Super Eagles watch: Udinese GK Okoye sparkles in defeat; Godwin, Iheanacho, Simon deliver in wins

A host of Super Eagles players were in action across Europe and the Middle East on Friday, April 4, with performances ranging from outstanding individual displays to nights to forget, Soccernet.ng reports.

In England’s Championship, Kelechi Iheanacho played a pivotal role in Middlesbrough’s 2-0 away win over Blackburn Rovers.

The Nigeria international provided both assists, capping off a superb display that followed his maiden goal for Boro last weekend against Oxford United.

Iheanacho, on loan from Sevilla, has now contributed directly to three goals in his last two games as he continues to make his mark at the Riverside.

Over in Italy, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was a standout performer for Udinese despite their narrow 1-0 Serie A loss away to Genoa.

The Super Eagles shot-stopper earned the highest rating of any player on the pitch (8.0 according to SofaScore) after making six crucial saves — five of them inside the box.

Okoye was ultimately helpless to stop Alessandro Zanoli’s 77th-minute strike, which handed Patrick Vieira’s Genoa all three points.

It would be recalled that Okoye was left out of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe last month, with the Africa-based trio of Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie and Kayode Bankole the preferred options. 

There was disappointment in Germany for Frank Onyeka, who featured for Augsburg in their 3-1 home defeat against Bundesliga title-chasers Bayern Munich.

In Ligue 1, Moses Simon produced a crucial assist as Nantes stunned OGC Nice 2-1 away.

Simon now has nine assists — the second-highest tally in the French top flight — alongside seven goals this season.

The win lifts Nantes six points clear of the relegation zone. For the hosts, Terem Moffi continued his return from injury with another cameo appearance.

In Saudi Arabia, it was a night to forget for Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, whose Al Kholood fell 2-0 at home to Al Taawoun.

However, fellow Nigerian Saviour Godwin was the match-winner for Al Okhdood, scoring the decisive goal in their gritty 1-0 away victory over Al Orubah. It was Godwin’s fifth league goal of the season and earned his side a valuable fourth win on the road.

With three friendlies in June and the 2025 World Cup qualifiers looming, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will be encouraged by the sharpness and form shown by some key names in Friday’s club action.