EiE: Onyekuru grabs first assist as Mikel Obi turns hero

It was a very quiet weekend for Super Eagles stars especially the attackers who failed to turn up for their respective teams except for youngster, Henry Onyekuru and Mikel Obi.

Here is a look at their displays, which had just a few bright spots like Onyekuru who helped his side to a brilliant win in the Turkish first division and Mikel who is turning heads in the English Sky Bet.

Onyekuru last scored for Galatasaray back in January 19, when he netted a hattrick against Ankaragucu in the Lig. However, on Sunday, he added assist to his stat this season after playing from start to finish in his 20th game of the season.

He created the chance for Galatasaray’s fourth of the day which was calmly finished by fellow African, Sofiane Feghouli, to complete his hattrick in a 4-1 victory over Kasimpasa.

The 21-year-old forward on loan from Everton also picked up his second booking of the campaign in that game.

Still in the Turkish Lig, it was brothers at war at the Bursa Büküksehir Belediye, home of Bursaspor and their Nigerian star, Shehu Abdullahi.

Abdullahi’s Bursaspor were at home to his national team mate, Chidozie Awaziem and his side, Rizespor. But while Awaziem played the duration of the game, Abdullahi started on the bench before he came on for an injured team mate at the half hour mark.

Bursaspor were however beaten at home, with another Nigerian, Okechukwu Azubike scoring for Rizespor in a 2-0 away win.

Awaziem was the only Nigerian on the pitch who received a caution following his yellow card on 29minutes.

In the German second division, a rare decision to play Jamilu Collins at center back nearly backfired for Paderborn who survived a scare at home from FC Koln to win 3-2.

While not exactly responsible for any of the goals, Collins and his team mates had to do it the hard way after finding themselves 0-2 down with 17minutes left to play.

They fought back in incredible fashion to score three times to complete an astounding come from behind win with Collins ending the came with four interceptions, three headed duels won, one tackle and two clearances.

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, was conspicuously missing as Anorthosis were held to a goalless draw at home by Omona Nicosia.

Uzoho has made just one appearance since he joined the Cypriot side on loan in January.

Now, let’s take a look at Super Eagles players in the top leagues starting with the Serie A.

An assured performance from one half of the Oyinbo Wall, William Troost-Ekong, helped his Udinese side to their first clean sheet and win in five games.

Troost-Ekong had eight clearances, including winning six aerial duels as Udinese narrowly saw off Chievo Verona, who were without Joel Chukwuma Obi, 1-0.

In Naples, Ola Aina may not have scored this time but ensured his Torino team did not concede either against a formidable SSC Napoli opponent.

Aina grab two interceptions, two aerial duels won and four clearances to his yellow card.

In the La Liga, things went really awry for Kenneth Omeruo and Leganes, who were at the receiving end of a 3-0 hammering by Real Sociedad.

Omeruo started and finished that game, but could do little to stop the heavy defeat.

An encouraging outing by Moses Simon saw Levante claim a first win in nine matches with an easy win at Abanca Balaidos.

Simon was a thorn in the flesh of Celta Vigo defenders, who had their goalkeeper to thank after denying the winger who eluded them with a point blank save in the first half.

He completed the most dribbles (7) in the game, and was rewarded with a 90minute game time for his lively performance.

For Samuel Chukwueze, things are not getting better for him at all after he was completely ignored by his manager.

Chukwueze sat on the bench and watched as Villarreal strolled to a 3-0 win over Sevilla.

In Ligue 1, a Samuel Kalu-less Bordeaux were 2-1 winners against Toulouse at home.

And now, in England, where the English Premier League took a back seat for some actions in the FA Cup.

No Super Eagles player was on parade despite Watford and Brighton & Hove Albion playing. The Hornets defeated Queens Park Rangers 1-0 without Success Isaac, who is still out injured, while Brighton were without Leon Balogun in their 2-1 win over Derby County.

The Seagulls did not list Balogun at all for the game played at the Amex stadium.

However, in the Sky Bet, Mikel Obi continued to impress Middleborough and their fans.

Hailed and described by Boro fans as “African Zidane”, Super Eagles captain, Mikel is fast turning into a hero at the Riversiders and was on from start to finish as he led them to a 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers.

Semi Ajayi picked up a yellow card as Sheffield Wednesday denied his Rotherham United side all three points at home.

Ajayi retained his midfield role in their entertaining 2-2 draw with Sheffield.

Finally, despite a very solid all round performance, Oghenekaro Etebo‘s Stoke City were unable to get past their hosts, Ipswich Town.

Etebo created two chances for his team mates but they ended up playing a 1-1 draw with the midfielder playing the duration of the match.