Across European Leagues - Performance of Nigerian Players

Ideye scored first-ever hat-trick in Europe as Nigerian players turned up for their respective clubsides across Europe over the weekend. Here is the highlights

Germany
Leon Balogun, the rock solid Eagles centre-back was on the pitch in Mainz 05 thrilling 4-4 draw with Hoffenheim. His presence could not prevent his team who were 4-1 up before having a player sent off from holding on to the lead and claiming the maximum point. They succumb to the pressure mount by the former Winter champion having played with 10 men for around 35 minutes.

Netherlands
Fred Friday, the 21yr-old striker presence in AZ Alkmaar 2-0 win over Willem II cannot be undermined. He was on for the full minutes of the game and supplied the assist for Levi Garcia to score his team 2nd goal of the game. Also in the team is Belgian midfielder of Nigeria descent Funso Ojo, who also played the entire duration of the match. Former Super Eagles forward Bartholomew Ogbeche came on in the 71st minute for the opposing side but could do nothing to prevent the loss.

Spain
Uche Agbo was on the pitch for the 1st-half in Granada 2-1 home loss to 10-man Eibar. He was replaced by Artem Kravets in the 46th minute while his team were 1-0 down to Eibar who had been reduced in the 32nd minute. It's Uche 3rd start in as many games for the 18th-placed team.

Italy 
Joel Obi, the former Inter Milan midfielder came on into the fray in the 60th minute for Daniele Baselli in Torino's 2-1 away loss to Atalanta. His 2nd appearance this season was overshadowed by England goalkeeper Joe Hart mistake which cost the team a share of the spoils. 
Sadiq Umar, the new revelation during the Rio Olympics was not listed for the game as his club AS Roma defeated Sampdoria 3-2 at the Rome Stadio Olimpico. The winning goal was

scored through a penalty by club legend Francesco Totti in the dying minutes of the game.

France
Vincent Enyeama, the 34yr-old Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper was in the post as Lille lost 4-1 to visiting Monaco in the 4th game of Ligue 1 this season. He conceded 2 goals apiece in each half as the former Champions League campaigner lost their second game of the season. 

Belgium
Moses Simon, the Super Eagles 20yr-old winger scored a goal in his team Gent 3-0 win over Lokeren. He was on the pitch for the entire minutes of the game, and now has 3 goals in his 6 appearances so far this season. Another Nigerian who played the entire game was Anderson Esiti who was making his debut for the side he joined around the end of the summer transfer window. Still with Gent is 2007 U-17 World Cup winner Rabiu Ibrahim, who came on as a substitute in the 78th minute to make his debut for the club he joined from Slovakia champion AS Trencin.

Wilfred Ndidi could not prevent his team Genk from loosing 2-0 to Standard Liege over the weekend. The Super Eagles midfielder was on the pitch for the full minutes of the match in his 6th appearance of the season. The 19yr-old has not received any booking so far this season despite being a regular.

Kingsley Madu was on the bench as his new club Zulte Waregem won 5-1 away to Moeskoren in the league. The Dream Team VI defender awaits his debut for the team he joined at the closing end of the transfer window.

Henry Onyekuru, the young winger was on the pitch from start in his team KAS Eupen 2-1 win over KV Oostende in the Eredevise. He was replaced in the 88th minute for Jose Maria Cases as his team was keen on holding on to the slim margin.

Greece
Brown Ideye, the returnee Nigeria striker scored a hat-trick in his first match of the season as Olympiakos thrashed Veria FC 6-1 in the Greek Super League.
This is Ideye 1st hat-trick in Europe, which was started with an easy tap-in after a rebound in the 25th minute. He added two more in the 2nd-half to complete his hat-trick.

Israel
Nosa Igiebor scored his first goal of the season for Maccabi Tel Aviv who were held 2-2 at home by Beitar Jerusalem. Igiebor scored in the 59th minute to draw his side level in the game.

Turkey
Ogenyi Onazi, the combative midfielder was on for Trabzonspor from the onset in his team 2-0 loss at home to Osmanlinspor which had in their ranks Umar Aminu and Raheem Lawal. Onazi who was on the pitch for the entire game was unable to help muster a goal or an assist to help his team gain some prestige. On the opposing side, Rio 2016 star Umar started the game for the away side before he was substituted in the 86th minute for Erdal Kilicarslan, midfielder Lawal was an unused substitute.

Emmanuel Emenike, the former Super Eagles striker was a second half substitute for Roman Neustaedter in Fenebahce’s 1-0 home loss to Bursaspor.
He came on in the 76th minute but was unable to find the equalising goal as the only goal of the game was scored by Pablo Martin in the 33rd minute.

