Nigerians abroad shine like bright morning stars

Nigerian players abroad put up superlative showing throughout last week, playing themselves back to prominence by helping their various clubs to win matches.

Josh Maja was at his best for Fulham on his full debut in the Premier League as he scored a brace to help Fulham record a 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park.

It was a day when six Nigerians were on parade in one match but Maja proved his consistency at the Goodison Park.

Ola Aina also featured for Fulham, and he provided the assist for Maja’s first of the night. Ademola Lookman, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Onomah were the other players of Nigerian descent that played for Fulham, while Alex Iwobi was an unused substitute for Everton.

Maja was not the only Nigerian that scored a brace as Terrem Moffi also scored twice in Lorient’s 2-2 draw against Monaco.

The 21-year-old has now scored eight times in 18 Ligue 1 appearances this season, and he is knocking on a first international call-up.

In another Ligue 1 game, Moses Simon opened the scoring as Nantes secured their first win of 2021 courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Angers. Simon now has three goals in 19 league games for Les Canaries this season.

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In Turkey, Jesse Sekidika was on target in Konyaspor 2-0 victory over Denizlispor. The 24-year-old scored his first goal for Konyaspor since leaving Galatasaray on loan.

Onyekuru and Osimhen had a disappointing night, Kelechi Iheanacho delivered an impressive performance after scoring his second goal in three games to help Leicester City progress to the FA Cup quarterfinals at the expense of Brighton.

The match at the King Power Stadium was heading towards extra-time until Iheanacho headed in the winner in the final seconds of added time.

His international compatriot, Wilfred Ndidi made his return from injury in the game, playing for 62 minutes before going off for Hamza Choudhury.He also broke his personal record against Liverpool, having made 19 ball recoveries against the Reds.

Finally, in Belgium, Paul Onuachu was at it again after scoring the lone goal in Genk’s Belgian Cup win over St. Truiden.

The game was on course for extra-time until Onuachu scored the winner three minutes from time. It was his 23rd goal of the season in all competitions.

Joe Aribo started for Rangers in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Kilmarnock in a Scottish Premiership showdown.

Unbeaten in their last 11 league games, the Gers silenced Tommy Wright’s men with Ryan Jack scoring the only goal in the 37th minute.

Alongside compatriot Leon Balogun, Aribo – who played his 22nd league game of the 2020-21 campaign was in action from start to finish at the Ibrox Stadium.

Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo scored his first goal for Al Shabab in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat of Al Nassr.

Having failed to score on his debut versus Al Raed, the 31-year-old made his presence count as the White Lions extended their winning streak to four at the King Saud University Stadium.

After replacing Fabio Martins in the 63rd minute, the former Nigeria international found the net in the 90th minute with a sublime finish past goalkeeper Bradley Jones.

Victor Osimhen made a return to Napoli’s starting lineup still, it was another loss for the Nigerian and his team as they crashed out of the Coppa Italia following a 3-1 loss to Atalanta.

Osimhen had not started a game for Napoli since returning from injury and Covid -19, but he was handed a start last night by Gennaro Gattuso.

Asisat Oshoala also helped Barcelona women’s team to win a record seventh Spanish Copa de la Reina title for the 2019-20 season following a 3-0 victory over Logrono in Malaga on Saturday.

The Nigerian delivered an impressive performance in attack as the Blaugranas claimed their second major title in the 2019-20 term after reclaiming the league crown for the first time since 2015.

Despite scoring 16 goals in 20 outings this term, Oshoala was left on the bench after she failed to hit the net in two games and came on as a second-half substitute to guarantee her side’s win.