The 2024/25 season kicked off with a bang across various leagues, and many Super Eagles players were in action over the week, representing their clubs and showing early signs of determination.
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
Noussair Mazraoui passes the ball whilst under pressure from Alex Iwobi during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Fulham FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Nigerian stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey returned to Old Trafford for Fulham’s Premier League opener, but the outcome was not as they had hoped.
Last season, Fulham made headlines with a memorable 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, where Bassey opened the scoring before Harry Maguire equalized. In the dying minutes, Iwobi sealed the win with a dramatic goal.
However, on Friday, despite a strong performance, Fulham narrowly missed out on a point as Manchester United’s new signing, Joshua Zirkzee, scored an 87th-minute winner to secure all three points for United.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in action during the Serie match between Lazio and Venezia at Stadio Olimpico. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
The Younger of the Dele Bashiru brothers, on a season-long loan from Hatayspor with an obligation to buy, made an impressive debut for Lazio.
A Manchester City academy product, Fisayo completed three successful dribbles and boasted a 96% pass success rate, completing 43 out of 45 passes.
As Lazio prepares for their next game against Udinese, Bashiru is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup, with a potential clash against his international teammate, Maduka Okoye.
Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)
Victor Boniface with the German Supercup trophy.
Though the league is yet to kick off, Super Eagles forwards Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella have already started the 2024/25 season with a trophy.
Boniface opened his account for the season, scoring the game’s first goal in the 11th minute. However, his involvement was cut short when he was substituted in the 40th minute after Martin Terrier’s unfortunate sending-off.
Tella was an unused substitute in the match, which saw Stuttgart come from behind to lead 2-1 before Patrick Schick’s stoppage-time equalizer sent the game to penalties with Leverkusen eventually wining 4-3 to lift the the German Super Cup.
Tolu Arokodare (Genk)
Genk’s Tolu Toluwalase Arokodare reacts after scoring. (Photo by JOHAN EYCKENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
Tolu Arokodare was the hero for KRC Genk on Saturday, scoring twice in a 4-3 away win over Beerschot in the Belgian Pro League.
This marks Genk’s second consecutive league victory, pushing them to 5th place on the table, just two points behind leaders Westerlo, who have a game in hand. Arokodare has now scored in three consecutive league matches, bringing his tally to four goals in four games this season.
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers)
In the Scottish Premiership, Cyriel Dessers scored and provided an assist in Rangers’ 2-0 Scottish League Cup win over St. Johnstone on Saturday.
Cyriel Dessers during the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round 2nd Leg match between Rangers and Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden Park. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Dessers started on the bench but made an immediate impact after coming on at halftime.
He opened the scoring on the hour mark, courtesy of an assist from Rabbi Matondo, and then set up Ross McCausland for Rangers’ second goal in stoppage time.
Dessers now has four goals in five appearances across all competitions for Philippe Clement’s side this season.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
Samuel Chukwueze during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino at Giuseppe Meazza. (Photo by Andrea Bruno Diodato/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Samuel Chukwueze featured in AC Milan’s Serie A opener, where they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Torino on Saturday.
After a strong preseason, Chukwueze was given a starting role but was replaced by Theo Hernandez in the 60th minute.
Though he had a decent performance, Chukwueze will be looking to build on this outing and improve as the season progresses.
Maduka Okoye (Udinese)
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye featured in Udinese’s 1-1 draw with Bologna in Serie A and was yellow-carded in the 32nd minute.
Okoye goes up to make a save during the Serie A match between Bologna and Udinese. (Photo by Marco Mantovani/Getty Images)
Okoye made a series of fine saves to keep Udinese in the game, helping them secure their first point of the season on the road.
Akor Adams (Montpellier)
Akor Jerome Adams during the Ligue 1 match between Montpellier and Strasbourg at Stade de la Mosson. (Photo by Sylvain Thomas/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Montpellier striker Akor Adams was also in action as his side played out a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg in Sunday’s Ligue 1 encounter.
The visitors took the lead in the 58th minute through Diarra, but the hosts responded with an equalizer from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, converted by Savanier.
Adams delivered a solid performance before being substituted in the second half.
Moses Simon (Nantes)
Super Eagles winger Moses Simon made a strong return to action for Nantes after a long injury layoff.
Moses Simon and Warren Kamanzi during the Ligue 1 match between Toulouse and Nantes at Stadium de Toulouse.. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
