Spanish Sojourn: Monday and Babajide Continue Goal-Scoring Spree for Tenerife
Super Falcons forwards Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide continued their impressive form in the Spanish Liga F, propelling Tenerife to a crucial 2-1 away victory against Valencia. Babajide showcased her composure from the penalty spot, equalizing for Tenerife early in the second half after they had fallen behind. Monday then sealed the win with a clinical finish in stoppage time, securing their third consecutive victory. Their consistent goal-scoring contributions have significantly boosted Tenerife’s standings, elevating them to sixth place in the league.
La Liga: Mixed Fortunes for Nigerian Players
Chrisantus Uche, despite a solid performance in Getafe’s 1-0 win over Alaves, was substituted at halftime as a precautionary measure after receiving a yellow card. Uche, a key figure in Getafe’s midfield, has consistently featured in all their league games this season, contributing two goals and two assists. Umar Sadiq, on loan at Valencia from Real Sociedad, is still searching for his first La Liga goal, making a brief appearance in their 2-0 win over Leganes.
Serie A: Dele-Bashiru’s Impact off the Bench for Lazio
Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru made a decisive impact as a substitute, scoring in Lazio’s resounding 5-1 victory against Monza. Coming on in the 65th minute, Dele-Bashiru quickly found the net, adding to Lazio’s already commanding lead. This goal marks his third in Serie A this season, further solidifying his role as a valuable asset for Lazio.
Across Europe: Nigerian Players Make Their Mark
Gabriel Osho returned to Auxerre’s starting lineup after a brief absence, featuring in their 2-2 draw against Toulouse in Ligue 1. In Cyprus, goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye recorded back-to-back clean sheets, contributing to Paralimni’s 2-0 win over Nea Salamis, maintaining his impressive record of 20 appearances this season. Toni Payne, fresh off a two-assist performance the previous week, led the line for Everton in the Women’s FA Cup but couldn’t prevent their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Scottish Setback and Turkish Turmoil:
Cyriel Dessers’ recent goal drought continued as Rangers suffered a disappointing exit from the Scottish Cup at the hands of Queens Park Rangers. In Turkey, Flourish Sebastine celebrated her first goal for Galatasaray Women in their 1-1 draw with Trabzonspor. A match featuring Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray against Adana Demirspor was abandoned after a controversial refereeing decision led to the visiting team’s withdrawal, with Galatasaray leading 1-0 at the time. Bright Osayi-Samuel made his return from a brief layoff, coming off the bench in Fenerbahce’s 2-0 victory over Alanyaspor, helping them close the gap on league leaders Galatasaray.
Nigerian Talent Shines Abroad:
This weekend’s performances underscore the growing influence of Nigerian players in leagues across the globe. From established stars like Osimhen and Osayi-Samuel to emerging talents like Monday and Babajide, Nigerian footballers are making significant contributions to their respective clubs. Their consistent displays of skill, determination, and goal-scoring prowess are enhancing their reputations and raising the profile of Nigerian football on the international stage. As the season progresses, these players will undoubtedly continue to play vital roles for their teams, vying for titles and showcasing the rich talent pool that Nigeria possesses.
