Nigerians abroad: Ighalo’s title dream snuffed, Troost-Ekong hold Milan, Ebuehi cage Inter, Sanusi returns

In the Champinship, Nathan Tella provided the assist to the winner as Burnley handed Middlesbrough a 2-1 defeat to gain automatic promotion to the English Premier League. Unstoppable forward Chuba Akpom scored the only goal for Boro.

Leon Balogun ended a tough week on the terrible note as Queens Park Rangers lost 0-2 at home to Preston North End. It did not get any better for Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi as Rotherham United crushed West Bromwich Albion 3-1 on home ground.

In Serie A, William Troost-Ekong came off the bench with Salernitana trailing AC Milan but Antonio Candreva’s late stunner earned the hosts a 1-1 draw.

Tyronne Ebuehi was one of the best performers as Empoli kept a clean sheet in their goalless draw away to AC Milan.

In the Netherlands’ Eerste Divisie, Hamdi Akujobi scored the first of Almere City’s goals as the home side came from a goal deficit to secure three points with a 2-1 win over AZ II.

In Albania’s 1st Division, Ndubuisi Francis Eneh was among the goals as Apolonia Fier secured a comeback 2-1 victory over Burreli.

In the Bangladeshi Premier League, Peter Nworah doubled his side’s advantage as Abahani Dhaka powered to a 2-0 away triumph at Fortis.

In the Belgian top flight, Nigeria’s most valuable under-23 star Raphael Onyedika put in a decent shift in midfield as Club Brugge sealed a straightforward 2-0 win over RFC Seraing.

Chidozie Awaziem was a second-half substitute as Hajduk Split could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Istra 1961.

And over to Portugal, where Zaidu Sanusi recovered from injury to appear from the bench for Porto as the champions secured a fantastic 2-1 victory over leaders Benfica.

The win lifts Porto to within seven point of their rivals with seven league games left to play.

Bruno Onyemaechi delivered an excellent display as Boavista returned to winning ways with a 2-1 triumph over Vitoria Guimarses.

In Saudi Arabia, Odion Ighalo’s brilliant scoring run was halted as Al Hilal suffered a 3-0 defeat at Al Shabab.

The lost punctured a massive hole in Al Hilal’s hopes of chasing the leaders Al Ittihad and Al Nassr, and retaining the title they won last year.