Nigerian Players Review: Dele-Bashiru plays for 90 minutes on Lazio’s debut, Okoye sees yellow in goal for Udinese, Moses Simon returns to Ligue 1 action since March

In Italy, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye started the season without a clean sheet and with a yellow card as his side, Udinese drew 1-1 draw away at Bologna in what was his 22nd start in 22 games for the Serie A side he joined from Watford last season.

At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru made his full debut for Lazio and was on for all 90 minutes while at the Stadio M. A. Bentegodi, Victor Osimhen was expectedly not featured as Napoli, with new coach, Anthonio Conte in the dugout, fell 3-0 to their host, Hellas Verona.

Moses Simon returned to Ligue 1 action for Nantes since March when he had a broken fibula in his team’s 1-2 loss to visiting OGC Nice.

The 29-year-old was in action for 75 minutes at the Stadium Municipal where they forced their host, Toulouse to a goalless draw in their game of the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season.

Still in France, former Luton Town of England defender, Gabriel Osho was in action for all 90 minutes at the Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps where his new club, Auxerre defeated OG Nice 2-1. The visitors were without their Nigerian forward, Terem Moffi who got injured in pre-season and will be out for a long time.

Akor Adams was subbed off on 80 minutes at the Stade de la Mosson where his side, Montpellier came from behind to beat draw 1-1 with visiting Strasbourg.

In Spain, Umar Sadiq was an unused substitute as his club, Real Sociedad began the new season losing 2-1 to visiting Rayo Vallecano in front of 31,673 spectators at the Reale Arena.

The Nigerian has been linked with a move away from the club and a transfer could still happen before the window closes at the end of the month.

At the Jan Breydel Stadion, Raphael Onyedika was subbed off in the 83rd minute as his club, Club Brugge defeated visiting Royal Antwerp 1-0 to move to 13th in the 16-team league after just four round of matches.

Still in Belgium, Kazeem Olaigbe was subbed off on 65 minutes for Cercle Brugge who drew 1-1 against Oud-Heverlee Leuven at the King Power at Den Dreef while at the Ghelamco Arena, centre back, Jordan Torunarigha was really inspiring at the rear for Gent who walloped visiting Westerlo 4-1.

Westerlo’s Scottish U21 star, Adedire Mebude was in action for 56 minutes.