From England to Turkey to Germany, Nigerian players abroad were once again in the thick of action for their respective clubs, with a few getting their names on the score sheets.
Germany
Anthony Ujah
In the German BundesLiga, Nigerian striker, Anthony Ujah banged in his 7th goal of the season for Werder Bremen against FC Schalke 04 to lead the hosts to a convincing 3-1 victory.
Ujah got his goal and Bremen’s third in the 89th minute. Joel Matip had given Schalke the lead in the fourth minute but Florian Grillitsch leveled up for Bremen before goals from Claudio Pizzaro and Ujah secured the three points for Bremen.
Turkey
John Chibuike
In Turkey, power playing forward, John Chibuike scored twice for Gaziantepspor on Sunday in a thrilling 2-3 loss to visitors Bursaspor.
The Nigerian star scored in each half, first to give the hosts the lead and then to level the score at 2-all with less than 10 minutes of the game to play.
But it was not enough as Bursaspor claimed maximum points when Samil Çinaz netted five minutes from time to seal the win for his side.
Chibuike now has three goals for Gaziantepspor in the Turkish top-flight this season.
Umar Aminu
Aminu grabbed a sensational brace and was the chief tormenting officer as newcomer Osmanlıspor humiliated defending champions Galatasaray 3-2.
Nigeria junior international forward Aminu Umar opened the scoring for Osmanlı in the 20th minute on Saturday, the 20-year old whacking the ball into the back of the net after an almost solo effort.
Burak Yılmaz and Dutchman Wesley Sneider both scored to edge Galatasaray ahead before Umar again equalized for Osmanlı. Osmanli then got the winner with minutes to spare in the second half.
Israel
Nosa Igiebor
A stunning Nosa Igiebor goal helped Maccabi Tel Aviv to a 3-1 win over Maccabi Petah Tikva at Bloomfield Stadium and back to the top of the Israeli Premier League standings. The win moved Maccabi two points clear of Hapoel Beersheba.
Eran Zahavi got the opener in the 17th minute before Igiebor doubled the advantage five minutes later with an unstoppable shot into the top right corner from 20 meters out.
Dor Hugi scored on the stroke of halftime to give the visitors a ray of hope but Zahavi’s second goal of the game in the second half settled the matter.
Holland
Kenneth Otigba
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| Kenneth Otigba |
Otigba was once again among the goals as SC Heerenveen ran out 3-1 winners against Willem despite going behind to a 20th minute Nick van der Velden strike.
The home side hit back with three goals in the last 20 minutes through Arber Zeneli, Kenneth Otigba and Sam Larsson to move up to 10th in the table.
The Nigerian youngster, who has declared his wish to play for Nigeria despite playing for Hungary at youth level, played from start to finish.
England
Odion Ighalo
The in-form Nigeria forward scored the opener and assisted the other to drag Watford over Newcastle and out of their recent poor run.
After a goalless first 45, it took Ighalo just 44 seconds into the second period to race clear, dribble past Elliot in Newcastle’s goal and put Watford ahead. The game ended 2-1.
It was Ighalo’s 14th EPL goal of the campaign.
Austria
Olanrewaju Kayode
Former Nigeria youth international, Olanrewaju Kayode, was on target for Austria Wien in their 2-1 win against Sandhausen in a club friendly game on Friday.
Kayode opened scoring for Austria Wien in the 46th minute of the encounter. Ranisav Jovanovic drew Sandhausen level in the 76th minute. And with four minutes remaining in the match, Alexander Gorgon netted the winning goal for Austria Wien.
