The UEFA Europa League, Europe’s second-tier club competition raised its curtains, commencing a new season and Nigerian players graced Gameweek 1 in fine style.
SportsIntel takes you through the performance of Nigerian stars in the UEFA Europa League.
UEFA Europa League: Victor Boniface Nets Goal and Assist
Last year one Nigerian name on everyone’s lips was Victor Osimhen, this year one man has been victorious ever since the start of the new season. That man is Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen.
Days after securing the Bundesliga Player of the Month for August. The Nigerian superstar was off to yet another flying start in Bayer Leverkusen’s first game in the UEFA Europa League against BK Haecken.
Furthermore, a goal and assist against BK Haecken reinstated Boniface’s fine form this season. Already raking in six goals and three assists in all competitions, the 22-year-old striker is a man definitely in the zone.
Ogbu Igoh
Nigerian center-back Ogbu Igoh was on the scoresheet in Slavia Praha’s 2 – 0 away win to Servette. Ogbu came in clutch to seal the win for Slavia Praha in the 59th minute. Meanwhile, Slavia Praha will be hoping to replicate the same form against FC Sheriff and Mourinho’s Roma in Group G.
Victor Olatunji
Sparta Prague wiggled past Aris Limassol in the group. Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji got an assist for Sparta Prague’s third goal and was taken off in the 77th minute of the game. 3 – 2 was how the game ended in favor of the team from the Czech Republic.
UEFA Europa League: Ademola Lookman Enjoys Winning Start
Ademola Lookman starred in Atalanta’s 2 – 0 victory over Rakow Czestochowa. Lookman played 76 minutes of the encounter before leaving for substitute Mario Pasalic.
Cyriel Dessers
Cyriel Dessers was an 88-minute substitute in Ranger’s 1-0 victory at home to Real Betis of Spain. Abdallah Sima got the all-important goal for the team from Scotland.
Tobias Lawal
Austrian-born Nigerian goalkeeper, Tobias Lawal’s LASK was unable to keep out a fiery Liverpool side. Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Mohammed Salah sealed the deal for the team from Merseyside after Florian Flecker had put LASK in front with a stunning strike.
UEFA Europa League: Chuba Akpom Late Show Not Enough
Elsewhere, Chuba Akpom came on in the 84 minutes but couldn’t salvage a win for Ajax against Marseille. Gabon’s Aubameyang was the show’s star, ensuring the game ended in a 3-3 stalemate.
UEFA Europa League: Nathan Tella
Nathan Adewale Tella alongside his compatriot Victor Boniface shared a comfortable win as Bayer Leverkusen put BK Haecken to the sword, defeating the Swedish side 4 – 0 at the Bay Arena.
Nathan was subbed off in the 60-minute and replaced with Jonas Hofmann.