Okoye salvages a point for Sparta as Iwobi loses in Everton return

The two Nigerian stars were in action for their respective clubs, but they both suffered contrasting fortunes as domestic league football returned 

Maduka Okoye was again excellent in goal as Sparta Rotterdam played out a 1-1 draw against Groningen in their Eredivisie clash at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Sunday afternoon.

Okoye came into the game following his brilliant performance in Sparta’s 2-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven just before the international break.

He continued from where he left off as his two saves, including one from inside the box, helped the home side earn a point.

Groningen took the lead in the 29th minute through Cyril Ngonge, but Bryan Smeets levelled the scores for Sparta five minutes later.

The away side almost retook the lead minutes later, but Okoye’s pulled off an impressive save to seal a point for his side.

Meanwhile, in England, Alex Iwobi made his return from an injury, but Everton’s unbeaten run at home came to an end following a 1-0 loss to West Ham.

Iwobi had missed the Toffees trip to Old Trafford due to an injury that also kept him out of Nigeria’s games against the Central African Republic.

However, he was back in the lineup against the Hammers, but he could not prevent Rafael Benitez’s from defeat.

Iwobi played 79 minutes of the encounter, but he could not help Everton’s cause, missing one big chance and firing two shots off target.

Angelo Ogbonna’s header from a corner kick in the 74th minute was all West Ham needed to secure the maximum points.