Nigerians Abroad: Odemwingie scores against Liverpool and Peter Utaka continues scoring run in China

West Brom shockingly beat Liverpool on Saturday with the help of their Nigerian striker and Utaka continues to shine in China

By Babajide Alaka

Aug 20, 2012 6:45:00 AM

Peter Odemwingie scores for West Brom against Liverpool on Saturday

ENGLAND

Mikel Obi and Victor Moses both started and finished the match between Chelsea and Wigan on Sunday to kick off the 2012/13 English Premier League season. Obi played in his usual midfield pivot role and was a study of calm and precision while Moses took some time to get into the game but when he got into his groove, he proved a handful for the Chelsea back line especially in the second half. Obi had 94% pass accuracy and had 59 touches with two fouls and two successful tackles while Moses boasted 90% pass accuracy with 51 touches, two shots and four successful dribbles.

Moses had a shot saved by Petr Cech in the 38^th minute and almost provided the perfect assist for Arouna Kone in the latter stages of the second half. It is still to be seen if Moses will cross over to Chelsea before the transfer window closes on August 31. But on the evidence of the showing against Chelsea, he may yet get his dream move. Chelsea won 2-0 courtesy of two quick fire goals in the first seven minutes of the encounter.

Peter Odemwingie starred for West Brom in their shock 3-0 win over Liverpool at the Hawthorns on Saturday. Though the Nigerian striker – West Brom’s leading scorer for the past two seasons had a subdued performance, he calmly slotted a penalty kick beyond the reach of Pepe Reina, in goal for Liverpool. He also continued his scoring run against Liverpool as he scored at Anfield last season to lead West Brom to an away win.

FRANCE

Montpellier lost to Lorient on Saturday 2-1 but John Utaka for the second week running provided the assist for the goal scored by Emanuel Herrera. Lorient scored twice in the space of two minutes - in the 90th and two minutes into added time to hand the defending champions a first defeat after two matches.

Onyekachi Apam is out injured and his team, Rennes fell 1-0 away to Bordeaux. New Nancy signing, Simon Zenke was not listed for his club in their 1-1 draw with Lille.

UKRAINE

Brown Ideye came off the bench but could not rescue his side from the first defeat of the season away at Vorskla. the Nigerian striker has scored six goals already in the league and the coach, Yury Semin, might have been thinking of the UEFA Champions League Playoffs against Borrusia Monchengladbach on Tuesday and decided to rest the Nigerian hot shot.

Lucky Idahor scored his second goal of the season for Zorya against Volyn in their 2-2 draw. Idahor started the comeback for his team in the 82nd when they were trailing 2-0, and Oleksandr Gritsay completed the comeback in the 90th minute to earn a draw. Zorya are fifth on the table after six games.

Super Eagles defender, Dele Adeleye was on the bench for all 90 minutes of Tavriya’s 1-1 draw away against Metalurh Donetsk on Saturday.

BELGIUM

Little known Nigerian striker, Imoh Ezekiel (pictured above) scored twice for Standard Liege on Sunday as they beat Charleroi 6-2 away in the Jupiler League. Ezekiel, 18-years old, scored the first and last goal in the rout. The Nigerian played seven matches last season and made a case for a starting shirt with this performance in his first game of the season. Ezekiel was transferred from Lagos club, 36 Lions FC in January 2012.

Former Eagles striker, Joseph Akpala may have lost his starting berth to Mohamed Tchite though both players were left out of Club Brugge's 3-1 win over Beerschot. One Funso Ojo, played for Beerschot but the 20-year old defender is a registered Belgian.

Derick Ogbu started for Oh Louven in their 3-2 win over Cercle Brugge and was substituted in the 71st minute.

Genk drew away against Lierse 1-1 with Kennedy Nwanganga coming on as a substitute for Jelle Vossen in the 76th minute. The midfielder is yet to score in this campaign. Another Nigerian naturalised Belgian, Jason Adesanya scored for Lierse. Club Brugge are top of the league with 10 points from four matches.

CHINA

Peter Utaka scored for the ninth consecutive game in the Chinese Super League to seal a 2-1 home win for his side Dalian Aerbin over Guizhou Renhe on Saturday. He scored a decisive penalty in the 90th minute to make it 11 goals in his last nine games and takes his tally to 15 goals in 22 games overall.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored in the ninth minute for Guangzhou R&F in their 4-2 rout of Shandong Luneng on Sunday. The goal was his third goal in five matches and helped lift his side to fourth in the standings with 32 points, 14 points adrift of leaders, Guangzhou Everglade.

RUSSIA

Spartak Moscow beat Rubin Kazan 2-1 on Saturday but Emmanuel Emenike could not add to the one goal he has scored this season. The Nigerian striker was replaced by Artem Dzyuba in the 70^th minute. Obafemi Martins was not listed in the match day squad.

Ahmed Musa started his first match for CSKA Moscow on Sunday and helped his team to a 3-0 away win over Mordovia Saransk. The Nigeria was shown a yellow card in the 54th minute.

HOLLAND

Upcoming young defender, Kenneth Omeruo helped his side, Ado Den Haag to a 2-2 draw at home against RKC Waalwijk at the Kyocera Stadion on Sunday. The defender on loan from Chelsea was however shown a yellow card in the 79th minute of a fiery encounter that had four yellow cards and a red card shown.

Former U-21 striker, Uche Nwofor (pictured above) was in VVV Venlo's starting line-up when they were beaten 3-1 at home to Utrecht. Venlo have thus started the season struggling again.

PORTUGAL

The Portuguese league kicked off on Saturday but Nigerian defender, Elderson Echiejile did not feature in Braga's creditable 2-2 draw away to Benfica. The Nigerian was on the bench for all 90 minutes.

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