Nigerian players abroad: Okereke on target for Cremonese; Odey is brilliant for Randers; Yusuf lifts Antwerp

Some Nigerian players were in action for their clubs on Thursday, and some of them churned out great displays for their sides

Super Eagles striker David Okereke scored for Cremonese to help them to a touch 4-2 victory against lower league side Modena in the Copa Italia.

Cremonese welcomed Serie B side, Modena, in their Round of 32 Copa Italia game. The Grigiorossi have been in poor form, failing to win any Serie A game this season. Still, they were huge favorites for the tie.

However, they failed to break the deadlock in the first half despite their one-man advantage after Luca Magnino was sent off in the 22nd minute.

Nonetheless, the game picked up in the second half, and it was Okereke who started the scoring in the 77th minute. Cristian Buonaiuto set up Okereke with a cross into the box, and the Nigerian striker nodded home to make it 1-0.

Then seven minutes later, Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the lead to give Cremonese a comfortable lead.

Unfortunately, the Grigiorossi capitulated in the closing minutes, allowing Davide Diaw to score twice in two minutes and send the game into extra time.

Nonetheless, they redeemed themselves through Leonardo Sernicola, who scored twice in extra time to seal a 4-2 win for Cremonese.

Dessers sat out the entire game from the bench.

 

Meanwhile, in Denmark, it was a great outing for Steven Odey, as he scored twice for Randers to help them to a 2-0 win at Vendsyssel.

Odey had failed to score in all his 13 appearances for Randers, but he was looking to end that run at Nord Energi Arena.

The Super Eagles striker did not waste time in racking up the goals, as he scored twice in the first half to put his side in the driver’s seat.

Vendsyssel pushed hard to get a goal back, but Randers held on strong to see out the 2-0 win.

 

Elsewhere, it was another great outing for Alhassan Yusuf at Antwerp, as he helped his side to a 3-0 win against Oostende.

Goals from Ritchie De Laet, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, and Michael Frey sealed the tie, but Yusuf added his quota from midfield.

The 22-year-old recorded 74 touches, an 89.5 percent pass accuracy, five tackles, and three interceptions.

Yusuf saw out the entire duration of the game. The victory leaves Antwerp in second place, one point behind leaders Genk.