Nigerian Players Roundup: Iheanacho Scores First Premier League Goal For Leicester, Umar and Edouk On Target In Turkey
England: Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench in the 60th minute for Shinji Okasaki to score Leicester city third goal in the 76th minute in a 4-1 thumping of the Baggies (West Bromwich Albion), this is the striker’s first premier league goal for Leicester city since joining from Manchester city in the summer, Iheanacho compatriot at Leicester city, Wilfred Ndidi made his 30th start of the season for Leicester city and put up a powerful display as usual. Super Eagles mercurial winger Victor Moses was an unused substitute for Chelsea who got back to winning ways by defeating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
In the English Championship, Super Eagles defender Ola Aina played full 90 minutes in Hull City’s 4-3 exciting come back win over Norwich City on Saturday. Ola Aina who is on loan from Chelsea has played 36 games so far for Hull City this season. Forgotten Super Eagles forward Sone Aluko started and played as the top striker for Reading, he couldn’t get on the score sheet for Reading who were held to a 2-2 draw by Leeds United at the Madejski Stadium. It was Aluko’s 21st game in the Championship for Reading since he joined in the summer.
Turkey: Aminu Umar started for Osmanlispor and scored his fifth league goal of the season in the 17th minute to help his club overcome Bursaspor 2-1 in a Turkish Super Lig game. Bursaspor had the Super Eagles duo of Shehu Abdulahi and Mikel Agu in their starting line up, while William Troost Ekong was an used substitute. Still in Turkey, former Enyimba of Aba top striker Emem Edouk scored the first goal for Kasimpasa in the 19th minute to force Sivasspor to a pulsating 2-2 draw, while fellow Nigerian and Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo was on from start to finish for Kasimpasa with a commanding defensive display.
Spain: Nigerian pair of Isaac Success and Brown Ideye were both introduced in the 78th minute as ten man Malaga suffered yet another defeat in a 2-0 loss to Messi less Barcelona in a La Liga Santander game on Saturday evening. Ideye has made seven appearances for Malaga with a goal to his name since joining from Tianjin Teda in the January transfer window while Success has made just three appearances since his loan move from Watford in January as well. Oghenekaro Etebo started for Las Palmas and was substituted in the 46th minute as Las Palmas slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Villarreal. Emmanuel Emenike and Imoh Ezekiel were not listed for Las Palmas.
France: At the Stade de la Beaujoire Stadium in France, Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem played all 90 minutes for Nantes who edged out Troyes 1-0 in a tight Ligue 1 clash on Saturday, while Vincent Enyeama was as usual missing from Lillie match day squad.
Holland: Nigeria’s Rio 2016 Dream Team striker Sadiq Umar on loan from Roma played full 90 minutes for NAC Breda who defeated Tyronne Ebuehi’s ADO Den Haag 2-0 at the Cars Jeans Stadium. The Super Eagles right-back World Cup hopeful, Ebuehi was replaced after 67 minutes in what turned out to be a disappointing evening for him and his club. Bartholomew Ogbeche was an unused substitute for Willem II in a surprice 5-0 demolition of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. Else where Ryan Sanusi started for Sparta Rotterdam and was yellow carded in the 13th minute as they overcame home side Roda JC 2-0, the other Nigerian at Sparta, Fred Friday was not listed in the match day squad.
Switzerland: former MFM of Lagos strike sensation Stephen Odey came on for Adrien Winter at half time in FC Zurich’s 3-0 home win over Lugano. Stanley Amuzie was an used substitute for Lugano. Stephen Odey has scored twice in seven games since joining the club in the summer.
