Several Nigerian players were on target for their respective clubs as the second round of the Carabao Cup produced a night of goals and impressive individual performances across England.
While Taiwo Awoniyi grabbed the headlines with a goal and an assist on his first start for Coventry City, six other Nigerian-eligible players also found the net for their clubs.
Oladapo Afolayan was among the standout performers despite Blackburn Rovers’ 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United at Ewood Park.
The Super Eagles hopeful restored parity shortly after the restart with a superb curling effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.
However, Romelle Donovan’s late winner sent Sheffield United into the next round.
Olabade Aluko also scored in Leicester City’s 3-1 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
The defender rose highest from a corner and powered a header into the net in the second half.
At Molineux, youngster Saheed Olagunju helped Wolverhampton Wanderers secure a 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. He headed into the bottom corner to give Wolves a two-goal lead before half-time.
Joshua Ajala was another Nigerian youngster who impressed, scoring twice as West Ham United defeated Southampton 4-1 at St Mary’s Stadium.
Ajala first equalised with a powerful header from a corner before firing into the bottom-right corner after the break to put West Ham ahead.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Bolu Shofowoke capped Peterborough United’s emphatic 5-1 win over Watford with the team’s fourth goal.
The teenager reacted quickest inside the box to score his first senior goal for the club.
Awoniyi’s Coventry teammate also made history on the night, with the striker opening the scoring in the third minute before providing an assist as Coventry defeated Plymouth Argyle 4-2.
The performances underline the growing presence of Nigerian talent across English football, with several youngsters making their mark in one of the country’s major cup competitions.
