For the third time in as many games, Kelechi Iheanacho was on the scoresheet for Celtic FC, netting an important winner as they continued their push for the Scottish Premiership title, while other Nigerian players also drove their clubs’ ambitions across Europe. ABIODUN ADEWALE writes
SCOTLAND
KELECHI IHEANACHO
Iheanacho scored his fourth goal in six games since returning from injury as Celtic laboured to capitalise on Hibernian FC’s fourth red card in three matches before securing a 2-1 victory that lifted them level on points with Heart of Midlothian at the top of the table.
Jamie McGrath was the latest Hibs player sent off following a lunging challenge on Alistair Johnston after just 21 minutes.
The reigning champions looked set for a comfortable win when Daizen Maeda scored his fourth goal in three games soon after.
However, Joe Newell netted a controversial equaliser—appearing to control the ball with his hand—just before the break. Iheanacho then struck the winner from close range, taking his league tally to four goals in 10 matches and seven in 18 appearances across all competitions.
The result leaves Celtic trailing Hearts only on goal difference, with the leaders set to host Rangers FC, who are four points behind in third.
Hibernian, meanwhile, are six points adrift of fourth-placed Motherwell FC and just two points above Falkirk FC in the race for European qualification.
FRANCE
MOSES SIMON (PARIS FC)
Moses Simon played the full 90 minutes on Sunday as Paris FC secured a 4-0 win over Stade Brestois. However, the Nigerian winger was neither on the scoresheet nor among the assists, extending his barren run to 17 games.
His last goal for the club came in November 2025—a decisive strike in a 1-0 away win at AS Monaco.
Despite the drought, Simon has remained influential as Paris FC stabilised their campaign after a shaky start. His early-season contributions—three goals and two assists—helped lift the team, and he added another goal after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The club have since climbed to 11th position with 41 points from 32 matches.
ITALY
GIFT ORBAN (HELLAS VERONA)
Gift Orban remains out of the Hellas Verona squad following an incident involving a fan two weeks ago. The 23-year-old has been omitted from the last two matchday squads despite being the club’s top scorer this season.
His absence has coincided with Verona’s confirmed relegation, and the forward is expected to leave at the end of his loan spell from TSG Hoffenheim. The Italian side have opted not to make the move permanent.
BELGIUM
RAPHAEL ONYEDIKA (CLUB BRUGGE)
Raphael Onyedika again started from the bench as Club Brugge recorded a 3-1 win over RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League Championship playoffs on Sunday.
The midfielder has been linked with a move ahead of the summer transfer window, which reports suggest may have affected his starting role.
He has made 29 league appearances this season, scoring once, and added two goals and two assists in the UEFA Champions League.
Club Brugge now sit one point ahead of Union Saint-Gilloise in the title race.
CYPRUS
PETER OLAYINKA (APOEL)
Peter Olayinka featured for 67 minutes as APOEL FC continued their title push in the Cypriot First Division.
The forward has scored two goals in 11 league games this season, in addition to one goal in the domestic cup competition. He recently won the Goal of the Month award for April.
GREECE
BRUNO ONYEMAECHI (OLYMPIACOS)
Bruno Onyemaechi has been absent for two consecutive weeks for Olympiacos FC. In his absence, the club suffered a 3-1 defeat to PAOK FC, denting their hopes of closing the gap on leaders AEK Athens.
The left-back, who joined midway through last season, has made 15 league appearances this term.
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