Nigerian players were in action for their teams in the UEFA Champions League matches on Wednesday. Whilst it was joy for some who recorded vital results, others would look to recover from painful losses.
Soccernet gives a round-up of some of the Nigerian players who were in action.
The evening started on a beautiful note from a Nigerian perspective, as Calvin Bassey played 90 minutes in Ajax’s 4-0 demolition of Rangers.
Bassey faced his former side Rangers, but he took no prisoners. Goals from Alvarez, Berghuis, Kudus, and Bergwijn helped the Dutch champions to a 4-0 winning start to this season’s UCL.
Bassey had 150 touches, a 97 percent pass accuracy, and one key pass.
The victory ensures that Rangers climb to the top of A.
Meanwhile, it was a disappointing outing for Fortune Bassey and his Viktoria Plzen side, as they were smashed 5-1 by Barcelona.
Bassey started from the bench and he got introduced in the 61st minute, but he could not help his team, as they were outplayed and outclassed.
A Lewandowski Hattrick and a goal each from Kessie and Torres ensured that Jan Sykora’s first-half goal for Plzen was a mere consolation.
Bassey had ten touches, but he failed to threaten his Barcelona backline.
Meanwhile, Raphael Onyedika made his full debut for Club Brugge in their 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. The 21-year-old played his first minutes over the weekend, but he started against the Germans due to an injury to Clinton Mata.
Abaka Sylla gave the Belgian champions the lead in the first half and that was enough to seal the deal.
Onyedika registered 62 touches, 85 percent pass accuracy, and two interceptions. The Super Eagles hopeful was taken off in the 83rd minute for Eder Balanta.
In Italy, it was an evening of mixed feelings for Victor Osimhen as he missed a penalty, but Zielinski, Anguissa, and Simeoni covered his blushes, giving Napoli a 4-1 win against Liverpool.
Osimhen looked dangerous in the opening 40 minutes. He could have scored, but he fluffed his lines.
Unfortunately, he sustained an injury and had to be taken off just before halftime. However, the Partenopeans did not seem to miss him, as they were already home and dry with a 3-0 lead at halftime.
Diaz pulled one back, but Spalletti’s lads were stealthy in defense, seeing out the 4-1 win.
