As club football returned after the international break, Nigerian players wasted no time making their mark in their respective leagues.
With outstanding performances and key contributions, here’s a roundup of Nigerian players who found the back of the net or made crucial plays for their teams this weekend.
Samuel Chukwueze – AC Milan
Samuel Chukwueze celebrates with Christian Pulisic after scoring during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Samuel Chukwueze scored his first goal of the season to secure a crucial 1-0 win for AC Milan against Udinese. Having left the Super Eagles camp early due to an injury, Chukwueze went straight to Milan and proved his fitness just in time.
Despite struggling with form, he was surprisingly named in the starting lineup by coach Paulo Fonseca.
Chukwueze made the most of his rare start, calmly finishing in the 13th minute against fellow Super Eagles teammate Maduka Okoye, who was in goal for Udinese.
Although Milan were reduced to ten men before the half-hour mark, Chukwueze’s goal stood tall as VAR ruled out two goals for Udinese.
He was named Man of the Match, and the goal marked his fourth for Milan since joining the club.
Victor Boniface – Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen’s forward Victor Boniface (C) scores during the Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)
Victor Boniface continued his remarkable form, netting the winning goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
After missing a penalty earlier in the game, Boniface redeemed himself by heading in the decisive goal in the 71st minute, taking his season tally to seven goals and one assist in 10 matches.
Boniface’s goal helped Leverkusen climb to fourth in the Bundesliga standings with 14 points from seven games.
Joe Aribo – Southampton
Joe Aribo during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City FC at St Mary’s Stadium. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Joe Aribo opened his Premier League goal account in Southampton’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Leicester City.
The Nigerian midfielder struck the Saints’ second goal, capitalizing on Cameron Archer’s opener. However, Southampton squandered a 2-0 lead, allowing Leicester to stage a comeback and steal the win in the 98th minute.
This was Aribo’s first goal in 182 days, with his last competitive strike coming in a Championship clash against Cardiff City back in April.
Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen scores a bicycle kick during Turkish Super Lig match between Antalyaspor and Galatasaray. (Photo by Orhan Cicek/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Victor Osimhen marked his return from injury in style, scoring in Galatasaray’s commanding 3-0 away win over Antalyaspor.
Coming off the bench after a three-week injury layoff, Osimhen wasted no time, finding the net within a minute of his introduction.
Unfortunately, his first goal was ruled offside by VAR, but the Nigerian forward remained undeterred.
In stoppage time, Osimhen delivered a stunning bicycle kick to seal the victory, extending Galatasaray’s lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig.
Moses Simon – Nantes
Moses Simon during the Ligue 1 match between Nantes and Nice at Stade de la Beaujoire. (Photo | Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Moses Simon continued his impressive form for Nantes, providing an assist in their 1-1 draw against OGC Nice in Ligue 1.
The winger has now tallied two goals and three assists in eight appearances this season and remains a key player for Nantes.
Simon also provided the assist for Dele-Bashiru’s goal against Libya during the AFCON qualifiers in the international break.
Tolu Arokodare – Genk
Genk’s Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare (R) fights for the ball with STVV’s Belgian defender #19 Louis Patris. (Photo by BRUNO FAHY/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)
In Belgium, Tolu Arokodare rose to the top of the scoring charts with his seventh goal of the season in Genk’s 3-2 win over St. Truiden.
Arokodare not only scored but also assisted Zakaria El Ouahdi’s goal just before halftime, helping Genk secure the victory.
The win helped Genk maintain their spot at the top of the Belgian Pro League table with 25 points from 11 games.
Arokodare was subbed off in the 85th minute, while his compatriot, Yira Sor, came on in the 78th minute.
