It was a weekend of highs and lows for Nigerians playing overseas. Kelechi Iheanacho kept firing in Turkey, while Taiwo Awoniyiβs return to the Premier League ended early with a red card.
TURKEY
Kelechi Iheanacho shows no signs of slowing down. The 29-year-old scored again for Bursaspor on Sunday in a 2-2 home draw against Erokspor, opening the scoring in the 16th minute.
That makes it goals in seven straight league games and nine for the season.
Iheanacho joined Bursaspor this summer after a trophy-winning spell at Celtic, where he helped the Scottish side to a domestic double. He moved to Turkey after contract talks with Celtic broke down.
BELGIUM
Rafiu Durosinmi was back among the goals for Genk. After missing last week, the striker equalized before half-time in a 1-1 home draw with Gent.
Itβs now five goals in six league matches since he arrived at Genk in the summer.
*CZECH REPUBLIC*
Sporting Lagos graduate Linus Zika wasted no time announcing himself. The 18-year-old came off the bench and scored twice in 19 minutes as Sparta Prague B beat Bohemians 4-1.
It was just his second appearance since joining the club last month.
*ENGLAND*
It was a day to forget for Taiwo Awoniyi and Coventry. The Sky Blues were already 2-0 down to Brighton β thanks to goals from Charalampos Kostoulas and Malick Yalcouye β when Awoniyi was sent off eight minutes into the second half.
Referee Tony Harrington showed a straight red for violent conduct after Awoniyi caught Maxim De Cuyper in the face with an elbow while contesting an aerial ball. VAR reviewed and confirmed the decision. The Premier League Match Centre later released audio of the officials, with Harringtonβs assistant noting: βHe has caught him in his face with his elbow.β
Coventry went on to lose 5-0. Awoniyi now faces a standard three-match ban for violent conduct and will miss the trip to former club Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the Carabao Cup tie at Aston Villa on Tuesday, and the league game against Newcastle after the international break.
In the Womenβs Super League, Chiamaka Nnadozie is still chasing a first clean sheet of the season. She conceded twice as Brighton drew 2-2 at Birmingham, earning the Seagulls their first point after last weekβs loss to Arsenal.
ITALY
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro logged another 84 minutes in midfield for Monza, but it ended in a 3-2 loss at Lecce. The former Remo Stars Academy product has now made 28 Serie A appearances.
GERMANY
Terem Moffi played the first half for Hamburg but couldnβt influence a 5-0 thrashing at RB Leipzig. Hamburg were also beaten 5-0 at home by Mainz last week and are now winless in three. Moffi, who joined during the transfer window, is still settling in.
SCOTLAND
Emmanuel Fernandez played the full 90 minutes for Rangers despite recent criticism. He helped the Gers to a statement 3-0 win over Celtic on Sunday to book a place in the League Cup semi-finals.
