Second round qualifying first leg matches in this season’s Europa League took place across Europe on Thursday night, and here’s how a number of Nigerian players performed.
Former Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom played 75 minutes but the British-Nigerian was unable to break the deadlock for Ajax against Vojvodina, although the Dutch side finally found a breakthrough four minutes to the end through Branco Van den Boomen.
Anthony Ujah led the attack for Botev Plovdiv alongside Christian Nwachukwu as the Bulgarian side fell 2-1 in Athens to Panathinaikos. The 33-year-old was on for 70 minutes before being replaced by Martin Sekulic who provided the assist for Botev’s goal a minute after coming on.
Nwachukwu played all 90 minutes while another Nigerian forward, Samuel Akere, also featured for Botev in the match, replacing Ivorian defender Siriky Diabate in search of an equaliser which eventually proved futile.
Veteran attacking player Anthony Nwakaeme came on in the 87th minute for Trapzonspor in the closing stages of the Turkish club’s 2-0 win at MFK Ružomberok of Slovakia.
Peter Ademo played just under an hour for Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova in the 1-0 home loss to Elfsborg. Ademo received a yellow card in the 38th minute before being replaced in the 56th minute by compatriot Rasheed Akanbi.
Another Nigerian, Ibrahim Buhari was among the squad for Elfsborg although the forward was an unused substitute during the win secured with an 86th minute penalty scored by Simon Hedlund at the Complexul Sheriff.
In Norway, Aaron Samuel Olanare is another Nigerian striker who was an used substitute as his club FK Molde got a 3-1 win over Scadinavian rivals Silkeborg of Denmark at the Aker Stadium.
Second leg matches for the Europa League second qualifying round take place in a week from now.