It was a night of standout performances from several Nigerian footballers across Europe and Asia, with Saviour Godwin edging fellow Super Eagles star William Troost-Ekong in a keenly contested Saudi Pro League clash on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Former Casa Pia ace Godwin scored the decisive goal as Al Okhdood claimed a crucial 1-0 away win against Troost-Ekong’s Al Kholood at the Al Hazm Club Stadium in Rass.
The 67th-minute strike was the winger’s sixth league goal of the season — matching his tally from the previous campaign. With five matches still to play, the 27-year-old will be aiming to set a new personal best.
The victory lifted Al Okhdood out of the relegation zone into 15th place, a much-needed boost as the season nears its conclusion.
Back to Europe, Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare netted his 20th league goal of the season in Belgium, scoring for Genk in their playoff clash against Royal Antwerp.
Arokodare’s goal in the 71st minute brought Genk back on levelled terms after Belgian forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha had handed Antwerp the lead ten minutes earlier.
Despite Arokodare’s fine strike helping Genk avoid defeat, the draw dealt a big blow to the club’s title hopes. Genk now trail leaders Club Brugge by a point, with Brugge in action against Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday.
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In Italy, Samuel Chukwueze was an unused substitute as AC Milan sealed a dominant 3-0 win over rivals Inter Milan to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory and book their place in the Coppa Italia final. Milan will face the winner of the Bologna versus Empoli semifinal on May 13.
In Serie A, Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye started in goal for Udinese but could not prevent a 2-0 defeat to Torino.
Meanwhile, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru watched from the bench as Lazio cruised to a 2-0 win at Genoa.
There were also Nigerian headlines in the French women’s top flight.
Chiamaka Nnadozie helped Paris FC to a 4-0 win over Fleury 91 but was forced off with an injury after 78 minutes. The Super Falcons goalkeeper was replaced by France’s Inès Marques.
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In Le Havre, Jennifer Echegini rescued a point for Paris Saint-Germain with a well-taken equaliser in the 69th minute, securing a 2-2 draw and extending PSG’s unbeaten run to eight games. It was Echegini’s sixth league goal of the campaign.
Back in Eastern Europe, Victor Olatunji’s Sparta Prague advanced to the Czech Cup final after a 1-0 win over Rafiu Durosinmi’s Viktoria Plzen. Sparta will now face Sigma Olomouc in the final.
In Serbia, Bamidele Yusuf proved to be the matchwinner for Vojvodina, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Novi Pazar. The result keeps Vojvodina firmly in contention for a UEFA Conference League qualification spot.
It was a night to forget, however, for Super Eagles centre-back Jordan Torunarigha, as Gent suffered a second consecutive 5-0 defeat, this time at the hands of Anderlecht. The heavy loss followed a similar hammering by Club Brugge just three days earlier.
