Saturday review: How Nigerian players performed in Europe this weekend
Nigerian players where in action on Saturday across Europe and this is a round up of their actions…
Alex Iwobi was on for 75 minutes as Everton were forced to a 2-2 draw at Leeds United. The Toffees twice took the lead through Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty and Demarai Gray, but the home side fought back through Mateusz Klich and Raphinha to get a share of the points. Iwobi, playing his second game of the season, was pulled off for Andros Townsend.
Frank Onyeka survived a 16th minute injury scare and got back on the pitch to help Brentford get a point in the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace. The all-action star was involved in the thick of things for his Bees before going off in the 70th minute for Saman Goddos.
Watford’s Nigerian contingent of Emmanuel Dennis, Oghenero Etebo and William Troost-Ekong were all in the starting line-up and played all 90 minutes at Brighton’s American Express Community stadium, but fell 2-0 to the home side courtesy of Shane Duffy and Neil Maupay’s first half goals.
In the Championship, Semi Ajayi started from the bench but came on for Mathew Clarke in the 42nd minute as West Brom won 2-1 at Blackburn Rovers. The Baggies, relegated at the end of last season, are plotting an immediate return to the Premier League.
Chidera Ejuke went from getting an assist last week to getting on the scoresheet this week as CSKA Moscow beat FK Akhmat in the Russian Premier League. The exciting winger made way for Baktiyor Zaynutdinov at the 88th minute mark. With a second successive win CSKA have now moved to fifth in the table.
Ola Aina started for home team Torino against Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Saturday evening in Italian Serie A’s opening weekend. The former Chelsea star quickly got into the game and was at the heart of Torino’s aggresive play. His shot in the 43rd minute was parried by Atalanta keeper Juan Musso away from goal.
Dickson Abiama started for Greuther Fuerth against Arminia Bielefeld in the German Bundesliga, but was pulled out for Jamie Leweling in the 86th minute as the game ended 1-1 at their home Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer. It is the Nigerian’s second successive start.
In Holland’s Eredivisie, Maduka Okoye was in goal as Sparta Rotterdam drew 1-1 with visiting Heracles at the Sparta Stadion. It was a much improved performance from the Nigerian number one who shipped in goals last weekend.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was on for 90 minutes for Fatih Karagumruk against Ricespor in the Turkish Superlig but failed to re-enact his goalscoring showing of last weekend. They however picked a valuable point away from home.
