EiE: Ajayi, Osimhen, Iheanacho on target as Maja shines again

Nigerian trio of Semi Ajayi, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho have added to their goals tally this season, while Josh Maja put another impressive performance for his club.

Eagles in Europe, EiE, recaps their excellent performances at the weekend, in addition to displays from other Super Eagles stars.

Once again, Osimhen proved to be an astute signing for LOSC Lille last summer after scoring his ninth goal of the new campaign on Friday.

Osimhen netted the only goal of the game as Lille defeated Brest 1-0 in their Ligue 1. He has now been involved in 12 goals (9 goals and three assists) in 16 Ligue 1 appearances this season for Lille.

At the Orange Velodrome, Samuel Kalu watched from the bench for 90 minutes as Josh Maja continued his excellent form for Bordeaux as they battled Marseille.

Maja showed he has a creative side when he grabbed his second assist of the season on Sunday.

He created three chances for his teammates, one of which was an assist for the opening goal of the game.

However, it was not enough to earn his team all three points as Marseille bounced back to beat them 3-1.

But the 20-year-old Super Eagles forward was one of Bordeaux’s best performers on the day as he completed the most dribbles (4) in the match, in addition to two key passes despite having the least touches on the ball than any other player.

Moses Simon was another Super Eagles who put in a superb creative display in Ligue 1 at the weekend.

Simon picked up his third assist of the season as Nantes defeated Dijon 1-0. He provided the assist for the only goal of the game scored by Ludovic Blas.

He created three chances and had two key passes but missed two big chances to add to his goal tally this season.

The next stop is England where Oghenekaro Etebo was not part of the Stoke City team that lost 2-1 at Hull City while the duo of Semi Ajayi and Kelechi Iheanacho were on target for West Brom Albion and Leicester City respectively.

Central defender, Ajayi is beginning to show WBA fans that he is more than a center-back after scoring his third goal of the season.

The former Arsenal trainee opened the scoring with a trademark header as WBA continued their push for Premier League football next season with a 5-1 thrashing of Swansea City at the Hawthorns.

At Villa Park, Iheanacho seems to have turned the tide after his manager at Leicester, Brendan Rodgers handed him his first start in the PL in a year.

Following his man of the match display the last time out against Watford, the ex-Manchester City forward was preferred to Ayoze Perez for their game against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Like the game against Watford, the 23-year-old put in another worthy man of the match performance as Leicester sailed to a comfortable 1-4 victory over Villa.

Iheanacho helped himself to a goal and an assist before he was substituted on 64 minutes. His compatriot at the club, Wilfred Ndidi was on the pitch from start to finish as the Foxes made it eight consecutive wins the PL, a club record.

Alex Iwobi and Everton returned to winning ways on Saturday but with Iwobi playing for 90 minutes in their 3-1 win over Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Iwobi created one chance, one key pass and completed just one of four attempted dribbles in an above-average performance for the Toffees.

It was a relief for William Troost-Ekong as he finally survived a weekend in the Serie A without conceding a penalty.

Troost-Ekong and Udinese were however held to a 1-1 draw at home by their visitors, SSC Napoli whose every attempt to take all three points was thwarted by Ekong and his defensive partners.

Ola Aina was in superb form for Torino despite not starting the game against Fiorentina. Aina came on for the injured Lorenzo Silvestri who left the pitch after just 12 minutes.

Aina assisted the second goal as Torino defeated Fiorentina 2-1. It was his first of the season, while he also picked up his fourth yellow card of the campaign in the game.

He created three chances, made two key passes and completed the most take-ons (6) in the match, in addition to winning one tackle and interception.

Collins Jamilu and Paderborn finally won a game in the German Bundesliga with the Super Eagles left-back one of the stars.

Jamilu’s Paderborn went, saw and conquered their hosts, Werder Bremen 0-1 for their first win since October 26.

Jamilu was the most fouled player on the pitch, and also won the most defensive duels to help his side to a rare clean sheet.

He had three dribbles, won three tackles and made interceptions.

Samuel Chukwueze did all he could to help Villarreal defeat Atletico Madrid on Friday but it ended in a goalless.

He created two chances, two key passes, completed the most dribbles (6) and was the most fouled player on the pitch.

Elsewhere in LaLiga, it was a victory for the trio of Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo and Ramon Azeez. 

Awaziem and Omeruo’s Leganes were 3-2 winners over Celta Vigo at home, while Azeez’s Granada thrashed Deportivo Alaves 3-0 also at home.

But of the trio, only Awaziem tasted action while Omeruo and Azeez watched on for 90 minutes from the bench.

Dennis Bonaventure made it 14 matches without a goal in all competitions for club and country as he enjoyed a cameo for Club Brugge at the weekend.

He was an 89th-minute substitute in their 1-2 win at St. Truiden in Belgium.

Paul Onuachu fired blanks as well as Genk defeated Cercle Brugge 1-2. He was on the pitch for 61 minutes, and has now failed to score in his last three matches.