TheCable

From Odion Ighalo to Cyril Dessers, Nigerian footballers put on sterling displays at the weekend.  

TheCable selects the best XI for the team of the week.

Maduka Okoye – Sparta Rotterdam

He kept Sparta in the game with several top saves, but his team lost against Feyenoord.

Lucky Opara – Lugano

He showed the awareness of a top striker to find the net for his club. In defence, he was commanding and controlled his territory.

Godswill Ekpolo – Haecken

Ekpolo cleaned out the opposition with a spotless performance for Haecken.

Samuel Odeoibo – Torpedo Zhodino

Odeibo had another authoritative performance at the back. He made every tackle count and suppressed the opposition’s attack.

Jamilu Collins – Paderborn

He was as exotic as a foie gras lollipop wrapped in candyfloss. His all-round display was always menacing to the hosts.

Wilfred Ndidi – Leicester City

Like a staircase designed and built by Scarpagnino, his artistic performance saw him building up attacks with utter precision.

Rabiu Ali – Kano Pillars

The midfielder ceaselessly bugged the Changi Boys, combining beautifully with his teammates. His flawless set-piece helped Pillars score their only goal. Scintillating.

Samson Tijani – Hartberg

The central midfielder bossed the middle of the park as Hartberg won their last match of the season.

Cyriel Dessers – Genk

Dessers appears to have settled in, and he proved his worth by scoring the winning strike against Club Brugge.

Anayo Iwuala – Enyimba

Arguably the man of the match, he linked well with his teammates to score the equalising goal against Pyramids.

Odion Ighalo – Al Shabab

The veteran striker was on top form and scored a goal as Al Shabab walloped Al Faisaly 5-1.