ENGLAND
We raise the curtain from the English premier league action as in form Alex Iwobi made a late entrance for Arsenal in their impressive 2-0 derby day home victory over fierce rivals, Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates stadium.
21-year-old Iwobi who is fresh from his two-goal heroics against Argentina was making only his 6th appearance for the Gunners who are now 6th on the league table.
Nigeria’s Isaac Success continues to struggle at the Vicarage road after he missed out in Watford’s 2-0 win over visitors, West Ham United in their 12th league fixture of the season.
Success is yet to play a single game for Watford this term who have just two victories in their last five premier league games.
Combative Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Onyinye Ndidi saw 90 minutes of action on Saturday but could not help Leicester City who were the latest victims of table toppers, Manchester City as were beaten with two unreplied goals at the King Power stadium.
While Ahmed Musa looks well frozen out of the Foxes squad, Kelechi Iheanacho made a cameo appearance for Leicester City.
26-year-old Victor Moses could not feature in Chelsea’s emphatic 0-4 away win over West Bromwich Albion as he steps up his recuperation from a hamstring injury he sustained against Crystal Palace.
CHAMPIONSHIP
In the English Championship, Chelsea loanee, Ola Aina, completed his 16th league appearance for Hull City as they were pegged back to their 5th draw of the season in their 2-2 stalemate against Ipswich Town.
At the Pirelli stadium, Nigeria’s Hope Akpan was not listed for Burton Albion’s 1-3 home loss against Sheffield Wednesday.
A quick dash to the Madejski stadium, Sone Aluko made a second half appearance for Reading as they continued their struggle in the league with a 0-2 loss at home in the hands of in-form Wolverhampton Wanderers.
AUSTRIA
In the Austrian Bundesliga, Ibrahim Alhassan was a 71st minute entrance for league champions, Austria Wien who continued their epileptic form as they were shocked 2-3 by a determined Admira Moedling side at the Ernst Happel stadion.
Alhassan’s Austria Wien have managed just 5 wins in 15 games all through the season are currently, languishing in the 6th position on the Bundesliga table.
BELGIUM
We dash quickly now to Belgium as on fire Henry Chukwuemeka Onyekuru was the hero once again for league champions Anderlecht at the Stade Le Connonier as his 80th minute goal proved decisive to give his team a 1-2 away victory over Royal Excel Mouscron.
Youth sensation, Taiwo Awoniyi could not save Mouscron from their 6th league defeat in the fixture having seen the whole match duration.
Onyekuru who made a cameo appearance for Nigeria’s final World Cup qualifying game against Algeria has gone on to score a massive 7 goals in 14 league games.
Former Nigeria youth international, Abdul Ajagun was a late introduction for 14th placed Kortrijk as they recorded their first win in 5 games with a 3-2 victory over St. Truiden.
The Nigerian trio of Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu and Anderson Esiti were all in action to hand Gent their 5th victory of the season as they bettered hosts, Lokeren, 0-3 at the Daknam stadion.
While 20-year-old Samuel Kalu scored Gent’s second on the day, Esiti was shown his 6th yellow card of the campaign in the fixture.
Upcoming Nigeria forward, Peter Olayinka could not help Zulte-Waregem avoid a consecutive defeat as he sat out their solitary goal home loss to visitor, Genk.
ITALY
In the Italain Seria A, Joel Chukwuma Obi’s assist proved key for Torino as they played out a 1-1 stalemate against Chievo Verona to record their 6th draw of the campaign.
The game was Joel Obi’s 6th this term after a tough start to the season and he has gone on to score 2 goals from all of those.
Another Nigeria teen star, Sadiq Umar who is currently, on a season loan deal from AS Roma was missing in action in the tie.
FRANCE
We drop by in the French Ligue 1 where Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem received his first cautioning of the season in Nantes 4-1 defeat away to league leaders, PSG at the Parc des Princes.
Awaziem was making his 10th appearance of the season for Nantes in the loss.
SPAIN
At the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi inSpain, Manchester City loanee, Olarenwaju Kayode saw Girona’s 1-1 against Real Sociedad from the substitute bench as he failed to feature in his second successive match for the White and Reds.
Kayode who made a deadline transfer move from Austria Wien has made 10 league appearances for Girona and is yet open his goal account.
Super Eagles goalkeeping revelation, Francis Odinaka Uzoho was omitted from the Deportivo La Coruna squad who lost 3-2 away from home against struggling Malaga.
GERMANY
In Germany now, Nigeria defender, Leon Balogun was missing in action for Mainz 05’s 12th league fixture of the season as they ran away with a solitary goal win over FC Cologne at the Opel Arena.
Former U17 star, Victor Osimhen watched from the bench as Wolfsburg continued their impressive vein of form with a 3-1 home bashing of Freiburg.
18-year-old Osimhen has managed just 2 league appearances this campaign for 13th placed Wolfsburg.
Writer: Chidiebere Anugwolu
