Raphael Onyedika [Credit: Eintracht Frankfurt Facebook Page]
Osimhen and Orban were the headline performers in Turkey, with both forwards reaching nine league goals. Onyedika and Moffi also shared the spotlight in Germany, while Arokodare and Awoniyi delivered important goals for Ajax and Coventry, respectively
Nigerian footballers enjoyed a busy weekend across Europe, with several Super Eagles stars making decisive contributions for their clubs in domestic competitions.
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Victor Osimhen and Gift Orban led the charge in Turkey, both finding the net. Orban also registered an assist in Amedspor’s emphatic victory over Eyüpspor, while Osimhen marked the birth of his second daughter with another goal for Galatasaray.
In Germany, Raphael Onyedika and Terem Moffi were both on target as Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Hamburger SV. Tolu Arokodare continued his scoring form in the Netherlands, while Taiwo Awoniyi opened his Premier League account for the season in Coventry City’s victory over Sunderland.
There were also important contributions from Friday Etim, Samuel Adeniran, Umar Sadiq and Josh Maja, while Kelechi Iheanacho saw his remarkable run of scoring in 12 consecutive league matches come to an end.
TURKEY
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Osimhen had another memorable outing for Galatasaray, scoring in their commanding 4-0 away victory over Konyaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig.
The Nigerian striker opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a powerful header from a free-kick, setting Galatasaray on their way to an emphatic win.
The goal carried extra significance for the 27-year-old, who had welcomed his second daughter, Liora Audrey, with his partner, Stefanie Kim Ladewig, shortly before the fixture. Osimhen had remained in Istanbul for the birth before travelling to Konya on matchday.
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He was withdrawn after an hour, having taken his league tally to nine goals, alongside three assists in eight appearances. He has now scored four times in his last three matches.
Gift Orban (Amedspor)
Orban was arguably one of the standout Nigerian performers of the weekend, combining a goal with an assist as Amedspor thrashed Eyüpspor 5-1.
The forward found the net in the 35th minute, finishing emphatically after being set up by Rayan Lutin. He then turned provider seven minutes later, supplying Samuel Ballet for Amedspor’s third goal of the afternoon.
Orban was substituted in the 78th minute, with Mohamed Khalil taking his place. The 24-year-old, who is on loan from Hoffenheim, has now scored nine league goals and registered four assists this season.
His latest contribution also places him level with Osimhen at the top of the Süper Lig scoring chart.
Paul Onuachu and Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor)
Trabzonspor extended their winning run to five consecutive league matches with a 2-0 victory over Gaziantep FK, with both Nigerian players involved.
Nwaiwu delivered another full shift in defence, helping his side secure a clean sheet. The 23-year-old has now featured in every one of Trabzonspor’s league matches this season, underlining his growing importance to the team.
Onuachu, meanwhile, returned to the starting line-up after missing three matches with a muscle injury sustained during the Conference League victory over KuPS on 15th October.
The striker was unable to get on the scoresheet and was replaced by Umut Nayir in the 63rd minute. His return was nevertheless encouraging for Trabzonspor, with coach Thomas Reis previously expressing uncertainty over whether the Nigerian could manage the full 90 minutes.
Onuachu has scored twice this season, both goals coming against Gençlerbirliği in September.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor)
Iheanacho’s remarkable scoring streak finally came to an end as Bursaspor defeated Bandırmaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig.
The former Leicester City forward played the entire match but could not find the net, bringing an end to his run of scoring in 12 consecutive league appearances.
Halil Akbunar opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Lewis Baker struck twice in the 12th and 23rd minutes to put Bursaspor firmly in control.
Iheanacho’s Nigerian compatriot, Olanrewaju Kehinde, started for Bandırmaspor but was booked in the second minute and substituted in the 59th minute.
Despite failing to extend his scoring run, Iheanacho remains the championship’s leading scorer with 16 goals and three assists. Bursaspor sit top of the table with 31 points.
Victor Osimhen and Orban’s compatriots were not the only Nigerians in action in Turkey. Chidozie Awaziem played the full match for Konyaspor in their defeat to Galatasaray.
GERMANY
Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Onyedika marked an important milestone by scoring his first goal for Eintracht Frankfurt since joining the Bundesliga side from Club Brugge in the summer.
The midfielder struck in the 47th minute as Frankfurt defeated Hamburger SV 3-1, restoring his side’s advantage after Terem Moffi had equalised for the visitors.
Celebration for Onyedika [Credit: Eintracht Frankfurt Facebook Page]Frankfurt had taken the lead in the 10th minute when Warmed Omari inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Moffi responded four minutes later, finishing from close range after Albert Grønbæk picked him out.
Celebration for Onyedika [Credit: Eintracht Frankfurt Facebook Page]
Onyedika then reacted quickest after goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes parried Lilian Brassier’s header from a corner, firing Frankfurt back in front. Younes Ebnoutalib added the third in the 69th minute to seal the victory.
Terem Moffi (Hamburger SV)
Moffi continued his encouraging start at Hamburg with another goal against his former Club Brugge teammate’s new side.
The striker was alert to Albert Grønbæk’s pass in the 14th minute, finishing from close range to bring Hamburg level after Omari’s own goal.
