Nigerian Players Abroad: Obafemi Martins Scores Hat-trick; Aaron Samuel, Joel Obi Paint Europe Red With Goals
Turkey: The Nigerian trio of Mikel Agu, Shehu Abdullahi, and William Troost-Ekong all started for Bursaspor and played the entire duration of the match as Bursaspor fell 2-0 away to Antalyaspor at the Antalya Stadyumu.
Antalyaspor took the lead in the 30th minute through Maicon and in the 72nd minute, they doubled their lead through Deniz Kadah to seal a comfortable win over Bursaspor. This is the 12th league defeat of the season for Bursaspor.
Elsewhere in the Turkish Super Lig, Azubuike Okechukwu started for Yeni Malatyaspor and helped his team thump Genclerbirligi 4-1 at home. Azubuike Okechukwu was replaced by Gilberto in the 69th minute who came on to score a brace in the 81st and 90th.
England: The Super Eagles of Nigeria midfield general, Wilfred Ndidi started for Leicester City at the American Express Community Stadium away to Brighton & Hove Albion. Ndidi was sent off in the match after receiving two yellow cards in the 24th and 87th minute.
The sending off didn’t have much effect on Leicester City as Jamie Vardy scored a very late goal to give Leicester City a 2-0 victory and a second successive away win in March. Kelech Iheanacho was an unused substitute as he sat on Leicester’s bench for the entire match.
Germany: Hannover 96 Nigerian defender Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee was an unused substitute as Hannover 96 suffered a 3-2 home loss to RasenBallsport Leipzig at the HDI-Arena. Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee has been injured since December last year and just returned to action for Hannover 96 three weeks ago.
Italy: Super Eagles midfielder Joel Obi was in scintillating form for Italian side Torino. He started the match against Cagliari at the Sardegna Arena and helped Torino record their first away win of the new year.
Joel Obi scored the 4th goal as Torino thrashed home team Cagliari 4-0, this is Obi’s 5th league goal of the season for Torino. I wish he can replicate this kind of form in the colours of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Russia: Three Nigerians Aaron Samuel, Brian Idowu, and Fegor Ogude started for Amkar Perm against Lokomotiv Moscow in a Russian Premier League match played at the RZD Arena.
Super Eagles hopeful Aaron Samuel scored a brace for home team Amkar Perm as they fought from a goal down to win 2-1. Aaron scored in the 48th and 59th minute for Amkar Perm.
Aaron Samuel was replaced in the 65th minute by Darko Bodul, while the other two Nigerians Brian Idowu and Fegor Ogude played the entire match for Amkar Perm.
China: Obafemi Martins was in devastating form for his Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua as he bagged a hat-trick in the 4-2 home win over Hebei CFFC in a Chinese Super League match, Martins scored in the 62nd, 76th and 90th minute to complete his hat-trick.
Elsewhere in the Chinese Super League, it was a bad day in the office for Odion Ighalo as he missed a penalty in the 12th minute and could not save his team Changchun Yatai from losing 2-1 at home to Guangzhou R&F. This is Changchun Yatai second defeat of the season. they have played four matches and are yet to win a game.
