Nigerians Abroad: Top Flight Football

Dessers finds the net, Iheanacho provides the assist, and Lookman rejoins Atalanta. Kelechi Iheanacho continues to be a focal point of inter...

• Dessers finds the net, Iheanacho provides the assist, and Lookman rejoins Atalanta.

Kelechi Iheanacho continues to be a focal point of interest.PUNCH Sports Extra Monitored the progress of Nigerian footballers playing internationally, as they continued to excel with their various teams.

SCOTLAND

Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic)

The Super Eagles striker was named in manager Brendan Rodgers' first team for their Scottish League Cup match against Partick Thistle on Sunday.

The ex-Manchester City and Leicester City forward played 59 minutes for the Bhoys, providing a setup in the 46th minute as Celtic cruised to a 4-0 victory. Iheanacho was subbed out for Japanese national team player Daizen Maeda.

ITALY

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)

The Super Eagles attacker made his debut for Atalanta in the 2025/26 season in their Serie A match against Torino on the road this past Sunday.

The current CAF Africa Player of the Year, included in La Dea's lineup after their 4-0 loss to PSG in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the week, entered the game in the 87th minute, replacing Ghanaian forward Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Lookman played the rest of the match as Atalanta secured an easy 3-0 victory, thanks to goals by Nikola Krstovic and Sulemana.

ENGLAND

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton)

Brighton's WSL match at home against West Ham United saw their opponents face the Super Falcons' preferred goalkeeper right from the kickoff.

The ex-goalkeeper for Paris FC experienced a victory as Brighton dominated with a 4-1 score; Caitlin Hayes, Kiko Seike, Rosa Kafaji, and Marisa Olislagers all scored for the home team.

Nnadozie conceded a goal in the 51st minute when Viviane Asseyi scored a penalty, but it was merely a consolation goal for the Hammers.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)

In Sunday's Rome derby, the Nigeria international was selected to start for Lazio by their manager, Maurizio Sarri, in the match against their local rivals, AS Roma.

But the 24-year-old midfielder played for a mere 14 minutes before being substituted by Reda Belahyane in the first half, seemingly due to an injury.

As the match wore on, Dele-Bashiru's absence became more noticeable, culminating in Lazio's second consecutive 1-0 loss at the Stadio Olimpico, with Lorenzo Pellegrini scoring the decisive goal in the 38th minute.

FRANCE

Moses Simon (Paris FC)

The Nigerian attacker was in the starting lineup for Paris FC, the recently promoted Ligue 1 team, in their match at home against Strasbourg on Sunday.

The ex-Nantes winger took four attempts at goal, but failed to contribute to the score as Paris FC were defeated 3-2 on their home ground. Simon was replaced in the 69th minute by Nouha Dicko, who, in a twist of fate, scored Paris’ initial goal and also set up their second.

This season, Simon has two goals and one assist in five games.

GERMANY

Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)

The Nigeria international was nowhere near coach Kasper Hjulmand’s matchday squad, as Bayer Leverkusen played host to Borussia Monchengladbach, as he continues his recovery from injury.

Leverkusen could only grind out a 1-1 draw with Monchengladbach, after conceding a late equaliser by Haris Tabakovic in the 92nd minute.

BELGIUM

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)

Fresh from scoring his first goal of the season when he found the back of the net for Club Brugge against AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, Raphael Onyedika started for the Belgian giants in their Jupiler League fixture against visiting St. Truiden on Sunday.

The 24-year-old played the entirety of the fixture and bagged a yellow card in the 89ty minute, as Brugge claimed a 2-0 victory.

SOUTH AFRICA

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)

The Super Eagles safe pair of hands was surprisingly absent in the matchday squad for Chippa United, in their Premier Soccer League fixture away to Polokwane on Sunday.

The modest side squandered a fifth-minute lead to lose 2-1 to Polokwane, courtesy of comeback efforts from Lebohang Nkaki and Tholo Matuludi.

GREECE

Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos)

After scoring his first goal in the Greek Cup last week, the former Glasgow Rangers hitman started Panathinaikos’ home game against Olympiakos in a Greek Super League blockbuster clash.

The 30-year-old had a rollercoaster display as he was booked in the 39th minute, before scoring his first league goal of the season in the 48th minute. He was subsequently replaced in the 75th minute by Karol Swiderski.

Panathinaikos could not hold on to their lead which was given to them by Dessers, as they conceded a 92nd minute equaliser via Ayoub El Kaabi as the game ended 1-1.

Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympicos)

The Nigerian was an unused substitute as Olympiakos made the away trip to Panathinaikos in a Greek top-flight encounter on Sunday.

The clash ended in a 1-1 draw between both sides, with Onyemaechi’s Nigerian compatriot, Cyriel Dessers netting the opener for Panathinaikos before Ayoub El Kaabi levelled deep into stoppage time.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).