Although his effort was not enough to prevent defeat, it was another positive contribution from the Nigerian forward, who had also scored a late consolation when Hamburg lost 3-1 to Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal on 27 October.
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
Boniface was introduced in the 83rd minute but could not help Bayer Leverkusen avoid a 4-2 home defeat to Stuttgart.
Ermedin Demirović scored twice for the visitors, while Jamie Leweling and Bilal El Khannouss also found the net. Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza scored for Leverkusen.
The defeat was Leverkusen’s first home loss in the Bundesliga this season, leaving them with 13 points from eight matches. Nathan Tella missed the encounter because of a fitness issue.
NETHERLANDS
Tolu Arokodare (Ajax)
Arokodare continued his impressive scoring run, netting the only goal as Ajax secured a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar.
The Nigerian striker rose above Mees de Wit in the ninth minute to head home Abdellah Ouazane’s delivery, giving Ajax an early advantage that they managed to protect until the final whistle.
Ajax had to withstand pressure from their visitors, particularly late in the game, when goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen produced an important save to deny Mexx Meerdink.
The victory ended Ajax’s long winless run against AZ and lifted them to second place, one point behind league leaders Feyenoord. Arokodare has now scored in three consecutive matches.
ENGLAND
Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City)
Awoniyi ended his goal drought in the Premier League by scoring in Coventry City’s 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The Nigerian striker doubled Coventry’s advantage in the 37th minute after dispossessing Luke O’Nien before beating goalkeeper Robin Roefs with a composed finish.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto had opened the scoring in the 17th minute, while Jack Rudoni extended the lead shortly after half-time. Enzo Le Fée converted a penalty in the 67th minute to pull one back for Sunderland, before Omar Alderete was sent off in the 99th minute.
Awoniyi was substituted in the 72nd minute after making a significant contribution to the victory. It was his first Premier League goal of the campaign, having previously scored once in the EFL Cup.
Frank Onyeka was not included in Coventry’s matchday squad.
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
Iwobi and Bassey both started as Fulham fought back to earn a 1-1 draw away to Aston Villa.
Villa had an opportunity to take an early lead when John McGinn struck the woodwork from the penalty spot in the 15th minute. Nicolas Jackson eventually put the hosts ahead before half-time.
Fulham restored parity in the 64th minute when Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki turned the ball into his own net following an attacking delivery from the visitors.
Iwobi was replaced by Tom Cairney in the 75th minute, while Bassey completed the full match. Both Nigerians recorded their ninth league appearances of the season.
Semi Ajayi (Hull City)
Ajayi played the full 90 minutes as Hull City shared the points in a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town.
Hull trailed at half-time but fought back with two goals after the break to take the lead. Julio Enciso eventually rescued a point for Ipswich with a long-range effort.
The Nigerian defender produced a busy performance, recording six clearances, two tackles and one interception. He was also booked in the 88th minute.
The result extended Hull’s winless run in the league to seven matches.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
Aina started for Nottingham Forest but was withdrawn at half-time as they suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Brentford.
Forest fell behind in the 30th minute when Nikola Milenković turned Dango Ouattara’s cross into his own net. Igor Thiago doubled Brentford’s advantage in the 76th minute after another effort took a deflection off Milenković.
Aina made way for Daniel Muñoz at the interval, while Ryan Yates was also introduced for Xaver Schlager.
The full-back has featured in only one of Forest’s last three league matches. Forest have six points from nine games and face Manchester City in their next fixture.
SPAIN
Umar Sadiq (Valencia)
Sadiq made an impressive return from injury, scoring the decisive goal as Valencia defeated Elche 1-0 away from home.
The Nigerian striker came off the bench in the 60th minute and found the net eight minutes later to secure all three points for Valencia.
It was a timely contribution from the forward, who had been sidelined for seven weeks. His return and match-winning goal will be an encouraging development for Valencia as they look to build momentum in La Liga.
Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid)
Lookman made a late appearance as Atlético Madrid continued their strong league form with a 2-0 away victory over Alavés.
The Nigerian international came off the bench and featured for approximately 15 minutes as Atlético extended their unbeaten run.
Lookman has found goals harder to come by in the league this season, but his involvement gives him another opportunity to build rhythm as Atlético prepare for their next fixtures.
ITALY
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
Dele-Bashiru came off the bench in the 55th minute as Lazio recovered from behind to defeat Cagliari 2-1.
M’Bala Nzola put Cagliari ahead in the 21st minute before Gustav Isaksen equalised for Lazio 15 minutes later.
The Nigerian midfielder was involved in an appeal for a penalty around the hour mark after contact with Cagliari defender Rodríguez, but referee Andrea Colombo waved play on.
Lazio eventually secured the victory through Andrea Pinamonti’s 83rd-minute header.
FRANCE
Josh Maja (Le Havre)
Maja was among the goals again, but his early strike could not prevent Le Havre from suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Nigerian forward gave Le Havre the lead in the 18th minute, finishing from close range after a delivery from Rayan Fofana.
PSG responded emphatically, with Achraf Hakimi scoring a hat-trick while Mika Godts and Senny Mayulu also found the net.