Nigerian Players Euro Review: Arokodare makes it four goals in four games, Boniface also on target

Tolu Arokodare scored for the third straight game for his Belgian Pro League club, KRC Genk who won 4-3 away at Beerschot VA. The Nigerian netted a brace on 30 and 64 minutes to help his club to thei second win in a row.

The 23-year-old born in Festac, Lagos has now scored in his club’s last three games after firing blanks in KRC Genk’s opening game of the season at home to Standard Liège. He has now scored four goals in his last three games to move top of the top scorer’s race in the competition.

In England, Josh Maja fired blank and was subbed off in the 85th minute as West Brom drew 0-0 with visiting Leeds United in a Sky Bet Championship game at the Hawthorns. Semi Ajayi was on from the start to the finish in the game for the Baggies.

Taiwo Awoniyi fails to make it another scoring start for Nothingham Forest who drew 1-1 with visiting Bournemouth at the City Ground. The Nigerian was hoping to score for the second straight opening game of the season for Forest after doing so at the start of last season in the 2-1 loss at Arsenal.

The Nigerian was subbed on in the 72nd minute while defender, Ola Aina started the game but was subbed off after 54 minutes. Another ‘Nigerian,’ Andrew Omobamidele was an unused substitute while Emmanuel Dennis was not dressed for the game.

At St James’ Park, Joe Aribo started on his return to Premier League action while Paul Onuachu was not dressed as he looks set to leave Southampton before the end of the transfer window.
Southampton lost 1-0 to their host, Newcastle with Aribo playing for 70 minutes.

At Vicarage Road stadium, Tom Dele-Bashiru played for all 90 minutes for the second straight game in the Sky Bet Championship to help Watford record a 100% record in as many games.

The Hornets have now played two games and have won both, first beating Millwall 3-2 at The Den before scoring three times without a reply to beat Stoke City on Saturday.

In Germany, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella began the season with another silverware after going a while Bundesliga season unbeaten last season to win their first league title.

Boniface was on target in the 11th minute to put his club, Bayer Leverkusen ahead but VfB Stuttgart equalized four minutes later before going 2-1 up on 63 minutes before the reigning Bundesliga champion restored parity with two minutes left to play and triumphed in the ensuing penalty shoot out to win the DFL Super Cup.

Both Boniface and Tella started and were both substituted during the game.

In Italy, AC Milan salvaged a point through two late goals by Alvaro Morata (89th minute) and Noah Okafor (96th minute) to force visiting Torino to a 2-2 draw at the San Siro.

Samuel Chukwueze had an indifferent 60 minutes before he was substituted with leading 1-0.

At the Stadio Carlo Castellani, host Empoli, without the injured Tyronne Ebuehi, were forced to a goalless draw by Monza in their opening Serie A game of the season.

A certain Emmanuel Ekong, a Sweden U20 star, was subbed on by the host on 85 minutes.

In Turkey, Bright Osayi-Samuel was on for 74 minutes for Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce who gave up a 2-0 first half lead at the Gursel Aksel Stadium to draw 2-2 with their host, Goztepe in their Turkish Super Lig match week two tie.