Another weekend has come and gone where Nigerians were in top gear for their respective clubs in Europe. Here’s the best pick.
Paul Onuachu
Onuachu was again on the scoresheet this past weekend, netting a brace against Royal Antwerp in the Belgian First Division.
It is worth noting that Antwerp were early leaders in the league, winning their first nine matches on the trot. However, since Onuachu netted his first goal of the season against Oostende, nothing has held Genk back – who now top the log by four points over Antwerp.
Onuachu now has eight goals in the Belgian top-flight, all coming in his last five matches of which he has recorded three braces. All these have propelled the lanky striker to the top of the scorer’s chart.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Nottingham Forest have been below par in their Premier League return after 23 years. On occasion when they turn up though, Awoniyi is in the mix.
And, he was in Saturday’s 1-0 win over 18-time league champions Liverpool. It was not only an awesome result for Forest but it also was for Awoniyi who was a Reds player between 2015 and 2021 but never made a senior appearance.
Not a bad way to make a statement against your former employer.
Alex Iwobi
As each game passes, so does the improvement of the former Arsenal man.
Iwobi keeps showing he is a vital part of Frank Lampard’s team and this past weekend was at it again as he provided two assists in Everton’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. His second assist for the Toffees third goal was a moment of brilliance and magic as he made a cheeky backheel which Dwight McNeil latched on to and finished off.
Iwobi has now registered five assists in the Premier League, which is only bettered by Kevin de Bruyne’s tally of eight. It’s no doubt that any of Everton’s best results will have Iwobi’s imprint on them.
Victor Osimhen
The former Lille man continues to receive rave reviews for his powerful and energetic displays and this time was the star of the show in Napoli’s 1-0 Serie A win at AS Roma.
The trip was always going to be a tricky one for the league leaders but Osimhen was the difference with his well-worked goal where he showed unbelievable strength in invading Chris Smalling before striking the ball past Rui Patricio in goal.
Performances such as the one witnessed at the Stadio Olimpico will keep suitors from Europe’s bigger clubs closely monitoring Osimhen.
Ola Aina
The 26-year-old has been ever-present for Torino this season just as he has in previous campaigns since his move to Italy from Chelsea in 2019.
Aina got his name on the scoresheet as Torino won 2-1 at Udinese on Sunday. It was his first-ever Serie A goal and Torino’s first league victory in six matches which sees them move into the top half of the table.
William Troost-Ekong
The Nigeria captain hasn’t seen much game time this season but has been in the thick of the action lately.
Troost-Ekong’s most recent outing came in Watford’s 4-0 victory over Luton Town in the Championship. It was his first goal of the season and a sign he will probably be a regular name in the starting XI moving forward. Having played just twice in the first 12 matches of the season, Troost-Ekong has now completed 90 minutes in each of Watford’s last four matches.
The Hornets move up to 10th on the log and are just three points away from the promotion playoff spot.
Leon Balogun
The ex-Rangers centre-back was among the goalscorers as Queens Park Rangers recorded a 2-1 win over his former side Wigan Athletic. It was his first goal in the colours of the London outfit since joining on a free transfer in the summer.
Balogun has featured eight times in the Championship this season, with QPR sitting in second spot, an automatic promotion spot to the Premier League.
Peter Olayinka
The biggest game in the Czech Republic was on at the weekend as bitter city rivals Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague took on each other.
Olayinka was involved in the game for Slavia, playing the entire 90 minutes, netting the fourth goal in a massive 4-0 win. It was his second league goal of the season. Olayinka was also the captain on the special occasion.
Slavia sit in second place in the standings, four points behind leaders Viktoria Plzen who have played a game less.