From Turkey To England: How Nigerian Players Performed During The Weekend

The 2026/27 season continued across Europe's top leagues over the weekend, and here is a quick round-up of how some Nigerian players performed for their respective clubs.

 

Turkish Super Lig

 

We begin with the Turkish Süper Lig, where Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen scored his sixth goal of the season against Istanbul Başakşehir on Friday.

 

The 27-year-old centre-forward opened the scoring with a fierce long-range shot that struck the crossbar before going in.

 

Unfortunately, Osimhen could not complete the game, as he was substituted in the 33rd minute after picking up a groin injury. Galatasaray later confirmed a strain in his right adductor muscle, ruling him out for up to three weeks. 

 

As a result, he is expected to miss the Super Eagles' opening 2027 AFCON qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as Galatasaray's matches against Sporting CP, Kocaelispor, and Trabzonspor.

 

Still in Turkey, Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu scored a brace for Trabzonspor against Genelerbirliği on Sunday.

 

The lanky Nigerian forward broke the deadlock in the 5th minute before scoring his second 17 minutes later. 

 

Mohammed Salah, Muçi, and Djuricin all found the back of the net as Trabzonspor thrashed their visitors 5-0. Onuachu now has two goals from four games in the Süper Lig.

 

Meanwhile, Chibuike Nwaiwu played 82 minutes of the game but was booked in the second half. The centre-back must improve his discipline, having picked up three yellow cards in four matches.

 

Elsewhere, Amed SK striker Gift Orban came off the bench in the second half to rescue a point for his team against Kasımpaşa on Sunday.

 

Amed SK came from a two-goal deficit to earn a point, thanks to Orban's 59th- and 83rd-minute goals.

 

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi played 14 minutes in Beşiktaş's 2-1 victory over Fenerbahçe. He will hope to regain his spot in the starting XI sooner rather than later.

 

Spanish La Liga

 

Chidera Ejuke had 60 minutes of action but couldn't help Sevilla overcome Espanyol on Sunday, as both sides settled for a 1-1 draw. After four games this season, the 28-year-old winger has one league goal for Sevilla.

 

Still in Spain, Ademola Lookman and his teammates had a game to forget after losing 3-0 to Athletic Club on Saturday. The Super Eagles winger featured for 59 minutes, recording one shot.

 

English Premier League

 

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi led Coventry City's attack against Manchester City on Saturday but couldn't prevent the Citizens from winning by a lone goal.

 

Erling Haaland's 26th-minute header was enough to seal maximum points for Manchester City, who currently top the Premier League table with nine points.

 

Awoniyi played 71 minutes and attempted one shot. He is yet to score in the league after three Premier League games.

 

Meanwhile, Frank Onyeka featured for 63 minutes of the encounter. Frank Lampard's men continue their search for their first point of the 2026/27 campaign.

 

Alex Iwobi was in action for 83 minutes as Fulham lost at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. The midfielder, who became the fifth player to make over 100 appearances for three different clubs in the league, couldn't prevent his team's third consecutive defeat of the season.

 

Likewise, Calvin Bassey, who played the full 90 minutes, failed to protect his goalkeeper, making just one tackle in the whole game.

 

Elsewhere, summer signing Zadok Yohanna wasn't included in Brighton's matchday squad against Leeds. The exciting young winger will hope to nail down a regular starting spot under manager Fabian Hürzeler.

 

Italian Serie A

 

Akor Adams, who is expected to lead Nigeria's attack in Osimhen's absence, played 71 minutes in Venezia's 3-2 away loss to Frosinone.

 

The centre-forward continues to search for his first league goal in Venezia colours. As things stand, Akor Adams and his teammates sit in the relegation zone without a point.

 

Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench in the 60th minute and needed just eight minutes to make an impact, assisting Cissé's 68th-minute opener during AC Milan's 1-1 draw with Juventus on Sunday.

 

The former Villarreal winger is fast becoming an integral part of Rúben Amorim's side this season.

 

Eredivisie 

 

On-loan Striker Tolu Arokodare played 61 minutes and found the back of the net for Ajax in their 3-1 league defeat to PSV. 

 

The striker now has two goals and one assist in four league matches. He would hope that his current form is enough to earn him a recall to the national team ahead of the upcoming international break