*Injured Osimhen rested * Chukwueze bags assist, Iwobi, Arokodare, fire blanks

It was a mixed bag of fortunes for Nigerian internationals in their various clubs in Europe after returning from the international break meant to conclude the 2026 World Cup African Playoffs.

In Istanbul, Victor Osimhen  who got injured in Nigeria’s last African Playoff clash with DR Congo was rested by Galatasaray in their home fixture against Genclerbirligi which ended 3-2 in favour of the host team.

In England, Samuel Chukwueze provided an assist as Fulham pipped visiting Sunderland 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, his teammates Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey were in actions for 89 minutes and 90 minutes respectively without getting on the scorer’s sheet.

The former AC Milan man, Chukwueze, who came on in the 64th minute, sent in a brilliant cross which was finished off by Raul Jimenez on 84 minutes for Fulham’s winning goal of the encounter. Fulham are now 14th on 14 points in the league table.

At the Molineaux, Tolu Arokodare fired blanks again in the Premier League as struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace.

Arokodare’s Super Eagles teammate Chrisantus Uche was an unused substitute in the encounter.

Second half goals from Daniel Munoz (63rd minute) and Yeremy Pino (69th minute) secured the win for Palace. Palace are now in fourth spot on 20 points and Wolves remain bottom with just two points with.

Elsewhere in Europe, Super Eagles second choice goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, failed to keep a clean sheet as Udinese lost 3-0 to Bologna in Saturday’s Serie A game.

The Nigerian international, who was making his fifth league appearance this ongoing season, has kept only one clean sheet for Udinese. Bologna took the lead in the 54th minute through Pobega’s clinical finish to silence the home supporters.

The visitor extended their lead to 2-0 in the 60th minute thanks to another goal from Pogeba. Bernardeschi’s goal in the 94th minute took the game beyond the reach of Udinese.

The defeat means Udinese sit 10th on 15 points, while Bologna move to third on 24 points on the league table.

At the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta we’re trailing 3-1 in Saturday’s last fixture in the Italian Serie A.