In the SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE, Rangers are still holding sway and could break the nine-season stronghold of Celtic at the end of the season. They have a healthy lead at the top of the SPL irrespective of the games at hand the Bhoys have.
Nigerian duo of Joe Aribo (12 games, four goals) and Leon Balogun (10 games) have been crucial to the Rangers renaissance this term. They face Hibernian on Saturday at the back of a 3-0 away win at St. Johnstone midweek with Aribo’s assist responsible for the third goal.
Another Nigerian in the Scottish League is Efe Ambrose whose club, Livingston travel to trade tackles with Kilmarnock also on Saturday.
Nigerians are also represented in the TURKISH SUPER LEAGUE and one of them is Anthony Nwakaeme of Trabzonspor who came second at the end of last season. They have been having it rough since the beginning of the season. They have a tie with Galatasaray on Sunday as they strive to move the ladder than their present ninth position.
Okechukwu Azubuike’s Istanbul Basaksehir are the reigning champions but they have not been able to manage their title defence well. They are currently 16th on the league table with 15 points and were flogged 4-1 by Fenerbahce just last week. Basaksehir have Kasimpasa to vent their frustration on, on Sunday. Azubuike is still being used sparingly because of the long term injury he just recovered from.
Olanrewaju Kayode has been in electrifying form for Sivasspor in the Europa League having scored four goals in the group stage but he is yet to open his goal account in the league where he has played nine games. Sivasspor have won three successive games with the last being the away win at Konyaspor. They are billed to entertain Besiktas on Monday.
Nigeria has assemblage of players in the PORTUGUESE PRIMEIRA LIGA from Chidoziem Awaziem to Zaidu Sanusi and Mikel Agu.
Mikel Agu’s Vitoria Guimaraes will face Zaidu Sanusi’s FC Porto at home on Tuesday but the former won’t play any part in the game as he is presently down with a knee injury. He has not played any game since November 7th and it is impossible he plays any role against FC Porto. Agu has played six games before the injury against Santa Clara.
Sanusi on the other hand has been one of the outstanding performers for FC Porto. He just won his first professional title as a player with FC Porto- their 2-0 victory over Benfica which handed them the Super Cup. He is top shape to give Vitoria Guimaraes problem on Tuesday. Sanusi has played eight league games with a goal. He has one goal too in the Champions League.
Chidozie Awaziem’s Boavista host Sporting Braga on Monday in another explosive encounter in their brave attempt to escape relegation. Awaziem has been used nine times this season.
