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By Obiweluozo Martins
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| Impressive midfield player Ovie Ejaria (18) star of the future for Nigeria and Liverpool. |
Several Nigerians were in action on Wednesday night in various games including the Champions League qualifiers in order to help their respective teams book a place in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
We take a look at how Nigerians in Europe fared on Wednesday Night.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-QUALIFICATION
FC ASTANA 1-1 CELTIC FC
The want away and skillful Celtic defender Efe Ambrose lasted the entire 90minutes of the game as his visiting Celtic side drew 1-1 with host FC Astana (Kazakhstan Champions) in the qualifiers.
FENERBAHCE 2-1 AS MONACO
Emmanuel Emenike was in top form for his Turkish side Fenerbahce as he fired a brace in the 39th minute and 61st minute through an assist from Dutch defender Gregory Van Der Wiel to give his side a 2-1 win in between Radamel Falcao equalizer in the 43rd minute of the game as the forward (Emenike) physically held up his marker, dribbled the goalie to slot home the first goal in the 39th minutes. Emenike lasted 71minute and was replaced by Aatif Chahechouhe while AS Monaco and Nigerian left back Uwa Echiejile was not listed in AS Monaco match day squad.
AS TRENCIN 0-1 LEGIA WARSZAWA
The Slovakian Champions (Trencin) had four Nigerians in the starting eleven (11).Christopher Udeh (18) years center back and mercurial midfield player Rabiu Ibrahim along with winger Samuel Kalu lasted the entire 90minute while compatriot Aliko Bala was replaced in the 79th minute by Jamarro Diks as Trencin lost 0-1 at home to visiting Legia Warszawa courtesy of Nemanja Nikolic winner on 61 minute of the game.
OLYMPIACOS 0-0 HAPOEL BEER SHEVA
Brown Ideye of Olympiakos lasted the distance while John Ogu of Hapoel Beer Sheva lasted the distance as well while teammate and striker Anthony Nwakaeme was replaced by Yuval Shabtai at 90th minutes of the game as both sides drew (0-0)goalless on the night.
INTERNATIONAL-CHAMPIONS CUP
CHELSEA 1-0 LIVERPOOL
Chelsea’s Victor Moses lasted 65 minutes of the match and was replaced by Spanish forward Pedro Rodriguez while John Obi Mikel was expectedly absent due to RIO Olympic duties. Chelsea and Anglo-Nigerian defender Ola Aina (19+) lasted the entire 90 minutes for Chelsea while Fikayo Tomori was on the bench for 90 minutes, for Liverpool promising midfield talent Ovie Ejaria lasted 64th minutes and was replaced by English International James Milner. Impressive winger Sheyi Ojo came on to replace Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren while Anglo-Nigerian center back Tiago Ilori was not listed in Liverpool match day Squad.
