Kelechi Iheanacho had enjoyed one of the most productive spells of his recent career in Turkey, while other Nigerian internationals were hoping to make their mark across Europe on Saturday.
But the latest round of fixtures brought contrasting outcomes for the Super Eagles contingent abroad, with a remarkable individual sequence finally coming to an end and several others experiencing difficult afternoons with their clubs.
From Turkey to Spain, England and Germany, Nigerian players featured in a weekend of victories, defeats and limited opportunities, with Iheanacho’s Bursaspor campaign providing the biggest talking point.
Iheanacho’s 12-match league scoring sequence ended on Saturday, but Bursaspor continued their promotion push with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Bandırmaspor in Turkey’s First League.
The Super Eagles striker started and completed the match after recovering from the knock he sustained against Ankara Keçiörengücü the previous weekend. However, he could not find the net as Bursaspor secured their 13th league fixture of the campaign.
The hosts settled the contest early, with Halil Akbunar opening the scoring in the seventh minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball from a corner.
Lewis Baker then took centre stage, scoring twice in the 12th and 23rd minutes. His first effort followed a mistake forced by Bursaspor’s pressure, while his second was a powerful long-range strike that went in off the post.
The three-goal advantage left Bandırmaspor with too much to recover, and Bursaspor managed the remainder of the contest to secure another important victory.
Fellow Nigerian Tosin Kehinde started for Bandırmaspor but endured a difficult afternoon. He received a yellow card in the second minute before being substituted for Dominique Badji on the hour.
Despite drawing a blank, Iheanacho remains on 16 league goals and three assists this season. His previous appearance had brought a goal in the 4–2 victory over Keçiörengücü, extending the scoring sequence that finally stopped against Bandırmaspor.
Bursaspor’s victory lifted them to 31 points and kept them top of the table. They have now won four consecutive league matches, with their next assignment an away fixture against Antalyaspor on November 6.
Lookman features as Atlético maintain winning momentum
In Spain, Ademola Lookman came off the bench as Atlético Madrid secured a 2–0 away victory over Levante at the Ciutat de València.
The Nigerian forward began on the bench, with Diego Simeone opting to introduce him in the 76th minute in place of Álex Baena.
Atlético had already established control before Lookman’s arrival, with the visitors taking the lead in the first half before adding a second after the break.
The Nigerian was unable to add a goal or assist during his brief appearance, but his involvement extended a run in which he has featured in every Atlético league match this season.
Lookman entered the game having made 10 previous league appearances, including nine starts. His league return remains one goal, scored against Sevilla in August.
His latest outing followed a 45-minute appearance in Atlético’s previous league match, a 1–0 victory over Deportivo de La Coruña.
While the win maintained Atlético’s positive momentum, Lookman will be hoping to regain a starting place and add to his attacking contribution as the campaign progresses.
Aina withdrawn as Forest suffer another defeat
Ola Aina’s afternoon in England was less encouraging, with the Super Eagles defender withdrawn at half-time as Nottingham Forest lost 2–0 to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Aina returned to Forest’s starting line-up ahead of Daniel Muñoz, operating on the right side of a 3–4–2–1 formation. However, his involvement lasted only 45 minutes, with Forest already trailing when the teams went into the interval.
Brentford took the lead in the 30th minute after Dango Ouattara beat Murillo and delivered a low cross that Nikola Milenković diverted into his own net.
The hosts nearly doubled their advantage before the break when Mathias Jensen struck the crossbar with a free kick.
Aina and Xaver Schlager were both withdrawn at half-time as Forest made two changes in an attempt to improve their performance.
The visitors created opportunities after the restart, with Liam Delap threatening and Ryan Yates heading over from a Morgan Gibbs-White delivery. But Brentford held firm before Igor Thiago sealed the victory in the 76th minute.
The defeat left Forest with six points from nine league matches, having recorded one win, three draws and five defeats. for Aina, the match provided a return to the starting line-up but ended prematurely as Forest continued to search for consistency. They will next face Manchester City.
Boniface gets late opportunity in Leverkusen defeat
In Germany, Victor Boniface made a late appearance as Bayer Leverkusen suffered a 4–2 home defeat to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
The Nigerian striker was introduced in the 83rd minute, replacing Aleix García, as Leverkusen attempted to recover from a two-goal deficit.
Stuttgart had taken control through goals from Ermedin Demirović, who scored twice, Jamie Leweling and Bilal El Khannouss.
Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza scored for Leverkusen, with Maza’s 79th-minute header briefly raising hopes of a comeback.
Boniface entered the contest with the hosts still searching for another breakthrough. He helped keep the pressure on Stuttgart and won a corner during the closing stages, but the visitors protected their advantage to claim all three points.
The defeat was Leverkusen’s first home league loss of the season and left them on 13 points from eight matches.
Fellow Nigerian Nathan Tella missed the fixture because of a fitness issue, denying Leverkusen another option from their Nigerian contingent.
Boniface’s late appearance followed Leverkusen’s 5–2 German Cup victory over Nürnberg earlier in the week, when the club had overturned a two-goal deficit.
Leverkusen will now turn their attention to a home Europa League meeting with Marseille on November 5 before travelling to Cologne for their next Bundesliga fixture on November 8.
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The latest round of fixtures offered a reminder of the different situations facing Nigerian players across Europe.
Iheanacho’s scoring streak may have ended, but Bursaspor remain top of their league and firmly on course in their promotion campaign. Lookman continued his involvement in Atlético’s league matches, although he had to settle for a late substitute appearance.
Aina returned to Forest’s starting line-up but was withdrawn at half time in a defeat, while Boniface could not help Leverkusen avoid a home loss after coming on late. Tella, meanwhile, was absent through a fitness issue.
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