Iwobi, Ajibade misfire, Dessers benched

Iwobi, Ajibade misfire, Dessers benched

The games are gradually coming in the New Year but the few Nigerian stars involved are yet to hit the gears, ABIODUN ADEWALE writes

ENGLAND

IWOBI, BASSEY (FULHAM)

Yet to miss a game this season, Alex Iwobi started the 20th game of the 2024/25 English Premier League season for Fulham but the afternoon didn’t look similar to what has been the midfielder’s best season as he was substituted in the 63rd minute for Rodrigo Muniz.

The Cottagers were held to a 2-2 draw at home by the Tractor Boys and Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey was in the defence that let in two goals. Apart from missing just one game this season due to suspension, the defender has been ever-present for Marcos Silva’s men.

No thanks to the draw which is their fourth in five games, although they haven’t lost any in the period, they are now ninth in the EPL with 30 points after 20 games.

Iwobi has scored five goals and made three assists this season.

SPAIN

RASHEEDAT AJIBADE (ATLETICO)

After being left out of their last two games, Super Falcons captain Ajibade returned to the starting lineup for Atletico Madrid Women, featuring for 90 minutes in their 2-1 loss at home against Barcelona Femenine. It was her 10th appearance of the campaign.

Before she was halted by an injury, Ajibade has been in great form for Atletico Women, scoring five goals plus two assists in her first eight appearances.

In her great start to the season, she was crowned Spanish Liga F Player of the Month for September, beating other top players like Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor, Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir, Levante Badalona’s María Llompart, and Athletic Club Femenino’s Nerea Nevado to the award.

ITALY

FISAYO DELE-BASHIRU

After impressing in their last draw against Atalanta, Dele-Bashiru got the nod for the second consecutive Serie A game as Lazio faced AS Roma in the Rome derby.

Mostly used in cup games and the Europa League, the Nigerian midfielder was out to prove his worth again to coach Marco Baroni.

Dele-Bashiru’s goal against Atalanta last Saturday evening was his second goal in the Serie A and fourth goal in all competitions, and that has seen Lazio become the team with the most goal scorers on more than three goals this season in Italy.

The Nigerian became the sixth player from the club to score more than three goals this season when he netted the opening goal in their 1-1 draw against Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico.

SCOTLAND

DESSERS, BALOGUN (RANGERS)

Cyriel Dessers was an unused substitute as Rangers slipped further in the Scottish Premier League race no thanks to a 3-3 draw against Hibernian.

Dessers has returned six goals and 2 assists in 18 league games this season but it seems he hasn’t done enough to convince coach Philippe Clement. His compatriot, Leon Balogun was not named in the match-day squad.

TURKEY

BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL (FENERBAHCE)

Osayi-Samuel’s Fenerbahce continue to chase Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig and the Super Eagles defender was involved in their 2-1 win over Hatayaspor on Sunday to keep an eight-point gap on the leaders after 17 games.

The Nigerian has played 11 league games this season.