FC Porto of Portugal left-back, Zaidu Sanusi was the surprise initiator of theatrics from a large array of Nigerian players that hit target with goals for their respective clubs in a frenetic midweek of football thrills across Europe, megasportsarena.com reports.
Sanusi showed the way for all others to follow when he struck for Porto in the UEFA Champions League, while Chinedu Obasi roared strong in Austria, never-say-die veteran striker, Peter Utaka continued his majestic spree in Japan and Onoriode Odah also romped to glory in Israel.
First out was Sanusi, as the new Super Eagles’ revelation scored his first ever goal and it helped his club move closer to qualifying for the UCL round of 16, as they now need just a point to reach the knockout phase of the European elite clubs’ competition.
Zanusi hit target on 39 minutes in Wednesday’s encounter against Olympique Marseille of France to inspire the Portuguese champions to a 2-0 away victory, after the former Santa Clara of Portugal ace put away a rebound from a corner.
Besides his goal, Sanusi was solid in defence, as he helped Porto achieve a double over Marseille and move up to nine points, ahead of their next fixture on Tuesday at home against the group leaders, Manchester City to decide who will end on top.
In Japan, Utaka helped Kyoto Sanga secure a 1-1 draw at home with Ventforet Kofu, as the former OB Odense of Denmark star scored his 22nd goal in 35 league games.
Utaka scored in the 78th minute to give the hosts 1-0 lead against his former team, but the Kyoto eventually settled for a draw at home and are now 10th on the league table with 51 points in 36 games.
In Austria, Obasi scored his first goal for Altach, but the team he joined in the summer still lost 2-1 away to First Vienna FC, even as the former Super Eagles’ wingers 20th minute effort initially took the scores to 1-1.
The 34-year-old Obasi, who has previously played for TSG Hoffenheim and Schalke 04 of Germany, Lyn Oslo of Norway, AIK Stockholm and Elfsborg of Sweden as well as Shenzen of China and Bolton Wanderers of England, has already scored four goals in Austrian Cup games this season.
In Israel, Odah hit home a hat-trick for Hapoel Hadera and helped his side defeat Bnei Sakhnin 4-0, while also taking his current haul to seven goals in all competition this season.
Odah scored the opening goal of the game in the seventh minute, then made it 2-0 for his team in the 55th minute and completed his hat-trick two minutes later.
