The big European leagues are back, and they have arrived with a bang. From England to Germany and all other parts of Europe, players shed sweat on the pitch to ensure their teams emerged victorious at the end of 90 minutes.
Nigerian players were also in the mix, as whilst some were outstanding for their side, others suffered painful disappointments.
Soccernet gives you the breakdown of some Nigerian stars on Saturday.
Starting with England, Taiwo Awoniyi finally made his Premier League debut at Nottingham Forest when he came off the bench in the 63rd minute in their 2-0 loss at Newcastle United.
Newcastle were the better side on the afternoon, opening up the Forest defense. But Dean Henderson was always on hand to keep his side in the game.
However, goals from Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson ensured that the Magpies won their first game of the season. Awoniyi failed to register a goal attempt in his 27 minutes of action.
At the St. Mary’s, it was opening day disappointment for Joe Aribo and his Southampton side, as they were thrashed 4-1 by a rampaging Tottenham side.
The Saints drew first blood in the 12th minute through James Ward-Prowse. But they could not withstand the Spurs’ attack, as goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Dejan Kulusevski, and Mohammed Salisu(own goal) ensured it ended 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Aribo had a good showing, registering a shot on target, 37 touches, and a 77 percent pass accuracy.
Elsewhere in England, Alex Iwobi had a good performance for Everton, but they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea.
The Toffees looked tough on the night, but they were undone by a foul from Ben Chilwell late into the first half. Jorginho converted from the spot, to see Chelsea through.
Iwobi had a strong display. The former Arsenal man had 48 touches, 82 percent pass accuracy, and three clearances.
In Germany, it was a disappointing afternoon for all Nigerian players in action.
Kevin Akpoguma came on as a second-half sub for Hoffenheim in their 3-1 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach.
With a man disadvantage, Hoffenheim managed to hold Monchengladbach to a 1-1 draw.
However, the Kraichgauer coach Andre Breitenreiter introduced Akpoguma to shore up his attack.
Unfortunately, it did not turn out great for Hoffenheim, as Nico Elvedi and Marcus Thuram scored two goals to seal a 3-1 win for Borussia Monchengladbach.
Elsewhere, it was also disappointment for Chidera Ejuke on his debut for Hertha Berlin in the Berlin derby.
Union Berlin stormed to a three-goal lead in the opening hour. But Ejuke was introduced into the game in the 56th minute. The Super Eagles forward had a decent show, displaying some of his qualities.
Ejuke completed four dribbles and had a 100 percent pass accuracy.
Hertha Berlin got a consolation goal late in the game thanks to Dodi Lukebakio’s 89th-minute strike. It ended 3-1 at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.
It was sweet tales for Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare in the French Ligue 2.
Arokodare scored his first goal of the season for Amiens to help them to a 1-0 victory over Annecy.
Newly-promoted Annecy proved difficult for Amiens, matching whatever they brought to the table.
However, Arokodare rose in the 82nd minute to break the deadlock and ensure that Amiens won their first game of the season after the 3- 0 thrashing they got at Metz last week.
In Russia, Victor Moses was stretchered off in the 33rd minute after he sustained an injury in his Spartak Moscow side’s 2-0 win against Ural.
Also in Russia, Olakunle Olusegun scored two goals in nine minutes to power Krasnodar to a 3-0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow.
Cristian Ramirez opened the scoring for Krasnodar in the 78th minute before Olusegun added two to ensure a 3-0 win for his side. Olusegun’s pair were his first of the season.
In Belgium, Cyriel Dessers’ two-game scoring run was brought to an end, but Genk still sailed to a 4-2 win against Eupen.
The Limburgers started in a blistering manner, as goals from Joseph Paintsil gave them a two-goal lead within nine minutes. Smail Prevljak scored for Eupen, but Patrik Hrosovsky added one for Genk to restore the two-goal lead going into the break.
Regan Charles-Cook scored minutes into the second period, but Tresor Ndayishimiye ensured that Genk won the game 4-2. Dessers saw 68 minutes of action, and he registered five shots on goal.
Elsewhere in Switzerland, Francis Momoh’s scored for Grasshoppers in their hard-fought 3-2 victory against St. Gallen.
Momoh pulled one back for his side after they went two goals down in the opening twelve minutes. Then a brace from Tsy Ndenge pushed Grasshoppers over the line to secure the win.
Momoh’s strike was his second against St. Gallen in three months, as he scored against them in May.
