Nigerians in Europe Midweek Round-up: Moffi at the double, Boniface nets again
Gift Orban shines for Gent against West Ham
Terem Moffi continued to prove his worth to OGC Nice as he scored twice to help them secure a 2-2 draw away from home against FC Basel in their UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal first leg. The striker took his tally for the French side to seven goals in 11 appearances since joining from FC Lorient.
The home side took the lead in the 26th minute through a penalty from Zeki Amdouni after Jean-Clair Todibo committed a foul on Dan Ndoye. Moffi responded in the 38th minute with an instinctive, first-time finish after a loose ball fell into his path in the box.
On the stroke of half-time, the striker found the net with a goal of the season contender. A cross from Gaetan Laborde into the box caught the Super Eagles star at an awkward angle, but he adjusted and launched himself into the air before sending the ball past the goalkeeper with a brilliant scissor kick. Watch the goal here:
https://twitter.com/FootballReprt/status/1646603464355598359?t=brbaxh_QZBY7BMJcL-H1iA&s=19
FC Basel secured a draw when Amdouni headed home a cross from Michael Lang in the 71st minute.
Elsewhere in the UEFA Europa League in Germany, Victor Boniface continued his dominance in the competition as he grabbed a goal in Union Saint-Gilloise 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old is the competition’s leading scorer with six goals this season.
With the game goalless, it took only six second-half minutes for Boniface to register the opener. The former Bodo/Glimt man received a pass from Teddy Teuma on the edge of the box before curling a neat finish into the bottom corner with aplomb. Watch the goal below:
https://twitter.com/FootballReprt/status/1646607064851009560?t=41bNrad8rgcgM1wkrEPBLA&s=19
German prodigy Florian Wirtz scored a crucial equaliser for the home side as they avoided a home defeat.
In the Conference League, 20-year-old Gift Orban announced himself to Premier League-level opposition as Gent held West Ham United to a 1-1 draw. The striker did not find the net but it was not due to a lack of endeavour as he saw an effort come back off the woodwork in the game. His work rate, hold-up play and link-up were impressive, and he was involved in the build up to Hugo Cuypers’ equaliser after Danny Ings had given West Ham the lead.
