After six-months goal drought, Iheanacho scores on Celtic debut
SCOTLAND
Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic)
Iheanacho scored his first competitive goal in six months on Sunday, making an impressive debut as a substitute for the reigning Scottish Premier Football League champions in their match-day five away encounter against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday.
The Nigerian international, who recently joined Brendan Rodgers’ side following the termination of his contract at Spanish La Liga outfit Sevilla, was a second half substitute for Celtic, coming on for Japan international Daizen Maeda in the 70th minute.
Iheanacho made his time count, as he converted a stoppage-time penalty in the 96th minute to earn all three points for the Bhoys, who secured a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock. The ex-Manchester City attacker was also booked shortly after in the 97th minute.
He also hugged the attention of the media with the misspelling of his name on the back of his shirt as ‘Iheancho’.
GERMANY
BONIFACE, AGU (WERDER BREMEN)
Nigerian international Victor Boniface made his debut for his new team, Werder Bremen, in their Bundesliga match-day three clash away to Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday. The former Bodo Glimt and Union Saint Gilloise striker, who joined Bremen from parent club Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the current season, came on in the 75th minute in place of Romano Schmid and was instrumental as he registered an assist for Bremen’s fourth goal in the 81st minute.
Boniface, who saw a move to Serie A giants AC Milan fall through over the summer, will be looking to build on his impressive outing as the campaign progresses.
His compatriot, Felix Agu, played the entirety of the fixture as Bremen ran out 4-0 winners over Monchengladbach.
FRANCE
Moses Simon (Paris FC)
Super Eagles winger, Simon was once again in the starting line-up for the newly-promoted Ligue 1 side, Paris FC, in their match-day four fixture away to Stade Brestois at the Stade Francis-Le Ble on Sunday.
The former Nantes winger featured for the opening 60 minutes before being substituted by Alimani Gory. During his time on the pitch, Simon did not make any goal contributions, but his team went on to secure a 2-1 win courtesy of first half goals from Willem Geubbels and Vincent Marchetti. The result propelled Paris FC to 10th on the log with six points from their opening four top-flight games.
Simon has two goals and one assist in four league games this season.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was named in the starting line-up by Lazio gaffer, Maurizio Sarri, in their Serie A away fixture against Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon. The Nigerian was taken off after the opening half, as Reda Belahyane replaced him. However, the capital outfit suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo, courtesy of a 70th-minute effort by Alieu Fadera.
Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos)
The former Feyenoord hitman made his debut for his new team, Panathinaikos, in their Greek Super League tie away at Kifisia on Sunday.
The 30-year-old Nigerian international, who switched destinations from Scottish giants Rangers to Panathinaikos during the summer transfer window, featured for just 24 minutes after coming off the bench for Karol Swiderski in the 67th minute. Dessers got a yellow card in the 72nd minute as Panathinaikos let a 2-1 lead slip to lose 3-2 to Kifisa.
Onuachu, Nwakaeme (Trabzonspor)
Lanky striker Paul Onuachu was named in the starting XI by manager Fatih Tekke, as Trabzonspor travelled for an away fixture against Fenerbahce at the Ulker Stadium Sukru Saracoglu on Sunday.
The Nigerian initially had a goal disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee in the 11th minute for a foul in the buildup. The ex-Southampton man then received a booking in the 15th minute for elbowing an opponent. He ended up playing all 90 minutes but could not prevent Trabzonspor from going down 1-0 to Fenerbahce, courtesy of a 45th-minute strike by Moroccan forward, Youssef En Nesyri.
His fellow countryman, Anthony Nwakaeme, was not listed in the matchday squad, as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury.
Anthony Dennis (Goztepe)
Dennis started for Turkish Super Lig outfit Goztepe in their top-flight clash away at Kayserispor on Sunday. Dennis featured for 79 minutes, and received a booking in the 13th minute before he was replaced by Novatus Miroshi.
In the end, Goztepe earned a 1-1 draw, as Efkan Bekiroglu restored parity five minutes from time, after Kayserispor had taken the lead through Miguel Cardoso in the 60th minute.
SATURDAY
CZECH REPUBLIC
RAFIU DUROSINMI (Viktoria Plzen)
Durosinmi returned from illness to fire Viktoria Plzen past a 10-man SK Sigma Olomouc in the Czech First League. The 22-year-old striker struck in the 30th minute to clinch the 1-0 win. Durosinmi’s side are now unbeaten in four games.
ENGLAND
TOLU AROKODARE (WOLVES)
After scoring for Nigeria during the break, Arokodare made his EPL debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers as a starter in their narrow 1-0 loss at Newcastle. The striker tried to show he was up for the challenge in the English topflight before he was replaced in the 66th minute.
CHRISANTUS UCHE (CRYSTAL PALACE)
Uche returned to Palace after a busy break with Nigeria. He made his EPL bow as an 84th substitute in their goalless draw at home to Sunderland.
IWOBI, BASSEY (FULHAM)
Alex Iwobi played 76 minutes in his fourth league game of the season on Saturday while Calvin Bassey was on for 90 minutes as Fulham beat Leeds 1-0. New signing Samuel Chukwueze was not included in Fulham’s squad after sealing a late move from AC Milan.
CANADA
ESTHER OKORONKWO (AFC TORONTO)
Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo once again boosted even further her growing reputation in Canada. She netted a brace as AFC Toronto thrashed Vancouver Rise 7-0 in the Northern Super League.
Okoronkwo opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick in the sixth minute and struck again midway through the second half, helping Toronto clinch a playoff berth and maintain top spot. The win also ended Vancouver’s eight-game unbeaten streak.
SAUDI ARABIA
PLUMPTRE, ORDEGA (AL ITTIHAD)
In Saudi Arabia, Ashleigh Plumptre captained Al Ittihad to victory in their opening league fixture. The defender provided the decisive assist for Leticia Nunes’ second goal in a 2-1 triumph over Al Ula. Francisca Ordega also featured late on as the Jeddah club secured three points to start their campaign on a strong note.
Sourced from The Punch
