Nigeria Stars Abroad: Ndidi, Maja, Chukwueze, Adeyemi scores; Onyekuru, Osimhen, Collins tastes defeat

A beautiful weekend of VAR-induced controversies, goals and canceled goals saw Nigeria-eligible football stars once again involved in league and cup action for their respective clubs.

From England to Spain, to France to Scotland, to China there were a few important goals made in Nigeria.

Soccernet.ng takes you on a trip from Europe to Asia to x-ray the contributions of players of Nigeria descent.

England

Wilfried Ndidi, Chelsea 1-1 Leicester City

Ndidi played the full 90 minutes, making a mistake and later atoning for that error with his first away goal since joining Leicester City from Genk in 2017.

Wilfred Ndidi's stats v. Chelsea:

1 shot
1 goal
8 tackles won
4 interceptions
7 ball recoveries

Yes, Ndidi!!#CHELEI #PL pic.twitter.com/efcipLE82H

— StatmanFM (@statmanfarouq) August 19, 2019

Mason Mount gave the Blues a seventh-minute lead, robbing Ndidi and smashing the opener into the net at Stamford Bridge within seven minute of kickoff.

However, the Nigeria international went from villain to hero in the second half after glancing a fine header past Kepa Arrizabalaga to hand the Foxes a well-deserved away point.

Semi Ajayi, Luton Town 1-2 West Brom

West Brom continued their impressive start to the season by picking yet another fine away win at Kenilworth Road.

Nigeria international Semi Ajayi, a new arrival this summer, made his fourth appearance for Albion and featured for the entire duration of the game as West Brom defeated Luton Town courtesy of two goals from debutant Grady Diangana.

Ajayi was yet again dominant in defence helping Slaven Bilic’s men claim their second away win of the season.

https://www.twitter.com/WBA/status/1162319196006625281

Congolese-born English forward Grady Diangana scored two second half goals for West Bromwich Albion to cancel Cornick’s first half opener in their 2-1 victory over Luton Town on Saturday.

Oghenekaro Etebo, Stoke City 2-2 Derby County.

After enjoying an extended holiday owing to his involvement in Nigeria’s 2019 AFCON campaign in Egypt, Super Eagles midfielder Etebo Oghenekaro returned to action for his English Championship side, Stoke City, in a 2-2 home draw against Derby County.

The Super Eagles enforcer, who played every minute as the Super Eagles won Bronze medal in the AFCON competition, was introduced in place of Sam Clucas in the 87th minute of the game.

Martyn Waghorn scored a brace for Derby County, while Liam Lindsay and Scott Hogan were the scorers for Stoke City as the Potters continued their search for their first league victory of the season.

Spain

Samuel Chukwueze, Ramon Azeez; Villarreal 4-4 Granada

Samuel Chukwueze scored Villarreal’s fourth goal but the Yellow Submarines could only settle for a point in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Granada at Estadio de la Cerámica.

The Super Eagles winger’s sublime finish in the 73rd minute gave the Yellow Submarines a 4-2 lead.

https://www.twitter.com/bj_media/status/1163001966571790337

However, the home side could not hold on to the lead as two late goals from Granada ensured the points were shared.

Ramon Azeez played the last 21 minutes for the visitors.

Kenneth Omeruo, Leganes 0-1 Osasuna

The Nigeria international, who only completed his permanent switch from Chelsea this week, watched the entire encounter from the bench as Osasuna handed Leganes their first home loss of the new season.

Ezequiel Avila scored the only goal of the match in the 75th minute before Oscar received his marching orders in regulation time.

France

Victor Osimhen, Amiens 1-0 Lille

The Super Eagles striker was on from start to finish but couldn’t save his team from suffering their first defeat of the season.

Amiens managed to edge a tight game over ten-man Lille on Saturday, a game made even more difficult for Osimhen and co by the first half sending off of Boubakary Soumare.

Till the 70th minute, Lille held on before Sehrou Guirassy found the net off an assist from DR Congo’s Akolo at the Stade de la Licorne.

Osimhen, who joined the Great Danes from Sporting Charleroi last month, bagged a brace on his debut for Christophe Galtier’s side against Nantes last week.

https://www.twitter.com/bet365/status/1160546577938866177

 

Samuel Kalu, Josh Maja; Bordeaux 1-1 Montpellier

Nigerian winger Samuel Kalu saw full action as his side, Bordeaux avoided another defeat in Ligue as they fought hard from behind to tie Montpellier 1-1 at home in the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.

But it was compatriot Josh Maja, born in the London Borough of Lewisham to Nigerian parents, who delivered Bordeaux from the clutches of defeat after coming on at the start of the second half to score the equalizer for the home side.

https://www.twitter.com/girondins_en/status/1162808434665938953

The 20 year-old latched on to a long ball after a failed clearance. He ran behind the defenders, turning two and the goalkeeper before slotting home.

https://www.twitter.com/Wideoverload/status/1162808479926673408

33-year-old former French International and ex-Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny also made his debut for the home side.

