Nigerian Players’ Watch: Orban, Iheanacho keep scoring as Eagles shine in Europe

It was another productive weekend for several Super Eagles stars across Europe, with Gift Orban and Kelechi Iheanacho stealing the headlines in Turkey while Nigeria’s other internationals made important contributions in England, Spain, Italy, Scotland and France.

Orban was the standout performer after producing a stunning hat-trick for Amedspor in their emphatic 5-0 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir, while Iheanacho continued his remarkable goalscoring run for Bursaspor.

Here is how the Super Eagles stars fared across Europe.

Orban Hat-Trick puts him level with Osimhen

Gift Orban delivered arguably the weekend’s most impressive individual performance, scoring three times as Amedspor thrashed Başakşehir 5-0 in the Turkish Süper Lig.

After Emin Bayram’s own goal gave Amedspor the lead in first-half stoppage time, Orban took centre stage after the break, scoring in the 52nd, 56th and 75th minutes to complete his hat-trick.

Mbaye Diagne added the fifth goal late on as Amedspor secured a convincing victory.

The treble took Orban’s league tally to six goals, putting him level with fellow Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen at the top of the Turkish Süper Lig scoring charts.

Orban has now scored in three consecutive league matches, following his goal against Trabzonspor and brace against Kasımpaşa with Sunday’s treble.

The 24-year-old was also named Man of the Match, having recorded six shots and the highest number of touches in the opposition penalty area.

Interestingly, Sunday’s hat-trick was Orban’s second against Başakşehir. He previously scored three times against the Turkish club for Gent in the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023, when his treble set a record for the fastest hat-trick in men’s UEFA club competition history.

Iheanacho extends incredible scoring run

Kelechi Iheanacho also continued his remarkable form in Turkey, scoring again for Bursaspor in their entertaining 2-2 draw with Esenler Erokspor on Sunday.

The Super Eagles forward opened the scoring in the 16th minute, taking his tally to nine goals in seven league appearances.

Iheanacho has also provided two assists, giving him 11 goal involvements in the opening seven rounds of the Turkish 1. Lig.

The 29-year-old has scored against Bodrum FK, Iğdır FK, Fatih Karagümrük, Kayserispor, İstanbulspor, Manisa FK and Esenler Erokspor, maintaining his remarkable record of scoring in every league game he has played this season.

Rafiu Durosinmi goes top of Belgian scoring charts

In Belgium, Super Eagles striker Rafiu Durosinmi continued his sensational start to the Belgian Pro League season, rescuing Racing Genk in a 1-1 draw against Gent at the Cegeka Arena on Sunday.

Gent arrived at Genk looking to maintain their perfect start to the campaign, but Durosinmi’s second-half equaliser ensured the visitors dropped points for the first time this season.

Momodou Sonko put Gent ahead in the 10th minute before Durosinmi restored parity after the break, earning Genk a share of the spoils.

The goal continued the Nigerian forward’s remarkable scoring run since his summer move from Pisa. Durosinmi has now scored in every Belgian Pro League appearance except the goalless draw against RSC Anderlecht last week.

His latest effort took his tally to five goals, putting him at the top of the Belgian Pro League scoring charts, ahead of Dennis Dargahi of Standard Liège, Michael Frey of Royal Antwerp, Raul Florucz of Union Saint-Gilloise and Samed Bazdar of Sint-Truiden, who have all scored four goals so far.

Chukwueze goes full distance for AC Milan

In Italy, Samuel Chukwueze played the full 90 minutes for AC Milan in their entertaining two all draw against Lazio on Saturday.

The Nigerian winger was making his fourth appearance of the season and has already registered two assists during the campaign.

Lookman starts in Atletico Madrid win

Ademola Lookman started for Atletico Madrid as they secured an impressive 3-0 away victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday.

The Super Eagles forward was named in the starting XI before being substituted in the 76th minute, with Atletico comfortably seeing out the victory on the road.

Ejuke features in Sevilla victory

Also in Spain, Chidera Ejuke came off the bench as Sevilla secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Valencia at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Friday.

Ejuke entered the contest in the 63rd minute, making his fifth league appearance of the season as Sevilla held on for all three points.

Awoniyi sees Red as Coventry hit for five

It was a difficult afternoon in England for Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka as Coventry City suffered a heavy 5-0 home defeat to Brighton on Sunday.

Awoniyi was shown a red card in the 53rd minute, with the forward making his fourth appearance for the club.

Onyeka started the match but was substituted in the 73rd minute with a slight injury concern.

Ajayi helps Hull hold Chelsea

Nigerian international Semi Ajayi continued his impressive run of appearances for newly promoted Hull City as they held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The defender completed the full 90 minutes, helping Hull secure a valuable point against the Premier League giants in an end to end entertaining encounter.

Aina helps Forest end winless run

At Villa Park, Ola Aina played the entire match as Nottingham Forest ended their winless run with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

The Nigerian defender completed the full 90 minutes as Forest picked up an important three points away from home for the first time this session in the League.

Iwobi, Bassey help Fulham earn first Point

At Anfield, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey were both involved as Fulham earned their first Premier League point of the season following a goalless draw against Liverpool.

Bassey captained and played the full 90 minutes, while Iwobi was substituted with 13 minutes remaining as Fulham held on for a valuable point.

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Fernandez stars in Rangers’ Celtic rout

In Scotland, Emmanuel Fernandez played the full 90 minutes as Rangers produced an emphatic 3-0 victory over Celtic in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday.

The Nigerian international completed the entire match as Rangers secured a memorable victory over their city rivals.

Simon helps Paris FC maintain Unbeaten start

In France, Moses Simon featured for Paris FC as they maintained their unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 home draw against Lyon.

Simon came off the bench with 11 minutes remaining and helped Paris FC preserve their unbeaten record after four games in the French top flight.

From Turkey to Belgium, England, Spain, Italy, Scotland and France, it was another busy weekend for the Super Eagles contingent in Euro andpe, with Orban and Iheanacho leading the goalscoring headlines while several others played key roles for their respective clubs.