Again, Queen Oshoala rules Spain

It was a weekend of mixed blessings for Nigerian stars in Europe but it was Barcelona’s Assisat Oshoala’s goal that delivered the first silverware of the season for her side in their 3-0 win over Real Sociedad, while Kingsley Ehizibue grabbed a late winner for Udinese in the Serie A on Sunday. Here, ANTHONY NLEBEM takes a look at how Nigerian star players performed for their various clubs over the weekend

SPAIN

Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femini)

Super Falcons star Oshoala was on the scorers chart as Barcelona dispatched Real Sociedad 3-0 on Sunday to win the Spanish Women’s Super Cup.

Aitana Bonmati opened the score in the 13th minute and added the second goal in the 47th minute as Oshoala sealed the win with a powerful strike to make it three goals in the 96th minute.

The win sealed the first silverware of the season at the Estadio Romano in Merida, to follow up the men’s team’s success in the same competition last weekend.

Barca have now won three Super Cup in four years since it was created in 2020, with Atletico Madrid the only team to stop them, beating them on penalties in the semi-finals in 2021.

That was the last domestic trophy Barca failed to win. They went on to win a league and cup double in 2020-21, as well as the Champions League, and all three Spanish competitions last season: Liga F, Copa de la Reina and the Super Cup.

Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)

Winger Chukwueze was in the starting 11 as Villareal beat Girona at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday to continue their impressive LaLiga run.

Chukwueze was impressive on the pitch but was unable to convert some of his scoring chances and was replaced in the 86th minute by Diego Collado

The 23-year-old winger has struggled with goal form and has now made 17 appearances with one goal to his name. The win moved the Yellow Submarine fifth on the LaLiga table with 31 points from 18 matches.

ITALY

Success, Ehizibue (Udinese)

Right-back Kingsley Ehizibue was in action and scored the late winner in the 88th minute to help the Bianconeri with their first league win in over three months.

The defender played the entire duration of the game and was commanding at the right-back, as his performance ensured that his side kept a clean sheet, but was booked in the 32nd minute.

Also, compatriot, Isaac Success, was on parade and played 90 minutes but could not find the back of the net.

Udinese had won their last Serie A game on October 3, 2022.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Striker Osimhen continued his goals scoring form and scored the second goal for Napoli in their 2-0 victory over Salernitana in a Seria A fixture on Saturday at the Stadio Arecho.

The win extended Napoli’s grip on the Serie A title race and move 12 points ahead of the chasing pack.

Osimhen has been outstanding this season, netting 13 goals in the league.

The win took the Partenopeans to 50 points this season and at the top of the table, boosting their chances of winning the Scudetto.

ENGLAND

Alex Iwobi ( Everton)

Super Eagles midfielder Iwobi played all 90 minutes, but his efforts were not enough, as Everton fell to a 2-0 defeat against West Ham.

The Toffees had lost eight of their previous Premier League games, but they were looking to change that at the London Stadium.

Iwobi had a good game in the middle of the park, but Everton lacked the cutting edge.

The Nigeria international hit the woodwork once, he had 109 touches, and 74 touches. He also won five of his seven duels. Still, his effort was not enough as the Toffees fell to a fourth consecutive loss.

Iheanacho, Ndidi ( Leicester City)

Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute as youngster Evan Ferguson scored late to earn Brighton a point after Leicester had come from behind to take the lead at King Power Stadium.

The 26-year-old forward has struggled to make an impact with Brendan Rodgers’ side and has managed one goal and assist in 14 Premier League appearances this season.

Fellow compatriot, Wilfred Ndidi was left out of the Foxes squad. 

Chukwuemeka, Madueke (Chelsea)

Carney Chukwuemeka, on as a substitute in the 82nd minute, could have been the hero for the Blues in the final moments of the game but couldn’t get away his shot in time after he was slipped in by debutant Mudryk. New Chelsea signing Nonso Madueke was not named in the squad that travelled to Merseyside.

Awoniyi, Dennis( Nottingham Forest)

At the Vitality Stadium, injured Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis were not included in Forest’s squad in their 1-1 away draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium

Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

Still out with a knee injury, Solanke was not named in Gary O’Neil’s squad for the Forest match.

Ozoh, Eze, Olise (Crystal Palace)

Trio David Ozoh, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, three Palace players of Nigerian descent, were in action in their goalless stalemate against Newcastle on Saturday at the Selhurst Park.

Ozoh made his debut for the Eagles as a late substitute for Odsonne Edouard in the 90th minute. The 17-year-old midfielder was born in Valencia, Spain to Nigerian parents and moved to England at a young age.

Eze had a good game and produced some brilliant moves, but was checked by the resilient Magpies defenders, before he came off for Olise in the 65th minute.

Eze has been outstanding for the Eagles and has registered 20 Premier League appearances with three goals.

Olise had 25 minuteS of action but IT was not enough to seal a home win for the Eagles, who are yet to win a game in 2023.

Joe Aribo (Southampton)

Nigeria midfielder Aribo was on the bench as the Saints continued their poor run of form, losing at home to Aston Villa at the St Mary’s.

The Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League after Ollie Watkins’ second-half header earned Aston Villa a narrow win. Saturday’s game at St Mary’s was suspended five minutes before half-time when a drone was seen hovering above the Southampton penalty area.

FRANCE

Folarin Balogun (Reims)

Arsenal loanee Balogun scored on his Coupe de France debut as Stade de Reims thrashed Les Herbiers 3-0 at the Stade Massabielle on Saturday.

Balogun scored in the 37th minute through a penalty kick and came off in the 66th minute for Kaj Sierhuis.