Nigerian players watch: Iheanacho rediscovers scoring boots; Akpoguma helpless in Hoffenheim loss

Club football has returned after a two-week international break. It was a disappointing International break for Super Eagles stars, as they missed out on the World Cup ticket.

However, despite the disappointment, they still have all to fight for at their different clubs.

A few Nigerian stars turned up decent performances for their sides to help them claim vital results, while others were on the losing end. Soccernet summarises some Nigerian stars that were in action for their European clubs.

The day started on a good note in the Turkish Super Lig, as Super Eagles forward Kayode Olarenwaju was on the scoresheet for his Sivasspor, as they went away to Giresunspor to pick a 2-2 draw.

Kayode put his side in front in the 39th minute; Max Gradel then buttressed his strike to make it 2-0 before the break. However, they capitulated in the second half and allowed the home side to equalise.

The result took Sivasspor to 11th on the Super Lig table.

Elsewhere in the English Premier League. Emmanuel Dennis was unable to help Watford get a result at Anfield.

Fresh from international duty, the former Club Brugge man started from the bench. Watford boss Roy Hodgson introduced him in the 78th minute to help salvage something as they were a goal down to Liverpool.

Unfortunately, he could not add anything, as Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners. Watford still sit 18th in the Premier League, three points behind Everton, but they have played three games more.

Still in England, striker Josh Maja saw 86 minutes of action in Stoke City’s hard-fought 1-0 victory at home to Sheffield United.

The Super Eagles star started like a house on fire when he arrived in Stoke City, scoring two goals in his first three games. But since then, he has failed to rattle the net in his last five appearances.

In Germany, it was a sour tale for Kevin Akpoguma. The Nigerian defender saw 45 minutes of action in Hoffenheim’s 2-1 loss at home to Bochum.

Hoffenheim lost in emphatic fashion to Hertha Berlin 3-0 in their previous game, and Bochum further compounded their woes. Hoeness’ lads were poor defensively, and they paid for it.

Akpoguma had an average show, and he had a yellow card to show for all his troubles. The loss leaves Hoffenheim in 6th and in danger of missing out on a spot in Europe.

Also in Germany, but in the Bundesliga 2. Super Eagles full-back Jamilu Collins put up a brilliant performance for Paderborn to help them to a 2-1 victory away at Hamburger SV.

Collins assisted his side’s first goal. And he held his own in the second half, despite the pressure from the home side. Collins won seven of his 15 duels and had two key passes.

Meanwhile, in the Italian Serie A, Nigerian duo Tyrone Ebuehi and David Okereke were on the losing end, as Venezia suffered a 1-0 loss to Spezia.

Ebuehi put a decent shift at right-back with thre interceptions, 39 touches, and a 95 percent pass accuracy. Also, Okereke had a good performance. He was a pain in the neck of the Spezia defence, and he also helped his backline.

However, a stoppage-time goal from Spezia’s Emmanuel Gyasi put a dagger in the hearts of the Venezia faithful.