- Fago injured again in Plzen victory
Nigerian players across Europe experienced a weekend of milestones, goals and setbacks as Moses Simon reached a historic appearance landmark in France while several Super Eagles stars influenced key matches with injury concerns for young forward Salim Fago, whose early setback overshadowed his club’s victory in Central Europe. OLAMIDE ABE writes
SUNDAY
France
Moses Simon (Paris FC)
Simon marked a significant career milestone on Sunday by making his 200th appearance in the French top flight as Paris FC battled to a goalless draw against RC Strasbourg at the Stade de la Meinau.
The Nigerian winger featured for 64 minutes in a closely contested Ligue 1 encounter that ultimately produced no breakthrough despite chances for both sides. The result ensured Paris FC returned home with a valuable point that leaves them 13th in the table and nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Simon’s landmark appearance places him in a small group of Nigerian footballers to reach such longevity in the French top division. He becomes only the second Nigerian to make 200 Ligue 1 appearances after former Super Eagles forward John Utaka.
The achievement represents the culmination of several productive seasons in France for the fleet-footed winger. Since arriving in the country in 2019, Simon has established himself as one of the most consistent wide players in the league, combining pace, creativity and defensive work rate.
His latest milestone appearance also reflects his steady adaptation to life at Paris FC following his summer move in 2025. Since joining the capital club, Simon has made 23 league appearances, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Much of his Ligue 1 legacy was built during his six-year spell with FC Nantes. Across 177 league appearances for the Canaries, Simon scored 33 goals and registered 37 assists, playing a decisive role in helping the club maintain their top-flight status across several difficult campaigns.
Sunday’s draw was a tactical contest as Strasbourg controlled periods of possession but struggled to convert their territorial advantage into clear scoring chances. Simon, operating from the left flank, repeatedly attempted to stretch the hosts’ defensive structure with diagonal runs and direct dribbles.
With the campaign entering its decisive phase, Simon will now turn his attention to ending a personal goal drought that stretches back to November. Paris FC face Le Havre next week in a match that could move them closer to mathematical safety.
England
Aina, Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
Nigerian players were central figures as Nottingham Forest and Fulham shared a tense goalless draw at the City Ground in the English Premier League.
Among the five Nigerians involved, Forest defender Ola Aina produced arguably the most eye-catching performance.
The match lacked goals but delivered moments of defensive intensity and flashes of attacking quality. Aina came closest to breaking the deadlock shortly before the hour mark with a spectacular effort that rattled the crossbar.
After making a clever diagonal run, the Nigerian controlled a long pass from Brazilian defender Murillo before unleashing a fierce volley that appeared destined for the top corner. The strike instead crashed against the woodwork, drawing groans from the home supporters.
Aina’s influence was equally vital at the defensive end. When Fulham substitute Rodrigo Muniz shaped to shoot inside the penalty area later in the half, the full-back threw himself into the path of the attempt to produce a crucial block.
Forest introduced additional Nigerian attacking power when Taiwo Awoniyi replaced Igor Jesus late in the match. Awoniyi nearly snatched a dramatic winner after capitalising on a defensive mix-up, only for Fulham defender Kenny Tete to intervene with a decisive block.
The result proved significant for Forest’s survival battle. The point lifted them out of the relegation zone on goal difference, although their overall performance suggested they may have deserved more from the encounter.
Iwobi, Bassey, Chukwueze (Fulham)
For Fulham, Nigerian duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi both played key roles.
Bassey delivered a commanding display at the heart of defence, dominating aerial duels and demonstrating composure when building play from the back. His most notable moment came in the 19th minute when he met a dangerous free kick from Iwobi with a powerful header that forced an excellent reaction save from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Iwobi, operating in midfield, served as Fulham’s principal creative outlet throughout the contest. The Nigerian international produced several incisive passes and attempted to unlock Forest’s defensive structure through quick combinations and intelligent movement.
Late in the game, Fulham also introduced Samuel Chukwueze from the bench. The winger injected pace and direct running into their attack and helped create a promising opportunity when he slipped a pass into Iwobi inside the penalty area, only for Forest defenders to recover in time.
Despite the absence of goals, the encounter highlighted the growing influence of Nigerian players in the Premier League, with multiple Super Eagles stars involved in the game’s most decisive moments.
Czech Republic
Salim Fago Lawal (Viktoria Plzen)
Nigerian forward Salim Fago endured an unfortunate afternoon as injury forced him off early during Viktoria Plzen’s 2–0 victory over Bohemians 1905.
The injury occurred in the ninth minute when Fago received a pass from Dávid Krčík and attempted a shot on goal. Although the effort was saved by goalkeeper Tomáš Frühwald, the Nigerian remained on the ground in visible discomfort.
Medical staff quickly assessed the situation before the decision was taken to substitute him in the 11th minute, with Mohamed Toure entering the match in his place.
Toure went on to score the opening goal in the 34th minute, while Krčík later converted a penalty in the 81st minute to secure victory.
