Nigerian Footballers Abroad End Season Strong As Dele-Bashiru Scores, Roma Duo Seal Double

Several Nigerian footballers wrapped up their European campaigns in style over the weekend, with goals, assists and title celebrations highlighting the final stretch of the season.

In Italy, Super Falcons pair Rinsola Babajide and Shukurat Oladipo completed a domestic double with AS Roma Women after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Juventus Women in the Coppa Italia Women final at the Romeo Menti Stadium in Vicenza.

Manuela Giugliano struck the winner in the 80th minute as Roma added the cup to the Serie A Femminile title they secured earlier this month.

Babajide remained on the bench throughout the final, but Oladipo stood firm in defence and helped Roma protect their slim lead until the final whistle.

The Nigerian defender featured in 31 matches across all competitions this season. Roma also kept 11 clean sheets in her 18 league appearances, with Oladipo registering 70 clearances and 104 recoveries.

Babajide, who joined Tenerife on a two-year deal, made 14 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and supplying three assists.

At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru finished the season brightly for Lazio, scoring in their comeback victory after Stefano Moreo had stunned the home crowd with an early opener.

Pedro Rodríguez later completed the turnaround as Lazio ended the campaign with a win.

Maduka Okoye also impressed despite Udinese’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Napoli. The Super Eagles goalkeeper made five saves from six shots on target and finished the season with 10 clean sheets.

That tally made him the first Nigerian goalkeeper to reach double figures for clean sheets in a major European league since Vincent Enyeama recorded 17 for Lille during the 2014/15 Ligue 1 season.

In England, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey both featured as Fulham closed their Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle.

Fulham eventually finished 11th with 52 points after their European push faded in the second half of the campaign.

Iwobi contributed four goals and three assists in 29 league appearances, while Bassey scored once in 30 outings.

Taiwo Awoniyi also featured for Nottingham Forest in their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, coming off the bench for the final 29 minutes. The striker ended the season with four goals and one assist in 17 appearances, including a brace against Chelsea earlier this month.

In Spain, Umar Sadiq played a key role in Valencia’s successful fight against relegation. The striker scored four goals and added two assists in 20 league matches as the club climbed clear of danger during the run-in.

Akor Adams also delivered when Sevilla needed him most. The forward finished as the club’s top scorer with 10 league goals and three assists in 32 appearances.

Compatriot Chidera Ejuke had a quieter campaign, managing one goal and one assist in 27 league games, though Sevilla still relied on his pace and dribbling late in matches during their survival battle.

Sevilla finished 13th with 43 points after spending much of the season near the bottom.

Elsewhere, Raphael Onyedika was an unused substitute as Club Brugge thrashed Gent 5-0 to round off their season in Belgium.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, meanwhile, endured a difficult outing for Pisa and was substituted at halftime after struggling to influence the game. The midfielder completed 87 per cent of his passes and made three recoveries before being withdrawn.

The 21-year-old is expected to return to Inter Milan following his loan spell, although several clubs are reportedly monitoring his situation ahead of the summer transfer window.

Both Akinsanmiro and Dele-Bashiru have already been called up by Nigeria coach Eric Chelle for upcoming international fixtures later this year.

Follow on Google News