Umar Sadiq shines again for Almeria, David Akintola opens Super Lig account for Mario Balotelli’s Demirspor

The Nigerian forward showed why he is one of the most feared strikers in the Spanish second division by providing an assist that powered his side to victory on Friday night

Umar Sadiq delivered another excellent and dynamic performance for 90 minutes to inspire Almeria to a narrow 2-1 win over Real Oviedo at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos.

All three goals were scored before the halftime break as Almeria secured their second win in as many league matches.

Sadiq created the game’s first moment of brilliance when his intelligent movement and pass opened space for Jose Carlos Lazo to break the deadlock for the home side after just five minutes on the clock.

Sadiq’s assist was a great way to confirm Jose Ziganda’s worst fears. The Real Oviedo coach warned his charges before kickoff that they were about to face ‘the best striker’ in the league.

The visitors, however, fought back impressively and were back on levelled terms ten minutes later courtesy of a fine finish from Ghana’s 24-year-old attacker Samuel Obeng.

But Lucas Gastón Robertone and Curro Sanchez combined beautifully moments before halftime to allow the Argentine midfielder restore Almeria’s lead.

No further goals were recorded after the break as the home side momentarily hit the summit of the league standings with six points after two matches played.

Sadiq was also instrumental last weekend, scoring the opener as Almeria secured an excellent 3-2 victory away to Cartagena.

In Turkey, Nigerian forward David Akintola and former Italian international striker Mario Balotelli combined well to help Adana Demirspor earn their first point of the Super Lig campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Kayserispor.

Akintola impressed for Hatayspor last season, scoring six goals in 35 Super Lig appearances while on loan from Midtjylland. He, however, joined newly promoted Adana Demirspor permanently this summer.

And in the club’s first top-flight game since 1995, Adana Demirspor fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Fenerbahce last weekend.

Samet Aybaba’s men appeared to be succumbing to another loss when Gökhan Sazdagi handed Kayserispor a 17th-minute lead at the Kadir Has Şehir Stadı on Friday evening. 

But Akintola changed the narrative when he flashed home the visitors’ equaliser just past the hour-mark after receiving a pass from ex-Inter Milan star Balotelli.