Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe, put up a stellar performance as Arsenal defeated Norwegian champions FK Molde to book a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League.
The Ivorian who was roundly criticised for his red card in the Gunners’ match against Leeds United bounced back to produce a man-of-match performance.
Pepe opened the floogates with a well-taken finish of the encounter and was the greatest threat all night for Arsenal.
Molde’s Nigerian attacker, James Leke and Ivorian Mathis Bolly also featured in the game, as Molde lost a second straight game against Arsenal.
Moroccan, Omar El Kaddouri featured for French club OGC Nice as they got battered by Slavia Praha who had Nigerian, Peter Olayinka in action. Olayinka grabbed a goal in the second half of the encounter which his team won 3-1. Senegalese winger Abdallah Sima also scored for the Czech giants.
Congolese, Jordan Ikoko featured for Ludogorets as the Bulgarians were humbled 4-0 by Tottenham. Senegalese Stephane Badji also featured in the game.
Cameroon’s Collins Fai and Congolese Merveille Bope both featured as Standard Liege defeated Polish side Lech Poznan 2-1.
AS Roma’s Guinean enforcer, Amadou Diawarra was in action for the Romans as they defeated Romanian champions CFR Cluj 2-0 away from home.
Faouzi Ghoulam and Khalidou Koulibaly were in action for Napoli as they defeated Croatia’s Rijeka 2-0. The Algeria and Senegal internationals played from start to finish in the Partenopei defence. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen missed out to injury.
Leon Balogun was in action as Rangers played out a 2-2 draw against Benfica. His Nigerian compatriot Joe Aribo wasn’t listed for the game.
Abdullahi Shehu was in action for his Cypriot side, AC Omonia as they lost 2-1 to Granada.
Younousse Sankhare of CSKA Sofia featured for the Bulgarians as they lost 1-0 at home to Swiss club Young Boys. The Gambia international, Ali Sowe and Cameroonian, Jean Pierre Nsame also featured in the game for Sofia. Guinean, Mohammed Ali Camara, Cameroonian international Nicolas Ngamaleu and Congolese Elia Meshack were all in action for the Swiss giants in the encounter.
Kelechi Iheanacho started for Leicester as they played a 3-all draw against Sporting Braga. Libyan international, Ali Elmusrati was in action for the Portuguese side in the game.
In Qarabag’s game against Sivasspor, Malian goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa was in action with 37-year old Ivorian international Arouna Kone also featuring. Chadian Casimir Ninga and Nigeria international Olanrewaju Kayode completed the African quartet for the Turkish side.
Cameroonian defender Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Nurio Fortuna of Angola, Jordan Botaka of the Congo DR, Osman Bukari of Ghana and Ivorian, Anderson Niangbo were all in action for Belgian team, Gent, in their Europa League fixture against Red Star Belgrade. Ghana international Richmond Boakye and Comoros’ El Fardou Ben were in action for Red Star.
Kamso Mara of Guinea was in action for Czech side Slovan Liberec as they lost to German side TSG Hoffenheim. The Germans were without Nigeria’s Kevin Akpoguma.
Nigeria’s Chidera Ejuke was in action as CSKA Moscow played out a goalless draw against Feyenoord.
Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze impressed as Villareal were held to a goalless draw against Israelis, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
