It was another exciting weekend for Nigerian footballers across the globe as it was a weekend where records were broken, laurels were won and incredible goals were scored. Here’s everything you need to know on this week’s edition of the Naija Players GPS.
VICTOR OSIMHEN IS NIGERIA RECORD SERIE A GOALSCORER
Super Eagles marksman and Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen continued his goalscoring run for Napoli in their top of the table clash with Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta. It was an eventful game that saw all three goals scored involved both Nigerians.
The game started in an awful note for Osimhen as he accidentally gifted Atalanta the opener by conceding a penalty through a fortuitous hand ball. Ademola Lookman stepped up for Atalanta and scored from the spot for his 6th league goal of the season. Lookman celebrated the goal by replicating Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest celebration.
However, his joy was short-lived as Napoli drew level four minutes later through Osimhen. Osimhen redeemed himself as he headed in a cross from Piotr Zielinski. It was Osimhen’s eighth goal in the league this season and his fifth in his last six games for Napoli. The goal was also his 32nd in the league, surpassing Simy Nwankwo as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in the Italian Serie A.
PAUL ONUACHU RECORD BREAKING HAUL
Paul Onuachu scored all four goals for Genk as they win big at home to Charleroi. Paul Onuachu has consistently proved that the defenders in the Belgian Pro League are no match for his abilities as his four goals haul this past weekend got him into Genk record books.
It is the first time in Onuachu’s career that he will score four goals in a single game.
Onuachu also becomes the first Genk player to score four goals in one Belgian Pro League match since Wesley Sonck achieved the same on February 7, 2003, against Excelsior Mouscron.
The haul was also Onuachu’s first ‘perfect hat-trick’ in the Belgian First Division A, with the Nigerian netting a goal with his right foot, another with his left, and two other goals with his head.
Since Onuachu made his Belgian League debut in 2019/20, the striker has scored 24 goals with his head. That is five times more than anyone in the top 10 European leagues in the same period.
Onuachu has now scored 80 goals for Genk, elevating the forward into the club’s top-3 all-time top scorers.
Not too bad for a player who signed for Genk from Midtjylland for six million euros.
TEREM MOFFI BACK WITH A GOAL
Terem Moffi scored in his first start since injury as PSG inflicted Lorient’s third defeat in the French Ligue 1. Only Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have now scored more than the Super Eagles hitman’s nine goals after 13 league games this season.
Innocent Bonke was also in action for 85 minutes for Lorient as they fell to the 1-2 home defeat.
EMMANUEL DENNIS PROVIDES ASSIST
Emmanuel Dennis was given the nod from the start by Steve Cooper and provided an assist for Nottingham Forest as they shared the spoils with Brentford. Taiwo Awoniyi featured off the bench for Forest while Frank Onyeka came on as a half time sub for the away side Brentford as they conceded a late equalizer that saw the game end two goals apiece.
DAVID OKEREKE SCORED A STUNNER
David okereke scored his third Serie A goal this season as they secured a late draw away at Salernitana. His goal in the 12th minute is an early favorite for goal of the month as he received the ball on the edge of the eighteen-yard box and unleashed a cleanly taken left footed volley that gave the opposition goalie no chance. Okereke led the attack in Cyriel Dessers absence due to injury.
OGHENEKARO ETEBO IN GREECE
Oghenekaro Etebo is getting use to life in Greece with his new side Aris FC. He played 86 minutes as they secured a huge home win over Lamia in the Greek Super League. The 5-0 win was Etebo’s fifth appearance of the season, starting all five.
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JOSHUA AKPUDJE WINS POTM
Joshua Akpudje was voted player of the month for his club FK Jablonec in Czech Republic. It’s his second month at the club since moving from Latvia and he has played the entire 90mins in all of his 9 appearances so far this season.
OLISAH NDAH WINS THE MTN 8 CUP
Fresh from his third Soweto derby appearance for Orlando Pirates, Olisa Ndah was again at the heart of the Buccaneers defense as they contested the MTN 8 cup final with Amazulu at the Moses Mabhida stadium. It ended in victory for Olisa Ndah as they defeated Amazulu by a lone goal to clinch the trophy. His first silverware with the Buccaneers.
HALIMATU AYINDE
Super Falcons midfielder Halimatu Ayinde wins the OBOS Damallsvenskan title with her club FC Rosengård in Sweden.
IKECHUKWU VIVIAN
Super Falcons forward Ikechukwu Vivian also won the Lithuanian A Lyga and the Baltic League with her club FC Gintra in Lithuania. By virtue of their win, they’ll be participating in the UEFA Women’s Champions League next season.
FRANSISCA ORDEGA
Francisca Ordega also won the Russian Cup with her club CSKA Moscow in Russia.
