Nigerian Exports: Ighalo Will Not Play In FA Cup Final; Akpala,Egwuekwe,Salami&Friday Score; Etebo Makes Debut; Edomwonyi Scoring Run Ends

Catch up on the performances of players of Nigerian descent in the European Leagues and FA Cup on Sunday.

For the sixth straight game in the Premier League, Alex Iwobi was included in Arsenal’s starting line-up and lasted 71 minutes on the pitch before he was withdrawn as the Gunners were held to a goalless draw by Sunderland.

In the Emirates FA Cup, Odion Ighalo was in action for 90 minutes as Watford failed to progress to the final after losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace, for whom Emmanuel Adebayor entered the fray in the 86th minute.

Scotland international of Nigerian descent Ikechi Anya came on for the Hornets eight minutes from time.

In the Italian Serie A, Super Eagle Eddy Onazi played the entirety of Lazio’s 2 -1 loss to Sampdoria at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Joel Obi got injured in the warm-up and was not involved in Torino’s 3-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Sassuol.

Over to Germany, Leon Balogun worked a ninety-minute shift for Mainz in their 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.

In the French Ligue 1, Elderson Echiejile literally watched from the stands as Monaco were held to a 1-1 draw by his former club Rennes. The left-back was suspended for this one following his red card against Lille.

Joseph Akpala scored Oostende’s first goal after seven minutes in their shock 4-2 win over Anderlecht in the Jupiler League playoffs. While he played the full game, compatriot Saviour Godwin was missing from the 18-man squad.

Italy international Stefano Okaka fired blanks despite being on parade for 90 minutes. Imoh Ezekiel didn’t make Anderlecht’s match day squad.

Efe Ambrose made a cameo appearance for Celtic in their 1-1  draw with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership. He came on in the 90th minute.

Still in the United Kingdom, Edward Ofere was introduced immediately after the intermission in Dundee United’s 3-1 loss to Hamilton Academical.

Nigeria U23 international Oghenekaro Etebo made his competitive debut for CD Feirense as they recorded a 3-1 win over Oliveirense. In his first start in the Portuguese Segunda Liga, the former Warri Wolves star was replaced in the 65th minute.

Fred Friday continued his rich vein of form in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, scoring for the fifth straight game as Lillestrom beat Chuks Akabueze’s Odd Grenland 3-1.

The ex-Flying Eagles star joined the fray in the 46th minute while Friday and teammate Innocent Bonke played the full match.

At the Sarpsborg Stadium, the homers thrashed Modle 4-0, with Onyekachi Ugwuadu watching from the bench for the whole of the game.

Viking were no match for Rosenborg at the Lerkendal Stadion, losing 4-0 with Suleiman Abdullahi making the starting ineup for the visitors. He subbed out in the 63rd minute, the same time that Samuel Adegbenro stepped out onto the pitch.

Aniekpeno Udoh and Viking number 25 Usman Sale were both unused substitutes.

Nigeria youth international Chidiebere Nwakali went the full 90 as IK Start lost for the fourth time this season, this time a 2-0 loss to Valerenga in Oslo. Teammate Austin Ikenna was an unused sub.

In the Swedish Allsvenskan, John Owoeri was replaced on the hour mark in BK Hacken’s narrow 1-0 loss to GIF Sundsvall.

Azubuike Egwuekwe and Gbolahan Salami found the back of the net as KuPS earned a 2-0 win against FC Lahti. The former Warri Wolves striker subbed out four minutes from time while the defender worked a ninety-minute shift.

Former Nigeria U17 international Aliyu Abubakar was introduced in the 83rd minute. Paul Onobi was absent due to incomplete paperwork.

Will John played the last 27 minutes of RoPS 1-0 win against PK-35 Vantaa, while Philip Njoku and Faith Friday Obilor started and played for 90 minutes in Inter Turku’s goalless draw with VPS. Kennedy Nwanganga played the last 11 minutes of the game for Inter.

Nigeria internationals Taye Taiwo and Nnamdi Oduamadi played the entirety of HJK Helsinki’s goalless draw against IFK Mariehamn. Vincent Onovo was not involved for the capital side.