It was a weekend of goals for Nigerian stars in europe with Ayodele Makinwa scoring his first goal for Atalanta in Italy. Osaze Odemwingie made a brilliant goal scoring return for Lille in France on a day John Utaka found his scoring boot. Nigeriasports.com gives you report on the predators.
Odemwingie dwarf Utaka's strike
At Lille - who received the news on Saturday that their stadium redevelopment would be delayed for at least seven months Nigeria striker John Utaka put visitors Lens ahead on 16 minutes but Philippe Brunel brought the home side level with a 57th-minute penalty. Midfield player Mathieu Bodmer struck ten minutes later to give Lille the advantage only for Lens to equalise through Daniel Cousin with six minutes remaining. Just as extra-time loomed, fit-again forward Peter Odemwingie jumped highest to head the ball in off a post to send Lille through.
Makinwa header not enough
In the Italian top flight, Atalanta had hopes of a shock win in the capital when Nigeria striker Ayodele Stephen Makinwa rose unmarked to glance a header past Lazio goalkeeper Matteo Sereni just before the break and claim his first Serie A goal. But Lazio equalised almost immediately with a header of their own from Fabio Bazzani and scored the decisive goal two minutes from time thanks to Fabio Liverani's angled short-range effort. Lazio are now four points clear of the relegation zone.
Aiyegbeni spotkick in vain
The english premiership clash between Aston Villa and Portsmouth on Saturday saw an own goal after 17 minutes from Portsmouth FC's Arjen de Zeeuw, this gave Aston Villa FC the lead at Fratton Park, and although Aiyegbeni Yakubu equalised seven minutes later, Thomas Hitzlsperger struck the winner for Villa on 73 minutes.
Kanu goal not enough
At White Hart Lane, Tottenham defeated Premiership rivals West Bromwich Albion FC 3-1 to earn a tie against lower-division side Nottingham Forest FC - a repeat of the 1991 final. West Brom took the lead after 12 minutes following a well worked move which resulted in Nwankwo Kanu heading in.
But two minutes before half-time, West Brom goalkeeper Russell Hoult injured himself in a challenge which resulted in a penalty, Robbie Keane beating Polish substitute Tomasz Kuszczak from the spot. Early in the second half, two impressive strikes from Jermain Defoe on 50 and 55 minutes secured the win for Spurs.
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