UEFA-CL: Zaidu supreme, Onyedika imperious, Bassey sees hell

 

Nigerian players took center stage in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

FC Porto have Nigerian full-back Zaidu Sanusi to thank for reviving their troubled European sojourn as his sweet header set the Portugues champions on course for a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Prior to this match, Porto had lost two straight games without scoring – including a horrendous 0-4 home trouncing by surprise Club Brugge.

Fans at the Estadio Dragao had to wait till the 69th minute when Zaidu came on as a substitute to head the homers into the lead.

That goal seemed to serve as a catalyst as Porto as another substitute Wenderson Galemo sealed the deal with a sensational strike on 89 minutes.

FC Porto now have 3 points from 3 UCL games, sitting third on the table, level on points with Bayern Leverkusen and Athletico Madrid.

Mixed Bag

For Raphael Onyedika, it was third time lucky as his club side Club Brugge took out Spanish giants Atletico Madrid 2-0.

Onyedika put up a stellar performance:

90 minutes played

– 65 touches

– 88% pass accuracy

– 5/7 accurate long balls

– 2 shots

– 8/9 duels won

– 3 tackles won

– 2 interceptions

– 1 clearance

– 2 fouls won.

The Belgian side have now scored seven goals and conceded none while topping their group.

In all of this, Onyedika has been instrumental.

But it was a bitter experience for Calvin Bassey as his side Ajax were whooped 6-1 at home by Napoli.

Mohammed Kudus had given home fans who the packed Amsterdam Arena hope when he deflected a shot on eight minutes.

However, the Italian side then produced a devastating response by scoring six times to hand Ajax their heaviest home defeat in Europe.

Bassey was nowhere to be found and as it stands, he and his team mates may have to start preparing for life in the Europa Conference League.