Akanbi helps Tiraspol conquer Belgrade; Bassey found wanting in Berlin

Nigerian players were involved in the Europa League and Conference leagues on Thursday, but it came with mixed feelings 

Nigerian striker Rasheed Akanbi got an assist for Sheriff Tiraspol in their 3-1 victory at Partizan Belgrade.

Akanbi’s side lost the first leg against Partizan Belgrade in their own stadium and it looked like Sheriff Tiraspol were down and out.

However, the Moldovan club had other ideas when they traveled to Belgrade for the second leg.

Queensy Menig put Partizan ahead in the 13th minute, but Cedric pulled one back for Tiraspol in the 22nd minute.

Just before halftime, Akanbi played Mouhamed Diop through on goal, and the Senegalese made no mistake as he converted to make it 2-1. Diop scored his second goal of the game in the second half to ensure that Sheriff Tiraspol got the win.

Akanbi had a decent night. Asides from his assist, he had three successful dribbles and touches.

The result ensures that Sheriff Tiraspol have qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa Conference League.

Meanwhile, in Berlin, it was a rough night for Ajax as Calvin Bassey could not prevent them from falling to a 3-1 defeat at Union Berlin.

After a goalless draw in Amsterdam, Ajax were looking to keep up their unbeaten run under John Heitinga and claim a victory.

However, the night did not go so well. Just like the first leg, Bassey was handed a starting shirt.

He did not start so well, as he received a yellow card after just 17 minutes. Union Berlin scored three minutes later. Then Josip Juranovic doubled Union’s lead just before the break.

Mohammed Kudus scored after halftime to give Ajax some hope. But Danilho Doekhi scored again to restore Union Berlin’s two-goal lead.

The German high-flyers held out to see out the 3-1 win. Bassey had a bad game, and his performance will not inspire trust from Heitinga.