Nigeria’s 10 best stars at the weekend: Okoye, Orban, Awaziem shine in Italy, France, United States (VIDEOS)
Soccernet.ng compiles the most eye-catching displays from the many Nigerian footballers who were in action for their clubs across different leagues in Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.
The Top 10 Performers
Chidozie Awaziem: Cincinnati 4 – 1 Montréal
Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem was solid in the heart of defence for Cincinnati as the club carved out a brilliant 4-1 win over visiting Montréal.
Awaziem capped his fine performance with the assist to Cincinnati’s fourth goal of the encounter.
Paul Ejeh: KuPS Akatemia 2 – 5 Atlantis Helsinki
Ejeh confirmed he is the most in-form forward in the Finnish Ykkönen as he smashed a brace in Atlantis Helsinki’s exciting 5-2 win at KuPS Akatemia.
The Nigerian attacker has managed six goals in his last five league appearances.
Yusuf Usman: Hapoel Haifa 1 – 3 Maccabi Bnei Raina
In Israel’s Ligat Ha’al, Kaduna-born Yusuf Usman was the architect of Maccabi Bnei Raina’s impressive 3-1 victory at Hapoel Haifa.
Haifa led until the 57th minute when Ezekiel Henty assisted Abdallah Jaber’s equaliser for the visitors.
Usman then took over creating the two assists for the winning goals.
Moses Ebiye: St. Johnstone 1 – 2 Motherwell
Warri-born Moses Ebiye found the perfect time to score his first Premiership goal of the season as he found the net in the 94th minute for Motherwell’s winning goal at St. Johnstone.
Mathias Oyewusi: Valenciennes 2 – 0 Nîmes
In an excellent man-of-the-match display, Mathias Oyewusi scored either side of the interval to power Valenciennes to a 2 – 0 National 1 win over Nîmes.
Jasper Uweagbulam: Kraft 1 – 6 GBK
In Finland’s Kakkonen, GBK ran riot at the Mosedal in Närpiö where they strolled to a convincing 6-1 victory against their hosts Kraft.
Jasper Uweagbulam kickstarted the onslaught with his 6th-minute strike and the 29-year-old midfielder completed his brace midway through the second half.
Maduka Okoye: Udinese 1 – 0 Como
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye made several key saves as Udinese continued their fine start to the season with an excellent 1-0 win over Cesc Fabregas’s Como.
Former Super Eagles invitee Kingsley Ehizibue sent in the brilliant cross that led to Udinese’s winning goal.
Udinese have now managed two wins and one draw in their first three Serie A games to share the top spot with Juventus, Inter Milan, and Torino.
Olisa Ndah: Orlando Pirates 2-0 Cape Town City
Nigeria international Olisa Ndah was the inspirational captain and defensive rock for Orlando Pirates as they defeated Cape Town City to advance to the final of the 8 Cup.
Moses Simon: Montpellier 1 – 3 Nantes
Super Eagles winger Moses Simon scored for the second consecutive game to inspire Nantes to a fine away victory at struggling Montpellier on Saturday.
Compatriot Akor Adams equalised for Montpellier after Matthis Abline had given Nantes a 24th-minute lead.
However, Simon kept his cool to score from the penalty spot deep into first-half stoppage time to restore the Yellow Canaries’ lead.
Gift Orban: Lyon 4-3 Strasbourg
Lyon were trailing 1-3 when Gift Orban was introduced from the bench in the 59th minute.
Two minutes after Ainsley Maitland-Niles reduced the deficit for the hosts, Orban connected with an Alex Lacazette cross to make it 3-3.
The Super Eagle Gift Orban 🇳🇬🦅 pic.twitter.com/pN4z7Ut2SV
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 1, 2024
The 21-year-old forward then met Fofana’s cross with a stunning header to net the winner and hand Lyon their first win of the season.
Honourable Mentions
Ehije Ukaki: CSKA Sofia 0 – 1 Botev Plovdiv
Nineteen-year-old defender Ehije Ukaki was the difference maker for Botev Plovdiv as he scored the winning goal in their narrow away win against CSKA Sofia.
The win takes Botev Plovdiv to within three points of Bulgarian league leaders Levski Sofia with a game at hand.
Jesse Sekidika: Kapaz 2 – 3 Sabah
In the Azerbaijani Premyer Liqa, Jesse Sekidika was among the goals as Sabah overturned a two-goal deficit to secure a thrilling 3-2 away win at Kapaz.
