Nigerian players abroad make headlines with key goals and performances ahead of AFCON 2025, including Anthony Dennis’ match-winning strike

Nigerian footballers delivered notable performances across multiple leagues this weekend, ahead of the Super Eagles’ final AFCON 2025 squad announcement.

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Anthony Dennis, a little-known midfielder for Gotzepe, stole the show with a stoppage-time winner as his team defeated Trabzonspor 2-1 in the Turkish Super Lig.

In Croatia, former Flying Eagles striker Salim Fago confirmed his rising form by scoring his fourth goal of the season in NK Istra 1961’s 5-1 victory at Osijek.

The 22-year-old Fago, in his third season in Croatia, had emerged at the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Argentina and is on coach Eric Chelle’s 54-man provisional list for AFCON 2025.

In England, Nigerian trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze started for Fulham in a 2-1 home defeat to their London rivals.

Chukwueze continues to impress with a Premier League record of a goal or assist every 46 minutes this season.

Meanwhile, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie kept a clean sheet in Brighton Women’s 1-0 win over London City Lionesses, while Toni Payne provided a key assist for Everton Women in their landmark 1-0 win over Chelsea, ending the club’s eight-game winless streak.

Elsewhere in Europe, Moses Simon struggled in Paris FC’s 1-0 loss to Le Havre, while Victor Boniface played 21 minutes as Werder Bremen fell 3-2 to Hamburg.

Serie A’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru returned from injury for Lazio against Bologna, and Sevilla’s Akor Adams extended his La Liga goal drought to seven games in a 1-1 draw with Valencia. Chidera Ejuke remained an unused substitute.

In Austria, Chubuike Nwaiwu received a red card as Wolfsberger beat Austria Vienna 2-1. Belgian forward Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi remained on the bench for OH Leuven, while Czech Republic’s Emmanuel Ayoasi saw his scoring run halted in Karvina’s goalless draw with Ostrava.

Cyriel Dessers started from the bench in Greece for Panathinaikos.

In Scotland, Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute in Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hearts, while Philip Otele played 73 minutes in Basel’s 2-1 win at Winterthur, maintaining a tally of six goals and three assists across all competitions.

In Turkey, alongside Dennis’ heroics, Tom-Dele Bashiru helped Gençlerbirligi secure a 3-0 win over Karamguruk, while Henry Onyekuru was a second-half substitute.

Paul Onuachu received a booking in Trabzonspor’s game and will miss the next match, maintaining 11 goals and one assist in the league this season.

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The weekend highlighted Nigerian players abroad as key contributors across top European leagues and Turkey, showcasing talent and form ahead of the national team’s AFCON 2025 preparations.