As the Super Eagles prepare to face Algeria in a friendly on Tuesday next week in Oran, a number of the Nigerian national team’s stars were involved in important league matches across Europe yesterday.
In England, Alex Iwobi was once again in imperious form for Everton and was named the man of the match as the Toffees earned their first win of the Premier League campaign.
The Super Eagles midfielder played all 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory over West Ham, setting up the only goal scored by new signing Neal Maupay in the 53rd minute.
Iwobi is so important to Frank Lampard’s plans that the Nigeria international has played every minute of Everton’s seven Premier League games this season as well as their second round Carabao Cup win at Fleetwood.
In Italy, Ademola Lookman was a 74th minute substitute for Atalanta as they defeated AS Roma 1-0 in Rome to temporarily go top of Serie A in a historical weekend.
The victory over Jose Mourinho’s side was part of a sequence of astounding results in Serie A as Milan, Roma, Juventus and Inter lost a game on the same day for the first time since 1955.
Atalanta were on top briefly before Napoli, who were without injured Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, defeated AC Milan 2-1.
They are both on 17 points from seven matches but Napoli are ahead of Atalanta on goal difference.
Lookman has started in three of his seven Serie A appearances for Atalanta, recording one goal and two assists.
In Spain, Samuel Chukwueze was on for 59 minutes in Villarreal’s 1-1 draw at home to Sevilla.
The Super Eagles forward was making his first start and sixth appearance in LaLiga this season, although he has started in all four of Villarreal’s UEFA Europa Conference League games this season, including qualifying round ties.
Chukwueze has two goals and three assists in all competitions from 10 appearances.
In France, Moses Simon played for 87 minutes as his Nantes side were held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Lens.
The Super Eagles forward has started six of Nantes’ eight Ligue 1 games this season, missing the other two through injury. He has contributed three goals and one assist despite his team’s lowly 15th spot in the table.
In Germany, Kevin Akpoguma, who has been recalled for the Algeria tie after a long absence from the Super Eagles, played all 90 minutes for Hoffenheim in their 0-0 draw at home to Freiburg.
The centre-back has started five and come off the bench twice this season for Hoffenheim, who are fourth in the Bundesliga table with 13 points, one point ahead of perennial champions Bayern Munich.
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