Naija Ballers Roundup: Boniface Returns with a Bang, Olawoyin Goes from Hero to Villain

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A number of Super Eagles stars enjoyed their weekend as they showed good form for their respective clubs, while for a handful of others such as Ibrahim Olawoyin, it was a a weekend to forget.

Victor Boniface

Just days after a potential big-money move to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr collapsed, the striker marked his return from the sidelines with injury since November 2024 with a goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-1 win over TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Boniface was making his 50th appearance for Leverkusen in the game and wasted little time in ensuring it was a memorable day when he opened the scoring after only 15 minutes for his seventh in the league.

The game also saw another Nigerian striker, Gift Orban, score for the visitors in what proved to be a consolation goal, while yet another Nigerian player, Nathan Tella, featured for Leverkusen but had to go off after 41 minutes due to an injury.

Paul Onuachu

The tall striker scored in the 88th minute to earn Southampton a crucial 2-1 win at Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Saturday.

Onuachu’s goal gave the Saints just their second league win this season, with compatriot, Joe Aribo, giving the south coast club an early lead.

While Southampton remain bottom of the league, the Nigerian duo have given the club hope of surviving relegation to the Championship this season.

Ola Aina

The defender played all 90 minutes as Nottingham Forest bounced back from the 5-0 humiliation at Bournemouth last weekend to inflict an equally humiliating 7-0 demolition on Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Taiwo Awoniyi also featured for Forest in the encounter, coming on for hat-trick hero, Chris Wood, for the closing 10 minutes at the City Ground.

Ibrahim Olawoyin

The Rizespor midfielder started the Super Lig clash at Fenerbahce on a high note, setting up Ali Sowe for the opening goal with only six minutes on the clock in Istanbul.

Olawoyin, who has two caps with the Super Eagles, however failed to complete the game as he was sent off in first-half stoppage time, with Edin Dzeko scoring a penalty a minute later.

Rizespor then found themselves down to nine men as Rachid Ghezzal got two yellow cards in a minute, with Dzeko scoring a minute after again to complete Fenerbahce’s comeback from 2-0 down, before Youssef En-Nesyri scored Fener’s winner in the 90th minute.

Olawoyin’s compatriot, David Akintola played 90 minutes for Rizespor before being replaced by Emrecan Bulut in stoppage time.

Akor Adams

Adams made his debut off the bench for Sevilla in the goalless draw at Getafe in a La Liga match on Saturday, playing the closing 10 minutes of the game for the visitors alongside compatriot, Chidera Ejuke, who was also a second half substitute.

Both Nigerians came on moments after Christantus Uche was taken off by Getafe in a match which also had Kelechi Iheanacho in the stadium although the striker was an unused substitute for Sevilla as rumours of an exit before the transfer window closes continue for him.

Samuel Chukwueze

It appears Chukwueze will remain in Milan for the rest of the season as the transfer window deadline closes on Monday, February 3. The Super Eagles winger came on for the Rossoneri for the closing five minutes of the 1-1 draw with high-flying Internazionale in the Milan derby on Sunday.

Alex Iwobi

The attacking midfielder put up a solid display before going off in the 79th minute for Fulham in the comeback 2-1 win over Newcastle United. Calvin Bassey played all 90 minutes for the Londoners, who sit in ninth on the Premier League table with 36 points after the win.

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