler cautioned the player after he failed to add to his one goal.

SPAIN

Ajibade Rasheedat (Atletico)

Rasheedat Ajibade scored four goals for Atletico Madrid in a 5-0 win over Huelva on Saturday.

Ajibade gave Atletico the lead at halftime.

In the 51st minute of the second half, the Nigerian scored again off a Sheila Garcia assist.

The former FC Robo player scored her fourth goal in overtime.

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