Although Plzen collected all three points, the injury to Fago cast a shadow over the result.
Spain
Adams, Ejuke (Sevilla)
Nigerian forwards Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke featured for Sevilla FC as they suffered a heavy 5–2 defeat against league leaders FC Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Adams started the match as Sevilla’s central striker but endured a difficult outing against the Catalan defence. His only attempt on goal came in the 41st minute when a right-footed effort from outside the box was blocked following a pass from José Ángel Carmona.
Statistically, the Nigerian forward recorded one shot with an expected goals value of 0.02, completed 10 of his 13 passes for a 77 per cent accuracy rate and registered 19 touches before being replaced at halftime.
Sevilla manager García Pimienta opted for tactical changes during the interval, introducing Ejuke while withdrawing Adams as the visitors attempted to find greater attacking momentum.
Ejuke’s introduction added pace and dribbling ability to Sevilla’s forward line. The Nigerian winger completed 12 of 13 passes, registered 25 touches and successfully completed four of five dribbles during an energetic cameo.
His best moment arrived in the 69th minute when he cut in from the right and fired a low shot that was saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.
Despite those flashes, Sevilla struggled to contain Barcelona’s attacking threat throughout the match. The defeat leaves the Andalusian club dangerously close to the relegation zone with the season entering its final stretch.
Adams remains Sevilla’s leading scorer this season with seven goals in 23 appearances, and the Nigerian will hope to rediscover his scoring form when the club face fellow strugglers Valencia CF next week.
Italy
Orban, Oyegoke (Hellas Verona)
Genoa secured a 2–0 victory over Hellas Verona in Serie A, extending their unbeaten run in recent meetings between the clubs.
Nigerian striker Gift Orban played a prominent role in Verona’s attacking efforts but was unable to find the breakthrough.
He attempted several efforts during the match, including a right-footed shot from outside the area early in the second half that was blocked by the Genoa defence. Later, he provided an inviting cross from a corner that Nicolás Valentini headed narrowly wide.
Orban also saw a header blocked inside the penalty area before being substituted late in the game as Verona chased a response.
His compatriot Daniel Oyegoke started the match but endured a difficult opening period, receiving a yellow card within six minutes after committing a foul. The defender was substituted at halftime as Verona sought greater defensive stability.
Akinsanmiro, Durosinmi (Pisa)
Relegation-threatened Pisa SC secured a dramatic 3–1 victory over Cagliari Calcio despite being reduced to ten men.
The turning point of the match arrived in the 37th minute when Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi received a straight red card following an off-the-ball altercation with Cagliari defender Yerry Mina.
Durosinmi had been battling physically with the Colombian defender throughout the first half. During one of those confrontations, Mina fell to the ground following contact from the Nigerian striker, prompting referee Federico La Penna to dismiss Durosinmi.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Pisa regrouped impressively after the interval to secure a crucial victory that lifts them from the bottom of the table.
Midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro entered the match with 20 minutes remaining and contributed positively, completing key defensive actions and creating a chance with a long-range pass that nearly resulted in a goal.
The victory provides a rare positive moment in what has been a difficult season for Pisa.
SATURDAY
Turkey
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Osimhen continued his prolific scoring run as Galatasaray SK defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 3–0 in the Turkish Super Lig.
The Nigerian striker doubled Galatasaray’s lead in the 66th minute after Wilfried Singo had opened the scoring earlier in the second half. Renato Nhaga added a third goal late in the match to complete a comfortable victory.
Osimhen’s strike raised his league tally to 12 goals and four assists in 19 appearances, while his overall contribution for the season now stands at 19 goals and seven assists across all competitions.
Earlier in the game he came close to producing a spectacular goal when an overhead kick struck the woodwork.
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor)
Onuachu maintained his remarkable scoring streak as Trabzonspor defeated Caykur Rizespor.
The Nigerian striker scored the decisive goal to secure all three points, extending his scoring run to ten consecutive matches.
Onuachu now has 21 league goals and two assists this season, while his overall contributions across competitions stand at 25.
The achievement also places him in Trabzonspor history as the first player since 1992 to score in eight consecutive league matches.
Nwachukwu, Adeola (Serikspor)
Nigerian duo Christian Nwachukwu and Raymond Adeola both impressed as Serikspor defeated Adana Demirspor 4–1.
Nwachukwu scored his first goal for the club since joining earlier in the season, while Adeola contributed an assist before adding a goal of his own.
The victory represents a strong statement performance for Serikspor as they continue their push in the Turkish second tier.
England
Josh Maja (West Bromwich Albion)
Maja ended a long scoring drought as West Bromwich Albion defeated Hull City 3–0 in the English Championship.
The Nigerian striker opened the scoring in the 25th minute, ending a run of 25 matches without a goal.
It was only his second goal of the season in 32 appearances but could prove important as West Brom fight to avoid relegation.