Joy, disappointment for Nigerian players in Europe

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Shola Ameobi

Nigeria’s Shola Ameobi was on song at St. James Park on Sunday as his 86th minute goal salvaged a point for his club Newcastle after 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Ameobi came on for Leon Best in the 70th minute and produced a moment of brilliance 16 minutes later as he took a fierce drive from the left side that beat Spur’s goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni was an unused substitute as his struggling club Blackburn Rover drew 1-1 with hosts QPR, with his side’s goal coming from Chris Samba. Rovers are still at the bottom of the Premier League table.

At the Stamford Bridge, Mikel Obi started in the midfield but was removed by coach Andre Villas-Boas for Oriol Romeu in the 76th minute, as Chelsea beat Everton 3-1 on Saturday.

Wigan Athletics lost 3-1 at home to visiting Bolton as Victor Moses’s frustration for not scoring yet this season continued. The Nigerian was on for 90 minutes but watched as his side fell and moved to 19th position on the table.

Fulham’s Dickson Etuhu came on in the 80th minute for Danny Murphy but Stoke were too strong for the visitors as they won 2-0. The two goals were scored late in the match.

The presence of Gabriel Agbonlahor could not prevent Aston Villa’s humiliation as Manchester City won 4-1 at Etihad Stadium. Villa’s consolatory goal was scored by Stephen Warnock.

Super Eagles Osaze Odemwingie came off the disappointment of not qualifying for the next Africa Nations Cup to seal West Brom’s 2-0 win over Wolves. The striker found the back of the net in the 85th minute of the match.

In Spain, Ikechukwu Uche hit the bar in the 4th minute and had a strong claim for a penalty turned down as his side, Granada, drew 0-0 at home to visiting Atletico Madrid.

Lille goalkeeper Mickael Landreau kept his place ahead of Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama in his side’s 3-1 win at Auxerre. Enyeama is yet to be used by Lille where he moved to at the end of last season.

Montpellier striker John Utaka did not score despite his team’s 5-3 home win over Dijon in the French League. The former Eagles striker was booked in the game by referee Saiid Ennjimi in the 28th minute.

VVV Venlo’s Ahmed Musa was sent off in the 43rd minute after receiving second booking in the match against Feyenoord on Sunday. His side lost the tie 4-0.

Mainz Anthony Ujah was also booked in his side’s 1-0 loss to Augsburg. Elsewhere in Germany, Ogbuke Obasi was on the losing side as Stuttgart beat Hoffenheim 2-0.

Inter Milan defender Taye Taiwo was not listed by coach Claudio Ranieri as the former Serie A champion fell at Catania 2-1. The defender arrived at San Siro at the end of last season but he is yet to convince new coach Ranieri. His Nigerian teammate, Joel Obi, is still serving his ban.

-Punchwp_posts