Osimhen’s scoring streak ends as Lookman, Moffi secure narrow wins

Victor Osimhen’s run of goals and assists came to an end on Saturday as Galatasaray claimed a 1-0 away victory over Gençlerbirliği, while fellow Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman helped Atletico Madrid secure a late win in Spain.
Osimhen played the full 90 minutes in Ankara but failed to register a goal or assist, despite attempting seven shots. The striker received a yellow card for over-celebrating after Galatasaray scored the winner.
The performance came days after Osimhen returned from a 35-day injury lay-off and featured in Galatasaray’s 4-1 home defeat by Barcelona in midweek.
In Spain, Lookman started as Atletico Madrid defeated Espanyol 1-0, with the decisive goal arriving in the 89th minute. Atletico dominated possession with 72 per cent and registered 15 shots, although the contest was marked by five yellow cards for Diego Simeone’s side.
In Italy, Akor Adams led Venezia’s attack as the club recorded a surprise 1-0 home victory over Napoli. The winning goal came four minutes into the second half.
Napoli dominated possession with 72 per cent and managed 15 shots, including eight on target, but Venezia’s goalkeeper made seven saves to preserve the victory.
In the Premier League, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey started for Fulham in their 1-0 win over Hull City. The decisive goal came in the 33rd minute, while Hull, who had Semi Ajayi in their defence, failed to register a shot on target. Fulham finished with 10 men after a player was sent off in the 90th minute.
Ola Aina, meanwhile, came off the bench for Nottingham Forest in their 1-0 defeat by Arsenal. Forest recorded 12 shots against Arsenal’s eight but conceded the only goal in the 80th minute.
In Germany, Terem Moffi’s Hamburg secured a 1-0 win over Stuttgart, scoring in the 88th minute despite having less possession and fewer attempts on goal. Stuttgart controlled 64 per cent of the ball and recorded 19 shots to Hamburg’s 11.
Moffi, who opened his Bundesliga account the previous weekend with a goal as a substitute in Hamburg’s comeback victory at Hoffenheim, continued to feature in the side’s attacking plans.
Bayer Leverkusen, who have Nigerian forwards Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella in their squad, also claimed a 2-1 victory over Freiburg on Sunday. The winner came in the 76th minute.
Boniface was named among Leverkusen’s substitutes, although it could not be confirmed whether he entered the match.
His continued absence from regular action comes after he headed straight down the tunnel following his omission from Leverkusen’s 4-3 victory over Mainz the previous weekend. The club’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, has since issued a veiled warning to the striker, who has had limited playing time this season.
Attention now turns to the next round of fixtures, which will feature several Nigerians facing one another. Iwobi and Bassey are scheduled to face Taiwo Awoniyi’s Coventry, while Aina’s Nottingham Forest are due to visit Ipswich.
Boniface could have another opportunity to feature when Leverkusen face Hoffenheim next Sunday, with his involvement likely to draw attention amid questions over his role in the team.