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In a weekend where most Nigerian stars failed to hit the target in Europe, Super Falcons Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade shone in the Spanish women’s league. ANTHONY NLEBEM writes
England
Iwobi, Denni, Awoniyi (Everton, Nottingham Forest)
Nigeria international Alex Iwobi was in the starting line-up for Everton as the Toffees played a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in a Premier League fixture played on Sunday at the City Ground.
The Nigerian midfielder could not make much impact for Everton and was replaced by Tom Davies in the 89th minute.
Iwobi has scored one goal in 25 appearances in the Premier League this season but it is on the creative side that he has produced the goods with his six assists.
Meanwhile, fellow compatriot, Emmanuel Dennis was a second-half substitute as he was brought on in the 70th minute to replace Remo Freuler and helped the Foxes secure a vital home draw.
Also, Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi was not listed in Forest squad as he is recovering from his injury.
Chuba Akpom (Middlesbrough)
Nigeria-eligible player Akpom continued his excellent form and scored a brace as Middlesbrough thrashed Readings 5-0 in the English Championship fixture played on Saturday at the Riverside Stadium.
Akpom scored the opener from a penalty kick in the 24th minute to give Michael Carrick’s side the lead and added the second goal in the 48th minute following an assist from left-back Ryan Giles.
The 27-year-old former Arsenal youth star played the entire duration of the game and got a yellow card in the 32nd minute and has now scored 21 goals in 28 matches for the Championship side in the 2022/23 season.
The win saw Middlesbrough move to within four points of Sheffield United who are second on the table as Carrick’s side continued their promotion race. With 11 games still to go, Akpom will hope to add further to his tally and claim the Championship golden boot award.
Iheanacho, Ndidi (Leicester City)
Super Egle’s striker Kelechi Iheanacho led Leicester City’s attack in their Premier League match against Southampton at St. Mary’s on Saturday, but the Nigerian striker was unable to rescue a point for the Foxes as they suffered a 1-0 defeat.
Iheanacho played 90 minutes but could not find a break in the Southampton defence but has managed four goals and three assists in his last six appearances.
Fellow compatriot Wilfred Ndidi was a second-half substitute as he came on for Nampalys Mendy in the 68th minute but was unable to make a positive impact.
Onuachu, Aribo (Southampton)
Nigeria international Paul Onuachu was not in the starting line-up for Southampton in their 1-0 win over at Elland Road in the Premier League on Saturday.
Carlos Alcaraz gave Southampton the lead after 35 minutes, firing an effort past Leicester keeper Danny Ward.
The 28-year-old Nigerian striker is yet to register a Premier League goal for the Saints after four matches.
The win moved the Saints to the 29th position in the Premier League table.
Fellow compatriot Joe Aribao did not make Ruben Selles’ squad as the Nigerian midfielder was missing in action.
Holland
Calvin Bassey (Ajax)
Bassey returned to Ajax starting line-up as the Dutch Champions earned a 1-0 win against NEC Nijmegen in the Dutch Eredivisie league match played on Sunday at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
The 23-year-old Nigerian defender was impressive in the encounter and played full-time to help his team maintain a clean sheet.
The Super Eagles defender has made 21 league appearances and scored one goal and three assists to his name this season.
Spain
Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenin)
Super Falcons striker Oshoala continued with her scoring form and scored her 19th goal as Barcelona women thrashed Villarreal women’s 5-0 win in the Spain Women’s Primera Division fixture played on Sunday at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
The Nigerian striker had an outstanding game and opened the scoresheet in the 21st minute and came off for Caroline Graham Hansen in the 66th minute.
The 28-year-old striker has scored 19 goals and two assists in 19 league appearances this season and tops the league goalscoring charts. The Nigerian star is only one goal from equalling her best goalscoring tally in Spain of 20 goals, which she scored last season.
Samuel Chukwueze (Villareal)
Nigerian international Chukwueze continued his fine form as he contributed two assists as Villarreal thrashed Almeria in the matchday 24 of La Liga fixtures played on Saturday at the Power Horse Stadium.
