•Boniface, Iwobi also on target as Onyeka wins with Augsburg
Nigerian players enjoyed a productive Saturday across Europe’s top leagues as Ademola Lookman orchestrated Atalanta’s demolition of Hellas Verona with two goals and two assists, while Alex Iwobi and Victor Boniface also found the back of the net for their respective clubs, reports PETER AKINBO
ITALY
Lookman, who has emerged as the overwhelming favourite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award, delivered a masterclass performance in Atalanta’s emphatic victory on Saturday. He set up Marten de Roon’s opener in the sixth minute with a brilliant run down the left flank before providing another assist for Matteo Retegui three minutes later in a similar fashion.
He was substituted in the 56th minute, with the game already won.
In another Serie A clash on Friday, Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye continued his impressive form between the sticks, keeping his second home clean sheet of the season in Udinese’s 2-0 victory against Cagliari. The win, secured via goals from Lorenzo Lucca and Keinan Davis, briefly moved Udinese to fourth place with 16 points from nine games.
ENGLAND
Iwobi continued his impressive form for Fulham, netting his 24th Premier League goal in a 1-1 draw against his former club Everton. The midfielder, who scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal against Everton in March 2016, has now scored twice this season and was influential throughout the match, completing three dribbles and creating two key chances.
The goal marked another milestone in Iwobi’s Premier League journey, which has seen him score crucial goals for Arsenal, Everton, and now Fulham. His versatility and consistency have made him a key figure for Marco Silva’s side this season.
His compatriot Calvin Bassey also featured for the full 90 minutes, putting in a solid defensive shift with two duels won and one tackle, continuing his adaptation to English football following his summer arrival from Ajax.
In the Championship, Nigerian duo Josh Maja and Semi Ajayi featured for West Bromwich Albion in their goalless draw against Cardiff City, with both players showing their quality despite the lack of goals.
The previous night saw Ola Aina deliver an impressive defensive performance as his club Nottingham Forest secured a 3-1 victory over Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester City. Aina played the full 90 minutes, effectively neutralising Leicester’s attacking threats, while Taiwo Awoniyi made a late cameo appearance. Ndidi, deployed in central defence, was substituted in the 74th minute as the Foxes suffered their first defeat in six games.
GERMANY
Boniface made a triumphant return to action following his recent car accident, scoring his sixth Bundesliga goal of the season for Bayer Leverkusen in their 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen.
The striker’s 30th-minute strike put Xabi Alonso’s side ahead before Marvin Ducksch equalised for the hosts.
The dramatic encounter took a different turn when Nigerian-born Felix Agu accidentally turned the ball into his own net, restoring Liverpool’s lead in the 77th minute. However, Bremen staged a late comeback through fellow Nigerian-born Justin Njimah, who provided a last-minute assist for Romano Schmidt’s equaliser.
The result saw Leverkusen slip to third in the Bundesliga table, having played more than second-placed Bayern Munich, with RB Leipzig leading the standings.
In another Bundesliga clash, Frank Onyeka impressed during his 82-minute appearance for Augsburg, who stunned Borussia Dortmund 2-1. The Nigerian midfielder’s solid performance helped repel Dortmund’s creative threats before he was replaced by Arne Maier.
The victory, secured via Alexis Claude-Maurice’s double after Donyell Malen’s opener, saw Augsburg climb to 11th place, dealing a significant blow to Dortmund’s title ambitions, being eighth in the standings and seven points behind leaders RB Leipzig.
SPAIN
Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho’s adaptation to Spanish football remains challenging, being an unused substitute in Sevilla’s 2-0 victory at Espanyol on Friday, marking his third consecutive game on the bench since his summer arrival from Leicester City.
The 28-year-old, who has made just five appearances for his new club, last featured in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao on September 29. His Nigeria teammate Chidera Ejuke faces an extended period on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury against Barcelona that will keep him out for three months.
Sevilla secured the win via Dodi Lukebakio’s first-half brace, with the Belgian forward finding the net in the 20th minute before doubling his tally just before the interval.
