Nigerian Footballers Shine Across European Leagues

In a series of standout performances, Nigerian footballers demonstrated their prowess across various European leagues over the weekend, showcasing their impact on the international stage.

Gbolahan Salami, the Nigerian striker, marked a triumphant return to form for KuPS in the Finnish top-flight fixture against IFK Mariehamn. Scoring his first goal since May, Salami’s strike in the 68th minute leveled the playing field after Aleksei Kangaskolkka had given Mariehamn the lead. The match concluded with Ville Saxman’s 90th-minute winner, securing a 2-1 victory for KuPS. Salami’s contribution brings his tally to five goals in 16 league appearances for KuPS this season, propelling his team to third place in the league standings with 36 points.

Meanwhile, in the Dutch Eredivisie, Belgian-born Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers shone for Utrecht, netting a crucial goal in their 2-0 victory against Willem II. Dessers’ impressive performance continued his excellent start to the season, having scored three goals in just two league matches.

Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi made his long-awaited season debut for Trabzonspor in Turkey, featuring in a hard-fought 2-2 away draw against Fenerbahce. Onazi, recently linked with a move to Birmingham City, made a significant impact after being brought on in the 63rd minute.

In the Italian Serie A, Nigerian midfielder Joel Obi started for Roma, playing a pivotal role in their 1-1 away draw against Bologna on the opening weekend of the season. Umar Sadiq, the Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, was named as an unused substitute for Torino.

In the Belgian Jupiler League, Super Eagles winger Moses Simon made his second appearance for Gent in a closely contested match against Mouscron, which ended in a 3-2 defeat for Gent. Liverpool on-loan striker Taiwo Awoniyi featured for Mouscron, playing the full 90 minutes and adding to his tally with one goal for the team.

Notable performances also came from Samuel Kalu and Anderson Esiti, who showcased their talents for Gent. Kalu participated in his fourth game of the season, while Esiti marked his third appearance in the league. These impressive displays underscore the growing influence of Nigerian footballers on the global stage.