Nigerian exports: Oshoala makes it goal 101 at Barcelona; Dessers advance, Aina crash out of Coppa Italia

Spain

Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala continued her fantastic start to the year 2023 after she found the back of the net in Barcelona’s 4-0 crushing of Valencia.

The fans arriving inside the Estadio Antonio Puchades in Valencia had barely settled when Fridolina Rolfö converted Asisat Oshoala’s pass to give the visitors the perfect start.

Oshoala, who had back-to-back hat-tricks in Barcelona’s last two matches, then made it 2-0 after a quarter of an hour following some great build-up play.

It was Oshoala’s 11th goal in the new year and her 101st in all competitions for Barcelona, making her the club’s fourth all-time highest goalscorer.

The Nigerian striker’s 101 goals are spread across 78 in the Primera Division, 11 in the Champions League, five in Copa de la Reina, four in Supercopa de Espana, and two in the Copa Catalunya.

England

Emmanuel Dennis was a second-half substitute as Nottingham Forest lost 0-3 on the night and 0-5 on aggregate to Man United as the Tricky Trees were sent packing out of the League Cup.

Italy

Cyriel Dessers converted a first-half penalty to help Cremonese secure a stunning 2-1 win over AS Roma and advance to the semifinal of the Coppa Italia for the first time in 36 years.

It was not a good day, however, for Super Eagles defender Ola Aina as Torino crashed out of the competition after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Firenze.

France

Anglo-Nigerian forward Folarin Balogun ran riot on Wednesday evening, scoring a first-career hat trick to power Reims to a thrilling 4-2 win over Lorient.

Super Eagles midfielder Bonke Innocent featured for the first 53 minutes for the visiting Les Merlus.

It was, however, a disappointing night for Moses Simon as Nantes fell to a 2-0 home loss to Marseille.