Nigerian players scorecard: Maja’s brilliance continues, Eduwo marks debut in style

Action resumed in Europe this weekend as the struggle for places heats up in the different leagues. Some Nigerian players were involved in several games helping their team secure vital results.

Soccernet gives a wrap of those players and their performances.

Josh Maja

The Super Eagles star was on target for Stoke City in their 2-2 draw away at Nottingham. The 23-year-old striker scored in the 68th minute to restore parity after Stoke City went a goal down.

Maja was taken off in the 79th minute.

Since Maja joined the Potters, they have not lost a game, and his goal on Saturday was his second in three games.

Alex Iwobi

The Super Eagles star got his first start under new Everton manager Frank Lampard. Iwobi was used as a right fullback, and he put in an excellent shift to help the toffees secure a 3-0 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League. He had 62 touches with an 85 per cent pass accuracy, but he got yellow carded in the 74th minute.

Emmanuel Dennis 

The Super Eagles star’s goal drought continued on Saturday as he was unable to score in Watford 2-0 loss at home to Brighton. Dennis was well marshalled by Graham Potters’ men.

He hit the woodwork once,  had 44 touches with a 60 per cent pass accuracy, and lost the ball 19 times.

The loss leaves Watford in 19th, three points away from safety.

Samuel Chukwueze 

Chukwueze put up a decent show against Real Madrid to help Villarreal secure a goalless draw against Los Blancos. The Super started from the right-wing, and he was a live wire for his side.

Chukwueze completed six dribbles. He had 44 touches, with a 79 pass accuracy. He also won eight of his 14 duels. Villarreal sit just two points away from the Champions League spots, but they have played more games than the teams above them.

 

Sadiq Umar

The Almeria prince was on target once again. Umar scored the clincher in Almeria’ 1-0 victory against Malaga.

The Super Eagles star scored just eight minutes after the break to hand Rojiblancos a vital win. The goal was his second goal in consecutive games and his tenth of the season.

The victory takes Almeria to second position, level on points with Eibar, but with a game more.

Victor Osimhen

Osimhen saw 84 minutes of action in Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Inter Milan. The Super Eagles star caused the penalty, which Lorenzo Insigne calmly converted to give Napoli a one-goal lead.

However, Inter Milan equalised through Edin Dzeko early in the second half.

The draw means that Napoli remains two points behind Inter Milan, who sit at the summit of the Serie A.

David Okereke 

It was a day of mixed feelings for the Venezia Star, as he saw red in his side’s feisty 2-1 victory over Torino.

Okereke was sent off in stoppage time after he committed a nasty foul. However, his blushes were saved, as goals from Crnigoj and Haps helped Venezia secure the victory.

The victory took Venezia a point above relegation waters.

Torino man Ola Aina was on the bench for the entirety of the game, while Tyrone Ebuehi missed the game because of a suspension.

Rabiu Ibrahim 

Ibrahim starred in Slovan Bratislava’s 5-0 mauling. The Nigerian star was subbed on in the 85th minute, and he scored within just five minutes of his introduction.

Slovan Bratislava sit at the top of the Slovakian League, seven points above second-placed Trnava.

Kingsley Eduwo, Anayo Iwuala

Eduwo made his debut for his new side Esperance Tunis in their CAF Champions League game against Jwaneng Galaxy. The Nigerian star scored on the 86th minute to complete a 4-0 over their Botswanan opponents.

Also, Super Eagles star Anayo Iwuala made his tenth appearance in all competitions for the former CAF African Champions. He was subbed off in the 64th minute for Ghaylen Chaaleli.