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Premier League and Beyond: Nigerian Stars Navigate Mixed Fortunes
In a weekend of intense football action, Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi found himself entering the fray as a substitute during his 17th English Premier League appearance for Arsenal, who suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi marked his 26th start for Leicester City, but the team faced a challenging 5-1 loss away to Manchester City. Ndidi, exhibiting his competitive spirit, received a yellow card in the 71st minute of the encounter. His compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho entered the match in the 62nd minute, contributing to a total of 16 appearances in various competitions this season, with five goals to his name.
In the English Championship, Super Eagles defender Ola Aina played the entirety of the match, a pivotal 90 minutes for Hull City, as they secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. This win not only ended Hull City’s 10-game winless streak but also elevated them out of the relegation zone. Aina’s consistent performance marked his 28th appearance in the English Championship this season.
Sone Aluko, another Nigerian talent, played the full duration for Reading in their 2-1 loss away to Middlesbrough. Aluko, with 29 Championship appearances this season, showcased his enduring contribution with one goal and four assists.
In the German Bundesliga, Nigerian striker Anthony Ujah remained on the bench as an unused substitute for FSV Mainz in their 4-2 defeat to Hoffenheim. Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun, on the other hand, started the match and earned a yellow card in the 87th minute. Balogun’s appearance marked his ninth this season in all competitions.
Over in Turkey, Nigerian forward Aminu Umar played the entire 90 minutes for Osmanlispor in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Goztepe. Compatriot Raheem Lawal entered the fray at the start of the second half, making his 16th appearance this season. Umar, contributing with an assist, has now made 22 appearances for Osmanlispor. As the weekend unfolded, the performances of these Nigerian talents showcased the highs and lows of their respective football journeys across Europe.
