Four Nigerian players enjoyed productive outings for their clubs across Europe on Sunday, with Tolu Arokodare, Cyriel Dessers, Tochukwu Nnadi and Ibrahim Olawoyin all making contributions to their teams’ results, Footynaija reports.
Their performances came ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, with Eric Chelle preparing his squad for the two fixtures.
Arokodare continued his fine goalscoring form at Ajax, finding the net in their 2-2 draw away to FC Twente.
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The Super Eagles striker opened the scoring in the third minute, rising above the Twente defence to head home Oscar Gloukh’s cross.
The goal saw him match Patrick Kluivert’s 32-year-old Ajax record. He became only the second player in the club’s history to score in six of his first seven Eredivisie starts, equalling the Dutchman’s feat from the 1994/95 season.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee now has 13 goals and four assists in 17 appearances across all competitions. He has also scored six times in his last five matches.
In Greece, Dessers scored as Panathinaikos came from behind to beat Iraklis 2-1 away from home.
After his side conceded in the 17th minute, the Nigerian forward levelled the score in the 56th minute, lifting Giorgos Kyriakopoulos’ cross over the goalkeeper.
Davide Calabria converted a penalty in the 94th minute to complete the comeback and preserve Panathinaikos’ position at the top of the Greek Super League.
The goal took Dessers’ tally to 10 across all competitions this season, despite his omission from Chelle’s latest Super Eagles squad.
Meanwhile, Nnadi played the full 90 minutes as Marseille secured a 2-1 victory over Lens in Ligue 1.
Operating alongside Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in midfield, the Nigerian completed 53 of his 54 passes, won 10 of 13 duels and drew six fouls. Substitute Keyliane Abdallah scored Marseille’s winner in the 82nd minute, sending them up to fourth place.
In Turkey, Olawoyin provided an assist in Çaykur Rizespor’s 2-1 win over Erzurumspor. His 31st-minute pass set up Ali Sowe for the opening goal.
The midfielder also created three chances and made seven ball recoveries as Rizespor ended a six-match winless run.
While Arokodare and Nnadi will join the Super Eagles for the Tanzania qualifiers, Dessers and Olawoyin were left out of Chelle’s squad despite their latest performances.
