Nigeria Players Abroad
Gift Monday’s brace helps UDG Tenerife silence Atletico Madrid despite Ajibade assist
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria forward, Gift Monday was on target twice for UDG Tenerife as they earned a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in a Spanish Liga F encounter despite Rasheedat Ajibade’s effort on Sunday.
Monday and Ajibade were part of the Nigerian side that saw off Ethiopia 5-1 on aggregate in the second round of the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers and both were involved with their respective clubs but the former claimed the day.
After a barren opening first half, Monday outran her marker to scored the opener off Natalia Ramo’s assist in the 54th minute.
Two minutes later, Yerliane Moreno set Monday up for the second goal of the encounter to hand the hosts two-goal cushion.
In the 61st minute, Ajibade assisted Lucia Moral who reduced the deficit for Atletico Madrid but her effort was not enough to halt the winning ways return for the home side.
Monday saw 70 minutes of action before she was replaced by Maria Jose Perez Gonzalez, while Rinsola Babajide came in for Esther Okoronkwo in the 46th minute for UDG Tenerife.
Nigeria stand-in captain Ajibade played for the duration of the match, recording an assist in Atletico’s defeat.
The win moved UDG Tenerife up to the sixth position on the log with 12 points after seven games, while Atletico Madrid sit in the fourth position with 13 points.
