Nigerians Abroad: Two Super Eagles Stars On Target But Disappointment For Osimhen, Onyekuru

There was midweek action in some European leagues last night, and some Nigerian stars featured for their respective clubs 

Victor Osimhen made a return to Napoli’s starting lineup last night. Still, it was another loss for the Nigerian and his team as they crashed out of the Coppa Italia following a 3-1 loss to Atalanta.

Osimhen had not started a game for Napoli since returning from injury and Covid -19, but he was handed a start last night by Gennaro Gattuso.

The former Lille striker was on the pitch for 79 minutes, but he could not help Gli Azzurri avoid defeat. Duvan Zapata put the home side ahead in the tenth minute before Matteo Pessina doubled the advantage six minutes later.

Hirving Lozano pulled one back in the 53rd minute, but Pessina’s second in the 78th minute sealed Atalanta’s place in the final.

However, it could have been different had Pierluigi Gollini not deny Osimhen from close-range three minutes before Pessina’s second.

Meanwhile, in Turkey, Henry Onyekuru and Oghenekaro Etebo were on the losing side as Galatasaray suffered a shock home defeat to Alanyaspor in the Turkish Cup.

Onyekuru was on the pitch for the entire duration but he could not add to his three goals, while Etebo was a second-half substitute.

Khouma Babacar and Salih Ucan gave Alanyaspor a two-goal lead in the first half before Babacar scored his second from the spot three minutes from the break.

Mostafa Mohamed and Gedson Fernandes strike in stoppage time threatened hopes of a comeback, but Alanyaspor held on for the win.

While Onyekuru and Osimhen had a disappointing night, Kelechi Iheanacho delivered an impressive performance after scoring his second goal in three games to help Leicester City progress to the FA Cup quarterfinals at the expense of Brighton.

The match at the King Power Stadium was heading towards extra-time until Iheanacho headed in the winner in the final seconds of added time.

His international compatriot, Wilfred Ndidi made his return from injury in the game, playing for 62 minutes before going off for Hamza Choudhury.

Finally, in Belgium, Paul Onuachu was at it again after scoring the lone goal in Genk’s Belgian Cup win over St. Truiden.

The game was on course for extra-time until Onuachu scored the winner three minutes from time. It was his 23rd goal of the season in all competitions.