Euro wrap: Ajibade, James, Akpom’s brilliant braces steal the headlines; Chukwueze stars in Villarreal win

Here is Soccernet.ng's highlight of the top stories as Nigerian players featured for their clubs in league and cup matches across Europe on Saturday, 4 March 2023.

SPAIN

Super Falcons stand-in captain, Raheedat Ajibade was the star of the show as she scored both goals in Atletico Madrid's 2-1 victory away at Real Sociedad.

The 23-year-old has six goals in 19 appearances this term, four fewer than the ten she managed in 23 games last season.

Compatriot Osinachi Ohale claimed the assist to Deportivo Alaves' consolation goal in their 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Madrid.

Deportivo Alaves remain at the foot of the Primera Division Femenina table with their 13th league defeat of the campaign.

In La Liga, Samuel Chukwueze assisted both of Villarreal's goals in the 2-0 triumph at stubborn Almeria.

With his latest contribution, Chukwueze has registered ten goals and ten assists, becoming the first Super Eagles player to hit double figures of goals and assists in any of Europe's top five leagues.

ENGLAND

Kelechi Iheanacho missed a few chances but earned his manager's praises in Leicester City's 1-0 defeat at Southampton. Wilfred Ndidi came off the bench for the Foxes, while Paul Onuachu was an unused substitute for the Saints.

In the Championship, Super Eagles-eligible striker Chuba Akpom struck twice to inspire Middlesbrough to a crushing 5-0 victory over Reading at the Riverside Stadium.

Akpom has now hit 21 league goals this term and sits comfortably atop the league's goalscorer chart with four more goals than Coventry's Viktor Gyökeres.

ITALY

Ademola Lookman made it six consecutive games without a goal as he yet again fired blank in Atalanta's goalless draw with Isaac Success' Udinese.

GERMANY

Kevin Akpoguma played on the right of a three-man centre-back lineup, but he still could not help Hoffenheim avoid stumbling 1-0 at Mainz.

FRANCE

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe did most of the damage as Moses Simon and Nantes fell to a 4-2 defeat at PSG.

ALBANIA

Ndubuisi Eneh smashed home the only goal that gave Apolonia Fier a 1-0 victory over Tërbuni Pukë in the country's first division.

Youngster Adetola Lawal scored his first goal for Tomori Berat in their comeback home win over Oriku.

BULGARIA

After netting three goals in three games for the club's reserves, teen forward Umeh Emmanuel scored his first goal – the winning strike – for Botev Plovdiv in their hard-fought 2-1 road win over Cherno more.

ISRAEL

After 21 league matches, midfielder Muhammed Usman Edu bagged his first league goal for Sektzia Nes Tziona. Still, it was insufficient as a Márk Koszta hat-trick powered Maccabi Bnei Raina to a 3-2 triumph in the Ligat Ha'al.

MOLDOVA

Origbaajo Ismaila rounded up the scoring for high-flying Sheriff in their convincing 3-0 win at the home ground of Dacia-Buiucani in the Copa.

PORTUGAL

Super Eagles left-back Zaidu Sanusi saw every minute of action as Porto battled to a 2-1 win away to Chaves and stayed within eight points of league leaders Benfica.

TURKEY

After missing competitive football since September due to an injury that required surgery, Leke James returned with a bang as he scored twice for Sivasspor in the 4-3 loss at Fatih Karagümrük.

Still in the Super Lig, Jesse Sekidika scored his first foal for struggling Ümraniyespor to lead them to a stunning 2-1 away win at champions Trabzonspor.