Four Nigerian stars involved as James, Kayode combine to power Sivasspor’s comeback win in Georgia

The UEFA Europa Conference League returned to the screens on Thursday evening with as many as four Nigerian footballers involved as the Turkish side shared the spoils with their Georgian hosts

Super Eagles striker Olanrewaju Kayode and compatriot Leke James were on target to help Sivasspor come from a goal down and secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Dinamo Batumi at the Batumi Arena in the first leg of their Europa Conference League knockout round clash.

Lagos-born midfielder Benjamin Teidi saw action from start to finish for Dinamo Batumi. At the same time, the Nigerian duo of Azubuike Okechukwu and Olanrewaju Kayode was named in the starting lineup for the Turkish giants.

It was, however, Georgian midfielder Vladimer Mamuchashvili who drew first blood for the home side within the opening ten minutes of the second period.

But Sivasspor manager Riza Çalımbay made his move four minutes later, sending in new signing James for Malian forward Moustapha Yatabare.

And the former Molde striker made his impact felt just over a quarter of an hour later when he equalised to set up the tie for a tense finish. 

However, Sivasspor showed enough quality needed to triumph as Nigerian international Kayode took advantage of some sloppy defending to smash home the winner in the fifth minute of added time. 

The away win gifts the advantage to the Turkish side ahead of the return leg in Sivas next week.