Nigerians abroad: Okoye’s clean sheet wait continues, Simon fires blanks, Semi impressive

The games keep coming thick and fast in domestic leagues across Europe, and once again, Nigerian stars were not left out of the action 

Maduka Okoye’s wait for his first clean sheet of the season continued after Sparta Rotterdam suffered a narrow 1-0 loss at RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie encounter.

It was Okoye’s tenth appearance in the Dutch top-flight this season, but he is yet to keep a clean sheet. The 22-year-old made three saves in the match, including two from the box.

The Nigerian international was on course for a clean sheet until Michiel Kramer’s struck a blow in Sparta’s hearts with an 89th-minute strike.

In the French Ligue 1, Moses Simon played 89 minutes, but he fired blanks as Nantes beat Clermont Foot 2-1 at the Beaujoire Stadium.

The former Levante winger has been Nantes best player this season, but he could not add to his assist tally while he also missed one big chance.

Ludovic Blas scored the winner for the home side after Mohamed Bayo had cancelled out Andrei Girotto’s opener.

Meanwhile, in the Skybet Championship, Semi Ajayi was in action as West Brom moved up to second place following a 3-0 victory over Bristol City.

Ajayi played from start to finish, putting up an impressive shift at the back to help the Baggies keep a clean sheet.

Goals from Jordan Hugill, Kyle Bartley, and Karlan Grant sealed a comprehensive win for the Baggies.

In the Spanish La Liga, Samuel Chukwueze came on for the injured Gerard Moreno in the first half, but he could not help Villarreal avoid a 2-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

It was Chukwueze’s third game since returning from a six-month layoff.