Europa League Roundup: Chukwueze wins it for Villarreal, Ndidi & Aribo both make returns from injury

Matchday 5 of the UEFA Europa League saw a host of Nigerians turned out for their various clubs. How did they perform?

Samuel Chukwueze’s goal was what Villarreal needed to secure all three points away at Sivasspor. His strike came in the 75th minute and he was substituted seconds later.

The 1-0 win confirms Villarreal as group winners with one game left. Olarenwaju Kayode was absent for Sivasspor.

Leicester City fell to a late 1-0 defeat against Zorya Luhansk but the good news is Wilfred Ndidi is back from injury.

The midfielder saw 55 minutes of action on his return while Kelechi Iheanacho was on the pitch for the duration of the game.

Chidera Ejuke and CSKA Moscow fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Wolfsberger AC and are out of the competition. The winger was a halftime sub for the Muscovites but could not prevent his team from going out.

Abdullahi Shehu featured for Omonia Nicosia in their 2-1 home win over PAOK. The Nigerian international was brought on in the 21st minute of the tie after an injury to his teammate Andronikos Kakoullis.

The result means both teams can no longer progress from group E.

Leke James was a second-half sub for Molde FK in their comfortable 3-1 home win against Dundalk. The win puts Molde in a good position to qualify as runners up in Group B behind Arsenal.

Leon Balogun saw the duration of the Rangers’ entertaining 3-2 win over Standard Liege. Joe Aribo made his return from injury. Rangers have already secured their place in the last 32 and stay top of Group D going into the last game.

Peter Olayinka assisted the third goal for Slavia Praha as they advanced to the Round of 32 with a 3:0 victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva. Olayinka completed the full 90 minutes of the game.

Elsewhere, Kevin Akpoguma was an unused sub for Hoffeiham in their goalless draw with Red Star Belgrade.

Noni Madueke had to be taken off for PSV in the 38th minute of their game with Granada due to injury. The 18-year-old English born midfielder is of Nigerian descent and is reportedly being monitored by Nigeria with a view of him committing his international future to the Super Eagles.