Nigerian stars in Europe (Weekend Recap)

Nigerian stars in Europe (Weekend Recap):

England

Dennis marks EPL debut with a goal, as Kalu collapses in France Nigerian stars were in action for their various European clubs over the weekend and a number of them impressed.

Emmanuel Dennis, who moved to Watford in July, marked his Premier League debut for the club with a fine goal against Aston Villa on Saturday. Dennis scored one and provided an assist as Watford marched to a 3–2 win against Villa at Vicarage Road. Also in action for Watford were defender William Troost-Ekong and Oghenekaro Etebo, who was in midfield.

Frank Onyeka who joined Brentford from FC Midtjylland of Denmark saw 80 minutes of action in his Premier League debut for premier league newcomers. they beat Arsenal by 2-0.

Elsewhere, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi were in action for Leicester as the Foxes beat Wolverhampton 1–0. While Ndidi started the game, Iheanacho was subbed on in the 72nd minute.

At Goodison Park on Saturday, Alex Iwobi came on as a 70th-minute substitute in Everton’s 3–1 victory over Southampton.

France

Away in France, Samuel Kalu, who plays for Bordeaux, collapsed on the pitch in the fifth minute of Bordeaux’s meeting with Marseille on Sunday. Both teams responded quickly while medical personnel rushed to the pitch to stabilize the Nigerian. He, however, regained stability and continued for a while before he was substituted.

Moses Simon played a starring role for Nantes in their 2–0 win against Metz on Sunday. Simon assisted both goals, as Nantes registered their first win of the fledgling season.

Belgium

Over in Belgium, striker Paul Onuachu grabbed the second goal for Genk in their comfortable 4–0 victory over Oud-Heverlee Leuven.

Turkey

It wasn’t only Emmanuel Dennis who scored a debut goal over the weekend. Nigerian national team captain, Ahmed Musa scored his first goal for his new club Karagümrük against Gaziantep in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday. Musa scored the third goal, beautifully, for his club in a 3–2 win against Gaziantep.

Germany

In the German Bundesliga, 24-year-old attacker, Taiwo Awoniyi scored the opening goal for his club Union Berlin in their 1–1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. Despite Bayer Leverkusen’s hold on possession, Union Berlin were able to hold on, as both teams shared the spoils in their first game of the season. Also, 22-year-old Dickson Abiama was in action for only 31 minutes for Greuther Furth in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Abiama came on as a substitute in the second half and assisted his side’s only goal, which was a 93rd-minute consolation goal, in a 5–1 loss at Stuttgart.