EiE: Semi Ajayi leads Super Eagles stars’ goal-fest

It was a flurry of goals from Super Eagles players at the weekend, led by centre back/emerging defensive midfielder, Semi Ajayi.

Ajayi, who plays for English second division side, Rotherham United, seems to be enjoying his new defensive midfield role at the club.

He scored two fierce headers to inspire his team to a 3-2 win at home against Blackburn Rovers.

Apart from his goals, which were Rotherham’s first and third of the day, Ajayi added two tackles, five headed duels and one interception.

He has now scored four goals this season, with three coming in his last two matches.

Oghenekaro Etebo was another Super Eagle on target as Stoke City grabbed their first win in seven league outings.

Etebo scored the opening goal in the first half of their 2-0 home win against Nottingham Forest before he was substituted on 66minutes. It was his first of the season, coming in his 25th game.

At the DW stadium, the promotion hopes of John Obi Mikel and Middlesbrough suffered a dent as their hosts, Wigan Athletic, held them to a goalless draw.

Mikel was however one of few the players for the Riversiders to leave with his head held high. The Super Eagles skipper completed the most passes, while his teammates failed to convert any of the two chances he created.

The former African champion also played for 90minutes, adding two interceptions and one aerial duel won.

In the English Premier League, Alex Iwobi was selected ahead of his German teammate, Mesut Ozil, as Arsenal were denied by Tottenham in the North London derby.

Iwobi featured for 90minutes as both city rivals shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw. He completed the most dribbles (3), created two chances, and also did some good defensive job with two interceptions and one tackle won.

Brighton & Hove Albion saw off Huddersfield 1-0 in their relegation fight without their injured Nigerian center back, Leon Balogun.

Despite changing their manager, nothing seems to have changed for Leicester City and Kelechi Iheanacho. Iheanacho continued his role on the Foxes bench as they lost their first game under new boss, Brendan Rodgers.

The former Manchester City player featured for just seven minutes after coming on as a late substitute in their 2-1 defeat at Watford, who welcomed back their Super Eagles forward, Isaac Success, from injury.

Iheanacho’s compatriot at Leicester, Wilfred Ndidi, played the duration of the game.

In the Serie A, Ola Aina was conspicuously missing as a superb performance from Torino saw them decimate their visitors, Chievo Verona, who were also without Joel Chukwuma Obi.

William Troost-Ekong put in a solid display to help Udinese overcome a stubborn Bologna side 2-1 at home.

Playing from start to finish, Troost-Ekong won five aerial duels, and one interception.

Samuel Chukwueze played his 15th La Liga game but could not save his Villarreal side from defeat at home.

The Yellow Submarines hosted Deportivo Alaves, with the Super Eagles youngster, Chukwueze playing for just 15minutes in a 1-2 loss.

Victor Osimhen was caged in Belgium as Sporting Charleroi drew 1-1 Genk. Osimhen played for 90minutes but was stopped from adding to his ten goals tally.

Jamilu Collins suffered a defeat with his German side, Paderborn. Collins was on from start to finish as they fell 1-0 to St. Pauli at home.

Bryan Idowu was a spectator as Lokomotiv Moscow were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Krylya Samara in the Russian League. Idowu watched the entertaining game on the bench.

It was a wonderful weekend in Turkey for Super Eagles versatile player, Shehu Abdullahi, as he netted his first goal for Bursaspor.

Playing in a rare attacking role, Abdullahi drew his side level at 1-1 with his debut goal, as they defeated Sivasspor 3-2 in a highly entertaining Super Lig encounter.

Elsewhere in the Lig, it was a game involving four Nigerians as Fenerbahce hosted Rizespor.

The host had former Super Eagles player, Victor Moses, while the visitors had their Nigerian trio of Chidozie Awaziem, Azubuike Okechukwu and Aminu Umar.

However, at the end, it was the home side who ran out 3-2 winners inspired by a man of the match display from their former African champion, Moses, who netted the winning goal via a late spot kick.

Of the quartet, only Chidozie played from start to finish, Moses was substituted on the stroke of the 90, while the duo of Umar and Okechukwu played for 73 and 85 minutes respectively.

Finally, it was another no show for Henry Onyekuru in the Super Lig as Galatasaray played out a 1-1 draw at Erzurum BB.

Onyekuru has nine goals in 22 league outings for his Turkish club side this season.