Soccernet.ng highlights the top-performing Nigerian footballers over the weekend.
The Top Performers
Paul Ejeh: Atlantis Helsinki 2-2 PKKU
Paul Ejeh was the star of the show for Atlantis Helsinki as he struck two goals in his side’s 2-2 draw with PKKU in the Finnish Ykkönen.
Adeniyi Ibiyomi: OTP 2-3 OPS
Adeniyi Ibiyomi came off the bench at the start of the second half to bag a brace for OTP but the goals ended up being mere consolation in the club’s 3-2 Kakkonen defeat at home to OPS.
Callistus Chukwu and Oluwafemi Ajayi were among the goals for the visitors.
Maxwell Effiong: Skála 3 – 3 ÍF
Former Flying Eagles star Maxwell Effiong scored the first hat-trick of his career to help Skála pick up a 3-3 draw at home to ÍF in the Faroe Islands Meistaradeildin.
Josh Maja: Stoke City 1-2 West Brom
After netting a hattrick on the opening weekend of the Championship, Maja continued his hot form by smashing home the winner for West Brom in their away tie at Stoke.
Taofeek Ismaheel: Cracovia 3 – 2 Górnik Zabrze
Nigerian winger Taofeek Ismaheel showed his quality at the Stadion Cracovii in Kraków as he supplied a goal and an assist for Górnik Zabrze in their tough 3-2 loss at Cracovia.
John Etim: Stará Ľubovňa 2 – 1 Tatran Prešov
In Slovakia’s 2 Liga, John Etim hit the headlines for his goals in the 20th and 25th minutes that helped Stará Ľubovňa come from behind to seal a 2-1 win over Tatran Prešov. It is the club’s first league win of the season.
Maduka Okoye: Udinese 2-1 Lazio
Despite Udinese playing over 20 minutes with ten men and facing 18 shots, Maduka Okoye stood strong in between the posts to help the home team beat visiting Lazio.
Moses Simon: Nantes 2-0 Auxerre
Nigeria international Moses Simon scored for the first time since November to power Nantes to their first Ligue 1 win of the campaign.
Alex Iwobi: Fulham 2-1 Leicester City
Super Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi conjured up the winning goal as Fulham secured a 2-1 victory over Leicester City at the Craven Cottage. The win was the Cottagers’ first of the Premier League campaign while the goal was Iwobi’s 23rd in the competition.
https://youtu.be/B_4XexqsX2c?si=DLUrDzYqOBH5zmPy
Cyriel Dessers: Rangers 6 – 0 Ross County
Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers continued to compound his critics as he scored twice to inspire Rangers to a convincing home win over Ross County.
Honourable Mentions
Oghenekaro Etebo: Iğdır FK 0 – 0 Gençlerbirliği
Nigerian midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo continued his fine return to competitive football after a year-long absence as he impressed in Gençlerbirliği’s goalless draw at Iğdır in Turkey.
Abdulrahman Taiwo: Metta 0 – 4 Auda
In Latvia, Lagos-born attacker Abdulrahman Taiwo smashed a brace in Auda’s comprehensive 4-0 victory against Metta.
Ime Ndon: Milsami 6 – 0 Floreşti
In Moldova’s Super Liga, 21-year-old Ime Ndon fired the last two goals in Milsami’s 6 – 0 thrashing of Floreşti.
Usman Adekunle: Ružomberok 2 – 2 Zemplín Michalovce
Former Trenčín star Usman Adekunle scored either side of the halftime break to hand Zemplín Michalovce a two-goal lead but their hosts fought back to earn a share of the spoils.
John Junior: Sandviken 4 – 0 Trelleborg
In Sweden, John Junior took his tally for the season to seven goals as he grabbed a brace in Sandviken’s 4-0 triumph over Trelleborg.
Emeka Eze: Adanaspor 3 – 4 Pendikspor
Former Adanaspor forward Emeka Eze smashed two goals to lift Pendikspor to a thrilling 4-3 away win at his former club.