Keeping up with Nigerian players: Musa, Ajayi shine but Balogun, Ujah missing in action

The weekend was packed with highs and lows for Nigerian players in several leagues across the world.

While some hugged the headlines for netting crucial goals, a reverse was the case for others.

TheCable takes you on a voyage around the top leagues across the world to see how Nigerian players fared.

England

Alex Iwobi dazzled at Emirates Stadium in Arsenal’s 5-1 thumping of Everton. In the game between Swansea City and Leicester City, Kelechi Iheanacho provided the assist that led to Jamie Vardy’s goal for the Foxes while Wilfred Ndidi was solid in midfield.

Despite his decent performance for Hull City, Ola Aina couldn’t save the Tigers from bowing 2-1 to Preston North End.

Reading were stung by two goals within the space of three minutes as Millwall came away with three points from a scrappy affair. Sone Aluko was rooted to the bench while Fred Onyedinma tasted action for the winning team.

Hope Akpan captained his struggling Burton side to a 3-2 loss at Aston Villa.

Spain

Ramon Azeez featured for UD Lugo and was impressive in the 1-1 draw against Albacete.

Germany

Anthony Ujah was an unused substitute while Leon Balogun was not listed for Mainz as Bayern Munich increased their lead at the Bundesliga summit to 18 points with a routine 2-0 win.

Victor Osimhen was overlooked as Wolfsburg shared the spoils 1-1 with Stuttgart. In the German Regionalliga, former youth international Solomon Okoronkwo was in decent form as BFC Dynamo played a 1-1 draw with FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin.

Switzerland

Promising striker Stephen Odey found the back of the net for FC Zurich who bowed to the superiority of Thun 4-2.

Austria

Ibrahim Alhassan didn’t make the match day squad of Austria Wien who drew 1-1 with city rivals, Rapid Wien.

Israel

In an ill-tempered game that produced three red cards, Maccabi Tel Aviv edged Hapoel Beer Sheva 1-0. John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaema were in action for Sheva but the former was sent off.

Egypt

Al Ahly made it eight wins in a row after seeing off Alexandria’s Ittihad 3-0. Junior Ajayi scored one goal and provided an assist in the match.

Friendly

Ahmed Musa was the star performer; the forward scored a goal on his return to CSKA Moscow in a 1-1 draw with Nordsjaelland.

Belgium

Two Nigerians scored in the 1-1 draw between Zulte Waregem and Oostende. Peter Olayinka put Waregem in front before Joseph Akpala levelled matters.

Uche Agbo’s Standard Liege were 3-0 winners over Lokeren and the Nigeria international was on full duty for the victors.

Former youth international, Abdul Ajagun, failed to get on the score sheet in Kortrijk’s 2-0 win at St.Truiden. Chuba Akpom was a late substitute for the home side.

Taiwo Awoniyi was a 58th minute substitute as his team, Royal Excel Mouscron, lost 1-0 to Genk.

Simon Zenke wasn’t listed in Tubize’s 0-0 draw with Godwin Saviour’s Roesalare while Osaguona Ighodaro warmed the bench throughout Westerlo’s 6-0 rout of Lierse.

Turkey

Emem Eduok and Kenneth Omeruo featured for the hosts as Kasimpasa beat Akhisar Belediye Genclik Ve Spor 2-0.

Shehu Abdullahi and William Troost Ekong were in action during Bursaspor’s 2-2 draw at home with Beskitas.

Aminu Umar failed to sparkle as Osmanlispor fell 1-0 to Kayserispo while Chikeluba Ofoedu fired blanks for Esksiherispor who humbled Denizlispor 2-0.

Boluspor winger Chukwuma Akabueze started the game but his team lost 2-0 to Gazisehir Gaziantep.

South Africa

Victor Nsofor was overlooked as Cape Town City lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Daniel Akpeyi thrice picked the ball from the net in Chippa United’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Platinum Stars. James Okwuosa kept his place at centre back for the Chilli Boys.

Italy

Former Inter Milan star Joel Obi was substituted in the first half due to an injury as Torino drew 1-1 at Sampdoria.

Crotone forced Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw, with Simy Nwankwo left out of the starting 11.

Netherlands

Fred Friday scored the only goal for Sparta Rotherham who won 1-0 against Bartholomew Ogbeche’s Willem II.

Tyronne Ebuehi played all 90 minutes but couldn’t help Ado Den Haag do better than a 1-1 draw with Heracles.

NAC Breda fell 3-1 to Ajax Amsterdam with Umar Sodiq benched for 90 minutes.

Scotland

Defender, Efe Ambrose, played the full duration of the game for Hibernian as they won 2-1 at Rangers.

Malta

Noah Ojuola and Paul Chimezie were featured as Mqabba drew 1-1 with Melita at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.