Nigerian players abroad: Dennis breaks duck at Forest; Nwankwo strikes again; Ighalo falters

Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Dennis scored his first goal for Nottingham Forest in their 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa.

Dennis got his first Premier League start of the season when both teams squared off at the City Ground on Monday.

After five straight defeats, the Tricky Trees knew that they had to get a result if they wanted to keep their hopes of remaining in the English top-flight alive.

Nottingham Forest started on the front foot, and it took them just 17 minutes to open the scoring. Nigerian striker Dennis leaped highest to meet a cross from Morgan Gibbs-White, and he sent an arrow of a header past Emiliano Martinez to make it 1-0.

However, characteristically, Forest capitulated. Aston Villa fullback Ashley Young got on the end of a rebound and unleashed a powerful shot that whizzed past Henderson and went into the net.

The Villains could have gotten their second in the 25th minute, but Ollie Watkins’ goal was ruled out for offside.

Both teams huffed and puffed in the second half, but they were unable to score. Dennis was taken off for Surridge in the 70th minute, but Awoniyi was left on the bench.

It ended 1-1 at the City Ground, and the draw helped Nottingham Forest to their first Premier League points since the 8th of August.

 

Meanwhile, in Sweden Nigerian striker Silas Nwankwo struck for Mjallby in their 2-2 draw at Norrkoping.

Home side Norrkoping stormed to a two-goal lead in 60 minutes, and it looked like Mjallby were going to bite the dust. However, Silas had other Ideas.

The 18-year-old pulled one back for his side in the 75th minute. Unfortunately, Mjallby defender Amir Al Ammari was sent off in the 85th minute.

Nonetheless, Silas and his teammates were not deterred, as they pressed on. They got their reward at the stroke of 90 minutes, as Carlos Moros struck to make it 2-2.

Silas’ goal was his first in eight games, and the result leaves Mjallby in 9th position the Swedish Allsvenskan.

 

Elsewhere, it was a bad night for Odion Ighalo, as he missed a penalty in Al Hilal’s 1-1 draw against Al-Shabab.

Ighalo was up against his former side Al-Shabab, and he was looking to prove a point, considering the way he left the club.

Moussa Marega put Al Hilal in front in the 21st minute, and Ighalo could have made it two in the 54th minute. Unfortunately, he missed his penalty kick.

Ighalo’s miss proved to be costly, as Al-Shabab equalized through Carlos Carvalho in the 56th minute.

Al Hilal were the better side, especially in their second half. But they were unable to turn their possession and good play into goals.

Both teams had to share the spoils in the end, and the result leaves Al Hilal on 4th, while Al Shabab sit pretty at the summit of the Saudi Professional League.