Nigeria Players Abroad: Mikel, Ndidi, Success Score, Iwobi, Kalu, Omeruo, Ekong In Action, Balogun Benched, Moses Misses Again

Nigeria Players Abroad: Mikel, Ndidi, Success Score, Iwobi, Kalu, Omeruo, Ekong In Action, Balogun Benched, Moses Misses Again By Niyi Busari Former MFM FC striker, Stephen Odey netted his 8th goal in twelve appearances for FC Zuerich in their 2-3 away defeat at St. Gallen. Odey late strike reduced the deficit to 3-2 as his team maintained the 4th position on the log. [caption id="attachment_6122" align="alignnone" width="300"] Stephen Odey celebrating his goal for FC Zuerich[/caption] In China, Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi scored for the first time in six months in Tianjin league game. In England, Victor Moses failed to make the team list as coach Maurizio Sarri shunned the former Super Eagles star in their week 10 EPL 4-0 pummeling of Burnley. Still in England, Eagles attacker, Alex Iwobi failed to shine as Arsenal were unable to win for the first time in twelve games. Two penalties in each half well taken by Crystal Palace Milivojevic in the 45th and 83rd minutes was enough to give the hosts at least a point to stop the Gunners winning run. Granit Xhaka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang two second half successive goals saved the London team from defeat. In Italy, William Troost Ekong was on for full duration for Udinese as they drew level (2-2) with Genoa in their Italian Serie A week 10 league away game at Lungi Ferraris. [caption id="attachment_6129" align="alignnone" width="300"] William Troost Ekong[/caption] In Belgium, Samuel Kalu was in action for 90 minutes as his team Bordeaux fell 0-1 to Marrio Balloteli Nice in their week 10 French Ligue 1 game in Sunday evening. Cypriens second half goal was all Nice needed to bag the maximum three points. Bordeaux are on the 8th position with 14 points from 10 matches. On Saturday, Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo made his second La Liga start for Leganes who lost 2-0 to Moses Simon’s Levante on Saturday. It was Omeruo’s third appearance for the club since he joined. The 25 year old Nigeria international was yellow carded in the 70th minute of the encounter. Omeruo’s compatriot, Simon was an unused substitute in his side’s win. In Germany, Jamilu Collins played the entire duration of Paderborn’s 3-3 home draw against SV Sandhausen. Collins has started all 12 Bundesliga 2 games this season for Paderborn. Sone Aluko made a cameo appearance for Reading who lost 2-0 away to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium in Wales. The Nigerian midfielder replaced Yakou Meite on 90 minute. In the Italian Serie B, Kingsley Michael made his fourth start for Perugia who lost 2-1 to Verona. It was Michael’s sixth game of the season. Nigerian pair of Musa Muhammed and Iyayi Atiemwen were both in action from start for HNK Gorica in their 3-1 win over Inter Zapresic in the Croatian topflight division. Godfrey Oboabona was benched in the encounter. Back to England, on Saturday, Isaac Success scored his first English Premier League goal of the seasin for Watford in 28 months on Saturday in the Hornets’ 3-0 win against Huddersfield Town. It was Success’ third goal this season in all competitions. The 22 year old who had earlier scored against Reading and Tottenham Hotspurs in the Carabao Cup competition stabbed home from a close range for his first EPL goal of the season in his 29th appearance in the topflight division. Wilfred Ndidi scored his first goal of the season for Leicester City who earned a share of the spoil in their Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with West Ham at the King Power stadium. It was Ndidi’s 10th start of the campaign. His Nigeria teammate Kelechi Iheanacho started the match, but was subbed off in the second half. Oghenekaro Etebo missed Stoke City’s 1-0 win away at Bristol City in Saturday’s English Championship game. Etebo failed to recover fully from a tight hamstring he copped while on international duty with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. [caption id="attachment_6082" align="alignnone" width="300"] Isaac Success[/caption] It was the third straight game the Nigeria midfielder missed since he arrived at the club in the summer. Darren Fletcher scored a 33rd minute winner for the Potters. It was Fletcher’s first goal for exactly 12 months [caption id="attachment_6067" align="alignnone" width="300"] Wilfred Ndidi jubilating after the goal[/caption] Leon Balogun was benched in his team Have and Albion Wanderer English Premier League game. [caption id="attachment_6081" align="alignnone" width="300"] Kenneth Omeruo[/caption] Semi Ajayi played all 90 minutes for Rotterham United who held Preston North End to a 1-1 draw at the Deepdale Stadium. It was Ajayi’s 15th appearance for Rotherham in the English Championship season.