Europa League: Akanbi shines for Tiraspol, Boniface instrumental for Royale in European debut

Akanbi celebrating after he scoredAANigerian players put up some decent performances for their team on Thursday in the Europa League. Soccernet gives a report of some of the Nigerians that were in action

Nigerian strikers Ibrahim Akanbi and Iyayi Atiemwen scored one each to help Sheriff Tiraspol to a 3-0 victory at Omonia.

It was a homecoming for Atiemwen, as he returned to Omonia just months after leaving.

Sheriff Tiraspol started on a strong note. And it was Akanbi who put them ahead just after two minutes of action.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was on the bench in the first half, but he was introduced at halftime. However, he was helpless, as the visitors kept probing.

Omonia finally caved in minutes after the break. Atiemwen calmly converted a penalty in the 55th minute to make it 2-0 to the Moldovan champions.

Akanbi then turned provider for his side’s third, assisting Mouhamed Diop to score Sheriff Tiraspol’s third and ensuring it ended 3-0 at the Neo GSP Stadium.

 

 

Elsewhere in Germany, it was a brilliant outing for Victor Boniface on his European debut for Royale Union SG, as he assisted Senne Lynen’s first-half goal, which turned out to be the winner against Union Berlin.

The Nigerian striker just joined the Belgian side from Norwegian club Bodø Glimt in the summer, and he got the nod to start for Royale Union SG.

Boniface then justified his selection by assisting Lynen’s 39th-minute strike.

Union Berlin were the better side on the night, but they were not clinical enough. The Belgians saw out the victory at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.