By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 9, 2023

•Okereke opens season’s account

•Sadiq goal drought continues

It was a mixed feeling for Nigerian players abroad in their last games before turning their attention to international duties. EBENEZER BAJELA writes on how some of the players performed

sunday

Germany

Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)

Boniface continues his impressive run with another goal as Bayer Leverkusen beat FC Cologne 3-0 to ensure that they go into the international break as Bundesliga leaders.

The 22-year-old striker failed to Mainz last week but return to the scoresheet as he banged in the third goal for the home side.

He has now scored seven goals and contributed two assists in seven league appearances.

Italy

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Osimhen grabbed his sixth goal of the season against Fiorentina on Sunday and this time from the penalty spot.

It was the first spot kick for the Nigerian since his penalty miss against Bologna and the striker cooly converted from the spot to level the score for the Serie Champions.

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)

Lookman started from the bench as Atalanta suffered a 3-2 defeat to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. The Nigerian came on in the 60th minute for Gianluca Scamacca but his contribution was not enough as Atalanta conceded a late goal despite their impressive performance.

 David Okereke (Cremonese)

Okereke scored his first goal of the season as Cremonese recorded a convincing 3-1 victory over Como in the Serie B.

The 26-year-old forward grabbed the second goal for the visitors to end his four-match goals drought. Okereke surprisingly didn’t start the second half and was taken off for Zan Majer.

Spain

Umar Sadiq (Socieded)

Sadiq’s struggle for playing time continued on Sunday as the striker was introduced just a minute before the end of the game as Real Sociedad fell to a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The striker is yet to score his first goal of the season after 227 minutes of action.

the Netherlands

Chuba Akpom (Ajax)

Again, Akpom started from the in Ajax 2-1 defeat at home to AZ Alkmaar on Sunday. The midfielder, who has only started a game for the Dutch side since joining from Middlesbrough, was in action for just a minute as Ajax suffered their third consecutive defeat.

So far this season, Akpom has only completed a total of 128 minutes of action and is yet to either score or assist in the four league games he featured.

Turkey

Ibrahim Olawoyin (Rizespor)

Olawoyin was in action for 18 minutes on Sunday as Rizespor claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Samsunspor at the Caykur Didi Stadyumu.

The Nigerian came in for Gustavo Sauer in the 72nd minute as the home side were in search of a goal. With only an assist so far this season, the 25-year-old is yet to open his goal account after eight league games.

 Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor)

New Super Eagles invitee, Dele-Bashiru, was in action for 90minutes as Hatayspor secured a 3-1 win over Konyaspor.

It was another great outing for the Nigerian though he was unable to add to his impressive four-goal tally.

 Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa)

Omeruo could not help his side from conceding twice as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Fenerbahce on Sunday.

The 29-year-old made his eight appearance of the season and was shown the first yellow card with just three minutes to end of the game following a foul on Edin Dzeko.

 Scotland

Toyosi Olusanya (St. Mirren)

Olusanya could not add to his two-goal tally and watch on as St. Mirren suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Rangers on Sunday.

The English player of Nigerian descent was in action for 68 minutes before he was substituted for Mikael Mandron.

Belgium

Ejuke, Yusuf, Ilenikhena (Antwerp)

Nigerian trio Chidera Ejuke, Alhassan Yusuf and George Ilenikhena were all unused substitutes as Royal Antwerp claimed a 4-1 win Eupen at Bosuil Stadion.

Mark van Bommel made only one substitution with Gyrano Kerk the only player introduced in the 85th minute.

Gift Orban (Gent)

Orban started the game against Genk from the bench but was introduced early into the game following an injury to Ismael Kandouss in the first half.

The Nigeria once again struggled to make any impact and has now failed to score in his seventh straight appearance for Gent as they were forced to a 1-1 draw at home.

 Toluwalase Arokodare (Genk)

Like his compatriot, Arokodare started game that ended in a 1-1 draw from the bench. The forward was called upon in the 68th minute for Andi Zeqiri.

The 22-year-old forward has now fail to score in his last three league games.

SATURDAY

ENGLAND

EPL

Lucas Koleosho (Burnley)

Burnley winger Koleosho was a 61st-minute substitute for Tresor Mputu in their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea at home to remain rooted in the relegation zone with just four points from eight games in the EPL. Koleosho, who has a Nigerian dad, is eligible to represent Nigeria, USA, Canada and Italy.

Iwobi, Bassey (Fulham)

New boy Alex Iwobi was on for 79 minutes, while compatriot Calvin Bassey saw the last 19 minutes of action as Fulham posted a solid performance, beating Sheffield United 3-1 at Craven Cottage to amass 11 points and stay 12th on the EPL log.

Frank Onyeka (Brentford)

Midfielder Onyeka was a 70th-minute substitute, coming on for Vitaly Janelt as The Bees led 1-0 in 90 minutes at Manchester United. However, the midfielder and his teammates found themselves on the wrong end after two stoppage-time goals from United substitute Scott McTominay sealed the win to send the Theatre of Dreams into delirious celebrations.

Awoniyi, Aina (Forest)

Duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina were absent as Nottingham Forest held Crystal Palace goalless away from home. While Aina is battling a muscle injury, Awoniyi was not listed for the encounter.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Iheanacho, Ndidi (Leicester)

Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi made goals contributions in Leicester City’s 2-0 win over Stoke City in the English second tier as the Foxes aim to return immediately to the EPL. Iheanacho scored the opening goal in the 24th minute before veteran striker Jamie Vardy finished off the job in the 79th minute off an Ndidi assist — two minutes after both players were brought on — to send the home fans into rapturous celebrations.

Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City)

Defender Collins was on for 90 minutes as Cardiff were held 1-1 by visiting Watford, who paraded another Nigerian Tom Dele-Bashiru. The midfielder was on for 59 minutes.

Aribo, Edozien (Southampton)

Southampton duo Joe Aribo and Sam Edozien were second-half substitutes as the Saints were held 1-1 by Rotherham United, who fielded forward Fred Onyedinma. Edozien came on for Kamal-Deen Sulemana in the 63rd minute while Aribo was brought in for William Smallbone in the 86th minute.

ITALY

Samuel Chukwueze (Milan)

New winger Chukwueze was pulled out by Stefano Pioli for American Christian Pulisic, who grabbed AC Milan’s winner at Genoa three minutes from full time, in a grudge game that saw both sides having their goalkeepers Josep Martinez (Genoa) and Mike Maignan (Milan) sent off.

SAUDI ARABIA

Onyekuru, Nwakaeme (Al Feiha)

Forwards Anthony Nwakaeme and Henry Onyekuru played the entire 90 minutes, with the latter on target for Al Feiha in the 1-1 stalemate against Al Wehda, who paraded another Nigerian Odion Ighalo, in the oil-rich Saudi league. Onyekuru opened score in the 23rd minute but the hosts restored parity in the 76th minute as the three Nigerians shared the
spoils.

Source Punch Ng

Posted October 9, 2023

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