Nigerians abroad: Akinsola stars for Real Valladolid; Onyekuru grabs first AFC goal; Ougola and Ebuka tear ENPPI apart

Soccernet.ng highlights some eye-catching displays from Nigerian footballers outside the country’s shores on Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Lagos-born youngster Babatunde Akinsola was impressive as he assisted Real Valladolid’s consolation goal in their 3-1 defeat to Espanyol, which sent them packing out of the Spanish Copa del Rey.

In the Danish 1 Division, Monday Etim provided the assist for Helsingør’s equaliser deep in stoppage time, which helped them claim a 2-2 draw away to Næstved.

The best of Nigerian attacking brilliance was on full display in the Egyptian Premier League as Ceramica Cleopatra powered to a 4 – 2 win over ENPPI.

Sodiq Olamilekan Ougola and John Okoye Ebuka contributed three of the four goals that helped the home team overpower the stubborn visitors.

Ougola laid on the pass that Ahmed Yasser Rayan converted for the opener in the 41st minute before he doubled Ceramica Cleopatra’s advantage in the 73rd minute following a fine assist from Ebuka.

Ougola then turned provider for Ebuka to net the home team’s third goal three minutes later. ENPPI fought back with two goals in the final three minutes, but Mostafa Adel’s late own goal ensured there would be no late drama at the Arab Contractors Stadium in Cairo.

In the Israeli Ligat Ha’al, Ibraheem Jabaar assisted the winning goal that propelled Maccabi Petah Tikva to a tough 1 – 0 victory over Maccabi Netanya.

Al Fayha are through to the knockout round of the AFC Champions League after claiming a crucial come-from-behind win over Pakhtakor.

A win or draw for Pakhtakor would have seen the Uzbekistan giants finish second in Group A, and they showed they mean business when they opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

However, Al-Fayha fought back brilliantly to score four goals, with Henry Onyekuru netting the third in the 85th minute before he was forced out of the encounter because of injury.

The goal is Onyekuru’s first ever in the AFC Champions League.

In the South African PSL, Olisa Ndah was magnificent in defence for Orlando Pirates as they kept a clean sheet in their 2 – 0 triumph over Daniel Akpeyi’s Moroka Swallows.