Injury Concern for Onazi Amid Wins and Benches for Nigerian Stars Abroad

Nigerian midfielder Ogenyi Onazi faced a potential injury scare during Trabzonspor’s Turkish Super Lig encounter against Kayserispor, being substituted after 28 minutes. The match marked his 18th start this season, contributing two goals and an assist for his club. Trabzonspor secured a resounding 4-0 victory, although concerns linger over Onazi’s fitness following his early departure.

Meanwhile, Nigeria defender Ola Aina marked his 41st start for Hull City in the English Championship, aiding his team’s commanding 4-0 win against Queens Park Rangers. Aina’s solid performance contrasted with QPR’s Nedum Onuoha receiving a late red card in the 90th minute.

In another English Championship fixture, Sone Aluko showcased his consistency, playing the full 90 minutes for Reading in their 1-0 triumph against Preston North End, contributing to his 35th start this season in the competition. The forward has featured in 38 games during the English Championship campaign.

However, it wasn’t all triumphs for Nigerian players abroad. Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho faced bench time in Leicester City’s 2-1 home loss to Newcastle in the English Premier League, marking his 11th bench appearance this season. Iheanacho has struggled for game time, making 15 appearances and netting one goal in the EPL.

Over in Germany, Nigeria’s Leon Balogun received a yellow card in Mainz 05’s Bundesliga clash against FC Cologne, which concluded in a 1-1 draw. Balogun’s compatriot, Anthony Ujah, joined the match in the 88th minute as a substitute.

Nigerian youngster Victor Osimhen remained on the bench for Wolfsburg in their 2-0 victory against Freiburg in the Bundesliga. Osimhen has made 11 appearances for Wolfsburg this season.

Elsewhere, Nigerian defender Chidozie Awaziem was an unused substitute in Nantes’ 2-1 defeat to Monaco in France’s Ligue 1, while former Nigeria Olympic team striker Umar Sadiq contributed 73 minutes in NAC Breda’s 1-0 win over Vitesse in the Eredivisie, having scored four goals in nine appearances since joining on loan.

In Scotland, Efe Ambrose played 71 minutes for Hibernian in a 1-1 draw with Ross County. Moreover, Adewole Oladimeji made a significant impact, scoring a goal and providing two assists for Dumlupinar in their 3-1 victory against Esentepe Kurtulus SK in Northern Cyprus, showcasing his prowess at just 19 years old.