Olayinka, Akanbi, Chukwueze score as 15 Nigerians appear in Europa/Conference League
Esiti, Osayi-Samuel fail to make appearance off the bench
15 Nigerian players took to the pitch on Matchday 1 of the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League in venues across Europe.
Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze contributed a goal and assist as Villarreal picked up a 4-3 win over Polish side Lech Poznan. He lasted 80 minutes before he was replaced by Yeremy Pino.
Peter Olayinka continued being a leader for Slavia Prague as he found the net in their 1-1 draw away to Sivasspor. Moses Usor also featured for the Czech champions, lasting 63 minutes before he was taken off. Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was a 73rd minute substitute for Sivasspor, and Leke James started the match but lasted only 19 minutes before an injury forced him off.
Moses Simon featured for FC Nantes as they defeated Olympiacos 2-1 in France. The Super Eagles winger entered the fray as a substitute in the 69th minute.
As Cristiano Ronaldo made his UEFA Europa League debut, Sadiq Umar was on the other side of the pitch for Real Sociedad in their 1-0 win over Manchester United. The former Almeria striker lasted only the first half for his side before he was taken off at half-time.
Rasheed Akanbi recorded a goal and assist for FC Sheriff Tiraspol as they picked up a convincing 3-0 win over Omonia Nicosia. Iyayi Believe Atiemwen also scored a penalty for the Moldovan side before his 74th minute substitution. Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was introduced at half-time for Omonia.
Victor Boniface featured for 83 minutes for Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise as they claimed a 1-0 win over Union Berlin.
Victor Oluyemi Olatunji featured for AEK Larnaca as they fell to French side Rennes at home. The striker played for 80 minutes as his side lost 2-1.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Uche Agbo featured for Slovan Bratislava in their goalless draw at home to Zalgiris Vilnius.
Yusuf Olaitan Otubanjo featured for 65 minutes as his FC Pyunik side lost to FC Basel 3-1.
Ezekiel Henty was in action for 86 minutes as FC Vaduz and Apollon Limassol played out a goalless draw.
Midfielder Bright Osayi-Samuel failed to make it off the bench in Fenerbahce’s 2-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv.
Anderson Esiti was also an unused sub for Ferencvaros in their 3-2 win over Trabzonspor.
Ishaq AbdulRazak was an unused sub as Anderlecht emerged with a 1-0 win over Silkeborg IF.
