Nigerians abroad: Ighalo narrows the gap with Ronaldo; Akintola scores; Dessers, Balogun impress in Rangers win

Soccernet.ng highlights some eye-catching displays from Nigerian footballers outside the country’s shores on Sunday, December 24, 2023.

AZERBAIJAN

In the Premyer Liqa, Otto could not add to his six league goals, but he contributed to helping Turan secure a fine 3-1 win over Araz Naxçıvan.

Elsewhere, Abbas Ibrahim and second-place Zira could not stop Qarabag from claiming a slim 1-0 win that extended their lead at the top of the table to 12 points.

ISRAEL

21-year-old Ibraheem Jabaar’s best efforts were not enough to save Maccabi Petah Tikva from falling to a 2-1 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv despite taking a first-half lead into the interval.

At the Netanya Stadium, centre-back Phillip Ipole played for 63 minutes before being replaced as his side Hapoel Hadera suffered a heavy 5-1 home loss at the hands of high-flying Maccabi Haifa.

SAUDI ARABIA

2019 Africa Cup of Nations top goalscorer Odion Ighalo netted his ninth league goal of the season from the penalty spot to power Al Wehda to a fine 3-1 home win over Al Riyadh.

Ighalo remains the top-scoring Nigerian in the Saudi League, but he is now only eight goals behind overall goalking, Cristiano Ronaldo.

In his five years in Saudi Arabia’s top flight, Ighalo has hit 61 goals, the most the 34-year-old has managed in a single country during his career.

SCOTLAND

In the Premiership, Cyriel Dessers assisted Glasgow Rangers’ first strike, while Leon Balogun impressed in defence in the club’s 2-0 victory against Motherwell.

It was Dessers’ fifth goal contribution – three goals and two assists – in December.
Balogun also has been brilliant, with the 35-year-old defender involved in four of the five clean sheets Rangers kept in the month.

TURKEY

In the Super Lig, David Akintola broke the deadlock in the first minute of the match inside the Yeni Adana Stadyumu, providing the platform for Adana Demirspor to soar to a 2-1 win over Antalyaspor.

In their top-of-the-table clash in Istanbul, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray played out a goalless draw, with Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel picking up a yellow card for his troubles.