Arokodare nets 13th Ajax goal as summer deal talks intensifies

• Eagles new boy Mubarak bags assist in Czechia

Nigerian stars made their mark across Europe over the weekend, with Tolu Arokodare continuing his scoring run in the Netherlands while Super Eagles new invitee Suleiman Mubarak got his sixth goal contribution of the season. ABIODUN ADEWALE reports

NETHERLANDS

Tolu Arokodare (Ajax)

Tolu Arokodare continued his impressive scoring form for Ajax, netting his seventh Eredivisie goal of the season in their 2-2 draw away to FC Twente on Sunday.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring after just three minutes, rising above his marker to head home and give Ajax an early lead.

However, Ajax failed to hold on to their advantage, eventually surrendering a two-goal lead to share the spoils with Twente. Substitute Rayane Bounida doubled Ajax’s advantage in the 66th minute, beating goalkeeper Joël Drommel with a strike from outside the penalty area.

Twente responded almost immediately, with Dies Janse inadvertently heading a corner past his own goalkeeper two minutes later to reduce the deficit.

The hosts completed their comeback in stoppage time after VAR intervened to award them a penalty following Lucas Rosa’s challenge on Ramiz Zerrouki. Wout Weghorst converted from the spot to secure a 2-2 draw.

The result denied Ajax the opportunity to move top of the Eredivisie, leaving them one point behind leaders PSV.

For Arokodare, however, the goal further underlined his growing influence in Dutch football, taking his tally to 13 goals and four assists in 17 appearances across all competitions.

His seventh league goal of the campaign also strengthens his case for a permanent move from Wolves, where he is currently on loan.

ENGLAND

Chuba Akpom (Ipswich Town)

Akpom’s limited involvement for Ipswich Town in the Premier League continued on Sunday, as he featured for just five minutes in their 2-1 home defeat to Brighton.

The forward, who joined the club on a permanent deal after spending half a season with them in the Championship, has scored just one league goal in eight appearances, accumulating approximately 119 minutes of playing time.

Rofiat Imuran (Aston Villa Women)

Super Falcons left-back Rofiat Imuran made her fifth appearance of the season for Aston Villa Women on Sunday, featuring for 12 minutes as they lost 1-0 to Manchester United Women.

Imuran joined Villa from London City Lionesses in the summer but has started just one league game since her arrival.

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Women)

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced five saves for Brighton & Hove Albion Women but could not prevent them from suffering a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.

Nnadozie put up a solid performance between the sticks as Brighton took an early lead through Frank Kirby, but two second-half goals within a minute condemned the visitors to defeat.

Brighton made a bright start, with Kirby putting them ahead after Olivia Garcia squared a pass into the box for the former England international, who made no mistake with the finish.

Tottenham responded with sustained pressure, but Nnadozie and Brighton’s defence held firm to preserve their advantage at the break.

However, Spurs turned the game around shortly after the restart, with Signe Gaupset and Olivia Holdt scoring within a minute to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

Nnadozie was called into action several other times as Tottenham sought to extend their advantage, making five saves during the encounter.

The Nigerian goalkeeper has now recorded just one clean sheet in nine WSL appearances this season.

GERMANY

Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)

After being left out of Bayer Leverkusen’s matchday squad last week, Victor Boniface returned to the bench but was an unused substitute in their 2-1 win away to Koln.

The Nigerian striker is yet to start a game this season and has managed just 15 minutes of action across all competitions.

ITALY

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)

Dele-Bashiru featured for 29 minutes as Lazio maintained their unbeaten run in Serie A with a 1-1 draw away to Napoli.

The draw ended Lazio’s run of six consecutive league victories, while Napoli stopped a run of four straight head-to-head defeats against the visitors at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Lazio, who are targeting their first Scudetto since 2000, had arrived in Naples on the back of an impressive winning run.

Despite limited playing time under Gennaro Gattuso, the Nigerian midfielder has maintained his rhythm, recording one goal and one assist in seven Serie A appearances.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Monza)

Former Beyond Limits player Ebenezer Akinsanmiro continues to rack up impressive minutes in Serie A.

On Sunday, he made 34 touches, completed 19 passes, registered two shots and created two chances as Monza suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Atalanta.

The appearance was Akinsanmiro’s 34th in Serie A since making his debut for Inter Milan in the 2023/24 season. The 21-year-old remains on loan from Inter.

CYPRUS

Francis Uzoho (Omonia 29th May)

Back in the national team, Francis Uzoho was in goal for his eighth consecutive league appearance on Sunday but could not prevent Omonia 29th May from losing to Pafos.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Suleiman, Ayaosi and Moses (Slavia Prague)

New Super Eagles invitee Mubarak Suleiman registered an assist as Slavia Prague recorded a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Artis Brno on Sunday.

The midfielder set up Czech forward Mojmir Chytil for the opening goal, taking his goal contributions to six this season.

The 19-year-old now has three goals and three assists in nine league appearances, alongside two goals in the cup, taking his tally to five goals and three assists in 13 appearances across all competitions, including three outings in the UEFA Champions League.

His compatriots, Emmanuel Ayaosi and David Moses, also featured, playing 69 and 59 minutes respectively.

Forward Ayaosi has five goals and three assists in 13 league appearances, while Moses has registered one assist in nine league games.

TURKEY

Ibrahim Olawoyin (Rizespor)

Nigerian midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin provided an assist as Çaykur Rizespor secured their first home victory of the Turkish Super Lig season with a 2-1 win over Erzurumspor in the 11th round on Sunday.

At the Çaykur Didi Stadium, Olawoyin set up Ali Sowe to open the scoring for the hosts in the 31st minute.

Erzurumspor responded six minutes later, with Ibrahim Diabate restoring parity in the 37th minute as both sides went into the break level at 1-1.

Sowe completed his brace in the 66th minute, scoring the winner to seal all three points for Rizespor.

The victory lifted Rizespor to 14 points, while Erzurumspor remain on the same tally after 11 matches.

Olawoyin now has one goal and one assist in 11 appearances this season.

Onuachu, Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor)

Paul Onuachu and Chibuike Nwaiwu both contributed to the goals as Trabzonspor secured a 2-0 away victory over Alanyaspor to climb to second place in the Super Lig.

Defender Nwaiwu set up Cape Verdean defender Wagner Pina for the opening goal in the 17th minute, while Onuachu, who had not contributed to a league goal since September, provided the assist for the second, scored by Mohamed Salah.