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Abubakar Aliyu Shines as IK Start Triumphs Over Mjoendalen
In a thrilling encounter at the Soer Arena on Saturday, Nigerian striker Abubakar Aliyu showcased his prowess as he found the net, helping his Norwegian second-tier club, IK Start, secure a 2-1 victory over Mjoendalen. Aliyu’s spectacular 14th-minute goal marked his third of the campaign, underlining his importance to the team.
As the game unfolded, Niels Vorthoren doubled the advantage for IK Start, solidifying their dominance. The spirited Mjoendalen, however, managed to narrow the lead with a late goal from Amahl Pellegrino in the 77th minute. Despite this, IK Start managed to maintain their grip on the match and secure a crucial win.
Meanwhile, Nigerian talent Sone Aluko was a prominent figure on the pitch, starting for Fulham in the opening matchday of the Sky Bet Championship season. He played the full 90 minutes as his side engaged in a tightly contested 1-1 draw against Norwich City. Aluko’s contribution marked his 51st appearance for Fulham since his arrival last season, showcasing his consistency and skill.
Hope Akpan, a four-cap Nigerian international, made his competitive debut for Burton Albion as a 64th-minute substitute in their 1-0 loss to Cardiff City. Akpan replaced Marvin Sordell, illustrating his versatility and potential impact in the English Championship.
Nigerian forward Bright Enobakhare featured prominently, playing for 78 minutes at the Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough. His performance demonstrated his ability to make a meaningful contribution to his team’s success.
In the Scottish Premiership, Efe Ambrose, another Nigerian talent, completed a full 90 minutes for Hibernian. Despite a yellow card on the stroke of half-time, Ambrose played a crucial role in helping his team recover from a goal deficit to beat visiting Partick Thistle 3-1 in the opening day of the season at the Easter Road Stadium.
Further afield in Finland, Gbolahan Salami made a triumphant return to action for Kuopion Palloseura, contributing to a resounding 3-0 victory over Rovaniemen Palloseura. Salami’s remarkable performance added to his impressive record, having scored nine goals in 19 games in all competitions for his Finnish club. Notably, Azubuike Egwuekwe was an unused substitute, while Gabriel Reuben was not listed in the matchday squad.
In the German Bundesliga 2, Suleiman Abdullahi had a brief but impactful appearance, playing the final 16 minutes of Eintracht Braunschweig’s 2-0 win over FC Heidenheim, showcasing his ability to make a difference as a substitute.
Yusuf Otubanjo, a former Golden Eaglets forward, was in action for MSK Zilina in the Slovakian top-flight division. While he did not find the net, his involvement was notable in their 2-0 defeat away to Zlate Moravce.
Meanwhile, Kehinde Fatai and Sylvester Igboun continued to make their mark in the Russian Premier League. Both players earned their third consecutive starts for FC UFA, who triumphed over FK Akhmat with a 3-2 scoreline. Igboun impressively played the full duration of the game, while Fatai was substituted in the 63rd minute, reflecting the depth of Nigerian talent making waves in the global football arena.
