Oshoala and Ajibade shone in Spain, standing out on a weekend when most Nigerian stars struggled in Europe. In the Spanish women’s league, Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala continued her prolific form, netting her 19th goal as Barcelona women thrashed Villarreal women 5‑0 in the Primera División. She opened the scoring in the 21st minute before being substituted for Caroline Graham Hansen in the 66th. The 28‑year‑old now tops the league’s scoring chart with 19 goals and two assists from 19 appearances, just one shy of matching her personal best of 20 goals set last season. Meanwhile, fellow Super Falcon Rasheedat Ajibade ended a 13‑game drought in La Liga Femenino by scoring a brace to secure a 2‑1 win for Atlético Madrid Women over Real Sociedad Women. She struck early in the 6th minute, saw the opposition equalise three minutes later, and then netted the decisive goal in the 47th. The 23‑year‑old has recorded six goals in 19 league matches this season.
In England, Alex Iwobi started for Everton in a 2‑2 Premier League draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. He was substituted for Tom Davies in the 89th minute after contributing six assists, though he has scored only once in 25 league appearances this season. Emmanuel Dennis came off the bench for Nottingham Forest in the second half, helping his side secure the draw, while Taiwo Awoniyi missed Forest’s squad due to injury. Chuba Akpom, eligible for Nigeria, continued his excellent run for Middlesbrough, scoring a brace in a 5‑0 Championship victory over Reading at the Riverside Stadium. He opened the scoring from a penalty in the 24th minute and added a second after the break, bringing his season tally to 21 goals in 28 matches and keeping Middlesbrough within four points of second‑placed Sheffield United.
Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho led the attack against Southampton at St Mary’s but could not prevent a 1‑0 defeat, despite playing the full 90 minutes and having four goals and three assists in his last six games. Wilfred Ndidi entered as a second‑half substitute but made little impact. Southampton’s Paul Onuachu did not start in their 1‑0 win at Elland Road and remains goalless in four Premier League appearances for the club. Fellow Nigerian Joe Aribo was also absent from Ruben Selles’ squad.
In the Dutch Eredivisie, Calvin Bassey returned to Ajax’s starting XI as the champions earned a 1‑0 victory over NEC Nijmegen at the Johan Cruijff Arena. The 23‑year‑old defender played the entire match, helping Ajax keep a clean sheet; he has made 21 league appearances this season, scoring once and providing three assists.
In La Liga, Samuel Chukwueze kept his fine form for Villarreal, providing two assists in a 3‑0 win over Almería at the Power Horse Stadium. The 23‑year‑old winger now has five assists and three goals from 23 league games. Osinachi Ohale started for Deportivo Alavés Women in a 5‑1 loss to Real Madrid Women, contributing an assist for Alavés’ consolation goal.
In France, Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun started for Reims in a narrow 1‑0 home win over AC Ajaccio but failed to score. The 21‑year‑old has tallied 15 goals in 25 appearances this season, though he has been goalless in his last three league matches. Moses Simon came off the bench for Nantes in a 4‑2 defeat to PSG at the Parc des Princes, while Terem Moffi, after a three‑game goal drought, finally scored for OGC Nice in a 1‑1 draw with Auxerre.
In Serie A, Ademola Lookman started for Atalanta in a goalless draw with Udinese at the Gewiss Stadium, extending his personal goal drought to five matches. Fellow Nigerian Isaac Success also failed to find the net for Udinese, remaining without a league goal after 25 appearances. Defender Kingsley Ehizibue missed the match due to a one‑match ban. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen was held scoreless in a 1‑0 home loss to Lazio, with Matías Vecino scoring the winner. Despite the defeat, Napoli stay 17 points clear at the top of the table. Tyronne Ebuehi was an unused substitute for Empoli in a 2‑1 away loss to Monza; he has featured in 15 Serie A games, scoring once.
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