Over the weekend, Nigerian footballers delivered impressive performances across Europe’s major leagues, showcasing their skill and scoring prowess. Here’s a roundup of standout displays by Super Eagles stars abroad.
Italy: Ademola Lookman’s Heroics Propel Atalanta to Victory
In Italy’s Serie A, Ademola Lookman stole the spotlight with a Man of the Match performance, scoring twice as Atalanta triumphed over Napoli 3-0 at the Diego Maradona Stadium. The Nigerian international set the tone early, scoring the opener in the 10th minute. He then doubled Atalanta’s advantage with a stunning strike from outside the box in the 31st minute. This brace brings Lookman’s tally to six goals and four assists in just eight league appearances this season, establishing him as a key player in Serie A.
Elsewhere in Italy, Samuel Chukwueze contributed to AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Monza. Chukwueze, making his 10th league appearance of the season, has one goal to his name so far. He played until the 81st minute before being substituted for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, helping Milan secure a hard-fought victory.
England: Ola Aina Scores for Nottingham Forest
In the English Premier League, Ola Aina made his mark in Nottingham Forest’s convincing 3-0 win against West Ham. Aina netted Forest’s third goal in the 78th minute, capping off an impressive display for the Nigerian defender, who was later subbed out in the 89th minute. His teammate Taiwo Awoniyi also saw some action, coming on for the last 11 minutes of the match.
Wilfred Ndidi featured for Leicester City in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town, where he started but was replaced in the 71st minute. The Nigerian midfielder continues to play a crucial role in Leicester’s campaign.
Further action in the Premier League saw Southampton’s Nigerian duo Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu contribute to a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton at St. Mary’s Stadium. Aribo entered the game at halftime, while Onuachu made a late appearance, helping Southampton achieve their first league win in 10 matches.
Championship: Josh Maja Keeps Scoring for West Brom
In the Championship, Josh Maja scored his eighth goal of the season, helping West Brom secure a 1-1 draw at Luton Town. Maja’s consistent form is proving vital for the Baggies as they push for promotion. His teammate, Semi Ajayi, missed the game due to injury, while Nigerian duo Victor Moses and Elijah Adebayo featured for Luton Town.
Germany: Boniface and Tella in Action for Leverkusen
Over in the Bundesliga, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella represented Bayer Leverkusen in a goalless draw against Stuttgart. Boniface played a strong 86 minutes, while Tella was introduced late in the game. Leverkusen continue to sit near the top of the Bundesliga standings, with the Nigerian internationals contributing to their impressive form.
Scotland: Cyriel Dessers Scores in Rangers’ Win
In Scotland, Cyriel Dessers found the back of the net for Rangers in their 2-1 away victory over Motherwell. Dessers’ equalizer in the 50th minute marked his third goal of the season. Leon Balogun also played a pivotal role, clocking 78 minutes to help Rangers secure three points.
France: Akor Adams and Moses Simon Battle Hard in Ligue 1
In Ligue 1 action, Akor Adams took the field for Montpellier in their narrow 1-0 loss to Le Havre. With three goals and an assist in 10 appearances this season, Adams has proven to be a valuable addition to Montpellier’s lineup.
Meanwhile, Moses Simon played the full match for Nantes as they fell 2-1 to Marseille. Simon has been a consistent performer this season, notching two goals and three assists in nine appearances.
Spain: Kelechi Iheanacho Comes on for Sevilla
In La Liga, Kelechi Iheanacho made a late appearance for Sevilla in their 2-0 defeat to Real Sociedad. The Nigerian striker came on in the 80th minute, bringing fresh energy to Sevilla’s forward line.
From Ademola Lookman’s incredible brace in Serie A to Ola Aina’s goal-scoring heroics in the Premier League, Nigerian players left a mark on pitches across Europe. Their contributions highlight the growing influence of Nigerian talent in top leagues, a promising sign for the Super Eagles as they look ahead to international competitions.
