Nigerians abroad: Imuran bags brace in France; Yahaya, Said, Akinbule unstoppable in Czech, Denmark, Malta

Soccernet.ng monitored several matches that could potentially involve Nigerian players on Friday, April 12th.

Here are the most eye-catching highlights:

Czech Republic

Three Nigerian stars were in action as Opava defeated Sparta Praha II 3-2 in their FNL clash inside the Stadion v Městských sadech in Opava.

While Solomon Omale and Mohammed Marzuq Yahaya turned out for Opava, who were reduced to ten men in the first half, Nelson Okeke featured for the visitors.

Of the lot, it was Yahaya who emerged the most celebrated as the 20-year-old attacker netted the winning goal in the 68th minute to earn his side all three points.

Denmark

Ibrahim Said found the net for Viborg FF as they came from a goal down to beat OB 3-1 in a Danish Superliga match at the Nature Energy Park.

Said had only returned from a two-game suspension and started on the bench, but he was introduced into the fray in the 28th minute to replace Isak Jensen, who suffered a suspected injury.

The 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup star scored with ten minutes left to hand Viborg a 2-1 lead before Malik Abubakari made sure of the points four minutes into stoppage time.

England

Leicester City missed the chance to go clear of their promotion rivals as the Foxes lost 1-0 to Plymouth Argyle.

Wilfred Ndidi featured for 54 minutes, while Kelechi Iheanacho was not in the squad as Leicester fell to only their fourth defeat of the campaign.

The Foxes, however, remain top of the Championship table with 88 points, the same as Ipswich Town and one more than Leeds United, with only four games left.

France

Rofiat Imuran was the outstanding performer for Stade de Reims as she scored her side’s two goals in their 2-2 draw at Paris FC in the Feminine Division 1.

Despite being a defender, Imuran has notched five goals in 20 league games for Stade de Reims.

The Super Falcons full-back managed two goals in six appearances in her debut campaign in France last year.

Interestingly, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Player of the Month nominee in the French D1, was not in action for Paris FC.

French goalie Inès Marques stood in for Nnadozie, but she could do little to stop Imuran’s brace.

Italy

In Serie A, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi was in action for Salernitana as they fell to a 4-1 defeat at Lazio.

Salernitana are doomed for relegation as they sit bottom of the log in their Italian top flight, 12 points away from safety with only six remaining games.

Malta

It was a case of contrasting fortunes for Nigerian stars – Temitope Ojo and Sunday Akinbule – in the Maltese Premier League during Santa Lucia’s 3-0 defeat at home to Marsaxlokk.

Ojo was shown two yellow cards in 16 first-half minutes, forcing him to be sent off on the stroke of halftime.

With a man advantage, Marsaxlokk fired three goals in the second half, the third of which was netted by former Farense ace Akinbule.