Nigerians in England & Spain: Ezekiel nets first Valencia goal; Ajibade shines: Babajide, Imade hit personal records

Several Nigerian footballers lit up pitches across England and Spain on Sunday, May 11, with several standout performances and memorable moments, Soccernet.ng reports.

In the Premier League, Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City saw three Nigerians involved in a fiery Midlands clash with major implications.

Ola Aina played the full 90 minutes for Forest and picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge in the 69th minute. Taiwo Awoniyi was introduced from the bench but endured a mixed afternoon.

The Super Eagles striker missed a golden opportunity to win the match for Forest in the 87th minute.

Sprinting onto a cross from Anthony Elanga, Awoniyi stretched at the back post but could only steer his effort wide before crashing painfully into the goalpost. He received medical attention but was forced off shortly after.

With Forest having used all five substitutes, the hosts finished the game with ten men, a scenario that led to a heated exchange between manager Nuno Espírito Santo and club owner Evangelos Marinakis on the touchline.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis went onto the pitch after the 2-2 draw against Leicester.

He had a few words with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, reports @BBCSport. pic.twitter.com/BMLG8upiUa

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 11, 2025

Despite the chaos, Forest’s point was enough to secure a spot in European competition next season. For Leicester, Wilfred Ndidi started the match, while Nigeria-eligible defender Caleb Okoli was introduced in the final minute.

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Nigerians in Spain: Ezekiel nets first Valencia goal; Ajibade shines: Babajide, Imade hit personal records 

In Spain’s Primera División Femenina, 19-year-old Motunrayo Ezekiel marked a special moment in her budding career.

The Nigeria U20 international came off the bench in the 82nd minute and netted the equaliser just five minutes later as Valencia salvaged a 1-1 draw against Levante Las Planas.

It was Ezekiel’s first senior goal for the club. Despite the spirited display, Valencia have been relegated after amassing just 22 points from 29 games.

There was more Nigerian delight elsewhere in the division.

Rinsola Babajide netted her 10th goal of the campaign for UD Tenerife, opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw away at Real Madrid.

Although a stoppage-time goal denied Tenerife victory, Babajide’s stunning strike marked a personal milestone – reaching double figures for the first time in her club career.

Rinsola Babajide with an absolute against Real Madrid!
What a screamer, take a bow, queen! @rinss98#TheMTNSuperFalconsShow #ThisIsNaija #WhereFootballLives pic.twitter.com/PojflHWH97

— The Super Falcons Show (@Superfalconshow) May 12, 2025

The 26-year-old previously had spells at Watford, Liverpool, Brighton, and Real Betis.

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade was also on target for Atlético Madrid in their 2-0 win at Eibar.

Ajibade’s first-half strike set the tone before Fiamma Benítez secured the points after the break. Ajibade’s seventh goal of the season helped Atlético book a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Edna Imade continued her prolific form with a goal for Granada in their 4-2 defeat to Real Sociedad.

With 16 league goals to her name – a personal record – Imade leads the Nigerian scoring chart in Spain, ahead of Babajide and Gift Monday, who both have 10.

At the top of the overall scoring chart, Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor looks set to claim the golden boot with 23 goals, five ahead of Imade and teammate Alexia Putellas.

Last season, Ajibade was Nigeria’s top scorer in the Spanish league with 10 goals — a total that saw her finish 11 behind eventual golden boot winner Caroline Graham Hansen.