Naija Players Abroad:Moses Scores In England And Belgium

Following the return of club football after the international break, several Nigerian players were in action for their clubs abroad, while several others either didn’t make the match day squad for their teams, or were left on the bench.

As always every Monday, we peruse through how Nigerian players in Europe fared.
England
Victor Moses, who missed Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia, continued his bright start to the season for Chelsea as he started for the Blues and scored a goal in their 3-0 defeat of Leicester City. It was also a milestone for Ola Aina, who made his first team debut, replacing Moses in the 82nd minute, while Dominic Solanke remained on the bench all through, but John Obi Mikel wasn’t listed.
It wasn’t a similar tale for Ahmed Musa however, as despite starting for Leicester, he fired blanks and was replaced in the 67^th minute by Islam Slimani.
Manchester City failed to win for the third straight game and despite getting a rare start ahead of Sergio Aguero, Kelechi Iheanacho failed to hit the target as they clawed back to draw 1-1 at home to Everton. He was eventually taken off in the 56^th minute.
Alex Iwobi’s stock continues to rise at Arsenal as he once again started for the Gunners in their 3-2 win over Swansea. Although he was taken off in the 68^th minute, he put in a credible performance for the period he was on. Chuba Akpom was however not listed.
In the Championship, Super Eagles first choice goalie Carl Ikeme was on for Wolves as usual, but failed to keep a clean sheet as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. Dominic Iorfa returned to right back and played all through, all though he was shown a yellow card just before half time.
Meanwhile, forgotten Nigeria international Sone Aluko was on target for Fulham in their 4-2 win at Barnsley. His goal came in the 42^nd minute and he lasted the entire duration of the match.
It was a different kettle of fish for Hope Akpan however, as he only came on for Balckburn in the 72^nd minute in the goalless draw against Ipswich.
Spain
New Super Eagles invitee Uche Agbo and his Granada teammates were at the receiving end of a 7-1 hammering by Atletico Madrid. The midfielder-turned-defender was introduced in the 64^th minute.
France
Former Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was in goal for Lille but couldn’t prevent them from going down 1-0 at Guingamp.
Germany 
Leon Balogun remains out for Mainz, but Karim Onisiwo came on in the 73^rd minute for the 2-1 home win against Darmstadt.
Holland
Former Nigeria striker Bartholomew Ogbeche came off the bench in the 69^th minute for Willem II, but fired blanks as they played out a 2-2 draw at Sparta Rotterdam. Meanwhile, former Flying Eagles captain Abduljeleel Ajagun played all 90 minutes for Roda and earned an 89^th minute yellow in their 1-0 win at Excelsior.
Belgium
Moses Simon was on target for Gent against Zulte Waragem as they cruised to a 3-0 win. The Nigeria international found the back of the net after 77 minutes and he was on all through. Anderson Esiti also started for Gent but didn’t see it through as he was replaced in the 46^th minute, while Rabiu Ibrahim didn’t leave the bench.
For Waragem, Kingsley Madu came on in the 86^th minute but of no effect as they game was already lost at that point.
Still in Belgium, Wilfred Ndidi was on all through for Genk in their 2-2 draw at Mouscron.
Chukwuemeka Onyekuru fired blanks for Eupen as they lost 4-2 at Waasland Beveren and he was taken off in the 83^rd minute, meanwhile Anthony Bassey was introduced just one minute earlier, and George Jamabo coming on in the 87^th minute, with none of them getting on the scoresheet.
Left back Elderson Echiejile continues to find regular football hard to come by as he was on the bench all through for Standard Liege’s 3-3 draw Kortrijk.
Finland
Former Enyimba striker Gbolahan Salami scored his 12^th goal of the season for KuPS against Riovaniemi but it wasn’t enough, as they lost 2-1. The other Nigerians at the club Azubuike Egwuekwe and Paul Onobi – all featured and played all through, but Aliyu Abubakar wasn’t listed.
Taiye Taiwo returned from injury to play all 90 minutes for HJK Helsinki, so also was Nnamdi Oduamadi but they couldn’t stop their club from dropping points and playing a 1-1 draw at home to Mariehamn.
Norway
Former Flying Eagles and home based Super Eagles midfielder Ifeanyi Matthew scored for Lillestrom as they won 2-1 at Brann. The former Kano Pillars midfielder was on for the entire duration of the match.
However, Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong lost 2-1 with Haugesund at Odd Grenland. He was on for the entire duration.
Turkey
Nigeria U23 and Super Eagles striker Aminu Umar fired blanks for Osmanlispor as they ended in a goalless draw at Bursaspor. He received a 74^th minute booking, before being replaced in the 83^rd minute.
Kenneth Omeruo and Alanyaspor pulled off an upset as they held giants Fenerbahce to a 1-1 draw away from home with the Nigeria international playing all 90 minutes.
Former Dolphins striker Emem Eduok was introduced in the 81^st minute for Kasimpasa but fired blanks as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Gazientepspor.
Ogenyi Onazi was taken off in the 38^th minute by Trabzonspor after he appeared to have been injured in the goalless draw with Akhisar.