Henry Onyekuru, Metz 3-0 Monaco

It was a debut best forgotten as new Monaco signing Henry Onyekuru tasted defeat in his very first game for the team.

Enchante Monaco 🇲🇨 New League, New Challenge! I’m excited, let’s get started! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/hl3WIXFuR0

— Henry Onyekuru (@henryconyekuru) August 12, 2019

The former Charleroi striker was handed a starting role at the Stare Saint Symphorien, but ten-man Monaco crumbled to a 3-0 defeat away to Metz.

A Diallo brace and Cohade third condemned Monaco, who saw Aguilar sent off in the 34th minute, to a second loss of the season.

Henry’s watch ended in the 70th minute and he was substituted for Gil Dias.

Germany

Jamilu Collins, Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Paderborn

The Nigeria international made his maiden appearance in the German top-flight but could not prevent his newly-promoted side from defeat at the BayArena.

The 25-year-old defender, who has been with the Benteler-Arena outfit since 2017, played a key role to aid his side’s return to the German top-flight last season.

Super Eagles left back Jamilu Collins played all 90minutes as his club Paderborn 07 lost 3-2 to Bayer Leverkusen.

This game was his Bundesliga debut at the Bay Arena could not help his side gain anything in their first match back in the Bundesliga.#brilafm #brilasports pic.twitter.com/la06ytMbLA

— Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM (@Brilafm889) August 18, 2019

At the BayArena, Super Eagles first choice left-back Jamilu Collins lasted the entire duration as Bundesliga newcomers SC Paderborn suffered a 3-2 loss at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

Taiwo Awoniyi, Freiburg 3-0 Maiz

Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi played the last five minutes of Mainz’s 3-0 loss to Freiburg at the Schwarzwald-Stadion, Freiburg.

The home team were 2-0 up thanks to goals from Lucas Holer and Jonathan Schmid before the Nigeria international came off the bench. He was however on hand to witness Freiburg bag a late third goal.

Kingsley Ehizibue; Wolfsburg 2-1 FC Cologne

Munich-born Nigerian fullback Kingsley Ehizibue was in action for 90 minutes as FC Cologne suffered a 2-1 loss to VfL Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena.

The 24-year-old, who signed a four-year contract with FC Cologne in the off-season, won 89 percent of his challenges, clocked up a joint top speed of 34km/hour and completed 80 percent of his dribbles but it was not enough to earn the away side a share of the points at stake.

Scotland 

Joe Aribo, East Five 0-3 Rangers

The new Super Eagles invitee was in superb goalscoring form yet again as the midfielder guided the Scottish giants to a straightforward defeat of East Fife at the Bayview Stadium in the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.

Goals from the Nigerian playmaker, veteran Jermain Defoe and Filip Helander gave the Gers a 3-0 victory over the lower division side.

Tough playing conditions today 🌪, however job done and we advance to the next round. Thanks to the travelling supporters 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/FgpODFElI8

— Joe Aribo (@J_Aribo19) August 18, 2019

Steven Gerrard’s men led with a first half Defoe strike and increased their lead early in the second half through Helander.

Joe Aribo placed the icing on the victory, five minutes from time, with a tidy finish after East Five goalie spilled a fierce Rangers’ drive.

🔝 A great performance and a goal for @J_Aribo19 this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/Tt83j09Gur

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 18, 2019

Austria

Karim Adeyemi, Liefering 3-2 SV Horn

The 17-year-old German-Nigerian prodigy was the star of the show as nine-man Liefering edged past SV Horn in a five goal thriller.

Born to a Nigerian father Abiodun Adeyemi and a Romanian mother, the talented youngster’s goal and a pair of assists powered nine-man Liefering to a 3-2 triumph over Horn in the Austrian Erste Liga clash.

Karim is eligible to represent Nigeria but is already a key figure in the Germany U17 squad and only recently received the Fritz Walter Medal as Germany’s best U17 talent.

https://www.twitter.com/DeutschUpdate/status/1161095024840302592

Norway

Rasheedat Ajibade, Avaldsnes 1-3 Klepp

The Nigeria young sensation was on target, scoring her team’s only goal as her Norwegian side suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Klepp on Saturday.

The struggling hosts were aiming to build on their 0-0 draw at Stabeak last week but their ambitions were crushed in front of their home fans by the high-flying visitors.

China

Onome Ebi, Chiwendu Ihezuo; Henan Hushiang 5-1 Dalian Quanjian

Super Falcons stars and 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations winners Onome Ebi and Chiwendu Ihezuo both featured prominently for the host but it was the latter who netted a brace in Henan Hushiang’s 5-1 triumph over holders Dalian Quanjian in a Chinese Women’s Super League game on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Ihezuo, who joined Henan from Kazakhstan side BIIK Kazygurt in April, opened the scoring for the hosts 11 minutes into the encounter at the Dalian Olympic Sports Centre.

Lou Jiahui scored twice, Dong Jiabao got another, before Ihezuo completed her brace to wrap up Henan’s win in the 90th minute.