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Nigerians abroad: Eze, Mukairu, Osimhen shine in Turkey; Onuachu, Onyemaechi in deep trouble

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Soccernet.ng monitored 44 games that could potentially involve Nigerians abroad on Saturday, January 4, 2025, and here are the major highlights.

Nigerians abroad – Turkey

Emeka Eze smashed home his ninth goal of the season to lift Pendikspor to a fine 2-0 away victory at Fatih Karagümrük in the Turkish 1 Lig.

Emeka Friday Eze of Pendikspor during the Turkish Super Lig match between Besiktas and Pendikspor at Besiktas Stadium on August 20, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by IMAGO

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Eze won a penalty for Pendikspor and converted the spot-kick expertly to hand the visitors the lead in the 17th minute of the encounter.

The 28-year-old attacker then played a key role in the build-up to his side’s second goal by Venezuelan star Yonathan del Valle four minutes before halftime.

Elsewhere in the division, Paul Mukairu delivered a man-of-the-match display to power Boluspor to a thrilling 4-2 away win over Yeni Malatyaspor.

Nigerians abroad: Paul Mukairu
Sky Bet League 1 Blackpool v Reading Paul Mukairu 12 of Reading inspects the pitch before the Sky Bet League 1 match Blackpool vs Reading at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, United Kingdom, 23rd September 2023 Photo by IMAGO

The former Reading forward scored his side’s third goal and assisted the fourth as Boluspor secured their seventh win of the campaign.

In the Super Lig, Victor Osimhen scored Galatasaray’s first goal of the new year to help the champions carve out a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Goztepe at the RAMS Park in İstanbul.

Nigerians abroad: Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Goztepe at Rams Park Stadium on January 4, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by IMAGO

Osimhen scored from the penalty spot in the 10th minute of the clash, sending Polish goalkeeper Mateusz Lis the wrong way for his 10th goal in 12 league appearances.

Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team with teammates during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Goztepe at Rams Park Stadium on January 4, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by IMAGO

However, Goztepe struck back just before the half-hour mark with help from their Nigerian import, Anthony Dennis.

Dennis, 20, assisted Goztepe’s equaliser when his clever forward pass found Brazil’s Rômulo, who made no mistake from close range.

However, Turkish star Yunus Akgün continued his excellent form as he netted the winner in the 61st minute with his fifth goal in as many games.

Nigerians abroad: England

Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo featured for Southampton in their crushing 5-0 defeat to Brentford at St Mary’s.

Nigerians abroad; Joe Aribo
Football – 2024 / 2025 Premier League – Southampton vs Brentford – St Marys Stadium – Saturday 4th January 2025 A dejected Joe Aribo and Charlie Taylor of Southampton holds his head in his hands after conceding the second goal during the Premier League match. Photo by IMAGO

Former Super Eagles target Kevin Schade was among the goals for Brentford.

Southampton’s relegation fate is all but sealed as the Saints are rooted to the base of the Premier League with only six points, eight fewer than 19th-place Leicester City.

Nigerians abroad: Paul Onuachu
Southampton v Stoke City EFL Cup 29/10/2024. Paul Onuachu 32 of Southampton during the EFL Cup match between Southampton and Stoke City at the St Mary s Stadium, Southampton, England on 29 October 2024. Southampton St Mary s Stadium Hampshire England. Photo by IMAGO

In League One, Kelechi Nwakali delivered an accomplished performance in midfield to guide Barnsley to a commanding 3-0 win over visiting Crawley Town.

Nigerians abroad: Portugal

Bruno Onyemaechi and Boavista endured a sour start to the year 2025 as they crumbled to a disappointing 3-1 loss at home to Arouca in the Primeira Liga.

The Super Eagles defender was named Boavista’s Player of the Month of December but his contribution was not enough to avoid a ninth league defeat this term.

Boavista, with only two wins in 17 games, will end the weekend at the bottom of the log regardless of the results from other games on Sunday.

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