The matchday 2 of the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League group stage saw a host of Nigerians feature for their various clubs on Thursday night. How did they perform?
In Group D, Victor Boniface scored a 71st minute winner to help Union Saint Gilloise beat FF Malmo 3-2 at home.
Joseph Ceesay gave Malmo the lead inside the first six minutes of the game, but they were pegged back when Christian Burgess equalized for Saint Gilloise in the 17th minute.
In the 57th minute, Isaac Thelin scored to put Malmo ahead for the second time in the game. Teddy Teuma scored for St. Gilloise in the 69th minute to level the score.
Two minutes later, Boniface scored a beautiful goal which proved to be the game’s winner. The 21-year-old striker combined well with a teammate before unleashing a low drive past the Malmo goalkeeper with his weak foot. His first European goal for the Belgian club.
Elsewhere, Moses Simon had a disappointing outing for Nantes, who were thrashed 3-0 by Qarabag FK in Group G.
In Group E, the duo of Iyayi Atiemwen and Rasheed Akanbi both started in FC Sheriff’s 2-0 home defeat against Manchester United.
Victor Olatunji helped AEK Larnaca to defeat Dynamo Kyiv at home as he started from the beginning in Group B.
Three-time Nigerian international Anderson Esiti made a cameo appearance for Ferencvárosi as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win at Monaco in Group H.
Bright Osayi Emmanuel was involved for Fenerbahce as the Turkish side drew 2-2 away from home against Rennes in Group B.
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho was benched by Omonia Nicosia in the Cypriot team’s 2-1 Group E loss at Real Sociedad.
