Nigerians abroad: Uche, Osimhen, Okereke, and Macleans shine in Spain, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia

Soccernet.ng monitored dozens of matches that could potentially feature Nigerian players in Eruope, the Americans, Asia, and beyond on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Here the most eye-catching highlights.

Nigerians abroad: Spain

Getafe secured a hard-fought 2-1 away victory at Las Palmas in the Spanish La Liga with Chrisantus Uche providing the assist to the opening goal.

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Uche, who only joined Getafe in the summer from lower league side Ceuta for €500,000, headed the ball into the path of Spanish winger Coba who made no mistake from close range in the 70th.

Christantus Uche of Getafe CF looks on during the La Liga EA Sports match between RC Celta de Vigo and Getafe CF at Estadio Abanca Balaidos in Vigo, Spain, on November 4, 2024. Photo by IMAGO

Borja Mayoral doubled the visitors’ advantage four minutes from time before ex-Manchester United man Adnan Januzaj reduced the deficit for Las Palmas.

Rasheedat Ajibade impressed with her overall play as Atlético Madrid strolled to a convincing 3-0 win over Levante in the Primera División Femenina.

Rasheedat Ajibade

Nigeria’s top goalscorer in Spain, Edna Imade netted the consolation goal for Granada in their 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid.

Spain: Liga F Granada CF vs Real Sociedad Edna Imade of Granada CF celebrates her goal during the Liga F match between Granada CF and Real Sociedad at Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Granada, Spain. Granada Granada Spain Copyright: JoséxMxBaldomero

Imade, 24, now boasts ten goals in 14 league appearances for Granada this term – double the tally she managed in her debut season.

Nigerians abroad: Belgium and England

Raphael Onyedika was one of the better players on the pitch for Club Brugge during their excellent 3-0 victory against Anderlecht.

Nigerian youngster Sam Edozie was a second half substitute for Anderlecht.

In the English FA, Lesley Ugochukwu assisted the first goal, Joe Aribo played for 86 minutes while Paul Onuachu was an unused substitute as Southampton soared to a commanding 3-0 win against Swansea City.

Chelsea owned Southampton midfielder, Lesley Ugochukwu. Photo Credit X

Nigerians abroad: Malta and Saudi Arabia

Franklin Sasere found the net in the 94th minute to power Floriana to a thrilling 2-0 win over Xewkija Tigers inside the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun. The win sends Floriana to the Round of 16 of the Maltese FA Trophy.

Super Falcons striker Chinonyerem Macleans scored one and assisted another as Al Shabab powered to an exciting 7-0 victory over Al Taraji in the Saudi Women’s Premier League.

The Aba-born former Lokomotiv Moskva forward is enjoying her first season in the Middle East, having netted six goals in her first nine league games in Saudi Arabia.

Nigerians abroad: Turkey

Victor Osimhen provided the crucial assist to Galatasaray’s first goal as the champions secured a tough 2-1 win away to city rivals Istanbul Basaksehir.

It was a fierce battle between the two sides until the 42nd minute when Barış Yılmaz fired low into the net after exchanging a clever one-two with Osimhen.

Yılmaz again scored the winning goal for Galatasaray, six minutes after Krzysztof Piątek had grabbed a 53rd minute equaliser for Istanbul Basaksehir.

Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, now has ten goals and four assists in only 13 league games for Galatasaray, with the club now boasting an 11-point lead over José Mourinho’s Fenerbache.

Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team with teammates during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Goztepe at Rams Park Stadium on January 4, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by IMAGO

Elsewhere, David Okereke continued his brilliant form in Turkey as he netted the only goal in Gaziantep FK’s narrow 1-0 win at home to Adana Demirspor.

It is the 27-year-old attacker’s fifth goal in his last none games for Gaziantep FK.

Super Eagles midfielder Bonke Innocent scored his first goal for Adanaspor but it ended as mere consolation in the club’s 3-1 loss away to Paul Mukairu‘s Boluspor.

Sky Bet League 1 Blackpool v Reading Paul Mukairu 12 of Reading inspects the pitch before the Sky Bet League 1 match Blackpool vs Reading at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, United Kingdom, 23rd September 2023 Photo by IMAGO

Mukairu assisted Boluspor’s second goal in the 43rd minute of the encounter as the hosts claimed their eighth 1 Lig win of the campaign.

Forgotten Super Eagles star Oghenekaro Etebo featured for 75 minutes and helped Gençlerbirliği cruise to a fantastic 3-0 Lig 1 win over basement club Yeni Malatyaspor.

This post was last modified on January 13, 2025 9:56 am

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad. From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.

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