The big European leagues are set to resume in August, but the teams are looking to get back in good shape
Retired Super Eagles forward Victor Moses came off the bench to score for Spartak Moscow in their hard-fought 1-1 draw at Akhmat Grozny.
Moses has had a difficult summer with his employers. Spartak Moscow came out to complain that the former Nigeria international was nowhere to be found.
However, Moses has since returned to Moscow, and he featured in his first game since the season closer against Dynamo Moscow in May.
Artem Timofeev put Akhmat Grozny in front seconds before the break. And Spartak Moscow’s problems were further compounded by a red card to Maciej Rybus.
However, Moses came on to part the sea for his Moscow side, as he poached the vital equaliser in the 84th minute, six minutes after his introduction to the game. The Nigerian star struck a beautiful half-volley leaving Giorgi Shelia for dead in the Akhmat Grozny net.
Spartak Moscow ran out with the 1-1 stalemate, with Moses winning the man of the match award. And they would be happy that they didn’t begin their Premijer campaign with a loss.
Elsewhere in England, Crystal Palace walloped Ipswich Town 4-2. Nigeria-eligible star Eberechi Eze featured for the Eagles.
Palace started the business early, with Luke Plange scoring two goals in eleven minutes. Christian Benteke then added a third three minutes before halftime.
Plange needed only twelve minutes in the second half to complete his hattrick, making it 4-0. Nonetheless Ipswich soon woke up from their slumber.
Dominic Ball pulled one back in the 70th minute to make it 4-1. Nigerian striker Sone Aluko then struck eight minutes later to give Ipswich town a glimmer of hope.
However, the Eagles were able to see out a 4-2 result.
Meanwhile, Leicester City played an interesting 120 minutes-game against Belgian side Leuven. The foxes played out a 3-3 stalemate.
Leuven started strong, with goals from Al-Tamari and Nachon Nsingi giving them a two-goal lead within twelve minutes.
Nonetheless Leicester City responded in the second half, with goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Patson Daka drawing them level. Mykola Kukharevych had almost won it for Leuven when he popped in with a goal in the 101st minute.
However Jamie Vardy scored an equaliser in the final minute of play.
Iheanacho came on as a second half substitute, while Ndidi did not feature due to a knock.
