Nigerian midfielder Ramon Azeez helped nine-man Cartegena secure their first win in three matches with a 1-0 triumph over Kenneth Omeruo’s Leganes in a La Liga Smartbank week 27 encounter on Friday night.
Azeez, who joined the struggling Spanish side during the winter transfer window, enjoyed a fine debut on February 6 when he helped his new side to a pleasant 2-0 win over Real Oviedo.
But Cartagena only managed one point from their subsequent two games, drawing at home to Rayo Vallecano and losing at Las Palmas.
But the happy times returned to the Estadio Municipal Cartagonova on Friday, with a win fought out in the most brutal of ways.
Ruben Castro had a goal chalked off controversially late in the first half, but he then popped up to slam home the opener – and what proved to be the winning goal – ten minutes into the second period.
The hosts then had Raul Navas and Nacho Gil sent off in the closing stages of the encounter, but Luis Carrion’s men held on bravely for a win that takes them to 28 points and lifts them out of the relegation zone.
Azeez was shown a yellow card midway through the first half while compatriot Omeruo was cautioned in the 84th minute of the clash.
The two Super Eagles stars were featured for the entirety of the game.
Onuachu Strikes Again
In Belgium, Paul Onuachu made it 24 goals in 28 league matches to power Genk to a brilliant 2-1 win at Sporting Charleroi.
Onuachu has been the best Nigerian striker in Europe by some distance this season, and he showed his composure in front of the goal one more time at the Stade du Pays de Charleroi with a 17th-minute penalty.
Ali Gholizadeh equalized for Charleroi in the 52nd minute, but Kristian Thorstvedt’s late effort won the game for Genk.
Super Eagles striker Onuachu now boasts 25 goals in all competitions for Genk, having netted once in the Belgian Cup. The 26-year-old former Midtjylland star continues to enjoy the most prolific campaign of his career.