Nigerian players abroad: Uche nets first Getafe goal; Emeka, Uchegbu light up Trencin; Ndah stars in South Africa

Soccernet.ng brings the highlights of the best of Nigerian stars in Europe on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Belgium

Tolu Arokodare was on target for KRC Genk but it was only mere consolation as the club stumbled to a 3-1 defeat against OH Leuven.

Nigerian youngster Yira Sor laid the assist for Arokodare’s strike in the 62nd minute to make it 2-1 to Genk after the home team had taken a two-goal advantage in the first half.

However, Manuel Osifo set up Jón Dagur Þorsteinsson to net the third goal for Leuven in the 85th minute to secure the club’s first win of the season.

Former Salernitana forward Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi made his debut for OH Leuven as he replaced Vlietinck midway through the second half.

Scotland

On the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership, Cyriel Dessers and Leon Balogun featured as Glasgow Rangers began their campaign with a disappointing goalless draw away to Hearts.

Warri-born Moses Ebiye also played his part for Motherwell as they were forced to a goalless draw by visiting Ross County at the Fir Park.

Slovakia

It was the best of Nigerian vibes on display at the Mestský štadión in Skalica where Trencin powered to a 2-0 victory over FC Košice.

Emmanuel Uchegbu opened the scoring for Trencin on the half-hour mark with an excellent curled shot before Chinonso Emeka doubled the home team’s advantage on the stroke of halftime.

However, Trencin finished the game with ten men after Emeka received two yellow cards within two second-half minutes and was sent out for an early shower.

Trencin will be glad with their record of four points in their first two matches of the season, following the club’s impressive goalless draw at Spartak Trnava last week.

Spain

Christantus Ugonna Uche scored his first-ever goal for Getafe in their 3-1 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Coliseum.

The 21-year-old midfielder was making his debut for Getafe after joining the club from lower league side Ceuta for €500,000 in June.

South Africa

Olisa Ndah delivered a fantastic display at both ends of the pitch to help Orlando Pirates secure a 3-1 extra-time win over SuperSport United in the quarterfinals of the South African 8 Cup.

Newly installed captain Ndah opened the scoring for the Pirates with a clever finish just before the break – his first-ever goal for the club.

However, Maliele Vincent Pule equalised for SuperSport with a close-range header in the 49th minute to drag the game into extra-time where Orlando Pirates triumphed to advance to the semifinals.

Switzerland

Paschal Durugbor was one of the stars of the show as Neuchâtel Xamax carved out a thrilling 3-1 victory away to Aarau in the Challenge League.

Durugbor claimed a goal and an assist in the encounter to inspire Neuchâtel Xamax to their second win of the three-week-old league season.

It is now two goals and an assist in his first three games in Europe for 24-year-old Durugbor who only joined Neuchâtel Xamax from Sporting Lagos in July.