NAIJA PLAYERS XPLOITS ABROAD........WRITTEN BY ABAYOMI ADEMETAN

In Malta, Sliema Wanderers massacred Mosta 4-1 with Stanley Ohawuchi grabbing one of the four goals. The former NPFL star lasted the whole 90 minutes.


VVV Venlo and Groningen played a boring 0-0 draw on Sunday. Former Enugu Rangers forward Uche Nwofor started the match for Venlo, while his senior compatriot Ebenezer Olufemi Ajilore was an 86th minute substitute for Groningen.

It was goal-galore at the Akdeniz Üniversitesi Stadyumu (Antalya). Europa League chasers Antalyaspor waved off the threats by Akhisar to win 4-3. Former Nigeria U-17, U-20 and U-23 skipper Isaac Promise netted one of the hosts goals.

Relegated Mersin failed to shine at home to Elazığspor losing two-nil. Nduka Ozokwo was benched for the entire duration, while Raheem Adewole Lawal was a second half substitutes for the basement side.

Adanapor underlined their intention to gain promotion to the Turkish top cadre with a two nil at Karsiyaka. Chibuzor Nwogbo set the ball rolling with the first goal in the 33rd minute of action. He was on for 90 minutes.

Miroslav Klose netted 5 goals when Lazio defeated Bologna 6-0 on Sunday. New kid on the block Onazi Ogenyi was benched by the capital team for the entire duration.

It was a goalscoring return for Super Eagles ace John Ogochukwu Ogu as his strike settled the war between victorious Academica and Vitoria Setubal.

The introduction of former 36 Lions starlet Imoh Ezekiel was too late for Standard Liege as they lost 2-0 at Anderlecht.

Everton stayed ahead of local rivals Liverpool in the Premier League table as they battled to a goalless draw in an entertaining game on Sunday. Former Dream team star Victor Anichebe was a beast to Liverpool defenders with his hardworking style.

Simon Terwase Zenke contributed his bit to Istanbul Buyuksehir's 2-0 win over Fenerbahce. He never gave up and was always ready to take risks for his team. On the losing side was Super Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo who was benched for the entire duration.

Hosts Galatasaray retained the Turkish Super League title with an easy 4-2 win against Sivasspor on Sunday night. Michael Eneramo failed to add to his league goals for the visitors.

Defence grafter Akeem Latifu played a key role in Hodd's two-nil against Strommen. The Nigerian lasted the length and was given pass marks by the Norwegian Press.

Juan Mata struck in the 87th minute as Chelsea boosted their top-four hopes with a 1-0 at Manchester United on Sunday. Dashing winger Victor Moses gave a good account of himself in the colours of the visitors. He made way for Fernando Torres in the second half. Super Eagles anchor man John Obi Mikel was not listed by the Blues.

Guizhou Renhe also triumphed on Sunday, a result that extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions. They beat Dalian Aerbin 2-1, despite conceding after just three minutes when Yu Dabao netted. Former Odense BK forward Peter Utaka fired blanks for the visitors.

Amkar Perm stay just outside of the bottom four despite a 4-2 defeat at home to Lokomotiv Moscow, a match which promised more for the hosts as Blagoy Georgiev gave them the lead 24 minutes in. However, once Lokomotiv got started, they could not be stopped as four goals in a 23-minute spell which began just before half-time had them well on their way to the three points. Aleksey Miranchuk, Dame N’Doye, Dmitri Torbinski and Renat Yanbayev got the goals for the visitors and they were more than enough despite Zahari Sirakov’s stoppage time strike for Amkar. Eagles winger Victor Obinna Nsofor was not listed by the Railway men.

At the Estadio El Madrigal, Villarreal were unable to find anwers to the impressive form of Elche losing 3-2. Pint sized striker Ikechukwu Uche netted one of the home side's goals in the 80th minute.

SPL champions Celtic Glasgow played a one-all with Ross County on Sunday. Utility defender Efe Ambrose started the match and made way for Biram Kayal in the 89th minute.

Ex-Nigeria U17 star Maculey Chrisantus scored his 10th goal in Spain when he lifted Las Palmas to a 4-2 win over Sporting Gijon.

Salgaocar FC overcame Pailan Arrows FC 2-1 in a round 25 I-League clash played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, on Saturday, which saw the visitors pip their Goan rivals Sporting. Gabriel Obatola made amends for his misses as he found the target in the 50th minute taking advantage of a shocking piece of defending from Pritam Kotal who failed to control the ball letting him have a free run. Moments after he was taken off as a result of injury.

Sunday Emmanuel helped himself to a brace in the colours of Binh Duong. It was a Vietnam league match against Ha Noi T&T which his club won 3-1.

Super Eagles trio Taye Taiwo, Lukman Haruna and Brown Ideye failed to shine when Dynamo Kyiv lost two-nil at Metalist. The Nigerians were on the pitch for the whole 90 minutes.

At the Arena Khimki, title chasers CSKA Moscow kept the momentum moving with a 1-0 victory against visiting Terek Grozny. Ahmed Musa played as a lone man in a 4-5-1 formation utilised by CSKA. He revelled with his usual mazy runs upfront.

Ishfaq Ahmed scored the vital equaliser against his former side after Penn Orji scored the opener against Dempo, for whom John Menyongar and Joy Ferrao found the target. Also in action was former Enyimba FC star Uga Opara.

