Nigerian footballers delivered standout performances across England, France, Spain, and Turkey as the 2025-26 league seasons entered full gear this weekend, Soccernet.ng reports.
England – Nottingham Forest
In a dominant display at the City Ground, defender Ola Aina played the full 90 minutes at right-back as Nottingham Forest secured a 3-1 win over Brentford.
Aina won eight duels, made two crucial tackles, and played a pivotal role in sustaining Forest’s defensive solidity.
The win featured a double from forward Chris Wood and a strike from Dan Ndoye.
Meanwhile, compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi remained on the bench, and Frank Onyeka came on as a late substitute for Brentford in the 69th minute.
Spain – Getafe & Sevilla
In La Liga, midfielder Christantus Uche picked up exactly where he left off last season, grabbing a goal and an assist to power Getafe to a 2-0 away win over Celta Vigo — earning him Man of the Match honours.
Reports suggest that Chelsea, Leeds United, and other Premier League clubs are closely monitoring his progress.
Christantus Uche’s opening game of the LaLiga season for Getafe:
— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) August 17, 2025
⚽ Goal
Assist
MOTM#CeltaGetafe #VamosGeta #Christantus pic.twitter.com/Zsict8rbWS
At Sevilla, Akor Adams turned provider, assisting Lucien Agoumé’s equalizer after the team had conceded a two-goal deficit.
Despite their comeback to 2-2, Athletic Bilbao snatched a late winner in the 82nd minute.
Chidera Ejuke featured as a half-time substitute in the comeback attempt, while Kelechi Iheanacho was absent from the matchday squad.
France – Auxerre, Paris FC, Nantes
Moses Simon made his competitive debut for Paris FC but couldn’t inspire a turnaround; the team fell 1-0 away at Angers.
Angers played with ten men for nearly half an hour but Simon and Paris FC could not muster an equaliser.
Meanwhile, Chidozie Awaziem earned plaudits in his second debut for Nantes, anchoring the defence in a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Awaziem remained composed throughout, winning three duels and making one key tackle.
Auxerre also got off to a winning start with Gabriel Osho at the back.
The Nigerian defender made two blocks and two tackles, helping deliver a clean sheet and a 1-0 home triumph over Lorient in their season opener.
Turkey – Super Lig Nigerian debuts
Wilfred Ndidi made a memorable debut for Beşiktaş, contributing one tackle and four duels won before being substituted in the 70th minute due to a knock.
His efforts helped seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Eyüpspor.
At Gençlerbirliği, Henry Onyekuru entered as a 72nd-minute substitute for his debut, though the side ultimately succumbed 1-0 at home to Antalyaspor.
United States – NWSL drama
In the National Women’s Soccer League, Michelle Alozie produced a dramatic late winner for the Houston Dash, slamming home in the 93rd minute after entering in the 84th minute.
Star Girl secures the WIN @alozieee pic.twitter.com/uHno1DuL6l
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) August 18, 2025
It was another glorious moment for Alozie, who a couple of weeks ago helped Nigeria win the 2024 WAFCON.
Michelle Alozie scored her first goal of the NWSL season in stoppage time, just like in Morocco, where her 90+4 finish sent Nigeria into the WAFCON final.#Alozie #superfalcons #nwsl #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/sBihy5BahO
— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) August 18, 2025
Fellow WAFCON winner Asisat Oshoala appeared as a 76th-minute substitute for Bay FC, but could not prevent a 2-1 home defeat against San Diego Wave FC.
