Nigerians continued to prove their worth in the top leagues across Europe, slowly beginning to stir from hibernation.
Ikechukwu Uche scored his 12th league goal of the season to lift Villarreal to fourth on the La Liga standings while Victor Moses’ problems continued in England with Liverpool.
The tricky winger continues to endure life on the sidelines and was an unused substitute for the umpteenth time as the Reds battled to a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at Anfield.
In Belgium, Ezekiel Imoh did not score for Standard Liege despite playing all 90 minutes for at the weekend while Michael Uchebo continues to throw his weight about at Cercle Brugge.
Ramon Azeez continues his education at Almeria while John Obi Mikel continues to win the confidence of the Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho as supersport.com now rounds up the best of the action from a Nigerian perspective.
Belgium (Jupiler Pro League)
Ezekiel Imoh played for all 90 minutes for Standard Liege as his side won 2-0 against KV Oostende at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne to cement their position at the top of the standings.
Kim Ojo was not listed for Genk in the club’s 0-1 loss to Zulte-Waregem at the Regenboogstadion.
Michael Uchebo replaced Naudts Naudts after 57 minutes in Cercle Brugge’s 0-3 loss to Lokeren at the Jan Breydelstadion.
Club Brugge manager, Michel Preud’homme left Kehinde Fatai on the bench for all 90 minutes in the club’s 1-1 draw against Lierse at the Herman Vanderpoortenstadion.
England (Barclays English Premier League)
Peter Odemwingie was an unused substitute for Cardiff City as the Bluebirds received a football lesson in the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Newcastle United won 3-1 against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground in London and Shola Ameobi was on for the final half hour for the Magpies.
These are very worrying times for Victor Moses who spent all 90 minutes on the Liverpool bench as the Reds came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against a resurgent Aston Villa at Anfield.
Circumstances are much happier for John Obi Mikel who replaced the Brazilian, Oscar after 68 minutes as Chelsea thrashed champions, Manchester United 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Omatsone Aluko continues his rehabilitation at pace is still not fit enough to play for Hull City.
France (Ligue 1)
The big news of course is the move of Elderson Echiejile from SC Braga to AS Monaco.
The Super Eagles left-back has yet to be fully integrated with the rest of the squad and as expected, he was not listed as AS Monaco won 2-0 against Toulouse at the Stadium Municipal.
Italy (Serie B)
Nnamdi Oduamadi replaced Paolo Grossi in the 68th minute of Brescia’s 3-3 draw against Trapani at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti.
Serie A
Ogenyi Onazi experienced the red mist again as he received two yellow cards in a space of six minutes in SS Lazio’s 3-2 win over Udinese at the Stadio Communale Friuli.
It’s now becoming a very rare sight to see a fit Joel Obi on a football pitch and he was true to form as he missed out on AC Parma’s 2-1 win over Chievo at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi.
The Netherlands (Eredivisie)
Uche Nwofor is yet to return to fitness after picking up an injury last year.
He was duly left out of SC Heerenveen’s 2-2 draw against Roda JC at the Abe Lenstra Stadium on Saturday.
Scotland (Premiership)
Efe Ambrose was replaced by Amido Balde in the 87th minute of Celtic’s 3-0 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park.
Spain (Primera Liga)
Nosa Igiebor is yet to complete his rehabilitation after injury and duly missed out on Real Betis’ 0-5 loss to Real Madrid at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Odion Ighalo played no part in Granada’s 0-0 draw against Osasuna at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.
Ighalo was not listed for the game.
Ikechukwu Uche scored his 12th league goal of the season for Villarreal as the Yellow Submarine claimed the spoils in a 2-0 win over Almeria at El Madrigal.
Ramon Azeez played all 90 minutes for the vanquished side.
SUPERSPORT
