By Dorcas Francis Koji
Zadok Yohanna made history with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, becoming the fourth-youngest Nigerian to feature in the Premier League, while Akor Adams and Ademola Lookman endured quieter outings in Italy and Spain respectively.
ENGLAND
Zadok Yohanna — Brighton & Hove Albion
Yohanna made his Premier League debut as Brighton produced an emphatic 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium.
The teenager began the match on the bench before coming on for Mats Wieffer in the 78th minute, earning his first taste of top-flight football in England as Brighton completed a dominant afternoon.
Brighton raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 18 minutes. Maxim de Cuyper was involved in both goals, forcing Victor Lindelof into an own goal before scoring himself.
Jack Hinshelwood then added two goals in quick succession as Brighton extended their advantage to 4-0. Villa’s difficult afternoon worsened when Joao Gomes was sent off after just 40 minutes on his Premier League debut.
Yohanna, 19, joined Brighton from Swedish club AIK during the summer for an initial £24.2m, with the transfer potentially rising to £26m with add-ons.
At 19 years and 55 days, the Nigerian became the fourth-youngest Nigerian to appear in the Premier League, behind Victor Anichebe, Kelechi Iheanacho and Shola Ameobi.
His debut marks another significant step in what promises to be an exciting career for the young Nigerian.
ITALY
Akor Adams — Venezia
Akor Adams was unable to reproduce his impressive Coppa Italia and Serie A debut form as Venezia suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Lecce on Sunday.
The Nigerian striker played the entire match but failed to find the net after scoring twice and providing an assist in his previous competitive appearance.
Venezia had two goals ruled out during the match, one in each half, but could not find a way back into the contest.
Adams joined Venezia from Sevilla during the summer and will now look to rediscover his scoring touch in the coming fixtures.
SPAIN
Ademola Lookman — Atlético Madrid
Lookman is still searching for his first goal for Atlético Madrid after featuring in their 2-2 draw against Villarreal at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The Nigerian winger started the game but was withdrawn in the 79th minute as both sides shared the points in an entertaining encounter.
Atlético took the lead shortly before the hour mark through Marc Pubill, who curled an impressive effort into the top corner.
Villarreal responded from the penalty spot through Gerard Moreno after Morten Hjulmand was adjudged to have fouled Tajon Buchanan inside the area.
The visitors then moved ahead after Atlético defender Robin Le Normand was sent off for a foul on Georges Mikautadze in the box. Mikautadze converted the resulting penalty.
Atlético eventually rescued a point through Giuliano Simeone, who finished across goalkeeper Luiz Júnior following a pass from Álex Baena.
Lookman, who moved to Atlético from Atalanta in January, has now made two league appearances this season without scoring.
TURKEY
Paul Onuachu and Chibuike Nwaiwu — Trabzonspor
Paul Onuachu and Chibuike Nwaiwu both featured for Trabzonspor as Mohamed Salah inspired the Turkish side to a 2-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Sunday.
Salah marked his first Turkish Super Lig start for Trabzonspor with two goals, taking his tally for the club to two.
The Egyptian opened the scoring after dispossessing goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer, with his effort taking a deflection before going in off the post.
Eldor Shomurodov restored parity from the penalty spot, but Salah struck again with a first-time finish from 10 yards to secure all three points for Trabzonspor.
Onuachu remained on the pitch until the 87th minute, while Nwaiwu received a yellow card in the 83rd minute.
The weekend therefore produced contrasting fortunes for Nigeria’s players abroad, with Yohanna enjoying a landmark Premier League debut while Adams and Lookman continue their search for consistency and goals in their respective leagues.
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