It was a weekend packed with drama for Nigerian footballers across Europe, featuring moments of redemption, key assists, and standout performances in both men’s and women’s leagues.
France: Awaziem Goes From Villain to Hero
In Ligue 1, Chidozie Awaziem experienced a roller-coaster evening as Nantes drew 1-1 with Lorient on Sunday. The Super Eagles defender unfortunately opened the scoring—at the wrong end—after putting the ball into his own net just before halftime.
But Awaziem made amends in spectacular fashion, popping up in stoppage time to score the equaliser, rescuing a valuable point for Nantes. It was his first goal in 12 league appearances this season.
Elsewhere in France, Terem Moffi featured for Nice in their heavy 5-1 home defeat to Marseille on Friday night. Moffi, who has two goals in eight Ligue 1 appearances this season, was substituted in the 66th minute.
England: Chukwueze Provides the Spark for Fulham
In the Premier League, Samuel Chukwueze delivered a decisive moment for Fulham as they edged Sunderland 1-0 on Saturday. Coming on in the 64th minute, Chukwueze sent in a pinpoint cross that Raul Jimenez converted in the 84th minute.
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey also featured, with the former subbed off late and the latter playing the full match.
At Molineux, Tolu Arokodare’s Premier League struggles continued as Wolves fell 2-0 to Crystal Palace. Chrisantus Uche remained on the bench.
Nottingham Forest stunned Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield—despite missing Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina through injury—while Frank Onyeka was unused in Brentford’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Italy: Okoye Saves a Penalty in Udinese Loss
In Serie A, Maduka Okoye was unable to prevent Udinese’s 3-0 loss to Bologna, though he did pull off a superb save from Riccardo Orsolini’s first-half penalty. The Nigerian goalkeeper has made five league appearances this season, keeping one clean sheet.
Ademola Lookman played 82 minutes for Atalanta in their 3-1 defeat to Napoli.
Germany: Boniface Makes Cameo in Bremen Defeat
Victor Boniface came off the bench for Werder Bremen in their 2-0 loss to RB Leipzig on Sunday. The forward, with two assists so far this season, was introduced in the 73rd minute.
Women’s Football: Echegini Breaks Her Duck for PSG
In France’s Division 1 Féminine, Jennifer Echegini found the net as Paris Saint-Germain powered to a 4-1 win over Saint-Etienne. The Super Falcons midfielder scored deep into stoppage time to claim her first goal of the season. Rasheedat Ajibade, however, was unavailable due to injury.
