Europa League wrap: Ajax number 10 Akpom at the double; Rangers striker Dessers scores and assists 

Allnigeriasoccer.com's round-up of the Nigeria-eligible players who scored for their respective clubs in the Europa League on Thursday, December 14.

Cyriel Dessers scored his first-ever UEFA Europa League goal in Rangers' 3-2 triumph over Real Betis at Benito Villamarín.

Rangers opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Abdallah Sima, who deftly flicked a ball on for the Brighton & Hove loanee to fire home from 15 yards out 

The Nigerian forward got his name on the scoresheet with a solo effort having beaten two defenders before dispatching the ball past the legs of Real Betis' goalkeeper, Rui Silva in the 20th minute.

Dessers scored with his only shot on target in the game, made just 21 touches, recorded 2 key passes, and completed 79% of his passes before his substitution in the 65th minute.

Elsewhere, Chuba Akpom scored a brace in Ajax's 3-1 win over AEK Athens at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

The Ajax number 10 got his first in the 5th minute when he headed the ball home from Kristian Hlynsson's corner kick.

In the 56th minute, a pass from Arjany Martha found Akpom inside the penalty area and the former Middlesbrough forward slotted the ball into the back of the net to record his second goal in the encounter.

He played for the entire duration of the game, had 39 touches of the ball, missed two big chances, made one key pass, completed 79% of his passes and put in a good defensive shift winning 3 and 4 ground and aerial duels respectively.

With Ajax's failure to qualify for the knockout stages, the 28-year-old's Europa League journey ended with 3 goals from six games.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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