TheCable

It was largely a productive weekend for Nigerian players and their teams.

TheCable takes a look at the performance of our players in Europe, Asia and Africa.

ENGLAND

Alex Iwobi registered his name on the scoresheet as Arsenal shrugged off the impending departure of Alexis Sanchez by scoring four times in the first 22 minutes en route a 4-1 hammering of Crystal Palace.

Wilfred Ndidi was fantastic for Leicester City as Claude Puel’s men comfortably beat Watford 2-0 at the King Power Stadium. Kelechi Iheanacho was benched for the entire match while Ahmed Musa wasn’t listed. Isaac Success was missing in action for Watford.

A masterclass performance and goal from Victor Moses helped Chelsea return to winning ways through a 4-0 Premier League triumph at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Defender, Nedum Onuoha, played the full duration of the game for QPR but his team lost 3-0 to Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Ola Aina’s Hull City were edged 1-0 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light while Sone Aluko played the entire duration of Reading’s 1-0 home loss to Brentford.

Hope Akpan was a 70th minute entrant as his English Championship club, Burton Albion, were roundly defeated by Fulham.

SCOTLAND

In the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, Hibernian bowed out 1-0 to Hearts. Former Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose didn’t make the matchday squad of the visitors.

SOUTH AFRICA

In the Cape Town derby, Cape Town City pipped Ajax Cape Town 1-0, with former Inter Milan forward Victor Obinna Nsofor earning a starting berth for the home side.

Super Eagles goalie Daniel Akpeyi gave a good of account of himself for Chippa United with numerous reflex saves in the 0-0 draw against Lamontville Golden Arrows. He was on for 90 minutes alongside his Nigerian compatriot James Okwuosa.

SPAIN

Ramon Azeez started the game for UD Lugo and was impressive in the 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon.

TURKEY

Emem Eduok opened his 2018 goal scoring account with a brace for Kasimpasa in their 3-2 home win against Alanyaspor. Kenneth Omeruo was excellent at the back for Kasimpasa.

Osmanlispor FK were held to a goalless draw by Yeni Malatyaspor. Aminu Umar and Raheem Lawal featured for Osmanlispor. Former Nigeria U23 skipper Godson Okechukwu Azubuike bossed the midfield while Sincere Seth was benched for the entire game.

Super Eagles star Ogenyi Onazi was replaced after 80 minutes in Trabzonspor’s 2-2 draw at Konyaspor. William Troost Ekong was not available in Bursaspor’s 3-0 loss to Istanbul Basaksehir.

Chukwuma Akabueze was pivotal as Boluspor won 2-0 at Giresunspor while Eskisehirspor striker Chikeluba Ofoedu started the game but was unable to stop Istanbulspor from winning 2-1.

CYPRUS

It was an emotional farewell for Bursaspor bound Shehu Abdullahi as he scored for Anorthosis Famagusta in their 3-1 win against Ethnikos Achnas.

ISRAEL

Forgotten Super Eagles goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba kept his number one spot in the 3-1 defeat of Hapoel Ashlelon at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Hapoel Beer Sheva were victorious 1-0 at Hapoel Acre. Anthony Nwakaenma came on in the second half while John Ogu was benched for 90 minutes. Bruno Ibeh and Peter Onyekachi were in action for Acre.

NETHERLANDS

Tyronne Ebuehi was in superb form as Ado Den Haag played out a 1-1 draw with VVV-Venlo.

Sparta Rotherdam striker Fred Friday failed to shine as the hosts lost 3-2 to Excelsior.

Willem II drew 1-1 against FC Groningen at the Koning Willem II Stadion with Bartholomew Ogbeche in action for 60 minutes.

ITALY

Joel Chukwuma Obi scored and helped Torino secure a 1-1 draw at Sassuolo as he controlled the midfield.

Orji Okonkwo was rooted on the bench as his team Bologna destroyed Benevento 3-0 at the Stadio Renato Dell’Ara.

These are very worrying times for Simy who was benched for the entire match as Crotone secured a crucial 3-0 win at Hellas Verona.

FRIENDLY

Babajide David netted in the 75th minute as Midtjylland shared the spoils with Hobro in a four-goal thriller.

Skillful forward, Moses Ebiye, was on song as Lillestrom won 4-0 against Stroemmen.

Noah Olawale Ojuola scored the winning goal for Mqabba as his side defeated Gudja FC 3-2.

BELGIUM

Denis Bonaventure replaced Wesley in the 64th minute of Club Brugge’s 2-2 draw with Royal Antwerp.

Abdul Ajagun did not score for Kortrijk despite playing 68 minutes in the 2-1 loss at Oostende. Joseph Akpala was unused.

Odeni George Jamabo did little to stop Eupen from going down 3-2 to Standard Liege. Uche Agbo was nowhere near the bench for Liege.

Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu and Anderson Esiti weren’t listed as Gent walloped Lokeren 3-0.

Taiwo Awoniyi played the full 90 minutes, but couldn’t prevent Royal Excel Mouscron from slumping to a 2-0 defeat at Sporting Charleroi.

In the second tier division, ex-Flying Eagles star Simon Terwase Zenke was handed a 30 minutes action as his team, Tubize, slumped to a 1-0 at home to Oud-Heverlee.

Former Shooting Stars’ Osaguona Christian Ighodaro lasted just 42 minutes before being substituted by Westerlo as they drew 1-1 at Union St. Gilloise.

PORTUGAL

Oghenekaro Etebo and Dele Alampasu weren’t available in Feirense’s crucial 1-0 victory over Moreirense.

INDIA

Monday Osagie found the back of the net for Churchill Brothers as they humbled Shelling Lajong 2-0.

Former Bordeaux forward Kalu Uche bagged a brace but his team Delhi Dynamos FC lost 3-2 to Jamshespur in round one of the Indian Super League.

EGYPT

Junior Ajayi scored and provided an assist for substitute Walid Soliman in a game which Ahly won 2-1 against Maqassa in the Egyptian Premier League.

GERMANY

In the German Bundesliga, Anthony Ujah had to make do with a bench role as Mainz 05 edged VfB Stuttgart in a five-goal thriller. Leon Balogun failed to make the matchday squad.