Following the commencement of the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga during the weekend, ABIODUN ADEWALE takes a look at the performances of Nigerian footballers as the new European season begins
SUNDAY
ENGLAND
Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea)
Chukwuemeka returned to the starting line up for Chelsea in their opening game against Liverpool on Sunday and was cautioned as early as the fourth minute but kept doing his job in the midfield until he was replaced by Ian Maatsen in the 81st minute. The frenetic game ended 1-1 after Axel Disasi canceled out Luis Diaz’s opener for Liverpool in the first half.
Destiny Udogie (Tottenham)
Having got the backing of manager Ange Postecoglou after making a switch from Udinese in the summer, defender Udogie played all the minutes as Tottenham earned a 2-2 draw at Brentford on Sunday. The former Italian junior international put in a decent shift as Spurs managed the draw.
FRANCE
Akor Adams (Montpellier)
New signing Adams made his mark in Ligue 1 on Sunday with a brace in Montpellier’s 2-2 draw against Le Havre at the Stade de la Mosson. Adams’ first goal in the 55th minute was an equaliser and he got the second five minutes later to give Montpellier the lead, but the visitors scored again in stoppage time to end the game 2-2. Adams was replaced by Sepe Elye Wahi in the 77th minute and received an ovation from the fans.
Moses Simon (Nantes)
Simon featured for 68 minutes in Nante’s 2-1 home defeat to Toulouse. The winger was replaced by Abdoul Kader Bamba. Mostafa Mohamed scored first for Nantes in the game but Toulouse responded with two second half goals.
NETHERLANDS
Bobby Adekanye (GA Eagles)
In the Dutch Eredivisie Adekanye couldn’t do much as his club Go Ahead Eagles were hammered 5-1 by AZ Alkmaar. He was replaced at halftime by Oliver Valaker Edvardsen.
SATURDAY
ENGLAND
Awoniyi, Aina, Dennis (Nottingham Forest)
Despite starting from the bench, striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, picked up from where he left off last season, scoring the only goal for Nottingham Forest in their 2-1 loss against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Although they lost, it was a perfect goal for the Nigerian to mark his 26th birthday.
Forest coach, Steve Cooper, explained his decision to bench Awoniyi after the game, saying the forward wasn’t fully fit and could only afford very little time because he was still in the process of recovery.
While forward Emmanuel Dennis was not listed, new signing Ola Aina had a solid debut for the Tricky Trees, winning three tackles and five duels.
Alex Iwobi (Everton)
Not a good start for midfielder Iwobi, who carried Everton on his shoulders last season during their struggles in the EPL. The Toffees seem not to have gotten over their problems, losing their first game of the season at home. Iwobi’s performance was highlighted by four successful dribbles and three created chances but despite his efforts, Everton lost 1-0 at Goodison Park to Fulham.
Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
Bassey must have done enough to impress Marcos Silva in pre-season but the defender will still have to wait for his EPL debut for the Cottagers. Bassey was unused in their 1-0 win over Everton away from home. He joined Fulham from Ajax in the summer, after just a season in The Netherlands.
Fred Onyedinma (Rotherham United)
In the Championship, Rotherham United’s new man Onyedinma had an eventful game, scoring a goal, and being shown a red card in their 2-2 draw with Blackburn.
Oyedinma, who joined the Championship side from newly promoted EPL side Luton, scored to double their advantage in the 48th minute before receiving his marching orders for a second bookable offence two minutes later.
Ajayi, Maja (West Brom)
Lanky defender Semi Ajayi was among the scorers as the Baggies recorded a 3-2 win over Swansea at The Hawthorns on Saturday. Ajayi scored the opening goal 18 minutes into the game before John Swift scored the third after an own goal doubled West Brom’s advantage. Swansea pulled two goals back through Harry Darling and Nathan Wood late on in the game. New striker Josh Maja was introduced in the 78th minute.
Ndidi, Iheanacho (Leicester City)
Former Premier League champions Leicester City are up and running in the Championship with their second win in as many games, beating Huddersfield 1-0 away from home.
For his contribution during the week in the EFL Cup, Kelechi Iheanacho was handed a starting role by coach Enzo Maresca but the striker couldn’t score until he was replaced by Jammie Vardy in the 67th minute. Wilfred Ndidi was also brought on for Wanya Marcal-Madivadua in the 55th minute. Stephy Mavididi scored Leicester’s goal in the 73rd minute.
Aribo, Tella, Onuachu, Edozie (Southampton)
While Joe Aribo was an unused substitute for Southampton in their second Championship game, Nathan Tella and Samuel Edozie were included in the starting 11 as the Saints recorded a dramatic 4-4 draw against Norwich City at the St. Mary’s.
Edozie and Tella were both cautioned in the game just as the former was taken off in the 48th minute. Striker Paul Onuachu was not listed for the game.
SPAIN
Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad)
After fully completing his rehabilitation in the summer, Sadiq returned from injury in Real Sociedad’s 1-1 draw at home against Girona. It was his first game in 11 months after he was injured last season. There was no place in the starting line-up for Umar, but he came on 15 minutes to the end of the game for Mikel Oyarzabal.
GERMANY
Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen)
New Bayern Leverkusen forward Boniface made an impressive start for his official debut for the club, scoring in their 8-0 away victory against Teutonia Ottensen in the DFB Pokal.
SCOTLAND
Balogun, Dessers (Rangers)
Defender Leon Balogun and striker Cyril Dessers featured as Glasgow Rangers defeated Livingston 4-0 in the Scottish League. Balogun, who rejoined the club in the summer, won 10 duels and Dessers created three chances but was jeered by Rangers fans. Dessers was replaced by Abdallah Sima in the 71st minute.
TURKEY
Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa)
On his return to Turkey, Omeruo continued to impress with another impactful performance for Kasimpasa, contributing three interceptions and creating one chance in their 3-2 victory over Ankaragucu.
OTHERS
In Latvia, Oluwatimilehin Ogunniyi scored for Auda in their 2-2 stalemate against Tukums in a Virsliga match.
Emmanuel Alaribe also scored the winning goal for Zimbru in their 2-1 victory over Floreşti in the Moldovan Super Liga, while Olakunle Olusegun featured for FC Krasnodar in their 2-0 away win against Orenburg in the Russian Premier League.
Winger Saviour Godwin scored from the spot as Casa Pia won 3-0 against Farense in Portugal.
