Ageless Utaka nets double, four Nigerian stars feature in Serie A clash at Venezia

Veteran Nigerian striker Peter Utaka’s fine goalscoring form on his return to the Japanese top-flight continued as he scored twice in Kyoto Sanga’s 3-1 win at home to Sagan Tosu on Sunday.

Utaka scored 22 and 21 goals in the J2 League in 2020 and 2021, respectively, to help Sanga ascend to the elite division.

And the 38-year-old is ensuring the manager Cho Kwi-jae-led side retains their top-flight status with his sixth goal in eight appearances.

In Italy, four players of Nigerian descent were on display as Venezia lost 1-2 at home to Udinese at the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo.

Destiny Udogie started while Isaac Success was introduced in the second half for Udinese. At the same time, Tyronne Ebuehi was in the starting eleven while David Okereke came off the bench for Venezia.

However, Gerard Deulofeu’s first-half penalty and Rodrigo Becao’s stoppage-time strike dwarfed Thomas Henry’s effort for the hosts as Udinese boosted their chances of a Conference League qualifiers spot for next season.

Thomas Henry is now clear of David Okereke as Venezia’s top goalscorer with seven Serie A goals. The Nigerian attacker remains on six goals.