Godfrey Oboabona, the defender played the entire game as his team Caykur Rizespor win their game against Akhisa Belediye 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by another Nigerian, 20yr-old Iyayi Believe Atiemwen. He scored the goal in the 49th minute and was replaced in the 92nd minute of the encounter.

Norway
William Troost-Ekong, Super Eagles and Olympics bronze medal-winning defender played the entire match for his club Haugesund - who were a man less - as they drew 0-0 with former champion Molde.

Weekend Performance of Nigerian Players in the Premier League

Odion Ighalo scored first goal of the season, also Kelechi is staking claim for a starting berth by scoring the winner in the derby. Here is the performance round-up of Nigerian stars over the weekend.

Kelechi Iheneacho was fantastic on his first start in the league this season. The 19yr-old goal was the deciding factor as his Manchester City team went to Old Trafford and conquered the Jose Mourinho's Manchester United team by winning 2-1. He also gave the assist for the first goal by flicking an header to set-up Kevin de Bruyne to put the ball inside the net. The Super Eagles striker goal made him the youngest scorer for the citizens in the Manchester derby. He was substituted in the 54th minute for Brazilian midfielder Fernando as the coach, Pep Guardiola try to bring more stability to the team in other to protect their slim lead. Defender Tosin Adarabioyo was not named as member of the squad to the Old Trafford victory.

Alex Iwobi was back in the Arsenal team after his injury lay-off, but he was made to wait until the 75th minute before coming on to replace Theo Walcott. The Gunners had to wait for a last-minute penalty converted by Santi Carzola to win 2-1 right there at the Emirates stadium. The 20yr-old Super Eagles forward did made his presence felt with some good moves which was also instrumental in putting the Southampton defense on pressure before conceding the penalty. His teammate Chuba Akpom was not listed as he continues to do well for the U-21 team where he scored a brace in their game against Derby County in the Premier League 2.

Odion Ighalo started the game for Watford in their great comeback against West Ham United at the London Stadium. The former Granada striker started the comeback with a nice goal after his team had gone 2 goals down through Michail Antonio brace, and also contributed an assist for the team 4th goal which was scored by Jose Holebas. He was however replace by former Flying Eagles striker Isaac Success in the 69th minute of the game. Success is still looking for his 1st goal since making a record move from Granada, he has made just 2 substitute appearances due to injury. Also coming on as a substitute in the game is Nigerian-Italian Stefano Chuka Okaka, who came on in the 79th minute for the team's captain Troy Deeney. It is the debut for the former AS Roma youngster for the Hornets since making a last-day move from Anderlecht, and he was yellow-carded in the 86th minute to commmend him for his troubles.

Jordon Ibe, the England forward who rebuffed Nigeria invitation was on for 63 minutes in Bournemouth 1-0 win over Peter Osaze former club West Brom. The record-signing has played in all the games so far this season, but he is without a goal or an assist. Replacing him on the pitch was Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere.

Bamidele Alli was on for the entire duration in Tottenham 4-0 away win at Stoke City. The Nigerian-born England midfielder scored his team 3rd goal of the game and was instrumental in all the right moves made by the Lilywhites. The goal is his first of the season and more is expected of him by coach Mauricio Pochettino as the season progresses. His young compatriot Joshua Onomah had no part in the game as he was left out of the substitute bench.

Ahmed Musa made a substitute appearance for the 3rd game in a row as champion Leicester City lost 4-1 to Liverpool. The assistant Super Eagles captain came on in the 46th minute for Shinji Okazaki, but was unable to rescue his team who were 2-1 down at half-time to stage a comeback. Musa just like the rest of his teammates were below par in the game. For the Reds, both Seyi Ojo and Ovie Ejaria were not part of the squad. While the former is injured, the latter has been drafted back into the U-21 squad for the season. Also,centre-back Portuguese-Nigerian Tiago Abiola Ilori was also not part of the team.

Victor Moses came on in the 77th minute for Willian in Chelsea's 2-2 comeback draw against Swansea. The Super Eagles returnee had one shot which he blazed over the bar during his few minutes on the pitch. He had scored a goal in his last appearance for the Blues before the international break. Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel was not listed for the game as it was also with young defender Ola Aina who is waiting for his 1st game of the season since being drafted into the first-team by coach Antonio Conte.

Ross Barkley, the Everton midfielder of Nigeria descent started the game at Stadium of Light before he was replaced in the 46th minute by Gerard Deulofeu while the game was still stalemate. The Toffees later went on to win the game 3-0, courtesy of Romelu Lukaku's 11-minute hat-trick. On the opposing side, former Super Eagles forward Victor Anichebe will still have to wait for his debut for Sunderland as he was not named in the matchday squad by coach David Moyes.