Naija Stars Abroad: Ejuke edges Ighalo, Aribo and Lookman to emerge Nigeria's Player of the Week

Naija Stars Abroad is a weekly dive into Nigerian players and their football exploits across the world of football.

Forgotten Super Eagles forward Chidera Ejuke has been named Nigeria's Player of the Week after a spectacular performance for Belgian champions Royal Antwerp on Sunday.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Naija Stars Abroad named the talented winger as the star of the weekend despite strong performances across the board led by AFCON 2019 top scorer, Odion Ighalo.

Ejuke leads Ighalo, others on Naija Stars Abroad

The winger scored one goal and assisted another as Antwerp thrashed St Truiden 3-0 in the league.

It continues Ejuke's resurgence after struggling initially following his move from CSKA Moscow last summer.

The 26-year-old opened his account for the club in November, against the same team, and has now been directly involved in six goals for the club this term.

On Sunday, Ejuke doubled Antwerp's lead just before half-time before he then turned provider in the second half to tee up Jacob Ondrejka for the third goal in a rout.

It was a statement performance from Ejuke as Antwerp made it two straight league wins to boost their title hopes.

The display also makes Ejuke our Nigerian Player of the Week, edging out other strong contenders.

Naija Stars Round-Up

Southampton's Joe Aribo scored a last-gasp winner at Birmingham in a seven-goal thriller in the Championship.

He came off the bench to score in added time to give the Saints a 4-3 win on the road. It was his third goal of the season and second since he returned from AFCON.

While Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel Terem Moffi and Odion Ighalo were also on target for their clubs.

Lookman was on target as well for Atlanta but his goal was not enough to secure victory against Bologna. 

Bologna proved too good for their visitors, despite Lookman firing Atalanta in front just before the half-hour mark. It was his first goal since his impressive outing with Nigeria at AFCON. 

Another Super Eagles star who found the net but ended on the losing side is Terem Moffi, the South Africa tormentor-in-chief at AFCON. 

Moffi fired his seventh of the season, a funny opener for Nice at Toulouse, But the home side turned things around to win 2-1 after Moffi was subbed off.

Defender Osayi-Samuel was also on target in Turkey for his club Fenerbahce, after a shock spanking in the cup in midweek, the 26-year-old set the giants on their way to a 2-0 win at Hataspor with the opener. His third goal of the season. 

Earlier on Thursday, 34-year-old Odion Ighalo turned on the style for Al Wehda, also in the Saudi Pro League, with a stunning brace, his 11th and 12th goals of the season. Despite his efforts, the match ended 3-3. 

But none could match Ejuke's talismanic display to inspire his club to victory on Sunday.

After a slow start to life in Belgium, the signs suggest Ejuke could play a key role as Antwerp look to defend their Pro League crown this season.

Other Nigerian Stars

Elsewhere, little-known Kingsley Eduwo was on target but also ended on the wrong side of things with Club Africain in the CAFCC.

Eduwo, who has been in fine form for his Tunisian side, opened the scoring in the 28th minute but Academica Lobito levelled late on to send the Nigerian and his club out of the competition. 

Another Nigerian star who scored over the weekend was Saviour Godwin, who led the way in the Saudi Arabian Pro League with the goal for Al Akhdoud. But the goal was not enough to stop a 2-1 defeat at home.

Meanwhile in the top five leagues, for Naija players who were not lucky in front of goal, Victor Osimhen led the way and missed a penalty in Napoli’s 2-1 win against Juventus while Cyriel Dessers, another in-form striker was caged by Motherland. 

Manchester United slayers, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey were caged but also enjoyed victories as Fulham thrashed Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 at home in the Premier League. 

In the Bundesliga, Nathan Tella enjoyed a cameo as Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run and lead to 34 matches and 10 points respectively following a routine 2-0 win against Cologne in the Rhine derby. 

• Nigeria’s Player of the Week: Chidera Ejuke

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