Nigerians Abroad: Utaka On Target Again; Kanu Strikes Twice In Sweden

The international break this weekend means no matches will be played across many of the European leagues that have kicked off their 2020-21 campaign.

Still, a few Nigerian footballers were in league action for their clubs, and Soccernet.ng brings you some of their goalscoring exploits.

In Japan, Peter Utaka continued his excellent form in front of goal as the former Nigeria international scored his 12th goal of the season in Kyoto Sanga’s 2-0 victory over JF United at the Sanga Stadium on Saturday.

In what was his 16th game of the campaign, Utaka opened the scoring for the hosts after 40 minutes, before Dutch defender Jordy Buijs added a second deep into first-half injury time.

It was Kyoto Sanga’s first win in five matches, as Noritada Saneyoshi’s men look to put a disappointing August behind them.

Utaka, 36, remains the J2 League side’s most potent weapon as there are none of his teammates with three or more goals after Game Week 16.

In the J3 League, on-form Nigerian attacker Origbaajo Ismaila bagged his fifth goal in as many matches. Still, it was not enough to help Fukushima United avoid a 3-2 defeat at Sagamihara.

A terrible first 54 minutes saw the visitors concede three goals before Ismaila reduced the deficit on the 80th-minute mark. Higuchi’s late strike ensured a frantic finish, but the hosts held on for the win.

22-year-old Ismaila has featured in all 14 of Fukushima’s league games this term, scoring eight times.

In the Swedish Damallsvenskan, Super Falcons attacker Uchenna Kanu grabbed a brace – her sixth and seventh goals in ten league starts – to power Linkoping to a 3-0 win over Umea at the Arena Linkoping also on Saturday.

The 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup silver medalist bagged the game’s opening and last strike in the 21st and 83rd minutes, either side of a Jasmin Nejati own goal.

Kanu was replaced by compatriot, Ebere Orji – who has also found the back of the net five times – with two minutes left of regulation time.

The win lifts Linkoping to third on the league standings, six points behind leaders and pace-setters Rosengard.