It may have been a testing international break for the Super Eagles, but Nigeria’s high-profile attacking talents enjoying a strong return to form, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface both starring this past gameweek.
The latter also made headlines after debuting a new – and unorthodox – goal celebration, while Victor Osimhen continued to endear himself to his new fanbase at Galatasaray.
Over in Spain, Iñaki Williams was architect and executor of Athletic Bilbao’s 3-2 victory away at Las Palmas, while Yoane Wissa’s season has taken a turn for the worse after he opened the scoring 22 seconds into Brentford’s meeting with Manchester City.
Osimhen, who signed with Gala right at the end of the transfer window from Napoli after seemingly being on his way to Chelsea, still appears to be working his way back to full sharpness.
He played his part on the domestic giants’ 5-0 destruction of Rizespor, assisting Abdülkerim Bardakci for the hosts’ second goal to mark his official debut for the club.
Few could have expected that Osimhen’s offseason transfer saga would have ultimately taken him to Istanbul, but now that he’s arrived, the 25-year-old appears determined to remind Europe’s biggest clubs why he’d justify such a sizeable outlay.
Wearing the number 45 kit, Osimhen was given a warm welcome by the club’s supporters – climbing to join Gala’s ultras at the conclusion of the contest – although he was also responsible for an injury sustained by Husniddin Aliqulov, who appears to have sustained a broken cheekbone after clashing with the mask-wearing Nigerian.
The international break didn’t go to plan for rudderless Nigeria, who boast some of the most exciting and dangerous players in the continental game, but largely appear unable to get the best out of their top talents since their run to the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier this year.
While Ademola Lookman (twice) and Victor Boniface were on the scoresheet during the Super Eagles’ 3-0 victory over Benin during the recent international break, the pair – plus Osimhen – were neutralised by lowly Rwanda (131st in the world) during the West Africans’ second fixture of the break.
Back to club action, and both Lookman and Boniface found the going easier, even against sterner opponents in Serie A and the Bundesliga respectively.
Ballon d’Or nominee Lookman was utterly imperious as Atalanta dispatched Fiorentina 3-2; his delicious first-half cross after a moment of trickery set up Mateo Retegui to head home an equaliser before the Nigerian, in stoppage time before the pause, added a second for the hosts.
Receiving a pass down the left flank, Lookman twisted and turned into some space in the box before cutting inside and sending a right-footed shot beyond David de Gea for a first-half 3-2 advantage.
The goal drew together the 26-year-old’s technical prowess, agility, and undiluted confidence at the moment, as the promise of his youth finally comes to fruition.
Lookman created three chances during the course of the contest – only Charles De Ketelaere registered more – while no one registered more than the ex-Everton man’s five completed dribbles as Fiore struggled to neutralise the attacker.
“I’m very happy to be back playing in front of our fans and to do it together with my teammates,” Lookman told DAZN after the match. “I’m proud to be part of such a strong team.
“I’m happy to be back in shape, and I can’t wait to continue on this path.”
His showing was even more impressive given that it was his first Serie A outing of the campaign, with Lookman only previously appearing this term in the CAF Super Cup defeat, and he will hope to replicate this searing performance when the Italians face Arsenal in the Champions League this week.
The German top flight’s reigning Rookie of the Year, Boniface didn’t quite maintain the exceptional form he demonstrated at the start of 2023-24 during the run-in for Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, but he’s certainly recaptured that form already this term.
The Nigerian was in devastating form this weekend as he netted twice and registered an assist as Bayer dismantled Hoffenheim 4-1 away from home.
He began his day by selflessly setting up Martin Terrier when clean through for his first Leverkusen goal, before then adding another himself with a sharp finish after holding off and then flummoxing Alexander Prass in an impressive show of Boniface’s all-round game.
Despite the hosts’ attempts to get back into the game, Boniface killed off the contest with Leverkusen’s fourth in the 75th minute when he cut in from the left flank, again beat the defence with a cut back onto his left foot before lashing home beyond Oliver Baumann.
Not content with making headlines with his match-winning display, Boniface also debuted a new goal celebration, drawing some raised eyebrows around Germany by lowering his shorts to mid-thigh for an unexpected spectacle.
“I didn’t want to provoke anyone,” he assured local media after the match. “I did it in front of our fans. It’s a TikTok trend by a big influencer in Nigeria.
“I promised him that I would cheer so much, I just hadn’t scored yet.”
Over in Spain, Inaki Williams contributed a hat-trick of assists – including for little brother Nico – as Athletic ran out 3-2 away winners against Las Palmas.
This was the first time in 19 years that a Bibao player had registered three assists in a single La Liga fixture, and after five league games, only Lamine Yamal of Barcelona has set up more goals than Inaki.
In the Premier League, Yoane Wissa may well be reflecting on how quickly fortunes can turn in football after picking up an injury against Manchester City in Saturday’s Premier League bout.
The Democratic Republic of Congo forward scored just 22 seconds into the Bees’ match at the Etihad Stadium, capitalising on John Stones’ scuffed attempted clearance and reacting first to beat Éderson.
Within the half, however, his contest was prematurely ended by a tackle from Mateo Kovacic, which left the attacker limping to the touchline in some discomfort.
“Wissa is, unfortunately, not good news,” Brentford boss Thomas Frank told Brentford’s official site on Monday. “It looks like an injury that will be a couple of months. It’s very frustrating.”