By Enitan Abdultawab
Nigerian footballers were once again in the spotlight across European leagues this weekend, with Paul Onuachu finding the net in Turkey even as his side slipped to defeat, while the likes of Victor Osimhen and others continued their respective campaigns with mixed outcomes.
Paul Onuachu was the standout Nigerian in league action, continuing his rich scoring form in the Turkish Super Lig. The towering striker headed home his 16th league goal of the season for Trabzonspor in their 3–2 loss to Fenerbahçe on Saturday, 14 February. Onuachu’s effort briefly levelled the game at 2–2 just before halftime, underlining his continued threat in front of goal despite the defeat.
Elsewhere in Turkey, Victor Osimhen remained a central figure for Galatasaray, where his influence in attack continues to be pivotal for the league leaders. He was part of the starting line-up that dismantled Eyüpspor by five goals to one, though he did not score any.
Wilfred Ndidi was absent for Besiktas in their 2-3 away win at Istanbul Basaksehir as he was back home in Nigeria to lay his father to rest.
Ibrahim Olawoyin was part of the Rizespor team that grinded out a 2-2 draw against Gençlerbirliği S.K. He was, however, replaced in the second half.
Ademola Lookman came on in the second half but could not prevent his team from a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Rayo Vallecano. At Sevilla, Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke featured for Sevilla in their 1-1 home draw versus Alaves. While Akor featured from the start, Ejuke came off the bench.
Elsewhere in Levante, Kareem Tunde’s Levante could not stop Umar Sodiq’s Valencia from a home 0-2 rout. Sadiq Umar, the former Real Sociedad man, came off the bench and got on the scoresheet.
In England, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze did not feature at all in their 1-2 away win at Stoke City. However, Alex Iwobi played the full minutes and played a pivotal role in the win.
Tolu Arokodare’s Wolveshampton Wanderers left Grimsby Town with a 0-1 win. The forward played the entire minutes of the tie. Also, Bright-Osayi Samuel was in action for Birmingham City in their 2-4 penalty loss to Leeds United. He was, however, taken off in the second half of the game.
In France, Simon Moses came on in the second half but could not prevent his team from a 0-5 home defeat to Lens.
In Italy, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru played Lazio’s full match at home versus. The tie ended in a 0-2 loss for the home side. Maduka Okoye was in goal for Udinese in a 1-2 home loss to Sassuolo.
In Belgium, Raphael Onyedika played the entire match for Club Brugge in their 1-2 away win versus Club Brugge.
In Portugal, Zaidu Sanusi played the entire minutes for league leaders Porto as they secured a 0-1 away win at Nacional.
In Greece, Bruno Onyemaechi was in full action for Olympiacos in their 0-0 away win versus Levadiakos.
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