Nigerian footballers Chrisantus Uche, Tolu Arokodare, and Chiemezi Gabriel were among the standout performers abroad on Friday, February 14, delivering crucial goals for their respective clubs, Soccernet.football reports.
Chrisantus Uche played a pivotal role in Getafe’s 2-1 away victory over Girona, scoring an early goal that set the tone for a crucial win at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi.
Getafe, fresh off a 1-0 win against Deportivo Alaves, were aiming for back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, Girona, struggling with five defeats in their previous six games, were desperate for a turnaround.
Uche wasted no time making an impact, finding the net in the third minute with a composed finish, his third La Liga goal of the season. His strike gave the visitors an early advantage, which they maintained through to halftime.
A third goal of the season for Christantus Uche. #GironaGetafe pic.twitter.com/2uTe52D8SQ
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 14, 2025
Girona responded after the break, leveling the match in the 54th minute through Yangel Herrera. However, Getafe swiftly restored their lead just eight minutes later when Borja Mayoral found the target, sealing a hard-fought victory.
The result lifted Getafe to 11th in the La Liga standings with 30 points from 24 matches, while Girona remained in eighth place on 31 points.
Tolu Arokodare hit a landmark moment in his season, scoring his 15th league goal to help Genk secure a vital 2-1 win over Standard Liège at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
Genk came into the match on a high, having gone five games unbeaten, while Standard Liège were reeling from a 4-2 defeat against Westerlo.
Arokodare, returning to the starting XI after being rested in Genk’s previous game, was instrumental in the victory. The visitors took the lead in the 35th minute when Christopher Bonsu Baah struck past the Standard Liège goalkeeper.
The Nigerian striker doubled Genk’s lead with a trademark header, dealing a blow to the home side’s hopes of a comeback.
Tolu Arokodare @toluarokodare hits 15th league goal against Standard Liege ⚽
— Mr Onilè (@MrOnile_) February 15, 2025
Total of 17 goals now across all competitions pic.twitter.com/vG0bhRkMgu
However, late drama ensued when Genk’s goalkeeper, Mike Penders, conceded a penalty and was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Dennis Eckert converted the spot-kick, but it was too late to prevent Genk from securing all three points. With the victory, Genk extended their lead at the top of the table to 60 points from 26 matches, moving nine points clear of second-placed Club Brugge.
Teenage forward Chiemezi Gabriel also found the net in Malta, scoring his second league goal of the season as Mosta struck twice late on to claim a dramatic 2-1 win over Marsaxlokk.
Elsewhere, several Nigerian players were in action across Europe and beyond.
In England, Tosin Adarabioyo remained an unused substitute as Chelsea slumped to a heavy 3-0 defeat against Brighton.
In Germany, Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka featured for the entire match as Augsburg held RB Leipzig to a goalless draw.
In France, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie kept another clean sheet as Paris FC thrashed Saint-Étienne 4-0.
In the French National 1, Lagos-born Jimmy Evans came off the bench to assist the winner in Nancy’s narrow 1-0 victory over Sochaux.
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong endured a tough evening as he suffered an injury in the second half during Al Kholood’s 2-0 loss to Al Orubah.
