The big European leagues are back with a bang. From England to Germany and all other parts of Europe, players slug it out on the pitch to ensure their teams emerged victorious with Nigerian players also in the mix. While some were outstanding for their side, others suffered disappointments. Here is a rundown of how Nigeria players fared for their respective sides in the preceding weekend.

Starting with the Premier League, it was not the best of results as EPL debutants Joe Aribo and Taiwo Awoniyi both featured for Southampton and Nottingham Forest in their opening day defeats.

Taiwo Awoniyi finally made his Premier League debut at Nottingham Forest when he came off the bench in the 63rd minute in their 2-0 loss at Newcastle United. At the St. Mary’s, it was opening day disappointment for Joe Aribo and his Southampton side, as they were thrashed 4-1 by a rampaging Spurs side despite opening the scoring in the early stages of the game.

In the early kick off, new boys Fulham held one of the title contenders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage. Central defender Tosin Adarabioyo put in a brilliant 90-minute shift for the Cottagers, teammates Josh Onomah and Sylvester Jasper were left out of the matchday squad.

Dominic Solanke, wearing the number 9 jersey, started for the Cherries Bournemouth as they had a positive start to the season, beating Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

Elsewhere in England, Alex Iwobi had a good performance for Everton, but they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea. The Toffees looked tough on the night, but they were undone by a Jorginho spot kick which saw Chelsea through. Iwobi had a strong display. The former Arsenal man had 48 touches with an 82 percent pass accuracy.

At the King power stadium, Wilfred Ndidi made his long-awaited return to competitive action as he featured for 90 minutes in Leicester City’s opening-day draw against Brentford. The Foxes entertained their counterparts and raced to a two-goal lead before capitulating in the second half. Ndidi shone during the opening period but could do little as Brentford equalized to gain a share of the points. Nevertheless, the Super Eagles midfielder will be personally delighted to go all the way after a five-month absence. Kelechi Iheanacho and Frank Onyeka were unused substitutes for both teams.

In Germany, it was a disappointing afternoon for most Nigerian players in action. Kevin Akpoguma came on as a second-half sub for Hoffenheim in their 3-1 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach. Elsewhere, it was also disappointment for Chidera Ejuke on his debut for Hertha Berlin in the Berlin derby. Union Berlin stormed to a three-goal lead in the opening hour. But Ejuke was introduced into the game in the 56th minute. The Super Eagles forward had a decent show, displaying some of his qualities. Anthony Ujah made his Eintracht Braunschweig debut as a sub in their narrow home league defeat. Anthony Ujah signed a one year deal with Eintracht Braunschweig with an option for another as a free agent this summer.

In the French top flight, Terem Moffi and Innocent Bonke both feature as Lorient kick off their Ligue 1 season with a narrow away win. Moffi was in action for 84 minutes and Bonke was subbed off in the 67th minute. In France in the Ligue 2, Tolu Arokodare scored his first goal of the season for Amiens to help them to a 1-0 victory over Newly-promoted Annecy. Tolu Arokodare left it late to secure all three points for Amiens with a left foot finish in the 82nd minute as they bounced back from their opening day defeat against Metz last week.

In Russia, Victor Moses was stretchered off in the 33rd minute after he sustained an injury in his Spartak Moscow side’s 2-0 win against Ural. Spartak Moscow have now confirmed through their official website that the ex Nigerian international will now be out of action for six months after suffering an Achilles tendon injury and will have to undergo surgery.

Also in Russia, Olakunle Olusegun scored two goals in nine minutes to power Krasnodar to a 3-0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow. A late brace from former Golden Eaglets forward secured all three points for Krasnodar in their match day 4 fixture in the Russian Premier Liga.

In Belgium, Cyriel Dessers’ two-game scoring run was brought to an end, but Genk still sailed to a 4-2 win against Eupen. The Super Eagles striker who opened up on his imminent move to newly promoted serie A side Cremonese confirmed that Saturday’s league appearance against Eupen could be his last for Belgian side Genk.
Dessers appeared to bid farewell to the fans after the game. “Have I just said goodbye to the fans? Yes, maybe a little,” The forward said to the media. “I think it’s no secret that a transfer is close. Cremonese and Genk are negotiating. It’s getting very close now.” Despite the intense speculation over his future, Dessers has netted three goals in the Belgian Pro League for Genk this season and he could become the fourth Nigerian to join the Serie A this summer after the likes of Tyronne Ebuehi, David Okereke and Ademola Lookman. Newly-promoted Cremonese have reportedly tabled a €6.5 million transfer fee and five-year deal for the forward.

Still in Belgium, Alhassan Yusuf provides an assist in Royal Antwerp’s entertaining home league win. Al Hassan Yusuf played all 90 minutes in the six goal thriller providing the assist for Antwerp’s fourth goal to wrap up the scoring in a game that ended 4-2.

Elsewhere in Switzerland, Francis Momoh’s scored for Grasshoppers in their hard-fought 3-2 victory against St. Gallen. Momoh pulled one back for his side after they went two goals down in the opening twelve minutes. Momoh’s strike was his second against St. Gallen in three months, as he scored against them in May.

In Turkey, Henry Onyekuru was on target in Adana Demirspor’s 2-3 away win against Giresunspor in the Turkish league. 1st Game, 1st Goal, 1st win! All thanks to God! Onwards and Upwards for the season! The Super eagles winger posted on his social media handles after a great start to the season back at familiar territory.

In Sweden at the Strandvallen, former NPFL hotshot Silas Nwankwo scored his 6th league goal of the season for Mjallby in their home draw. His second goal in his last three league games as they shared the spoils with IF Elfsborg.

In Portugal, Saviour Godwin made his Portuguese Primeira Liga debut for Casa Pia as they were held to a goalless away draw in their season-opener having gained promotion last season. The Nigerian winger was crowned the 2021/22 Portuguese Liga Pro Player of last Season following a remarkable campaign in which he assisted his club in gaining promotion to the Portuguese top flight bagging 10 goals while also providing 3 assists to help Casa Pia to a second place finish.

The Naija Players GPS gives you verifiable and detailed information about Nigerian footballers across the globe. It is not just about your regular super eagles players, but will also include footballers of Nigeria descent and heritage in Diaspora. These are footballers who (whether born in abroad or grew up outside Nigeria) might end up representing the super eagles or get the chance to do so in the future. Examples: Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun, Ola Aina, Josh Maja, Joe Aribo, Semi Ajayi, Troost Ekong, Cyriel Dessers etc. You can listen to the Naija Players GPS show on ELEGBETE TV Radio via the link on the website every Tuesday at 10am or visit www.elegbetetv.com/radio to listen live.