Girondins-Bordeaux of France winger, Samuel Kalu was back in the highlights on Saturday, as he netted for his club in the French Ligue 1, while former Denmark-based winger, Babajide Akintola hit a brace in Turkey, megasportsarena.com reports.
While Akintola celebrated another epochal moment in the Turkish Super Lig, Kalu proved that he had finally shaken off a recent long-running batle with injury and fitness issues, as the Super Eagles star hit target for his side.
However, Kalu’s goal could not save Bordeaux from losing, as Ghanaian ace, John Boye provided an assist that helped FC Metz secure a 2-1 victory over the Nigerian player’s team in Saturday’s Ligue 1 game.
Kalu, who also suffered coronavirus-related problems at the start of the season, was handed his 11th league start at Matmut Atlantique and impressed, scoring in the encounter, but his effort was not enough to save his side from their 12th defeat of the season.
Kalu, who featured for 76 minutes in his 16th league appearance this season before making way for Hatem Ben Arfa, opened the scoring in the encounter with a fine finish, volleying his effort into the back of the net after receiving a square pass from Senegal international, Youssouf Sabaly.
Bordeaux, however, failed to build on the impressive start, allowing Frederic Antonetti’s men to come from behind to secure victory in the outing as Boye, who was afforded his 25th league appearance in the game, set up Thomas Delaine to level proceedings in the 72nd minute.
In Turkey, Akintola and Mame Diouf bagged a brace each while Joseph Paintsil was sent off as Hatayspor decimated Ankaragucu 4-1 in Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig game.
Akintola, who got his 22nd league appearance since teaming up with the Star of the South in the summer on a season-long loan from FC Midtjylland of Denmark, enacted a huge performance in the encounter, scoring twice to increase his tally and help his side secure an effortless win.
Paintsil was then sent off by referee Atilla Karaoglan a few minutes before the end of the first-half for serious foul play, but Omer Erdogan’s men continued their domination with Diouf completing his brace in the 55th minute from the penalty spot.
Akintola then scored a penalty to further increase his side’s lead in the 65th minute and got his second in the 74th minute after he was set up by Alexandros Katranis to seal the victory for the Hatay Ataturk Stadi outfit.
Akintola, who has now scored seven goals in 24 appearances across all competitions while Diouf has found the back of the net 10 times and provided five assists this season, featured for the duration of the game to help Hatayspor climb to fifth spot on the Lig log with 45 points from 26 games.