The 23-year-old Nigerian winger has now registered five assists and scored three goals in 23 La Liga appearances this season.
Saturday’s victory makes it back-to-back wins for Quique Setien’s side, following up from last week’s 2-1 victory, where the Nigerian got a goal and an assist.
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid Women)
Super Falcons striker Ajibade has finally ended her 13 games with a goal in La Liga Femenino since October 22, 2022 and scored a brace to secure a much-needed 2-1 win for Atletico Madrid Feminine against Real Sociedad Feminine in the Spanish Women’s Primera Division match played on Saturday.
The Nigeria International netted the opening goal in the 6th minute before Real Sociedad equalised three minutes later thanks to Sarriegi as both teams went into the break with a 1-1 scoreline. Former FC Robo forward scored the winning goal of the game in the 47th minute and handed the Madrid-based club a maximum point.
The 23-year-old has scored six goals in 19 appearances this season.
Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves Women)
Super Falcons defender Ohale got a starting role for Deportivo Alaves women in their 5-1 thumping by Real Madrid Women in the Women’s Primera Division played on Saturday.
The 31-year-old gave the assist in Deportivo Alaves’ consolation goal.
France
Folarin Balogun (Reims)
Arsenal loanee Balogun was not on the score sheet as Reims earned a narrow 1-0 home win over AC Ajaccio in the French Ligue 1 fixture played on Sunday at the Stade Auguste Delaune.
The Arsenal star was on the starting lineup and played the entire duration of the game but could not get the back of the net.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant run and has scored 15 goals in 25 appearances but has failed to score in three league matches.
Moses Simon (Nantes)
Nigeria international Moses Simon came off the bench in the 70th minute, but his inclusion didn’t do much as Nantes suffered a 4-2 defeat to PSG at Le Parc des Princes on Saturday.
Terem Moffi (OGC Nice)
Nigeria international Terem Moffi was in Friday’s line-up for OGC Nice but fired blank in their 1-1 draw against Auxerre in matchday 26 of the Lique fixture on Friday at the Allianz Riviera.
Moffi ended his three games goal drought and grabbed his first goal for Nice as the Super Eagles striker scored twice and got an assist for Nice to help them secure a 3-0 victory against Monaco last Sunday.
The 23-year-old Nigerian striker has registered 14 goals in 23 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2022/23 season.
Italy
Lookman, Success, Ehizibue (Atalanta, Udinese)
Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman was again in the starting role as Atalanta played a goalless draw against Udinese in a Serie A match at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday in a Serie A fixture.
The Nigeria international was on the pitch for 62 minutes but could not end his goal drought and has not scored in Nerazzurri’s five Serie A matches.
The 25-year-old Nigeria international has scored 12 goals and has contributed five assists in 25 league matches this season so far.
Meanwhile, fellow countryman Isaac Success was in action for Udinese in the encounter but could not end his goal drought as the 27-year-old Nigerian striker continues to find his first league goal of the season after 25 league matches.
Nigerian defender, Kingsley Ehizibue missed the encounter as he is serving a one-match ban for accumulated bookings.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Nigeria international Osimhen fired blank as Napoli suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Lazio in Matchday 25 of the Seria fixtures played on Friday at the Diego Armando Maradona.
Matias Vecino scored the only goal in the 67th minute with an excellent strike from outside the penalty area to hand the Parthenopeans second league defeat of the season.
Serie A top goalscorer Osimhen was in the starting role and played the entire duration but could not add to his 19 goals in the league, came closest to an equaliser but saw his header bounce off the crossbar.
Napoli are aiming to become Italian champions for the third time with their last success coming in 1990.
Despite this loss, they are still in a dominant position as they are 17 points clear of Lazio, who move one point above Inter and AC Milan with the Milan clubs both having a game in hand.
Tyronne Ebuehi (Empol)
Super Eagles defender Ebuehi was an unused substitute for Empoli in their 2-1 away loss to Monza in a Serie A fixture played at the U-Power Stadium on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Nigeria international was on the bench.
Ebuehi has so far managed 15 Serie A matches and registered one goal as Empoli moved two places down to 12th position on the table.