Nigerians abroad: Ilenikhena rescues Monaco, Okoronkwo powers AFC Toronto as Uche makes EPL bow

Nigerian footballers across Europe and beyond were in the spotlight this weekend, with George Ilenikhena grabbing headlines in France, Tolu Arokodare and Christantus Uche making their first Premier League appearances, Soccernet.ng reports.

At the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps, 19-year-old striker George Ilenikhena came off the bench to fire Monaco to a dramatic 2-1 win over Auxerre in Ligue 1.

Takumi Minamino had opened the scoring before Auxerre hit back through an own goal from Mohammed Salisu in the 73rd minute.

But just ten minutes after his introduction, Ilenikhena rose highest in the box to head home an 88th-minute winner.

The goal, his first of the season, capped a strong start for Monaco, who have now claimed three wins in their opening four matches despite the absence of high-profile recruits Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati.

Elsewhere, Rafiu Durosinmi returned from illness to fire Viktoria Plzen past SK Sigma Olomouc in the Czech First League.

The 22-year-old striker struck in the 30th minute after VAR confirmation, sealing a 1-0 win. Despite two Olomouc red cards, Plzen couldn’t add more, but the result lifted them to third, extending their unbeaten run to four games.

Rafiu Durosinmi se nemýlil! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/2jgl3nWfQs

— FC Viktoria Plzeň (@fcviktorkaplzen) September 13, 2025

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In England, two Nigerians made their long-awaited bows in the Premier League.

Tolu Arokodare, who swapped Belgian side Genk for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer, started in Wolves’ narrow 1-0 loss at Newcastle.

The striker, though eager, found it difficult to impose himself and was replaced in the 66th minute.

Across London, Crystal Palace’s deadline-day signing Christantus Uche got his first taste of English football, coming on in the 84th minute during a goalless draw with Leeds United.

Both Arokodare and Uche recently featured for Nigeria during World Cup qualifiers and will be eager to make stronger impressions as the season progresses.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Samuel Chukwueze was not included in Fulham’s squad after sealing a late move from AC Milan. The winger is expected to integrate fully in the coming weeks.

On the women’s side, Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo once again boosted even further her growing reputation in Canada.

The Nigeria international netted a brace as AFC Toronto thrashed Vancouver Rise 7-0 in the Northern Super League.

New skill alert!

Esther Okoronkwo just upgraded her skill.

The AFC Toronto player scored free-kick goal against Vancouver Rise FC in the Canadian Northern Super League pic.twitter.com/c7oxrYNXoY

— SURE 97.5FM (@sure975fm) September 14, 2025

Okoronkwo opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick in the sixth minute and struck again midway through the second half, helping Toronto clinch a playoff berth and maintain top spot. The win also ended Vancouver’s eight-game unbeaten streak.

Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, Ashleigh Plumptre captained Al Ittihad to victory in their opening league fixture.

The defender provided the decisive assist for Leticia Nunes’ second goal in a 2-1 triumph over Al Ula. Francisca Ordega also featured late on as the Jeddah club secured three points to start their campaign on a strong note.