AFCON 2025
Nigerian players were explosive this weekend. Scoring and assisting when it mattered most, and while some were substitutes that changed the game, others were already big starters that still could not be chained.
A major player this weekend was Ademola Lookman making his Atletico Madrid League debut against Real Betis, however, his first goal was choked out for offside and Betis went on to win the game.
As disappointing as it was for the Nigerian. We had other Nigerians who rose up to the occasion and ensured they mapped their name across Europe.
Turkish Goal Poachers
The most fearsome striking duo in Europe is arguably operating in the Turkish Süper Lig. Paul Onuachu solidified his position at the absolute zenith of the goalscoring charts this weekend. In Trabzonspor’s 3-0 away win against Samsunspor, Onuachu netted a clinical brace, taking his season tally to 15 goals this season. Onuachu has now scored in 4 consecutive games for Trabzonspor since returning from the AFON.
Not to be outdone, Victor Osimhen continued his own surgical destruction of opposing defenses. Striking his 9th goal of the season for Galatasaray in their 3-0 victory over Çaykur Rizespor, Osimhen showcased the blistering pace and predatory instinct that has made him a household name. With Galatasaray firmly in control at the top, Osimhen’s consistent output is the engine driving their title charge.
Positioned perfectly in the box, he anticipated a cross from the right wing, using his blistering pace to ghost past his marker and slide the ball into the bottom corner, ensuring Galatasaray walked away with a 3-0 victory.
Perhaps the most telling sign of Nigeria’s depth is the impact being made by those not in the starting lineup. Yira Sor proved to be the ultimate super-sub for KRC Genk in their high-stakes home clash with Anderlecht. Coming off the bench, Sor shattered the deadlock with his lightning pace, setting the stage for a hard-earned 2-0 victory against their historic rivals.
In Italy, Tyronne Ebuehi showed his fighting spirit for Empoli in Serie B. Although Empoli fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat against Palermo, Ebuehi’s energetic cameo from the bench resulted in a well-taken goal, illustrating his resilience and attacking threat as he fights for more game time.
Tanko steal the win, Arokodare scores a compensation goal
In the Czech First League, Abdullahi Tanko produced a moment of pure magic for FK Pardubice. In a tense, defensive battle away to Bohemians 1905, Tanko snatched the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring the only goal to secure a vital 1-0 victory.
In a deadlocked game, a defender played a high-risk pass backward. Tanko anticipated this, intercepted the ball, and raced toward the goal. Facing the goalkeeper one-on-one, he remained calm, dummying to shoot before rounding the keeper to pass the ball into an empty net.
Tolu Arokodare provided a momentary lifeline for Wolverhampton Wanderers in their Premier League clash against Chelsea. While Wolves ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat at Molineux, Arokodare’s goal, his second in the league this season and his second against Chelsea showcased his ability to compete with elite English defenses.
Following a cross from the left flank, the ball was slightly behind Arokodare. He adjusted his body brilliantly in mid-air and a simple tap-in to hook the ball into the back of the net, giving the Chelsea goalkeeper no chance.
