Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi the exception as Nigerian stars suffer continental droughts

Aside from Victor Osimhen, who found the back of the net for the second consecutive Europa League match, only one other Nigerian footballer hit the target in Europe’s lower-tier competitions

Taiwo Awoniyi came off the bench to net the last goal for Union Berlin in the German side’s 3-0 defeat of Maccabi Haifa at the Alte Foersterei in the Europa Conference League. 

The former Liverpool man had struggled in front of a goal recently, failing to hit the target in any of his previous four games.

But he started on the bench on Thursday against the Israeli side and was introduced in the 73rd minute with the Iron Ones already leading 2-0. And just moments later, he was on the score sheet after pouncing on a Sheraldo Becker’s pass.

Nigerian international Henry Onyekuru featured for 64 minutes as Olympiacos secured an excellent 3-0 win at Fenerbahce on matchday two of the Europa League. 

Following their opening day 2-1 home win over Antwerp, the Greek champions now sit atop their group with six points.

Ike Ugbo replaced Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu in the 76th minute but ten-man Genk could not find a way past Dinamo Zagreb, falling 3-0 at home to the Croatian giants.

Luka Ivanusec’s early strike and a pair of Bruno Petkovic penalties knocked the sail out of the Belgian side’s ship, who had fullback Daniel Munoz sent off in the 65th minute.