Nigerian forwards Gift Orban, Yira Sor and Cyriel Dessers all scored in Europe yesterday, although their clubs experienced different outcomes in Turkey and Greece.
Quick facts
- Amed Sportif defeated Trabzonspor 2-1 in the Turkish Super Lig.
- Yira Sor and Gift Orban scored for Amed Sportif.
- Cyriel Dessers netted in Panathinaikos’ 2-0 Greek Super League win over Levadiakos.
In Turkey, Amed Sportif overturned an early deficit to beat Trabzonspor 2-1, with Sor supplying the equaliser before Orban delivered a late winner.
The match included several players connected with Nigeria. Sor began for Amed Sportif, while Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu and Nigeria-eligible defender Chibuike Nwaiwu started for Trabzonspor.
Trabzonspor imposed themselves early and went ahead in the 11th minute. Mohamed Salah scored the opener, his third goal of the campaign.
Amed Sportif were handed a chance to level during first-half added time when the referee awarded a penalty for handball.
Mbaye Diagne’s effort from 12 yards was stopped by Andre Onana, but Sor reached the loose ball first and converted the rebound to make it 1-1 before the break.
That proved to be Sor’s last meaningful involvement. He was taken off five minutes after the restart, with Orban entering the game.
Orban justified the change in the 90th minute, scoring to finish Amed Sportif’s comeback and claim maximum points for the home team. He received a booking two minutes after his decisive strike.
Onuachu remained on the pitch for the full match without scoring, while Nwaiwu was cautioned in the 44th minute.
The result lifted Amed Sportif to six points from three matches. Trabzonspor stayed on four points and suffered their first loss of the season.
In Greece, Dessers also made the scoresheet as Panathinaikos began their Greek Super League campaign with a 2-0 home victory against Levadiakos.
The Super Eagles striker was named among the substitutes and entered in the 68th minute. He needed only nine minutes to make an impact.
Dessers struck in the 77th minute, adding Panathinaikos’ second goal and effectively settling the contest.
Panathinaikos had moved in front earlier through an own goal before Dessers completed the scoring.
The goal extended the Nigerian forward’s promising opening to the season as he seeks to preserve his scoring momentum and earn a more consistent starting role.
