Super Eagles stars Europe weekend performance saw goals, assists and key displays across top leagues ahead of friendlies in Turkey
Nigerian footballers, on Sunday, 2026, delivered a series of eye-catching performances across Europe as clubs wrapped up fixtures before the international break, with several Super Eagles stars Europe weekend performance drawing attention ahead of Nigeria’s scheduled friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Antalya, Turkey.
Ademola Lookman led the headlines in Spain after scoring for Atlético Madrid in a pulsating Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid, although Diego Simeone’s side suffered a late 3–2 defeat in a fiercely contested encounter.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Sadiq Umar struck decisively for Valencia after coming off the bench against Sevilla, where Akor Adams also featured as a substitute and Chidera Ejuke remained unused in a tightly fought clash that ended in victory for the away side.
In England, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi impressed as they played key roles in a commanding 3–1 home win for their club against Burnley, while Samuel Chukwueze appeared from the bench to help secure the result in a controlled finish.
Ola Aina also made a significant impact for Nottingham Forest, coming off the bench in their emphatic 3–0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur and marking his appearance with a goal that capped a dominant display.
In the Championship, Joe Aribo featured from the bench in Leicester City’s goalless draw away at Watford, while Bright Osayi-Samuel remained unused for Birmingham City in their narrow defeat to Derby County.
In France, Moses Simon started for Paris FC against Le Havre, operating from left-back before being substituted in the second half of a disciplined but demanding outing.
In Italy, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru completed the full 90 minutes as Lazio secured a 2–0 away win over Bologna, while Ebenezer Akinsanmiro endured a difficult afternoon with Pisa in a heavy defeat to Como.
Raphael Onyedika featured throughout for Club Brugge in Belgium as they recorded a convincing 4–1 win over Mechelen, continuing his consistent form in midfield.
In Portugal, Zaidu Sanusi played the full match for FC Porto as the league leaders edged Braga 2–1 away from home, maintaining their strong title push.
In Greece, Bruno Onyemaechi completed 90 minutes for Olympiacos in a goalless draw against AEL Larissa, contributing to a solid defensive display.
The international break now shifts focus to the Super Eagles’ preparations in Turkey, where the squad will look to build cohesion despite missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fresh concerns have emerged over compliance with a court order issued by the High Court of Kano State on April 8, 2026, restraining key parties—including the Honourable Minister of Education, the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, the Kano State Urban Development Authority, and Pluck Global Company Limited—from further actions pending the determination of the matter before the court.
Findings indicate that while all parties—except the concessionaire, Pluck Global Company Limited—were duly served within two days of the order, significant challenges were encountered in effecting service on the company, raising troubling questions about its corporate traceability and regulatory vetting.
A review of the company’s records filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed addresses that could not be verified as functional business locations. Notably, documentation submitted to Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, dated June 20, 2024, listed two addresses: 8B, Lalupon Street, off Keffi Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, as its head office, and 3 Bargery Road, Bompai, Kano, as its branch office.
However, a physical visit to the Ikoyi address revealed that the entire property is occupied by a company identified as Golden Alchemy, whose staff категорically denied any knowledge of, or shared occupancy with, Pluck Global Company Limited.
Efforts to trace the Kano address yielded even more unsettling findings. The location—a locked duplex—showed no visible signs of commercial activity. Neighbours, while reluctant to speak on record, alluded to irregular movements at odd hours, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the premises as a corporate office.
In a twist, after multiple attempts to establish contact, an individual purportedly representing the company surfaced in Kano and agreed to receive and acknowledge the court order on April 11, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm. Curiously, the Ikoyi address—already discredited—was again listed as the company’s official address in the acknowledgment.
These developments raise critical questions regarding due diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols on the part of the Federal Ministry of Education. They also cast a spotlight on the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), should a concession agreement indeed have been executed with the company. Stakeholders say it would be instructive to review the addresses contained in all official correspondences and contractual documents linked to the transaction.
Meanwhile, a visit to the premises of Federal Government College, Kano, revealed ongoing construction activity, with workers observed excavating foundations. When approached, the workers declined to disclose the authority under which they were operating—despite the subsistence of a court order restraining further action.
Notably, a previously installed project billboard bearing the insignia of the school authorities and the Federal Ministry of Education had been removed. Sources within the institution suggest that the directive for its removal may have emanated from the Ministry following receipt of the court order.
The unfolding situation presents a complex mix of legal, regulatory, and accountability issues—raising the spectre of possible non-compliance with judicial directives, as well as deeper concerns about transparency in public-private concession arrangements.
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