
Nigerian duo, Nathan Tella and Chidera Ejuke scored stunning goals to inspire big victories for their respective clubs, Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla, in matches played on Saturday.
In Germany, Tella came off the bench to open his season account as Bayer Leverkusen thrashed SV Wehen Wiesbaden 4-0 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. The Super Eagles winger was introduced into the match as a substitute and needed just a few minutes to find the back of the net, extending his side’s lead to 3-0 in the 69th minute.
Patrik Schick had earlier broken the deadlock for Leverkusen in the 43rd minute, before Lucas Vazquez doubled the advantage two minutes into the second half. Christian Kofane then completed the comprehensive scoring in the 79th minute. Fellow Nigerian forward Victor Boniface remained an unused substitute throughout the encounter.
Leverkusen will now firmly turn their attention to defending their domestic crown as they begin their Bundesliga campaign away to Elversberg next Saturday.
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Over in Spain, Ejuke marked his return to the Sevilla fold with a spectacular chip over Spain international Unai Simón. The Andalusian side beat 10-man Athletic Club 3-1 at San Mamés to move to the top of La Liga with a perfect six points from their opening two matches.
The 28-year-old winger had been on the verge of an exit to Belgian side Anderlecht just days before the match, having been left out of the final leg of Sevilla’s pre-season tour amid wage negotiations. However, a breakdown in talks and Sevilla’s failed pursuit of Real Zaragoza’s Adrian Liso prompted the club to reinstate him into the active squad.
Athletic Club were reduced to 10 men early in the 11th minute when Yuri Berchiche was shown a straight red card for bringing down Miguel Sierra. Oso capitalised on the numerical advantage just four minutes later to give Sevilla the lead.
Ejuke, who was introduced as a half-time substitute, doubled the advantage in the 50th minute, before Isaac Romero made it three in the 57th minute. Aitor Paredes managed to pull a late goal back for the hosts in the 70th minute, but it proved to be a mere consolation.

