- Victor Boniface scored twice and provided an assist in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-1 win over Hoffenheim
- Ola Aina’s flawless performance helped Nottingham Forest defeat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield
- Victor Osimhen provided an assist on his debut for Galatasaray as they thrashed Rizespor 5-0
Super Eagles stars made their presence felt on the international stage this weekend, delivering standout performances in key fixtures across Europe.
Victor Boniface dazzled with two goals and an assist in the Bundesliga, while Ola Aina showcased a flawless defensive display for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen, in his much-anticipated debut for Galatasaray, contributed an assist, as his team cruised to a commanding victory.
Boniface’s brilliance led Bayer Leverkusen to a resounding 4-1 win over Hoffenheim, where his two goals were pivotal in helping his side bounce back from their first league defeat in 35 matches.
The striker’s pace, power, and precise finishing left Hoffenheim’s defence in disarray. Alongside him, French winger Martin Terrier opened the scoring with his first Bundesliga goal, while Florian Wirtz added a third through a penalty.
Boniface capped off his exceptional performance with a composed finish to secure the victory. Victor Boniface was the man of the match, netting twice to help secure the win. With this win, Leverkusen now looks ahead to their Champions League clash against Feyenoord.
Elsewhere in England, Ola Aina delivered a defensive masterclass for Nottingham Forest, helping his side stun Liverpool with a 1-0 victory at Anfield. Aina’s perfect pass completion rate was 23 out of 23, and his 100% tackle success rate (three out of three) marked him as one of the standout players in the match.
His performance at the right-back position helped Nottingham Forest FC secure their first win at Anfield since 1969, marking the team’s fourth consecutive away Premier League victory.
Victor Osimhen also impressed in his debut for Galatasaray, providing a key assist in their 5-0 demolition of Rizespor. Osimhen’s relentless movement and attacking threat for the Rizespor defence throughout the match, even though he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself.
Although Osimhen came close to scoring on several occasions, fans are eagerly anticipating his first goal for the Turkish giants when they face Gaziantep in their next fixture.
In Italy, Ademola Lookman was the star of the match as Atalanta secured a convincing 3-2 comeback win over Fiorentina in Serie A. After returning from AFCON qualifiers where he scored twice for Nigeria, Lookman was key in turning the game around for his side.
Although Fiorentina took an early lead in the 15th minute, Lookman assisted Mateo Retegui's equaliser in the 21st minute and just before halftime, he scored his first goal of the season, which ended up being the match-winner.
The Ballon d’Or nominee’s excellent performances, both for Atalanta and Nigeria over the last year, have made him a clear favourite for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award.
Osimhen eyes Odegbami’s record in Super Eagles’ game against Rwanda
Previously, TheRadar reported that Victor Osimhen added another chapter to his remarkable career, becoming Nigeria’s third-highest goal scorer by netting his 22nd goal in a 3-0 win against Benin Republic on Saturday, September 7.
Osimhen’s contributions were crucial as Nigeria opened its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. His goal helped secure a comfortable win for the team and further etched his name in the annals of Nigerian football.
