The Europa League qualifiers had some games involving Nigerian players as teams continue their push to make it to the group stages of the tournament which is second to the UEFA Champions League.
Former captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria John Obi Mikel made his bow for Trabzonspor in the tournament but played for just 46 minutes before he was substituted in the game which ended in a 2-2 draw against Sparta Prague.
Mikel’s Nigerian counterpart at the club Anthony Nwakaeme was on from start to finish but Ogenyi Onazi wasn’t listed as he continue to work his way to full fitness following the injury that brought his season to a premature end last time out.
Ex Nigeria U23 striker Sadiq Umar followed up his goal over the weekend in the league with another for his loan side Partizan Belgrade to power them to a 3-1 win with his goal coming as early as the fourth minute of the game before his substitution six minutes to full time.
Newly signed Rangers of Scotland midfielder of Nigerian descent Joe Aribo was also on target in their 4-2 win away in Denmark to FC Midtjylland with Frank Onyeka another Nigerian getting one of the goals for the Danes. Paul Onuachu who played for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations wasn’t listed as he is yet to return to training.
Forgotten former Nigeria U17 forward Chico Ofoedu scored the lone goal for Maccabi Tel Aviv in their 1-2 loss to Suduva while Brown Ideye for the third game running fired blanks for his new side Aris Thessaloniki who were thrashed 3-0 by Molde with Nigerian striker Leke James leading the line for the Norwegian although he wasn’t on the score sheet.
It wasn’t the best of debut for lanky defender Junior Udeme Pius as he went off early into his team Antwerp 1-0 win over Viktoria Plzen after a collision of knee with an opponent 27 minutes into the game.
Innocent Bonke was subbed on by Malmo with eight minutes left to play in their 3-0 win over Zrinjski Mostar, same result which Espanyol had against Luzern who had Blessing Eleke on for 89 minutes.
