Nigerians Abroad: Ejaria Scores; Mikel Stars, Eze Debuts In Crystal Palace Win

Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun was missing as Rangers secure their seventh consecutive clean sheet of the league campaign in the Gers’ 4-0 victory over Dundee United at the Ibrox Stadium.

Steven Gerrard’s men are yet to concede a goal this term, and they made light work of Micky Mellon’s men on Saturday afternoon, despite missing the talents of injured Nigerian playmaker Joe Aribo.

Balogun was in the Gers line-up initially but appeared to pull his hamstring in the warm-up and was replaced by Filip Helander. 

Two first-half goals from Kent and Tavernier and another pair from Roofe and Arfield after the interval gave the Blues their sixth win of the season.

In England, Ebere Eze had his first taste of Premier League football in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 defeat of Southampton at the Selhurst Park.

The former Queens Park Rangers talismanic midfielder was introduced in the 81st minute of the encounter with the Eagles already leading courtesy of Wilfred Zaha’s 13th-minute winner.

Zaha had the ball in the back of the net late in the game, but the referee ruled it out for offside after consulting with VAR.

In the Championship, former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel was on from start to finish and did his bit as Stoke City fought out a 0-0 draw at Millwall to earn a valuable point in their first game of the season.

The Potters were arguably the better team of the day at The Den – they dominated possession, created the clearest chances, and had the most shots on target – but were unlucky not to find the winner that their fine performance so merited.

Elsewhere, Ovie Ejaria got his season to a perfect start as the Anglo-Nigerian youngster scored in Reading’s fantastic 2-0 win at Derby County.

Lucas Joao broke the deadlock at the Pride Park Stadium in the 40th-minute and then turned provider moments later as Ejaria doubled the visitors’ lead.

The 22-year-old Super Eagles prospect was replaced midway through the second-half by former Nigeria international, Sone Aluko.

Ejaria scored just three goals in 36 games for Reading last term and will hope that tally can improve this campaign as Veljko Paunovic’s men hunt for Premier League promotion.