In another exciting weekend of international football action, Nigerian players showcased their talents on foreign soil. Victor Osimhen stood out by achieving a remarkable milestone, while other players also left their mark. ABIODUN ADEWALE reports on the noteworthy performances.
SUNDAY
ITALY
VICTOR OSIMHEN (NAPOLI)
Victor Osimhen, the reigning top scorer of the Italian Serie A, continues to solidify his club career with a monumental achievement. In Napoli’s clash against Sassuolo on Sunday, Osimhen secured his 100th club career goal. The prolific striker converted a penalty in the 16th minute, reaching this remarkable milestone. Osimhen’s tally includes 61 goals for Napoli, 18 for Lille in France, and 20 for RSC Charleroi in Belgium. This impressive feat was accomplished in his 193rd appearance across these clubs.
ENGLAND
TOM DELE-BASHIRU (WATFORD)
Tom Dele-Bashiru, known for his recent lightning-fast goal in the Championship, maintained his starting position for Watford on Sunday. However, his team faced a setback, falling to a 1-0 defeat against Blackburn at Vicarage Road. The visitors managed to secure the victory with a second-half goal from Ryan Hedges.
FRANCE
AKOR ADAMS (Montpellier)
New sensation in Ligue 1, Akor Adams, experienced his first goalless match of the season as Montpellier suffered a surprising 3-1 home loss against Reims on matchday three. Despite Adams’ three goals in the current season, he couldn’t find the target this time. Mousa Al-Taamari managed to reduce the deficit for Montpellier with a first-half goal, but Reims secured the win with a third goal in the second half.
EMANUEL EMEGHA (STRASBOURG)
Another Nigerian talent, Emanuel Emegha, made his mark in Ligue 1, scoring for Strasbourg in their 2-0 victory at home against Toulouse. Emegha found the net in the 52nd minute, contributing to their win alongside Jeanricner Bellegarde’s goal. This marked Emegha’s second appearance of the season.
Born in the Netherlands to a Togolese father and Nigerian mother, the 20-year-old previously represented Dutch youth teams.
PORTUGAL
CHIDOZIE AWAZIEM (BOAVISTA)
Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem played the entire duration of Boavista’s game, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Casa Pia AC in the Portuguese topflight. Clayton Fernandes Silva opened the scoring for Casa Pia AC in the first half, but Boavista’s Pedro Malheiro leveled the score in the 79th minute. Awaziem’s team sits at the top of the table with seven points after three games.
SAVIOUR GODWIN (CASA PIA AC)
Nigerian player Saviour Godwin faced Awaziem’s Boavista as his side, Casa Pia AC, took on the opposition. Godwin put on an impressive performance before being substituted in the 88th minute. Casa Pia AC currently holds the seventh position with four points from three games.
DENMARK
TOCHI CHUKWUANI (LYNGBY)
Tochi Chukwuani, a 20-year-old talent, retained his spot in the starting lineup for Lyngby. However, his efforts couldn’t prevent his team from a 1-0 loss to Aarhus Gymnastikforening. Patrick Mortensen scored an early goal in the sixth minute, which proved to be the decisive factor in the match.
TIJANI, OGBU (SLAVIA PRAGUE)
Muhammed Tijani and Igoh Ogbu, representing Slavia Prague, were both in action during their match-day six game against Jablonec. Tijani couldn’t add to his one-goal tally and received a yellow card in the first half. Similarly, Ogbu received a yellow card in the second half.
BULGARIA
AKERE, NADI (BOTEV PLOVDIV)
Samuel Akere, a lesser-known player recently invited to Nigeria’s U-23 side, played for Botev Plovdiv in the Bulgarian top tier. The team secured a 1-1 draw against Etar, with Ivelin Popov scoring for Plovdiv in the 67th minute and the hosts equalizing in the 74th minute. Akere has featured in all seven league games this season but is yet to score.
SATURDAY
USA
MICHELLE ALOZIE (HOUSTON DASH)
Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie, fresh from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, demonstrated her skills in her second league game for Houston Dash. In their 1-1 draw against Kansas City Current, Alozie scored a memorable goal in the 67th minute. Her precise strike from the right flank found the bottom left corner, restoring parity for Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League. Alozie’s contributions have been crucial for her team, currently positioned ninth in the NWSL.
AWONIYI, AINA, DENNIS (NOTTINGHAM FOREST)
Taiwo Awoniyi continued his exceptional form in the Premier League, netting his seventh consecutive goal for Nottingham Forest in a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Awoniyi showcased his prowess with a fantastic solo run and an early goal. Willy Boly doubled their advantage just two minutes later. Despite Forest’s efforts, Manchester United fought back to secure the victory.
Awoniyi’s compatriot, Ola Aina, returned to Forest’s starting lineup and received a caution in the 62nd minute. Striker Emmanuel Dennis was not part of the squad, hinting at his potential departure from the club.
DESTINY UDOGIE (TOTTENHAM)
Italian U-21 player of Nigerian descent, Destiny Udogie, delivered another solid performance as Tottenham claimed a 2-0 victory against AFC Bournemouth. Udogie, stationed as the left-back, has retained his place in the backline following a loan spell at Udinese. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski secured the goals for Spurs.
BASSEY, ADARABIOYO (FULHAM)
At the Emirates Stadium, defender Bassey received a second yellow card and was subsequently sent off during Fulham’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Bassey was cautioned in the 50th minute and received another yellow card for a foul on Eddie Nketiah in the 83rd minute. Tosin Adarabioyo, linked with a potential move away from Fulham, came on as a substitute in the 89th minute to bolster the backline.
FRANK ONYEKA (BRENTFORD)
Midfielder Frank Onyeka made his first appearance of the Premier League season in Brentford’s 1-1 draw at home against Crystal Palace. Onyeka entered the field in the 72nd minute, replacing Mathias Jensen.
AJAYI, MAJA (WEST BROM)
In the Championship, Semi
