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It was a quiet weekend for Naija Stars Abroad with a few standout performers led by Victor Osimhen, Cyriel Dessers and Alex Iwobi.
Episode three of Naija Stars Abroad sees Nigerian and Super Eagles players led by Victor Osimhen endure a quiet weekend as domestic leagues begin to take shape across the world.
For the second weekend and third successive match in the new season, African Footballer of the Year and Nigeria’s main man Osimhen was nowhere in sight for dethroned Italian champions SSC Napoli.
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00:05 - 21.08.2024
9ja Baller of the Week: Nigerian giant crowned after surpassing hat-trick hero with stunning performance
Naija Stars Abroad presents the 9ja Baller of the Week featuring a Nigerian giant plying his trade in Belgium.
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After making his position clear in their relationship, that he wants to leave the club and Naples this summer for another challenge and adventure, the 25-year-old has found himself in an unpleasant situation with new manager Antonio Conte.
Conte’s long wait for a first win as Napoli’s manager ended emphatically after the 2022/23 champions outclassed their visitors Bologna 3-0 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples on Sunday.
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Nigerian striker who had reportedly sealed a deal with Chelsea with Romelu Lukaku going the other way was the conspicuous omission again from the Napoli team.
READ ALSO: 'Conte can’t score goals’ — Italian media slam Napoli for mistreating Osimhen
After a difficult start to lift which included a 3-0 defeat at Hella Verona in their Serie A opener the previous weekend, former Chelsea boss Conte appears to be winning the battle against Osimhen having decided to start his reign without the club’s icon.
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It was a similar situation for Osimhen’s national teammate, Ademola Lookman, who was also nowhere to be found during Atalanta’s explosive clash against Torino also on Sunday night.
Amid heightened tensions around his future, with links to French giants Paris Saint-Germain, the Europa League hero appeared to have been left out of the travelling squad as Atalanta went, saw and fell 2-1 to their hosts.
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Samuel Chukwueze was another Italy-based Super Eagles star who had a weekend to forget. But unlike his compatriots, Samu at least managed a cameo but still ended on the losing side after his AC Milan were overwhelmed by newly promoted Parma led by Dennis Man.
READ ALSO: Ex-Real Madrid manager claims Atalanta will struggle without Super Eagles star
Meanwhile, Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye continued his brilliant form for Udinese but was denied a first clean sheet of the season in added time as his club held on with ten men to see off Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and his Lazio side 2-1.
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La Liga-based duo of Chidera Ejuke and Kelechi Iheanacho suffered another poor result following a 2-1 defeat for Sevilla at Villarreal. Iheanacho finally made his debut as a second half substitute alongside Ejuke, who is yet to start a match this season for his new side.
Naija Stars Elsewhere
It was not all gloom and doom, however, for Nigerian stars such as Cyriel Dessers, Alex Iwobi, Josh Maja and Moses Simon put on a show for their respective club sides.
READ ALSO: Fulham's coach threatens Alex Iwobi's playing time in recent interview
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Dessers stole the show as Rangers turned on the style following a 6-0 demolition of Ross County. Nigerian striker, Dessers, played a decisive role after he netted two of the goals to continue his blistering start to the new season.
The 29-year-old netted in either half to take his tally to three goals in his last two matches, extending his tally for the season to three goals in three matches for the Gers in the League.
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Iwobi proved to be too good for Leicester City and his compatriot Wilfried Ndidi after the playmaker opened his account for the season in a 2-1 win for Fulham in the Premier League while Calvin Bassey was denied a first clean sheet of the season.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles striker who wants more recognition for his ability on FIRE again
Simon has effectively put behind him his injury dark days after he opened his account over the weekend for his club Nantes.
The experienced winger opened the scoring for his side in a 2-0 against Auxerre while Josh Maja returned amongst the goals for West Bromwich Albion in another brilliant away trip having been caged in his first game at home the previous week.
Meanwhile, 9ja Baller of the Week, Toluwase Arokodare, was not in action over the weekend as Genk enjoyed a break after the game against Anderlecht was cancelled.
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