Nigerian Stars To Look Out For As Bundesliga Returns

The last two months have been hell for football fans as leagues across Europe was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The virus which originated in China has killed over almost 300,000 people worldwide and stalled all activities in the world.

Football was also severely affected with all of Europe major leagues going on a break, while the UEFA champions league and Europa league were also suspended.

International tournaments like the Euros and Copa America have been shifted for a year due to the virus. Although before leagues were suspended, some matches were played behind closed doors.

However, it was evident games would need to be suspended after some players started contracting the virus. But after two months without football, games are set to return with the Bundesliga taking the lead.

The German top-flight returns this weekend even though matches will be played behind closed doors. Fans won’t be allowed to enter into the stadium because it’s still not safe.

There’s no cure for the virus yet, and cases are still at large, which is why all games will be played in an empty stadium.

Just nine rounds of games are left, and there’s the hope of playing all the matches before the end of June. Bayern Munich lead the table with 55 points, four clear of second-placed, Borussia Dortmund. RB Leipzig are a point behind in third place while Borussia Monchengladbach round up the top four spots.

This weekend will see Dortmund take on rivals Schalke 04 on Saturday, Bayern travel to Union Berlin a day later. Leipzig host Freiburg, while Eintracht Frankfurt welcome Monchengladbach to the Commerzbank-Arena.

Other fixtures will see Fortuna Dusseldorf host Paderborn in a relegation battle, Ausburg take on Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim host Hertha Berlin and Cologne take on Mainz.

Nigerians To Look Out For 

Taiwo Awoniyi will be hoping for a fresh start when Mainz travel to the RheinEnergieStadion on Sunday. The 22-year-old who is currently on loan from Liverpool has made just six appearances for the Die Nullfünfer in the league, but he will be hoping to get a chance on Sunday.

Jamilu Collins will hope the break has given Paderborn a boost as they battle to avoid relegation. Steffen Baumgart’s men are currently the league’s bottom side with just 16 points.

But they have the chance to pull close to their rivals when they take on Fortuna Dusseldorf. Paderborn are six points behind the Flingeraners and could reduce the deficit to three with a win on Saturday.

Collins is one of Paderborn’s best players this season with only Sebastian Anderson and Marcus Thuram winning more duels than the Nigerian in the Bundesliga this campaign.

Anthony Ujah and Sulieman Abdullahi will be in action with Union Berlin when they travel to Cologne on Sunday.

Ujah has scored twice in 16 league appearances for the capital side, while Abdullahi has seen just 97 minutes of action this season.  Nevertheless, both will be hoping to play a role in helping Union Berlin move further up in the table.

Cologne will have Kingsley Ehizibue in their side when they clash with Mainz 05. The 24-year-old who is waiting to make his international debut for Nigeria has one goal and one assist in 23 league games for Die Alte Dame.

World Stars To Watch

The likes of Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba and Thomas Muller will all be on show for Bayern Munich. Europe’s most wanted player, Jadon Sancho will feature for Borussia Dortmund, while Erling Haaland will hope to continue his fine form for the Black and Yellow.

Other stars fans should watch out for include Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, and RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner.

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