Nigerian Stars Shine in Europe

NETHERLANDS

TOLU AROKODARE (AJAX)

Arokodare scored the winning goal as Ajax defeated Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 away in the Eredivisie. This victory moved Ajax up to second place.

Abdellah Ouazane put Ajax ahead in the 22nd minute. Jens Toornstra brought Sparta back into the game with a goal in the 43rd minute. Arokodare restored Ajax's lead just before halftime, scoring in the 45th minute after Julian Brandt led a quick counter-attack. He later hit the woodwork.

This goal was Arokodare's fifth in the Eredivisie and his ninth in all competitions this season. Ajax is three points behind leaders Feyenoord and will face AZ on October 31.

The 25-year-old is currently on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

TURKEY

KELECHI IHEANACHO (BURSASPOR)

Iheanacho scored in his 12th straight league game as Bursaspor won 4-2 away against Keçiörengücü, moving them to the top of the Trendyol 1. Lig.

Keçiörengücü took an early lead with an own goal from Emirhan Başyiğit. But Amine Boutrah and Lewis Baker turned the match around, putting Bursaspor 2-1 up before Oğuzcan Çalışkan equalised in the 43rd minute. Iheanacho scored to make it 3-2 in the 50th minute, and Lincoln Henrique added a fourth in the 66th before getting sent off in the 87th.

Iheanacho's goal was his 16th of the season in the second tier. He has now set a record for the most consecutive league games with a goal in Turkish football.

ENGLAND

SEMI AJAYI (HULL CITY)

Ajayi played the entire match as Hull City drew 1-1 at home against Brentford in the Premier League.

Oli McBurnie opened the scoring for Hull from the penalty spot in the 24th minute. Dango Ouattara equalised for Brentford in the 63rd minute, securing a point for them.

Ajayi has scored once in seven league matches this season. Hull is currently 10th with 10 points from 10 matches, while Brentford moved up from seventh to sixth place.

ITALY

AKOR ADAMS (VENEZIA)

Adams had two shots on target as Venezia lost 1-0 away to Genoa in Serie A. Despite having 19 shots compared to Genoa's seven, Venezia could not find the net.

The only goal of the match came from Mikael Ellertsson, a former Venezia player, in the 25th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box. Genoa's goalkeeper, Justin Bijlow, made five saves, including one from Adams in added time.

This was Venezia's first defeat under manager Davide Nicola, who had previously won his debut match against Napoli.

FRANCE

JOSH MAJA (LE HAVRE)

Maja scored two goals off the bench as Le Havre came back from 4-0 down but ultimately lost 4-3 to Marseille in Ligue 1.

Marseille took a commanding lead with goals from CJ Egan-Riley, Timothy Weah, Igor Paixão, and Himad Abdelli by the 55th minute. Maja found the net from a penalty in the 77th minute, and Mouhamed N’Diaye made it 4-2 in the 86th. Maja completed the comeback effort by heading in a cross from Kaito Mizuta in the 89th minute. All three of his shots were on target.

With this result, Marseille climbed from 13th to eighth place. Le Havre will face Paris Saint-Germain next.

GERMANY

TELLA BONIFACE (BAYER LEVERKUSEN)

Nathan Tella came on in the 64th minute, while Victor Boniface remained an unused substitute as Leverkusen lost 3-0 away to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

Andrej Kramaric scored a penalty in the 79th minute. Alexander Prass added a second goal in the 89th minute before getting sent off for celebrating with his shirt off. Max Moerstedt scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time. This defeat ended Leverkusen's six-match winning streak, leaving them in fourth place.

SATURDAY

TURKEY

GIFT ORBAN (AMEDSPOR)

Orban scored and assisted the winning goal as Amedspor came from behind to beat Samsunspor 2-1. This victory puts Amedspor at the top of the Süper Lig.

Samsunspor took the lead in the 21st minute through Logi Tomasson. They went down to 10 men in the 37th minute when Sousa received a second yellow card. Mbaye Diagne was sent off in the 61st for two bookings. Orban equalised with a penalty in the 73rd minute. Dia Saba scored the winner in the 83rd minute from Orban’s assist.

This goal was Orban's eighth of the league season, tying him with Trabzonspor’s Mohamed Salah at the top of the scoring list. Amedspor has 20 points from nine games, one point ahead of Galatasaray. They will host Eyupspor next.

Orban is 24 years old and on a season-long loan from Hoffenheim.