TheCable

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

Some players scored important goals and played key roles for their clubs but for a few others, it was a weekend of inaction.

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

Belgium

Peter Olayinka delivered the winning goal for Zulte Waregem who won 2-1 at Kortrijk. Abdul Ajagun was a 47th minute substitute for the home side.

Gent lost 1-0 to Sporting Charleroi. Moses Simon and Anderson Esiti were named in the starting XI of Gent. Samuel Kalu was a second half substitute.

Anderlecht won 2-1 at Club Brugge but fit-again Henry Onyekuru, who plies his trade for the visitors, was rooted to the bench for the entirety of the game. Denis Bonaventure was a second half substitute for the home side.

Midfielder Uche Agbo lasted the full duration and earned a booking as Standard Liege crushed Genk 5-0.

Joseph Akpala was the star performer as he contributed a goal to Oostende’s 2-0 win at KFCO Beerschot-Wilrijk.

China

John Obi Mikel played a crucial role for Tianjin Teda who thumped Guizhou Hengfeng 5-1.

Odion Ighalo failed to find the back of the net for Changchun Yatai as they were beaten 2-0 by Jiangsu Suning.

Cyprus

Nosa Igiebor’s Anorthosis Famagusta edged Omonia Nicosia 2-1.

England

At the King Power Stadium, Kelechi Iheanacho was a 79th minute substitute for Leicester and he came close to scoring as the Foxes lost 2-0 to West Ham United. Wilfred Ndidi, still injured, was not listed.

Victor Moses was impressive in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Liverpool. He accounted for the inch-perfect assist that resulted in Oliver Giroud’s winning goal.

Arsenal walloped Burnley 5-0 with Alex Iwobi on target for the Gunners.

Hope Akpan scored what looked like a consolation for Burton Albion in their 2-1 loss to Preston North End. The defeat relegated his club to League 1.

Ola Aina was an 80th minute substitute for Hull City as the visitors drew 1-1 at Brentford.

Sone Aluko was on for 84 minutes in Reading’s 0-0 draw with Cardiff City.

France

Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem lasted 74 minutes for Nantes in their 2-0 home loss to Montpellier.

Germany

Mainz caused an upset with a 2-1 win at Borussia Dortmund. Anthony Ujah was benched while Leon Balogun wasn’t listed.

Israel

Super Eagles goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba was in action in Ashkelon’s 4-0 defeat at Hapoel Raanana.

Italy

Simy Nwankwo fired blanks for Crotone who fell 2-1 to Chievo Verona.

Netherlands

Fred Friday found the back of the net for Sparta Rotterdam who were defeated 5-2 by Heracles.

Bartholomew Ogbeche was introduced in the 86th minute as Willem II shared the spoils with Vitesse in a four-goal thriller.

Injured Tyrone Ebuehi wasn’t listed as his club ADO Den Haag edged Roda JC 3-2.

In the Eredivisie playoffs, Kelechi Nwakali failed to inspire as MVV Maastricht lost 3-2 to Almere City.

Norway

Former Flying Eagles midfielder Ifeanyi Matthew scored an early goal which turned out to be the match winner for Lillestrom who pipped Sandefjord. His compatriot Charles Ezeh tasted action while Moses Ebiye wasn’t listed.

Substitute Peter Michael netted a goal for Vaalarenga as they played a 2-2 draw with FK Haugesund.

Russia

CSKA Moscow pummeled Arsenal Tula 6-0. On-loan Leicester City star Ahmed Musa hit a brace.

Slovakia

The presence of Hilary Gong and Philip Azango couldn’t stop Trencin from falling 2-1 to Zilina.

Spain

Las Palmas suffered a 1-0 loss to Getafe with Imoh Ezekiel making way after the hour mark while Oghenekaro Etebo was on for 90 minutes.

Ramon Azeez was in the thick of action as Lugo recorded a 1-0 win over Sevilla Atletico.

Switzerland

FC Zurich settled for a 1-1 draw in the game against Lausanne. Former MFM striker Stephen Odey warmed the bench for the hosts.

Turkey

Bursaspor bowed 2-1 to Fenerbahce, with Shehu Abdullahi featuring as a defensive midfielder. Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong was benched for the entirety of the game.

Osmanlispor played out a 1-1 draw with Alanyaspor. Aminu Umar featured for Osmanlispor while Raheem Lawal failed to make the cut.

US

Fenado Adi played a part in Portland Timber’s 1-0 win at San Jose Earthquakes.

Vietnam

CLB TP Ho Chi Minh were at the receiving end of a 4-1 thrashing by Ha Noi TT. Ex-CSKA Moscow striker Ganiyu Bolaji Oseni bagged a brace for the visiting team.