Nigerians Abroad: Chukwueze Ends La Liga Goal Drought, Awaziem Impresses

The Nigerian international last league goal came against Celta Vigo last year, but he finally ended his drought in the Yellow Submarines win over the Pucelanos

Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze scored his first La Liga goal in almost a year as Villarreal moved up to third in La Liga following a 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid.

Chukwueze has not found the back of the net in the Spanish top-flight since he scored in Villarreal’s 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo on November 24, 2019.  However, he finally ended that barren run as he scored the opener for Unai Emery’s men on Monday night.

In what was his eighth league appearance of the season, the former Golden Eaglets star put Villarreal ahead in the 21st minute courtesy of a brilliant finish after Alfonso Pedraza’s ball found him.

Pau Torres made it two in the 37th minute to seal a comfortable victory Villarreal, who moved up to third on the table.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, Chidozie Awaziem made his fifth appearance of the season as Boavista stunned former champions, Benfica.

Awaziem, who is currently on loan from Porto with an option to buy permanently, played for the entire duration of the match with goals from Angel Gomes, Alberth Elis and Yanis Hamache enough to earn a comprehensive win for Boavista.

It was a battle of two Nigerians in Germany as Kevin Akpoguma’s Hoffenheim hosted Taiwo Awoniyi’s Union Berlin.

It was the capital side that prevailed as they stunned their hosts 3-1. Both Akpoguma and Awoniyi featured for their respective sides with the latter playing for 78 minutes while the former was on for the whole encounter.

Max Kruse opened the scoring for Union Berlin on the hour mark from the penalty spot after Robert Skov received his marching orders for pulling down Awoniyi in the box.

But despite Skov’s dismissal, Hoffenheim drew level in the 80th minute through Munas Dabbur, who fired a strike into the roof of the net.

However, the away side retook the lead five minutes later courtesy of a scrambled effort from Finnish striker, Joel Pohjanpalo. Cedric Teuchert then made it three with the last kick of the game following an assist from Kruse.

In England, Ola Aina scored his first goal on English soil in Fulham’s 2-0 win over West Brom. The Nigerian fired in a rocket for Scott Parker’s men after Bobby Reid’s opener.

It was Fulham’s first win since gaining promotion back to the Premier League. While Aina featured for Fulham, Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute as Leicester City thrashed Leeds United at Elland Road.

Harvey Barnes opened the scoring for the Foxes before Youri Tielemans doubled Leicester’s advantage. Stuart Dallas pulled one back for the home side, but Jamie Vardy restored the two-goal lead before Tielemans scored his second from the penalty spot to seal a comprehensive win for Brendan Rodgers men.