Nigerians Abroad: Abdulrahman, Awoniyi on target; Mikel , Awaziem, Umar, Aina, Esiti star; Okechukwu, Nwakaeme assist, Akpeyi gaffe
Just as every other weeks, it was another Friday and Saturday of mixed feelings for Nigerian players plying their trades away from Nigeria.
Abdulrahman Taiwo scored his first ever goal for his new club, Taiwo Awoniyi who cant stop scoring scored his 5th in just 6th games. Captain John Obi Mikel “the midfield man” was magnificent once again.
Here is the recap of the Nigerian players who were involved for their clubs on Friday and Saturday.
Mikel John Obi (Middlesbrough)
The show never stops with John Mikel Obi as the Super Eagles captained put in a show to help Middlesbrough secure an easy 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers at Riverside on Saturday.
He had the ball and the whole pitch under his control as he dictated the pace and direction of play.
The win has further helped Tony Pulis side’s hopes of making it to the Premier League.
READ: Middlesbrough 2 QPR 0: John Obi Mikel puts on a show again
Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs)
Not the best day for Super Eagles goalie, Daniel Akpeyi has his error caused his side the maximum points on Saturday.
The former Chippa United goalie will have himself to blame after making a big mistake that allowed Polokwane City to draw level after the Amakhosi had gone up from the 12-yards.
It has been 1-1 in the two league games Daniel Akpeyi had played for Kaizer Chiefs.
READ: Polokwane City 1 Kaizer Chiefs 1: Daniel Akpeyi blunder costs Amakhosi
Taiwo Abdulrahman ( DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda)
Former Kwara United forward Taiwo Abdulrahman opened his goal scoring account for Streda in their 3-1 away loss to Spartak Trnava.
The 20-year-old forward who joined DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda mid January from another Slovakian out-fit Nitra was on song at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho albiet in a defeat.
He has scored a total of 4 goals in 20 appearances; scored 3 goals in 18 appearances for Nitra, has now scored his first in just two games played for Dun. Streda.
READ: Abdulrahman Taiwo opens Dun. Streda account in loss to Trnava
Ola Aina (Torino)
Feeling the best he has felt in his football career, Ola Aina continued his impressive form with the Italian giants, Torino on Saturday.
The Walter Mazzarri side secured a comfortbale 2-0 win against Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico Grande to increase their chances of booking an Europa League spot.
Taiwo Awoniyi (Royal Excel Mouscron)
Just can’t stop scoring. Taiwo Awoniyi scores the only goal as Royal Excel Mouscron secured a tough 1-0 home win against bottom placed Lokeren on Saturday.
The Liverpool loanee ensured his side secure the maximum points with his 5th league goal.
Since he joined Muscoron in January, Taiwo Awoniyi has scored 5 goals in 6 games and assisted 2 goals.
READ: Red-hot Awoniyi scores the only goal in Mouscron tough win against Lokeren
Anthony Nwakaeme
Anthony Nwakaeme was on for 90 minutes as Trabzonspor secured and away win against Goztepe 3-1 at the Bornova Stadium on Friday.
The former Hapoel Beer Sheva forward assisted Abdulkadir Parmak 73rd minute strike which happened to be the second goal.
Chidozie Awaziem, Okechukwu Azubuike, and Aminu Umar (Rizespor)
The Nigerian trio continued to show class in Rizespor’s jersey. They started the game as Rizespor secured a 3-0 win against Yeni Malatyaspor at the Caykur Didi Stadium.
Aminu Umar was withdrawn in the 67th minute for Marwane Saadane but Okechukwu Azubuike and Chidozie Awaziem played for the entire duration of the game.
Azubuike assisted Rizespor third goal scored in the 90th minute by Prejuce Nakoulma.
Sincere Seth (Yeni Malatyaspor)
Former Nigerian youth international, Sincere Seth was on the pitch the entire duration of the game as his side suffered a 3-0 away loss on Friday.
Seth couldn’t stop the onslaught but gave a solid account of himself in the loss.
Anderson Esiti (Gent)
Nigerian International Anderson Esiti was on the pitch as Gent beat Standard Liege 2-1 at the Ghelamco Arena on Friday.
The combative midfielder picked up a caution in the 24th minute of the game yet was composed and did his job in his side’s home win.
By: Tope Adefala