Prayag United secured a 2-0 home win over Shillong Lajong in an I-League Round 25 encounter at the Kalyani Stadium. Ranti Martins converted from the spot in the 20th minute to give the hosts the lead.

Kien Giang ended their miserable run of four losses with a 3 - 2 thriller against Long An. Former ABS skipper Sope Ahmed was a trojan at the back, while Timothy Anjembe contributed his quota to a winning cause. The high points of the match were the two goals scored by Nigerian-born Abdullahi Suleiman.

 

Featuring the likes of Perpetua Nkwocha and Helen Ukaonu, Sunnana continued their early season poor form with a 5-2 loss to Jitex. The Nigerian stars lasted the duration.

Visiting Kryvbas were forced to a one-all draw by Arsenal Kyiv. Super Eagles invitee Michael Babatunde was an 83rd minute impact player for the away team.

Fans of Atvidaberg went home smiling as their darling team defeated Djurgarden 5-1 at the Kopparvallen. Former Heartland and Flying Eagles striker John Owoeri got a feel of the game with a 71st minute appearance in the colours of the victors.

At the Color Line Stadion, substitute John Chibuike's 72nd minute strike rescued Rosenborg BK from the den of Alesund. The Eliteserien match ended 2-2.

Sandnes Ulf were no match to Valerenga losing 2-1 at the Sandnes Idrettspark. Super Eagles defensive midfielder Fegor Ogude earned a yellow card in the entertaining match.

Eger lost 3-2 at home to Pécsi MFC on Saturday. Midfield general Eke Uzoma was instrumental to the visitors win, while his team-mate Solomon Okoronkwo was not dressed.

VFL Bochum defeated FC Koln 2-1 on Friday. Anthony Ujah couldn't rescue the away side from going down. He lasted the entire duration.

Relegated Sandhausen gave a good account of themselves winning 3-1 against Ingolstadt. Seyi Olajengbesi was benched for 90 minutes.

Virtus Lanciano played out a one-all draw with Spezia FC. Stephan Chuka Okaka laid the pass that resulted in Spezia's only goal.

Varese and Grosseto treated fans to a thrilling 2-2 draw on Saturday. Osameriem Ebagua scored one of Varese's goals. His pal Oduamadi Nnamdi was no where near the bench during the match.
 

Brentford scored a last-minute penalty to earn a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their semi-final play-off clash with Swindon Town. Tom Adeyemi won most of the midfield battles that came his way. He was on for 90 minutes.

 

In Philadelphia, Seattle Sounders claimed a 2-2 draw against the Union in a spiteful encounter at PPL Park. The Sounders led at half-time thanks to Eddie Johnson's goal but a two-minute brace from Daniel Cruz put the hosts in front in the second half before Mauro Rosales struck the decisive equaliser in the 64th minute. Former Rubin Kazan and Newcastle striker Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins was not listed by Seattle.

Hull City sealed a return to the Premier League after a 2-2 draw at home to champions Cardiff City was enough to secure promotion. Super Eagles striker Omotsone Aluko was not listed for action by Steve Bruce.

Sheffield Wednesday's 2-0 victory at home to Middlesbrough meant they avoided relegation. Seyi George Olofinjana was on the pitch for 64 minutes in the colours of the winners.

Millwall lost 1-0 away to Derby. Super Eagles defender Danny Shittu lasted the duration.

Newcastle remain in a relegation battle after a 0-0 draw against West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday. Alan Pardew's men failed to break down a physical West Ham side and sit just above the drop zone. Substitute Shola Ameobi looked bright when he came on and immediately caused problems for the defence as his drilled shot went just past the post.

Theo Walcott scored after 20 seconds as Arsenal beat QPR 1-0 at Loftus Road on Saturday. It was the fastest goal of the season in the Premier League and the quickest Arsenal have ever scored since the competition was formed in 1992, as they extended their unbeaten league run to eight games. Nigerian-born defender Nedum Onuoha ended up on the relegation train.

Relegated Reading eased to a 4-2 win at Fulham to leave Martin Jol's side without a win in six games. Enterprising attacker Hope Akpan was not dressed for the match.

Gallant fighters Granada defeated Malaga 1-0 on Saturday. Former Julius Berger forward Odion Jude Ighalo was the hosts saviour with the only goal of the match.

At the Wuhan Sports Center Stadium, Wuhan Zall surrendered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against visiting Shanghai Shenhua. Former Brann winger Chukwuma Akabueze was an 86th minute substitute for Zall.

It was seven wins from seven from Cynthia Uwak's Aland United when they mauled GBK 5-1. The all action forward netted her team's 4th goal and tasted 90 minutes action. On the losing side was Juliana Bawa, who played from the defence for GBK.

Sarah Michael's KIF Orebo squandered a two-goal lead to draw at Linkoping. The Super Falcons ace netted one of her team's goals.

Visiting LDB Malmo caused an upset beating Umea FC 2-1 on Sunday. Super Falcons stars Ogonna Chukwudi and Rita Chikwelu made useful impacts in the colours of the losing side and lasted the length.

Mallbacken's losing streak ended with a 3-0 victory over visiting Pitea. Energetic defender Faith Ikidi couldn't stop the rampant hostss from scoring, while former U-17 starlet Francisca Ordega was giving a starting role.