It was a dramatic Friday evening across European football for Nigerian stars. While Bursaspor’s Kelechi Iheanacho returned to the scoresheet in Turkey and youngster Ehije Ukaki registered his first goal of the campaign in Bulgaria, Samuel Akere’s double-assist masterclass in Poland couldn’t prevent a heartbreaking late defeat.
Here is the complete breakdown of how the three Nigerian forwards fared over the weekend.
Kelechi Iheanacho: Goal 17 Keeps Bursaspor Top in Turkey
Kelechi Iheanacho quickly put an end to his brief goal drought, finding the net in Bursaspor’s 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor in their TFF 1. Lig clash.
After his historical 12-match scoring streak was snapped in the previous outing against Bandırmaspor, the former Leicester City forward wasted no time starting a new run.
In the 26th minute, Amine Boutrah ghosted past his marker on the left flank and picked out Iheanacho’s intelligent run inside the box, allowing the Nigerian international to tap home the opening goal.
Season Tally: 17 goals in 14 appearances for the Pride of Bursa.
Total Goal Contributions: 21 (17 goals, 4 assists).
League Standing: Bursaspor remain 1st in the TFF 1. Lig with 32 points.
Despite Iheanacho’s opener, Bursaspor were pegged back before the break following an own goal by Tural Bayramov.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the second half, forcing the Green-Whites to settle for a point.
Ehije Ukaki: Sheffield United Loanstar Nets First Goal in Bulgaria
22-year-old winger Ehije Ukaki experienced a proud moment on November 6, scoring his first goal of the season for Botev Plovdiv in their 1-1 Parva Liga draw against FC Dunav Ruse.
Currently on loan from EFL Championship outfit Sheffield United, Ukaki broke the 0-0 deadlock in the 84th minute at the Vasil Minev stadium.
Georgi Milanov did the heavy lifting by evading the onrushing goalkeeper before cutting the ball back for Ukaki to finish into an open net.
Form: Goal involvement in two consecutive matches (1 goal, 1 assist in 3 total appearances).
Compatriot Action: Samuel Kalu also featured alongside Ukaki for Botev Plovdiv.
League Standing: Botev Plovdiv drop to 5th place with 23 points after Round 13.
The celebration was short-lived, however, as Dunav Ruse’s Ibrahim Keita equalized four minutes later to force a share of the spoils.
Samuel Akere: Playmaking Masterclass Cut Short by Late Winner in Poland
In the Polish Ekstraklasa, 22-year-old winger Samuel Akere (on loan from Widzew Lodz) put in a sensational 71-minute display for Wisła Płock, grabbing two assists despite a painful 3-2 loss to Motor Lublin.
After falling behind early to a 2nd-minute strike from Bartosz Bereszyński, Wisła Płock rallied back through Akere’s brilliance:
30th Minute: Akere set up Afonso Rodrigues Silva for a neat finish to level the scores at 1-1.
32nd Minute: Just two minutes later, Akere picked out Olaf Kobacki to turn the match on its head and take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Overall Form: 4 goal contributions (2 goals, 2 assists) in 8 appearances across all competitions this season.
Match Discipline: Picked up an early yellow card in the 16th minute before subbing off for Jurica Prsir in the 71st minute.
Turning Point: Marcus Haglind-Sangré received a second yellow card, leaving Wisła Płock down to 10 men before Karol Czubak slotted home a dramatic late winner for the hosts.
