Eagles stars blow hot, cold in Europe

Nigerian players in the English Premier League got a rest this weekend, following the death of the monarch, Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday but their counterparts in other European leagues were outstanding for their teams,

GERMANY

Chidera Ejuke (Hertha Berlin)

Chidera Ejuke made his first assist of the season for Hertha Berlin who drew 2-2 at home to Bayer Leverkusen that battled back to earn one point at the Olympiastadion Berlin. The CSKA Moscow loanee set up Suat Serdar for the equaliser in the 55th minute after Kerem Demirbay had shot Leverkusen into the lead four minutes into the second half. He was later replaced in the 67th minute in the game in what was his sixth league appearance. Hertha Berlin has now recorded just one win, two draws and three defeats this season. Leverkusen now sit 16th in the table in the playoff spot, after only winning one game out of six. Hertha however are now 14th in the table only one point clear of Leverkusen.

Kevin Akpoguma (Hoffenheim)

Akpoguma made his sixth appearance of the Bundesliga season for Hoffenheim who returned to winning ways with a remarkable 4-1 win against 10-man Mainz 4-1 at the PreZero Arena on Saturday.

The Nigerian defender who was yellow-carded in the 10th minute was replaced by French player Stanley Nsoki.

Anthony Ujah (Eintracht Braunschweig)

Ujah scored his second goal of the season for Eintracht Braunschweig who drew 1-1 Hannover on Saturday. The Nigerian scored in the 69th minute off an assist from Danilo Wiebe but he was replaced with 15 minutes left by Lion Lauberback. The former Union Berlin striker was cautioned in the 70th minute.

Unfortunately, for Eintracht Braunschweig, the lead did not last, as Harvard Nielsen restored parity for Hannover in the 77th minute.

Afeez Aremu (St Pauli)

Aremu started St Pauli’s eighth Bundesliga 2 game of the season at home to SV Sandhausen on the bench. The former U-20 midfielder has made three appearances this season.

ITALY

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Osimhen was missing from Napoli’s 1-0 win away at Spezia on Saturday due to injury. The Nigerian has scored twice and made an assist in five Serie A games this season.

Lookman, Okoli (Atalanta); Okereke, Dessers (Cremonese)

Super Eagles trio, Ademola Lookman, David Okereke and Cyriel Dessers were all handed starting role for their respective teams Atalanta and Cremonese who played out a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Nigerian-born Okoli also starred in defence for the La Dea. The game was his fifth of the season.

All three forwards failed to score in the encounter. Lookman who partnered Luis Muriel in attack for Atalanta played for 77 minutes before he was replaced for Mario Pasalic.

The former Leicester City winger has registered a goal and two assists in six league matches. Okereke and Dessers were also replaced in the 68th and 83rd minute respectively.

Ola Aina (Torino)

Aina was an unused substitute for Torino who suffered their second loss of the season to Inter Milan on Saturday.

A last-gasp volley from Marcelo Brozovic spared Inter’s blushes as they snatched a late win. The Croatian latched onto Nicolo Barella’s lob into the box in the 89th minute to steer the ball just beyond Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and spark wild celebrations. The 25-year-old Nigerian has made five Serie A appearances (six in all competitions) this season for the Granata.

Simy Nwankwo (Benevento)

Simy was an unused substitute for Benevento who lost 2-0 at home to Cagliari on Saturday. The Nigerian striker is yet to make his debut for the Serie B side.