Nigerians Abroad: Emenike scores sixth league goal and Balogun scores first goal in Portugal

By Babajide Alaka

Dec 16, 2013 10:32:00 AM

The Super Eagles striker scored the first goal for his team in a 4-0 rout while his younger compatriot has just opened his scoring account in Portugal

ENGLAND

It was a case of no show in the English Premier League for Nigerian players at Chelsea and Liverpool at the weekend as Mikel Obi was absent in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace while Victor Moses played just three minutes of Liverpool’s 5-0 away thrashing handed to Tottenham. But Peter Odemwingie played 90 minutes in Cardiff City’s 1-0 win over his former club, West Bromwich. West Brom sacked their manager Steve Clarke after the loss. Victor Anichebe did not play for the Baggies.
Odemwingie had 88% pass accuracy from 41 touches and had two shots. He also completed three dribbles successfully and committed five fouls. He has scored one goal in 12 league appearances.
Shola Ameobi played for 61 minutes in Newcastle’s 1-1 home draw with Southampton on Saturday. It was Shola’s 10th league appearance and he is yet to score. He had 78% pass accuracy and won 43% of his aerial duels. He also had two shots and completed one dribble successfully.
The closest he came to a goal was in the 33rd minute when his header went slightly wide. Papiss Cisse substituted him in the 61st minute.

SPAIN

Ikechukwu Uche came on as a substitute for Villarreal in their 2-1 away loss on Saturday. Uche came on in the 64th minute for Edu Ramos and Barcelona scored their winning goal in the 68th minute through Neymar, who also scored the first. Uche has scored six league goals in 13 games. Almeria battled to a point at home to Espanyol on Saturday to maintain their fight against relegation. Ramon Azeez played all 90 minutes for his 11th league appearance for the just-promoted side.
Odion Ighalo was an unused substitute when Granada won 2-0 away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Ighalo has scored one goal in seven league appearances.

FRANCE

Lille got back into winning ways with a 2-1 home win over Bastia on Sunday. Vincent Enyeama who conceded last week after 11 consecutive clean sheets conceded in the first three minutes by Ludovic Genestet but Salomon Kalou scored twice in five minutes to lead Lille to a win.

TURKEY

Emmanuel Emenike scored the first goal in Fenerbahce’s 4-0 rout of Akhisar Belediyespor on Friday. Emenike scored in the 43rd minute to record his sixth league goal in 14 appearances. In all 14 matches, he has played 896 minutes. Mehmet Topaz replaced the Nigerian striker in the 78th minute.
Both Godfrey Oboabona and John Utaka played for Rizespor and Sivasspor respectively. Both played 90 minutes but it was Utaka’s side that triumphed with a 3-1 score. Utaka has scored two goals in 12 appearances while Oboabona has one goal in seven appearances.

PORTUGAL

Femi Balogun (pictured) scored for Olhanense as they lost 3-2 at home to Benfica. It was the 20-year-old's 11th game and first goal in the league.
Elderson Echiejile played his seventh league game as Sporting Braga beat Vitoria Setubal 2-0 to move to the 10th position. Echiejile has not scored this season. John Ogu was not listed in Academica’s 1-1 home draw with Maritimo. ------------ goal.com