Nigerians abroad: Ejuke, Yusuf, Ilenikhena make it the Naija show in Brugge; Dessers, Kalu hit target

Soccernet.ng highlights some eye-catching displays from Nigerian footballers outside the country’s shores on Saturday, December 9, 2023.

In the English Premier League, Frank Onyeka was lucky to escape a sending-off during Brentford’s disappointing 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United. 

Josh Maja made the West Brom starting lineup for the first time, while Semi Ajayi came off the bench as the Baggies suffered a 2-1 loss at Sunderland in the Championship.

Wilfred Ndidi netted his second Championship goal of the campaign as Leicester City took no prisoners with a commanding 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

In Spain, Umar Sadiq was unlucky not to add to his goal tally as Real Sociedad left Villarreal with all three points following a 3-0 win.

In the Women’s Division, Toni Payne was one of Sevilla’s best players as they carved Real Madrid open with a 3-1 win.

A few days after helping Nigeria secure qualification to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Gift Monday and Esther Okoronkwo were second-half substitutes as UD Tenerife bagged a 2-0 victory against Granada.

In Serie A, Ademola Lookman took all the shine of compatriot Samuel Chukwueze as the former Everton man smashed a brilliant brace that lifted Atalanta to a thrilling 3-2 triumph over AC Milan.

Maduka Okoye watched from the bench as Inter Milan tore his Udinese apart following a 4-0 win at the San Siro.

In France’s women division, Chiamaka Nnadozie impressed in goal as Paris FC strolled to a 4-1 win away to Montpellier.

Tosin Demehin was a rock in defence for Stade de Reims as they kept a clean sheet in their 2 – 0 victory against visiting Fleury 91.

In Ligue 1, there was little joy for Moses Simon and Nantes in Paris as Kylian Mbappe and co-led PSG to a narrow 2-1 win at the Parc de Princes.

Over to the Armenian Premier League, where Olaoluwa Ojetunde was among the goals for Van as they soared to an excellent 4 – 0 win at home to Shirak.

Tenton Yenne scored a brilliant brace to lead Ararat-Armenia to a convincing 3-1 victory away to Urartu.

In the Austrian Bundesliga, Moses Usor was on target for LASK to power the highfliers to a fine 3-1 triumph at Austria Lustenau.

Super Eagles star Chidera Ejuke continued from where he left off in midweek as he got the second goal for Royale Antwerp as they crushed Cercle Brugge 1 – 3 inside the Jan Breydelstadion in Brugge.

Alhassan Yusuf laid the assist for George Ilenikhena to bag the third goal for the champions in the encounter.

Still in Belgium, Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha, both did their jobs well as KAA Gent made light work of RWDM with a 4-0 win.

In the Czech Liga, Abdullahi Tanko snatched the win from the jaws of defeat as he scored two late goals to turn around a 1-2 deficit to a 3-2 victory for Baník Ostrava at Hradec Králové.

Over to Hungary, where Peter Ambrose handed Újpest a second-half lead, but Zalaegerszeg struck back to earn a 1-1 draw.

Otukpo-born defender Philip Ipole came to Hapoel Hadera’s rescue as he assisted their equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Hapoel Tel Aviv.

In Scotland, Cyriel Dessers netted goal number five in 13 league appearances, while Leon Balogun was impressive in defence as Glasgow Rangers defeated Dundee 3-1 at the Ibrox.