NIGERIAN PLAYERS ABROAD: SOARS
Kelechi Iheanacho remains at the centre of attention as we keep tabs on Nigerian players abroad, as they continue to make their mark for their respective clubs
SCOTLAND
Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic)
The Super Eagles forward made it onto manager Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI for their Scottish League Cup tie away at Partick Thistle on Sunday.
The former Manchester City and Leicester City striker featured for 59 minutes for the Bhoys, and registered an assist in the 46th minute as Celtic ran out 4-0 winners. Iheanacho was replaced by Japan international Daizen Maeda.
ITALY
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
The Super Eagles forward played his first club game of the 2025/26 season for Atalanta, in their Serie A fixture away at Torino on Sunday.
The reigning CAF Africa Player of the Year winner, who was named in La Dea’s matchday squad following their 4-0 defeat to French giants PSG in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, came on in the 87th minute for Ghanaian attacker, Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Lookman featured for the remainder of the tie as Atalanta earned a comfortable 3-0 win, courtesy of goals from Nikola Krstovic and Sulemana.
ENGLAND
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton)
The Super Falcons’ first-choice goalkeeper was on from the start during Brighton’s WSL home fixture against visiting West Ham United.
The former Paris FC shot-stopper was on the winning side, as Brighton powered to a 4-1 victory, with Caitlin Hayes, Kiko Seike, Rosa Kafaji, and Marisa Olislagers on target for the home side.
Nnadozie’s goal was breached in the 51st minute, as Viviane Asseyi converted a penalty which proved to be only a consolation for the Hammers.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
The Nigerian international was in the starting line-up named by Lazio gaffer, Maurizio Sarri, in their Rome derby clash against city rivals, AS Roma on Sunday.
However, the 24-year-old midfielder saw only 14 minutes of action, as he was replaced in the opening half by Reda Belahyane, after picking up an apparent injury.
Dele-Bashiru’s absence was felt onwards as the game progressed, as Lazio succumbed to another 1-0 home defeat at the Stadio Olimpico, with Lorenzo Pellegrini netting the game’s only goal in the 38th minute.
FRANCE
Moses Simon (Paris FC)
The Nigerian forward started for newly-promoted Ligue 1 side, Paris FC, in their home fixture against visiting Strasbourg on Sunday.
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The former Nantes wideman had a total of four shots, but could not register any goal involvement as Paris FC suffered a 3-2 home loss. Simon was subbed off in the 69th minute by Nouha Dicko, who ironically, went on to score Paris’ first goal and he also provided an assist for the second.
This season, Simon has two goals and one assist in five games.
GERMANY
Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)
The Nigerian international was nowhere near coach Kasper Hjulmand’s matchday squad, as Bayer Leverkusen played host to Borussia Monchengladbach, as he continues his recovery from injury.
Leverkusen could only grind out a 1-1 draw with Monchengladbach, after conceding a late equaliser by Haris Tabakovic in the 92nd minute.
BELGIUM
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Fresh from scoring his first goal of the season when he found the back of the net for Club Brugge against AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, Raphael Onyedika started for the Belgian giants in their Jupiler League fixture against visiting St. Truiden on Sunday.
The 24-year-old played the entirety of the fixture and bagged a yellow card in the 89th minute, as Brugge claimed a 2-0 victory.
SOUTH AFRICA
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
The Super Eagles’ safe pair of hands was surprisingly absent in the matchday squad for Chippa United, in their Premier Soccer League fixture away to Polokwane on Sunday.
The modest side squandered a fifth-minute lead to lose 2-1 to Polokwane, courtesy of comeback efforts from Lebohang Nkaki and Tholo Matuludi.
GREECE
Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos)
After scoring his first goal in the Greek Cup last week, the former Glasgow Rangers hitman started Panathinaikos’ home game against Olympiakos in a Greek Super League blockbuster clash.
The 30-year-old had a rollercoaster display as he was booked in the 39th minute, before scoring his first league goal of the season in the 48th minute. He was subsequently replaced in the 75th minute by Karol Swiderski.
Panathinaikos could not hold on to their lead which was given to them by Dessers, as they conceded a 92nd-minute equaliser via Ayoub El Kaabi as the game ended 1-1.
Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympicos)
The Nigerian was an unused substitute as Olympiakos made the away trip to Panathinaikos in a Greek top-flight encounter on Sunday.
The clash ended in a 1-1 draw between both sides, with Onyemaechi’s Nigerian compatriot, Cyriel Dessers netting the opener for Panathinaikos before Ayoub El Kaabi levelled deep into stoppage time.
