Simeon (Simy) Nwankwo in Serie A and Terem Moffi in Ligue 1 headline an eventful weekend for Super Eagles players in Europe
I take you through all the important updates in this latest edition of your favourite Eagles in Europe review.
On Saturday, Simy became the Nigerian to have scored the most goals in the Italian Serie A following his impressive brace for his relegation-threatened club, Crotone.
https://twitter.com/FisayoDairo/status/1386020087438757889?s=19
He netted the second and fourth goal of the day as they defeated Parma away 3-4. Both goals took his tally this season to 19 in the league and 29 in the Serie A, making him the highest-scoring player of Nigerian origin ever in Serie A, overtaking the legendary Obafemi Martins (28).
Also, his 19 goals this season for Crotone mean he is now the Nigerian with the most goals ever in a single season in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
Elsewhere, little known (at least before this season) Terem Moffi has emerged as clearly Nigeria’s best star in the French Ligue 1 this season.
The 21-year-old on Sunday scored his first-ever hat-trick his club Lorient to a 4-1 demolition of Bordeaux, who were complete with their Super Eagles star, Samuel Kalu, albeit he came on as a second-half substitute.
Moffi’s was truly impressive in the 85 minutes he spent on the pitch before he was substituted, with his goals taking his tally to 14 in the Ligue 1 this campaign.
The youngster has now been involved in 16 goals (14 goals and 2 assists) in 28 appearances this season for Lorient in the Ligue.
He becomes the Nigerian with the most league goals in a single season in France since another Super Eagles legend, Victor Ikpeba.
https://twitter.com/Ligue1_ENG/status/1386343275481780226?s=19
Can Simy and Moffi become the first Nigerians to score 20 goals in a single season in any of the top 5 European leagues? Well, they both have more games left to achieve.
In Strasbourg, Moses Simon assisted the winner as Nantes defeated their hosts Strasbourg 1-2.
It was his second assist of the campaign, coming in his 29th Ligue 1 match. He was on the pitch for 80 minutes.
Samuel Chukwueze was at his menacing best on Sunday in the game against La Liga giants, Barcelona. The mazy winger scored his fourth of the campaign when he stylishly put his club Villarreal ahead on 26 minutes.
However, it turned out to be a consolation goal at the end as a Griezmann double inspired Barca to a 1-2 win.
Chukwueze gave it his best, coming out as his side’s best player on the day, apart from the goal, he created the most chances (5) in the game, and had the most key passes (4). He played for 89 minutes
In the PL, Semi Ajayi cost his side three points after giving away a penalty in their 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Earlier on Friday, Alex Iwobi‘s return to the Emirates Stadium where it all started ended with him as a spectator.
Iwobi was an unused player as Everton defeated Arsenal 0-1 for the first time in over two decades.
For William Troost-Ekong, he will be playing Premier League football next season after he helped his club Watford secure promotion on Saturday.
Troost-Ekong was on from start to finish as Watford defeated Millwall 1-0 to seal their promotion from the Skybet Championship.
He may not have scored but Paul Onuachu was on the pitch as Genk sealed a 2-1 win over Standard Leige to lift the Belgian Cup.
Onuachu’s first title with the club, and he celebrated with compatriot, Cyriel Dessers, who started on the bench.
Joe Aribo picked up an assist but still ended on the losing side as St Johnstone defeated Rangers via penalty shootout in the Scottish FA Cup quarterfinal.
Aribo played from start to finish while Leon Balogun was not listed.
Maduka Okoye put in a brilliant performance for Sparta Rotterdam to help them earn a deserved 2-0 win over VVV Venlo.
He made 3 outstanding saves to secure his 8th clean sheet of the season.
For Tyronne Ebuehi, despite playing from start to finish, he was helpless as FC Twente lost 1-2 to Utrecht at home.
Finally, in Portugal, Chidozie Awaziem was on the losing side as Boavista lost 0-1 at home to Maritimo.
