Nigerians Abroad: Onuachu, Ajayi Shine As Simon Returns In Nantes Loss

League football continued across several European divisions, and there were a couple of Nigerian stars that featured for their clubs

Starting in Belgium, Paul Onuachu continued his impressive start to the season after he scored a brace in Genk’s 5-1 win at Cercle Brugge.

The 26-year-old scored his first in the ninth minute before netting his brace seven minutes from time to take his tally to 12 goals in 13 league games.

In England, Semi Ajayi played a vital role in defence as West Brom finally secured their first league win of the season courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at the Hawthorns.

Conor Gallagher’s strike in the 13th minute was enough to hand Slaven Bilic’s men their first win in the English top-flight this season.

Ajayi was on from start to finish and played his part in the victory. The Nigerian international was rock solid in defence, winning three of his five duels and making one successful tackle.

Meanwhile, it was not a good day at the office for Alex Iwobi as Everton suffered a disappointing home loss to Leeds United.

Iwobi, who impressed in an unfamiliar wing-back role last weekend, was also deployed in the same position on Saturday.

However, he could not prevent Everton from a defeat as a Raphinha strike 11 minutes from time handed Leeds the three points.

In the English Championship, Super Eagles vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong was an unused substitute as Watford moved two points off the top following a 4-1 win over Preston North End.

In the Bundesliga, Union Berlin played a thrilling 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, but Taiwo Awoniyi fired blanks.

Awoniyi, who opened his account for the capital side last week, was on from start to finish, but he could not add to his tally.

Robert Andrich opened the scoring for Union inside the opening two minutes before Max Kruse doubled the advantage four minutes later.

Andre Silva brace in the of ten minutes drew Frankfurt level before Bas Dost completed the turnaround 11 minutes from time. However, Kruse second in the 83rd minute salvaged a point for the home side.

In France, Moses Simon made his return from injury, but it was not enough as Nantes suffered a 3-1 loss to Olympique Marseille.

Simon has been out since he went off in the clash against PSG, but he was a second-half substitute at the Orange Velodrome.

Florin Thauvin, Dimitri Payet and Dario Benedetto strikes gave Marseille a comfortable victory with Ludovic Blas scoring a consolation for Nantes.

Finally, Josh Maja featured for 81 minutes as Bordeaux played out an impressive 2-2 draw against PSG at Parc Des Princes.

It was Maja’s 11th league appearance of the season, but he could not add to his two goals. Timothee Pembele own goal put Bordeaux ahead, but a Neymar penalty restored parity for PSG.

Moise Kean then put Thomas Tuchel side ahead, but Yacine Adli’s strike ensured the spoils were shared.