Six Takeaways From Performances of Nigerian Players In Europe Over The Weekend

Izuchukwu Okosi examines five lessons learned from the performances of some of Nigeria's star players over the weekend for their European clubs.


1. Onyekuru Good For Bigger Clubs

Super Eagles striker Henry Onyekuru grabbed a hat trick as his Turkish Super Lig side Galatasary mauled Ankaragucu 6-0 on  Saturday evening.

Onyekuru now has scored nine league goals in 16 appearances so far and there could be more to come from this forward who is loan from Everton.

The striker's form sends out a message to the  likes of Nigeria's first choice number 9, Odion Ighalo ahead of the 2019 AFCON and also suggests that he is a striker that could cut it in a bigger club in Europe.


2. Iheanacho Must Watch His Discipline

Kelechi Iheanacho was introduced in the 83rd minute in place of Danny Simpson on Saturday lunchtime in Leicester City's 4-3 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux.

The scoreline was 3-2 in favour of the hosts as and when Iheanacho was introduced. However before he came on, he hesitated to get his jacket stripped off, thereby showing some sort of disappointment for not starting.

It was not an action that pleased manager Claude Puel in his manager's box. The Nigerian forward has been criticised of late for his performances for clu


3. Lookman Deserves Speedy Clearance For Nigeria

Of all the English born players with Nigerian descent who are eligible to play for the Super Eagles, Everton forward Ademola Lookman looks the most promising.

Tammy Abraham who is an England youth international would have been another fantastic prospect for Nigeria but the Chelsea striker on loan at Aston Villa is apparently bent on waiting for an England opportunity at the senior level.

Lookman who played for 90 minutes in Everton's 2-1 away defeat to Southampton at the Saint Mary's Stadium over the weekend has racked up 13 Premier League appearances this season and scored a goal in the FA Cup - Victor Moses who is touted to make a return to the national team has played only two league games and nine in all competitions this season.

That obviously means he has been more productive, is also younger than Moses and deserves to have his international clearance by FIFA sped up for Nigeria.


4. Omeruo's New Lease of Life

Kenneth Omeruo was impressive in Leganes' 3-1 defeat to Barcelona  on Sunday night as he stuck to Luis Suarez like glue albeit the quality of the league leaders eventually won it for them.

Omeruo's confidence is back after unsettled periods of loan stints in the Dutch Eredevisie.

The former youth international has already played 13 league games, starting 12 of them. He has been named by the International Centre for Sports Studies - CIES Football Observatory as the best Nigerian player in the top five football leagues in Europe for the month of December 2018.


5. Chukwueze Likely To Depart Villarreal

Villarreal are in danger of being relegated from the Spanish La Liga as they currently sit in 19th place just above bottom side Huesca although with seven points between as the Yellow Submarine have 18 points to Huesca's 11.

Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze who has been in magnificent form so far this season was brought on in place of Pablo Fornals for his 10th league game of the season.

The Super Eagles' newbie has been a revelation in the La Liga and already his performances have  caused a lot of teams around Europe to take notice and should his promising individual shows continue but his team get relegated, the former Golden Eaglets player will not be short of admirers and will most likely head out as he will not want to play in the lower rungs.


6. Kalu in Ligue 1 Team of The Week

Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu was named in the French Ligue 1 Team of the Week for his outstanding performance in the 1-0 win over Dijon.

The Nigeria international assisted Andreas Cornelius' goal and aside that was involved in most of the chances created by his team.

Kalu's end product in front of goal should hopefully get better as his current three goals in 16 league appearances is not good enough.

Izuchukwu Okosi