Super Eagles Players scorecard: Mikel debuts, Ajayi, Success scores, Simon, Etebo, Troost-Ekong on losing end.

Super Eagles skipper John Mikel Obi returned to English football action in a 1 – 1 draw as Middleborough failed to beat League two side Newport County in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Nigerian international who made his debut for the club after completing his signing on Thursday was in action for 62 minutes before being substituted off the game for midfielder Adam Clayton.

Super Eagles forward Isaac Success was on the score sheet for Watford FC in their 2 – 0 away win over Newcastle United in the English FA Cup fourth round fixture on Saturday. The Nigerian international scored in the 90^th minute of the encounter to seal the win after Andre Gray had opened scoring for the premier league team in the 61^st minute. Success played all 90 minutes of the match.

Nigerian international Oghenekaro Etebo was on the receiving end as Stoke City lost 2 – 0 at home to Preston Northend in an English championship match on Saturday. The former Warri Wolves midfielder was on for the entire duration of the game but was unable to help his team get a point in front of the home fans.

Stoke City is currently placed 15^th on the league table with all hopes of returning to the Premier League in limbo.

Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi scored a screamer for his club Rotterdam United but it was not enough as they lost at home to table toppers Leeds United in an English championship match. Rotterdam took the lead through Ajayi in the 28^th minute but were pegged back by the table toppers and EPL hopefuls Leeds United through a brace from Mateusz Klich in the 51^st and 86^th minute. Rotterdam is currently placed 21^ston the table.

Super Eagles defender Williams Troost-Ekong had a day to forget in the Serie A as his team Udinese was walloped 4 – 0 by Sampdoria on Saturday. The Bianconeri Friuliani failed to clear their lines on several occasions which led to the home side being awarded two penalty kicks in the game. Udinese are currently 16^th on the Serie A table.

Nigeria’s duo of Sadiq Umar and Kingsley Michael were in action for Perugia as they defeated Ascoli 3 – 0 in an Italian Serie B match. Umar played the entire duration of the match while Michael was substituted off in the 88^th minute for Marcello Falzerano. Michael was cautioned by referee Valerio Marini in the 17^th minute for a bookable offence.

In the La Liga, Nigerian winger Moses Simon was an unused substitute as Levante were trashed 5 – 0 by Sevilla in the La Liga Santander on Saturday. Simon last featured for Levante against Barcelona in a 3 – 0 away loss a fortnight ago. Levante is currently placed 11^th on the La Liga table.

Nigerian international Kenneth Omeruo was in the heart of Leganes defense in the La Liga Santander on Saturday that failed to keep a clean sheet as they fell to two first half goals by visiting Eibar. Keneth Omeruo and the entire defense set up’s blushes was saved by Youssef En-Nesyri brace in the 46^th and 67^thminute of the thrilling fixture. Omeruo was on for the entire duration of the game.

Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze was a substitute in Villarreal’s 3 – 0 loss to Valencia in the Spanish La Liga on Saturday. The Nigerian international replaced Alfonso Pedraza in the 60th minutes.