Nigerians Abroad: Onuachu, Akpom On Target Again, Iwobi Impresses

League football continued across all European Leagues on Saturday, and several Nigerian stars impressed for their clubs

Paul Onuachu continues to show why he deserved to be in the Super Eagles squad for this month’s international matches after he scored his seventh league goal of the season in Genk’s 1-1 draw against Waasland-Beveren on Saturday.

The 25-year-old had scored twice in the midweek and was once again in fine form on Saturday. Onuachu put the Blue-White ahead in the 67th minute, and his strike appeared to put Genk on course for the three points.

However, Aleksandar Vukotic strike in the 90th minute denied Jess Thorup’s side the maximum points. Onuachu’s international teammate, Cyriel Dessers, was a second-half substitute in the encounter.

Meanwhile, in England, Alex Iwobi came off the bench to help Everton to a 4-2 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Iwobi came on in the 26th minute after Richarlison went off injured. Dominic Calvert Lewin put Everton ahead with his ninth goal of the season in the 16th minute.

But Brighton hit back four minutes from half-time through Neal Maupay after Jordan Pickford failed to handle a cross.

However, Yerry Mina put the Toffees ahead on the stroke of half-time before Iwobi set up James Rodriguez for Everton’s third seven minutes after the restart.

The Colombian international then scored his second and Everton’s fourth in the 70th minute. Brighton though made the scoreline respectable by pulling one back in the 90th minute through Yves Bissouma.

In the English Championship, Chuba Akpom scored for the second consecutive weekend since joining Middlesbrough from PAOK. Akpom opened his account last weekend and was once again on target as Middlesbrough edged out Barnsley.

The former Arsenal star scored Boro’s second after Jonny Howso had put the side ahead in the 45th minute. Cauley Woodrow’s penalty in the 90th minute set up a frantic finish, but Neil Warnock’s men held on for the maximum points.

In Germany, new Super Eagles star, Kevin Akpoguma was in action for Hoffenheim against Eintracht Frankfurt. But it was the Eagles that got the bragging rights following a 2-1 win.

Moving to Spain, Samuel Chukwueze was a second-half substitute as Villarreal played out a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Kelechi Nwakali, meanwhile, was not in the Huesca squad that played a barren draw against Elche.

In the Serie A, Simy Nwankwo scored his first goal of the season, but it was a consolation as Crotone were beaten 4-1 by Sassuolo. Moses Simon played for 69 minutes in Nantes 2-1 loss to Nice in the French Ligue 1 on Saturday night.