Europa/Conference League Watch: Boniface, Usor, Ankeye on target; Orban back with a bang, Arokodare sees red

Soccernet.ng highlights the major talking points around the performances of Nigerian stars in the Europa League and Europa Conference League on Thursday.

EUROPA LEAGUE

Ademola Lookman impressed for Atalanta as a Luis Muriel brace proved crucial to the Italian side as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sturm Graz at the Merkur Arena.

At the Lotto Park in Brussel, Moses Usor got his first goal for LASK, but it ended up as a consolation goal with Union Saint-Gilloise scoring two late goals to earn a 2-1 home win.

Victor Boniface scored his 10th goal of the season for Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday as helped the Bundesliga side triumph 5-1 over Qarabağ in the UEFA Europa League at the BayArena.

Boniface, with 33 touches, completed 87% of his passes but missed a significant chance before being substituted by Patrik Schick. He has contributed 3 goals in the Europa League this season, scoring twice and providing one assist.

Igoh Ogbu tried his best in defence but Slavia Prague stumbled to a 2-0 defeat at Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.

Twenty-one year old David Ankeye rescued a point for Sheriff as he netted an 80th-minute equaliser in their 1-1 home draw with Servette.

Cyriel Dessers left his scoring boots in Scotland as Rangers failed to shine following their goalless draw with Victor Olatunji’s Sparta Prague at the epet ARENA in the Czech Republic.

EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE

William Troost-Ekong received a yellow card in stoppage time but he would be delighted with how his night went as PAOK a two-nil deficit to claim a 2-3 victory at Aberdeen.

Raphael Onyedika came off the bench in the 63rd minute and ensured Club Brugge sealed a 1-3 away win at Lugano that takes the Belgian club top of Group D.

Tolu Arokodare had a night to forget as he spent barely 15 minutes in the pitch before he received his marching orders in Genk’s disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Ferencváros.

Gift Orban ended his scoring drought when he netted a goal in Gent’s 5-0 victory against Breidablik Kópavogur on matchday three of the Europa Conference League.

Orban had gone nine matches without scoring before he found the back of the net in the 69th minute, sealing the win for Gent.

His previous goal was in a 2-2 draw against Sint-Truiden on August 20, scored in the 35th minute.

Super Eagles debutant Jordan Torunarigha was a rock in defence for Gent, helping them claim their second consecutive clean sheet in the competition.

Fenerbahce secured their third straight win in the Conference League as they outclassed Ludogorets 3-1 with Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel playing a key role.