Nigerian players in Europe (Weekend Recap)
From 20-year-old Raphael Onyedika’s impressive display for Midtjylland to the efforts of Stephen Odey, and Anthony Nwakaeme’s milestone at Trabzonspor, here’s a recap of the performances of Nigerian players for their respective clubs across Europe during the weekend.
Raphael Onyedika
Onyedika played a starring role for Midtjylland in their 3-1 victory over Randers in the Danish Superliga on Sunday.
The 20-year-old midfielder scored a first-half brace before providing the assist for his side’s third goal. It was the Nigerian’s first contribution in the league this season in goals and assist and that helped Midtjylland maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Stephen Odey
Odey was in action for Randers in their 3-1 loss to Onyedika’s Midtjylland.
Odey scored Randers only goal of the game in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat. However, it was the 23-year-old’s 11th goal in 13 appearances for Randers, who are fourth on the Superliga table.
Anthony Nwakaeme
Nwakaeme made his 100th appearance for Trabzonspor during their 2-1 win over Rizespor on Friday.
The 32-year-old midfielder marked his milestone with a goal in the 73rd minute to help Abdullah Avcı’s side win all three points at the Medical Park Stadium. It was his fifth goal in ten appearances for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig this season.
Paul Onuachu
Onuachu ended his six-game goal drought with a second-half strike in Genk’s 6-2 success over Zulte Waregem in a Belgian Pro Division fixture.
Two minutes into the second half, the striker made it 3-0 for the visitors in Waregem.
So far this season, Onuachu has scored 10 goals in 12 league appearances for the Smurfs.
Samuel Kalu
Kalu provided the assist that helped Bordeaux secure maximum points in Sunday’s five-goal thriller against Reims.
The winger was introduced at the break and he assisted Jimmy Briand to score Bordeaux’s equaliser in the 78th minute, which sparked their 3-2 comeback win.
The 24-year-old has recorded a goal and an assist in nine Ligue 1 matches this season.
Elsewhere in France, Moses Simon could do little to prevent Nantes suffering a 2-0 defeat to Montpellier despite playing from start to finish.
Michael Olise
Olise came off the bench to help Crystal Palace grab a huge 2-0 away victory at Manchester City on Saturday.
Shortly after coming on in the 85th minute, Olise assisted Conor Gallagher for a two-goal lead.
It was Palace’s first away win of the season and it ended their five-game winless run.
Alex Iwobi
Iwobi grabbed his first Premier League goal for Everton this season in their 2–1 defeat to Wolves on Monday.
The 25-year-old pulled one back for Everton in the 66th minute, but it wasn’t enough for the Toffees on the night.
Lukas Nmecha
Lukas Nmecha, 22-year-old forward, scored his third goal of the Bundesliga season as 10-man Wolfsburg defeated Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-0 on Saturday.
Nmecha, who is eligible to represent Nigeria, put his team ahead in the 48th minute before Arnold doubled their advantage two minutes later.
Elsewhere, at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, Taiwo Awoniyi – who’s scored seven goals in ten league games this season – could not prevent Union Berlin from falling 5-2 at home to league leaders Bayern Munich.
