Europa League Wrap : No Game Time For Echiejile, Babajide, Babatunde, Akanji, Ibe & Olayinka, As Onazi Is Sacrificed

Published: October 23, 2015

Allnigeriasoccer.com reviews the performances of players of Nigerian descent in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Super Eagles midfielder Eddy Onazi had to be sacrificed as early as the 11th minute in Lazio’s 3 - 1 win over Rosenborg after teammate Mauricio took the walk of shame in the 6th minute.

Of the 8 games he has featured in this term, 5 of them have come in Europe, including 3 Europa League matches.

Last season’s surprise package Dnipro lost their first game in Group G to Saint-étienne. Michael Babatunde did not make the Ukrainians match day squad.

Skënderbeu Korçë suffered the biggest lost of the night, losing 5 - 1 to Sporting in Portugal. In - form striker Peter Olayinka did not play for the Albanian powerhouse.

Basel number 15 Manuel Akanji was on the bench throughout as his Swiss team lost 2 - 1 to Belenenses at St. Jakob-Park.

Over to the Stade Louis II, where Monaco took on Qarabag. Nigeria left - back Elderson Echiejile was an unused sub. It would have been his 168th career appearance since he moved to Europe in summer 2007. The Ligue 1 team won 1 - 0.

Four players of Nigerian descent were in action in the game between Anderlecht and Tottenham Hotspur. Imoh Ezekiel and Stefano Okaka both started for the Belgians but got replaced in the 66th and 88th minutes respectively.

As for the British team, Dele Alli and Josh Onomah joined the fray in the 65th and 80th minute respectively. Anderlecht won 2 - 1 and they have to thank Okaka for his game - winner 15 minutes from time.

In - form Sparta Prague striker Kehinde Fatai worked 88 minutes shift in attack, helping the Czech vice - champions draw 2 - 2 with Schalke 04. The ex Flying Eagles star scored for the fourth consecutive game across all competitions five minutes out of intermission.

Versatile defender Efe Ambrose was on parade for 90 minutes as Celtic fell 3 - 1 to Molde at Aker Stadium. He was yellow - carded in the 82nd minute.

For the third game in a row in the Europe League, Liverpool were forced to a draw, this time by Rubin Kazan. Jordon Ibe did not come off the bench for The Reds.

Danish champions FC Midtjylland were brought down to earth by Napoli. The Italians thrashed their opponents 4 - 1 at the MCH Arena.

Nigeria U23 international Paul Onuachu hopped off the bench in the 62nd minute, with the Danish champions losing by two goals. Teammate Babajide David was an unused substitute.

Finally at Camp El Madrigal, ex Bulgaria youth international Chigozie Udoji worked for 74 minutes before he was subbed out in Dinamo Minsk’s 4 - 0 loss to Villarreal.