Naija Stars Abroad reviews the performances of Nigerian players abroad, with Super Falcons' Joe Echegini, Chuba Akpom, Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella some of the stars of the weekend.
It was a mixed weekend for Nigerian players across Europe, with the Super Falcons women's national team players stealing the spotlight from their male counterparts in the Super Eagles.
Led by the brilliant midfielder Joe Echegini, the Nigerian women's players put on a show for their clubs across Europe.
08:18 - 18.03.2024
Naija Stars Abroad: Moffi, Chukwueze battle Oshoala, Echegini for POTW
Naija Stars Abroad is a weekly dive into Nigerian players and their football exploits across the world of football.
09:07 - 11.03.2024
Naija Stars Abroad: Iwobi fights Tella baby, Olawoyin and Bundesliga speedster for Player of the Week
Naija Stars Abroad is a weekly dive into Nigerian players and their football exploits across the world of football.
Echegini-led Falcons take on Akpom, Dessers and Tella
Echegini seems the biggest contender for the Player of the Week award after she netted a first-ever hat-trick for Juventus Women in Italy.
The 22-year-old was the inspiration as her three goals propelled Juve to a convincing 4-0 win against Fiorentina.
Echegini has now scored an incredible eight goals in eight matches for Juventus following her switch from the NWSL.
Another Super Falcons star who delivered at the weekend was the Russia-based Francisca Ordega. Ordega put the disappointment of missing out on the Falcons' crucial Paris 2024 qualifiers against South Africa to inspire CSKA Moscow to a resounding 5-0 win against Yenisey.
The superstar forward scored two of the goals for her Russia outfit, sending a clear message to Nigeria coach, Randy Waldrum.
Elsewhere, Toni Payne and Rasheedat Ajibade showed their readiness for South Africa with brilliant displays for their respective clubs in Spain.
Payne wrapped up the proceedings as Sevilla thrashed Real Sociedad 4-2, while Ajibade was the heroine as Atletico Madrid edged Valencia in Liga F.
Nigerian men and Super Eagles Players
For the men and Super Eagles, it was a quieter weekend, but some players still managed to shine, with ignored Eagle Chuba Akpom leading the way.
Akpom continued his impressive form for Ajax, delivering a stunning brace to guide the Dutch giants back to winning ways in the Eredivisie.
Terem Moffi reached double figures for the season in a thrilling clash between Nice and Nantes in the French Ligue 1, while Cyriel Dessers netted his 13th goal of the season for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
Emmanuel Dennis scored for the second game in a row for Watford in the English Championship, and Nathan Tella proved his worth as a late substitute for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, helping the league leaders extend their unbeaten run to 39 matches.
However, it was not a good weekend for the likes of Victor Osimhen, Umar Sadiq, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey, who all struggled to make an impact for their respective clubs.
Osimhen and Napoli suffered a mauling against Ademola Lookman, who was a substitute, and his Atalanta side while Samuel Chukwueze looked lively for AC Milan during their 2-1 win at Fiorentina in the Serie A.
Sadiq continued his bench role in Real Sociedad, with Iwobi and Bassey surviving a remarkable scare with Fulham against Sheffield United in the PL.
Naija Stars Abroad POTW
The award for Player of the Week goes to the brilliant Echegini whose impressive first hat-trick ensured she continued her remarkable debut season for Juventus.
Related content
23:22 - 31.03.2024
AC Milan ‘owing’ Villarreal up to ₦2.3 billion for Chukwueze transfer
Serie A giants AC Milan are not done paying for their Nigerian gem Samuel Chukwueze, with Villarreal still expecting a healthy sum
19:41 - 31.03.2024
Super Spectator: Unhappy Sadiq stuck on the bench at Sociedad amid fallout with Finidi
Umar Sadiq has started just 12 matches for Real Sociedad in LALIGA but was reportedly angry with Finidi George after his no-show for Super Eagles.
13:40 - 31.03.2024
Super Eagles Loss, Ajax's Gain: Akpom continues scoring spree amid Nigeria snub
Chuba Akpom continues to be overlooked by Nigeria despite a prolific season with Ajax in the Eredivisie.
12:24 - 31.03.2024
I'm too busy - Pastor Tobi Adegboyega reacts to alleged adulterous affair with wife of Super Eagles player
Nigeria’s billionaire celebrity pastor Tobi Adegboyega has responded to the alleged claims of adultery with the wife of Olanrewaju Kayode.
07:13 - 31.03.2024
Super Falcons Stars Shine Bright In Europe: Ordega dazzles for CSKA, Echegini scores first Juventus hattrick
Super Falcons duo Francisca Ordega and Joe Echegini delivered masterclasses for CSKA and Juventus in Europe.
19:32 - 30.03.2024
Paris 2024: Super Falcons duo Payne, Ajibade send warning to South Africa with goals in Spain
Rasheedat Ajibade and Toni Payne are in fine form ahead of the decisive Paris 2024 clash between the Super Falcons and South Africa.
17:22 - 29.03.2024
Heartbreak as Samuel Chukwueze’s sister mourns the loss of their grandma on Good Friday
Samuel Chukwueze reportedly lost his grand mother this week.
13:32 - 29.03.2024
Nigeria’s bid to find Peseiro successor suffers set back as 3 more countries join chase for Herve Renard
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be one of at least four countries hoping to sign the former Ivory Coast manager
23:56 - 28.03.2024
Super Eagles Managerial Target Herve Renard Eager for 2026 World Cup Appearance
The former Ivory Coast and Zambia manager is hoping to lead a team to the 2026 World Cup in North America, which will be his third showing on the global stage
19:44 - 07.09.2024
Victor Osimhen now 1 goal behind Segun Odegbami on the top 10 Super Eagles all-time highest goalscorers list [2024]
Victor Osimhen is expected to break Rashidi Yekini's record as the Super Eagles all-time highest goalscorer but which other football stars make the list?
09:24 - 28.03.2024
Why Nigerian star Iwobi was sad to see Ghana crash out of AFCON 2023
Nigerian playmaker Alex Iwobi sympathises with Ghana's AFCON woes, but Nigeria's Super Eagles remain his priority.
14:31 - 27.03.2024
Super Eagles star Moses Simon ruled out of the season with fractured fibula
French Ligue 1 side Nantes has been hit hard as Nigerian forward Moses Simon has been sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an injury sustained during international duty.
14:19 - 27.03.2024
We were not outplayed - Finidi George pleased with Super Eagles despite defeat to Mali
Finidi George would have preferred a different result but rues 'Costly Mistakes' from Super Eagles against Mali in Morocco.
13:19 - 27.03.2024
Super Eagles' Finidi credits 75-year-old EURO-winning coach for inspiring his managerial style
Super Eagles Interim Manager Finidi George says former Spain coach Luis Aragones impacted his managerial approach the most.
12:18 - 27.03.2024
'I am here to serve Nigeria' - Finidi George ready to sacrifice everything for Super Eagles head coach role
Former Nigerian football star Finidi George expressed his readiness to take on the role of head coach for the Super Eagles.