For some of our dear Super Eagles players, it was a rather uneventful weekend as domestic football returned following that short break for the Champions League.
Here is the scorecard of how they performed in their respective European clubs.
England
Alex Iwobi, Arsenal
Alex Iwobi saw just 17minutes of action as Arsenal were humiliated 3-0 by Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
Iwobi came on for Aaron Ramsey in the 73rd minute, with the Gunners already down by three goals.
Victor Moses, Chelsea
The wingback was another player to taste defeat, after Manchester United came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1, with Moses playing for 78minutes.
Moses wasn’t his usual marauding self, despite getting into the United box a number of times, as the Blues dropped out of Champions League places to fifth on the table.
Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester City
At the King Power stadium, the duo of Ndidi and Iheanacho were on parade as a Jack Butland own goal rescued a point for the Foxes.
As usual, Ndidi started and finished the game, and was one of the bright spots for the Foxes in an otherwise average performance, while Iheanacho played for just over half an hour, after he replaced Danny Simpson in the second half.
Ola Aina, Hull City
In the English second division, the Sky Bet Championship, fullback, Aina was the star as Hull City returned to winning ways.
The Tigers defeated Sheffield United 1-0 at the KCOM stadium with Aina named man of the match.
Aina, 19, on loan from PL champions, Chelsea, was also named by statistics guru, Whoscored.com, in their Championship team of the week.
https://twitter.com/WhoScored/status/968070664077893633
The versatile defender made three interceptions, one tackle, won nine duels and completed three dribbles to help his side to a rare clean sheet.
It was his 31st game of the campaign, with two assists, and three yellow cards to his name.
Spain
Oghenekaro Etebo, Las Palmas
Midfield workhorse, Etebo featured as Las Palmas held their hosts, Leganes, to a goalless draw away from home.
Etebo lasted the duration of the game, but failed to live up to the standard he set in his debut game against Malaga.
It was his fourth game for the Spanish outfit, with compatriot at the club, Imoh Ezekiel, also getting some minutes as a second half substitute.
Brown Ideye, Malaga
Ideye’s fourth La Liga game ended in defeat, following Malaga’s 2-1 loss at San Mames against Athletic Club.
Ideye, who netted his first goal in Spain last weekend, was underwhelming for the La Liga strugglers, but lasted the 90.
Germany
Leon Balagun, Mainz 05
Balogun played for the third consecutive time, helping his club, Mainz to a point as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Wolfsburg, who had another Nigerian, Victor Osimhen, on their bench.
Meanwhile, Balogun’s countryman at Mainz, Anthony Ujah, was only considered good enough for a cameo appearance, playing for four minutes against Wolves.
France
Chidozie Awaziem, Nantes
On loan Porto defender, Awaziem, was a spectator as Nantes crashed 1-0 at home to Amiens.
21-year-old Super Eagle watched helplessly as his club side battled for nothing in front of their our fans.
Holland
Tyronne Ebuehi, ADO Den Haag
If it was a game meant to be a litmus test, then, Ebuehi passed in flying colours.
Ebuehi’s 24th game of the season pitted him against Dutch giants, Ajax, and their group of young attacking talents led by the brilliant Justin Kluivert.
However, the 21-year-old fullback was as composed as ever, ensuring that Kluivert, David Neres etc were silenced at home, as ADO left with a deserved point after a goalless affair.
Belgium
Uche Agbo, Standard Liege
Uche was on from start to finish as Liege were held to a 1-1 draw by their visitors, Club Brugges, who earned a point thanks to another Nigerian, Dennis Bonaventure’s second half equaliser.
Simon Moses, Anderson Esiti, Gent
The duo of Moses and Anderson missed Gent’s 2-1 win away at Waasland, as they continue their recovery from injuries.
Turkey
Mikel Agu, William Troost-Ekong and Shehu Abdullahi, Bursaspor
It was a day to forget for Super Eagles trio of Troost-Ekong, Agu and Abdullahi after five goals were put past them and their side in the Super Lig clash against giants, Galatasaray on Friday.
The trio started and ended the game, except for Troost-Ekong, who was shown a straight red card just before the break as former Swansea City star, Bafetimbi Gomis scored a hattrick for Galatasaray in their 5-0 win.
For Abdullahi, the wait for his first win in Bursaspor’s colours continues since his move to the club in January.
Ogenyi Onazi, Trabzonspor
Onazi enjoyed just few minutes of football as Trabzonspor defeated Alanyaspor 2-1 away.
The Super Eagles vice skipper was a 90th minute substitute, helping his side see off the win, their first since January 9.
Bonus Players:
Belgium
Taiwo Awoniyi, Royal Excel Mouscron
Liverpool’s on loan striker, Taiwo Awoniyi was on from start to finish as his club, Royal Excel Mouscron failed to complete their incredible attempt of a comeback from 4-0 down against Belgian champions, Anderlecht.
With the defending champions already 4-0 up and cruising, Taiwo started the fight back when he pulled one back in the 70th minute.
It was his seventh goal of the season, but while his side scored two further goals to bring scores at 4-3, the last goal proved elusive as Anderlecht went on to win 5-3 in an excellent advert for Belgian football.
Taiwo also has to five assists to his name this season, as his impressive performances on loan continue.
Samuel Kalu, Gent
In the absence of Simon Moses, unknown has been in top form for Gent, seamlessly replacing his compatriot, Simon, who is out injured.
Kalu didn’t score, but he did assist his teammate, Dylan Bronn’s equaliser for Gent, in that 2-1 win in Waasland.
It was Kalu’s fifth assist of the season, with five goals to his name as well.
Egypt
Junior Ajayi, Al Ahly
Ajayi has been superb for his Egyptian side, Al Ahly and at the weekend, he was on target again.
Ajayi netted in the second goal of the day, as the Red Devils earned a 2-1 win against El Entag El Harby.
https://twitter.com/AlAhly/status/967485209921904640
It was Al Ahly’s 13th successive win in all competitions, while that goal was Ajayi’s eight of the season for his club in the league.
Who was your best Nigerian player in Europe at the weekend? Do let us know in the comments section.
