Get Guardian on GoogleThe weekend produced mixed fortunes for Nigerian players across Europe, with Tolu Arokodare extending his scoring streak to five consecutive matches for Ajax. Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey also impressed for Fulham, while Akor Adams and Taiwo Awoniyi endured difficult outings as the Super Eagles prepare for their crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.
England
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
Super Eagles duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey put in a decent shift as Fulham battled Newcastle United to a one-all draw at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon. Alex Iwobi played the entire duration of the game and was one of the most impressive performers on the afternoon. The midfielder completed 90% of his passes and made three recoveries as the hosts snatched a late point from the visitors. Jacob Murphy scored the opener in the 80th minute before Rodrigo Muniz came off the bench to grab the equalizer three minutes later. Iwobi also registered his 329th Premier League appearance as he continues to edge closer to Kolo Toure’s record.
Calvin Bassey marked his 100th appearance in the draw against Newcastle. The Fulham captain has displayed strong character since he assumed duty at the start of the season. Bassey started in defense for the 10th consecutive time this season in the Premier League and played for 90 minutes, marshaling the defense for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side. Calvin Bassey won all his duels, made seven clearances, four recoveries, and one interception as Fulham and Newcastle shared points on Saturday.
Semi Ajayi (Hull City)
Arsenal secured a narrow win over Hull City on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium, but the defending champions of the Premier League didn’t score until Semi Ajayi was forced off the pitch. The Super Eagles central defender was part of Hull City’s five-man defense, which denied Arsenal space in the final third, forcing the Gunners wide for long spells in the match. Ajayi made four clearances, won seven of his eight duels, and won all his tackles before he went off injured in the 69th minute. The injury means the Super Eagles defender will likely be unavailable for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania this week.
Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City)
Taiwo Awoniyi featured on Friday night as Coventry suffered their seventh Premier League loss of the season. The 29-year-old striker scored his first League goal of the season against Sunderland last week but was caged against Everton in the 3-1 loss. Awoniyi didn’t register a shot on target and missed a big chance as Frank Lampard’s men’s poor form away from home continues. Awoniyi’s Super Eagles teammate Frank Onyeka was unavailable for selection as the midfielder is currently on the sidelines with a groin injury.
Bright-Osayi Samuel (Birmingham City)
Osayi-Samuel, for the first time this season, sat on the bench for the entire 90 minutes as Birmingham City came from a goal down to beat Swansea 2-1 in the English Championship on Saturday afternoon. The right-back had featured in 14 consecutive matches for the Blues before the match against the visitors.
Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic)
The Super Eagles goalkeeper sat on the bench for the second consecutive match for Charlton. The 25-year-old was an unused substitute as Charlton ended their six-game winless streak on Saturday. The hosts secured a 2-1 win over Sheffield United with goals from Millenic Alli and Matthew Godden. Okonkwo has been in between the sticks for Charlton 12 times this season and has kept three clean sheets.
Turkey
Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor)
The Super Eagles forward got back on the score sheet on Friday in Bursaspor’s 1-1 draw away at Antalyaspor. Kelechi Iheanacho couldn’t find the back of the net against Bandirmaspor last week to extend his goal record. Iheanacho was on a run of scoring in 12 consecutive matches for Bursaspor until Bandirmaspor’s visit last week. Meanwhile, Iheanacho didn’t get an invitation to the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Tanzania despite his impressive run of form. The forward has scored 17 goals in 14 matches for Bursaspor so far this season.
Gift Orban (Amedspor)
Gift Orban scored his 10th goal of the season for Amedspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on Saturday night. The 24-year-old forward scored from a header in a thrilling seven-goal thriller against Galatasaray in Istanbul. Gift Orban remains at the top of the scorer’s chart with 10 goals and four assists, while Victor Osimhen, who didn’t feature for Galatasaray due to a knee injury in the 4-3 win, has one goal and one assist less.
Chibuike Nwaiwu and Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor)
Chibuike Nwaiwu and Paul Onuachu were impressive for Trabzonspor in the 2-0 away win at Alanyaspor on Sunday night. Nwaiwu, the former Enyimba defender, was solid in defense as he helped his side keep a clean sheet. The central defender was involved in the first goal as he provided the assist to Wagner Pina’s opener.
Paul Onuachu also had a decent shift as he assisted Salah’s ninth goal in the Turkish Süper Lig. Onuachu hasn’t scored since his return from injury but has been decent in the last couple of matches for Trabzonspor. Onuachu finished last season as the joint-top scorer with 22 goals and three assists. The 32-year-old has only managed two in nine matches this season.
Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas)
Wilfred Ndidi played until the 70th minute in Besiktas 3-0 win over Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Süper Lig. The Super Eagles captain picked up a yellow card in the second minute of the game but maintained discipline until his substitution. Ndidi completed 89% of his passes as he continued to play in an advanced position under Vincenzo Italiano.
Netherlands (Arokodare)
Tolu Arokodare continued his goal streak on Sunday afternoon as he got on the score sheet for the fifth consecutive match for Ajax Amsterdam. Arokodare scored the opener three minutes into the match against Twente away from home. Rayane Bounida doubled the lead in the second half, but Ajax surrendered the two-goal lead as the home side forced a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Arokodare has scored seven goals in 11 matches for Ajax in the Eredivisie, as the 25-year-old will hope to continue his form when the Super Eagles take on Tanzania in the AFCON qualifiers.
France
Moses Simon (Paris FC)
The winger was on for 66th minute as Paris FC won 1 nil away at Auxerre in the French Ligue 1. Simon has featured in four consecutive matches for the Paris-based club since he returned. Injury last month. The 31-year-old is yet to score in eight matches but provided his first assist of the season in the 3-1 win over Monaco last week.
Spain
Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla)
Ejuke came on in the second half but couldn’t impact the game as Sevilla and Alaves ended in a stalemate on Friday night. The Super Eagles winger completed two of his three dribble attempts and made four touches in the opposition box. The winger has been a consistent feature for the Rojiblancos this season, with a goal in 10 appearances so far. The hosts could have secured maximum points, but Ruben Vargas missed from the penalty spot in the first half.
Sadiq Umar (Valencia)
Sadiq Umar had a quiet game as Valencia suffered a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mestalla on Saturday night. The Nigerian striker played for almost an hour as the Los Blancos sealed a 3-0 win. Umar had no shots on target and was substituted in the 59th minute. Sadiq Umar marked his return from injury with a goal last week but couldn’t muster an attempt against an in-form Real Madrid.
Italy
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
The midfielder came on from the bench for the sixth consecutive time this season but couldn’t help Lazio secure maximum points against Napoli in Naples. The midfielder came on after the hour mark as Napoli and Lazio settled for a one-all draw at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Dele-Bashiru has a goal and an assist in seven Serie A matches this season. The 25-year-old is back in the Super Eagles squad in a marquee 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.
Akor Adams (Venezia)
Adams was not among the goalscorers as Venezia grabbed their second Serie A win of the season in a 2-1 win over Udinese on Friday. Adams played for 90 minutes, had a shot on target, made three touches in Udinese’s box, and was caught offside three times. Adams has only two goals in 11 Serie A matches for Venezia this season.
