Super Eagles players experienced mixed fortunes in Europe at the weekend; some of them endured unfavourable outings while some others enjoyed impressive runs.
Striker Victor Boniface scored a brace for Bayer Leverkusen in their 4-1 drubbing of newly-promoted Heidenheim. Leverkusen have been in outstanding form this season winning four and drawing just one game in the Bundesliga, and the Nigeria striker has been a crucial part of the setup.
Die Werkself quickly enforced their dominance in the game, pushing the visitors back. Boniface had a good chance to score in the 5th minute, but his shot was blocked by a defender.
However, he was not to be denied four minutes later, as he was fed the ball by Exequiel Palacios and made a quick dart forward. He then unleashed a strong shot, which just glided into the bottom right corner of the net.
Bayer Leverkusen dominated the game and created more chances in the first half, but they were unable to score again until the break.
Boniface had a very good game, and he got the opportunity to get his brace in the 75th minute after Bayer Leverkusen won a penalty. The 22-year-old striker did not take chances as he stuck the ball into the net to make it 3-1.
His goal ensured he became the third player in Bundesliga history to score two or more goals in three of his first five games. The other two players that have achieved this feat are Manchester City star Erling Haaland, and retired Borussia Dortmund man Jan Mattsson.
Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has rediscovered his form after he opened scoring for Atalanta to win 2-0 at home against Cagliari Calcio on Sunday.
Lookman hit the target in the 33rd minute when he put away from inside the box a cross from the right.
The forward, who netted 13 goals last season, has now scored twice in the league thus far after he also got on the scoreboard last week.
Moses Simon was the Man of the Match as he scored his second goal of the season and provided two assists for FC Nantes to win their first home game in the new Ligue 1 season.
FC Nantes had to fight from behind to edge past visitors FC Lorient 5-3 in a local derby.
Moses Simon, whose stunning lone strike gave Nantes their first win of the campaign the previous week at Clermont, was again the star-turn with a penalty goal deep into stoppage time after he had assisted in two of his team’s goals Saturday.
FC Nantes have now climbed to sixth place on the table with eight points from six matches.
Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen has gone four games without hitting the back of the et after Napoli played a goalless draw at Bologna on Sunday.
It was a more terrible outing for Gent’s Gift Orban as he was shown a red card in the 44th minute in his club’s engagement with Eupen in the Belgian league on Sunday.