The first Super Eagles Derby of the new Premier League season get everything wey person go expect from Nigerian football showdown — but as dem blow final whistle, na Semi Ajayi carry the bragging rights over Taiwo Awoniyi.
Ajayi put up serious defensive performance as Hull City grind out hard-fought 1-0 win against Awoniyi’s Coventry City for Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday afternoon. Both Nigerian players play the complete 90 minutes, na weytin Hitvibz dey yan be dat.
Semi Ajayi win Super Eagles Derby against Taiwo Awoniyi
From the moment both Super Eagles stars line up against each other, you fit already feel say this match get Nigerian interest.
Ajayi, wey don already score for Hull during their shocking 2-0 opening-day win against Manchester United, get the job of making sure say Awoniyi no get breathing space.
This time around, Ajayi no find the back of the net, but wetin he do for defence important well-well.
The 32-year-old centre-back play with plenty discipline as the Tigers soak plenty pressure from the Sky Blues before eventually walking away with another clean sheet.
Ajayi finish the match with five clearances, three headed clearances and five recoveries. He also win all his ground duels and complete six passes wey break Coventry defensive line.
That one alone tell you how solid his afternoon be.
As Awoniyi dey constantly search for space inside Hull defence, Ajayi stand his ground and help frustrate Coventry attack.
His defensive work play big part for Hull as dem manage hold their advantage till the final whistle.
Make we no lie, Awoniyi no disappear for this match at all.
The Coventry striker remain one of the Sky Blues’ biggest attacking threats. He record the highest number of touches inside the opponent’s box with eight touches.
He also take four shots, more than any other player for the match, with two of them going on target.
Awoniyi even create two chances as Coventry push hard to get their first Premier League point of the season.
His biggest chance come for the first half when Konstantinos Tzolakis pull off serious save to stop him from close range.
The goalkeeper later make another fine save to keep out Awoniyi’s downward header.
But that one na basically the story of Coventry’s afternoon.
Dem create enough chances to disturb Hull, but when e reach finishing, dem no fit put the ball for net.
And with Ajayi controlling things for the back, the Tigers remain very hard to break.
Liam Millar settle the Nigerian battle
Just when e look like say the match go end goalless, Liam Millar come with the moment wey decide everything.
The substitute run onto Mohamed Belloumi’s fine pass before keeping him cool and firing the ball into the bottom-right corner for the 82nd minute.
The goal shock the home fans and hand Hull their second Premier League win.
Awoniyi try test Hull defence again and again, but Ajayi and his teammates hold on to their clean sheet, collect all three points and continue their perfect start to life in the Premier League.
Another Nigerian inside Coventry squad, Frank Onyeka, no feature for the Super Eagles Derby because injury knock keep am out.
So, when everything don settle for Coventry Building Society Arena, na one Nigerian dey celebrate while the other one dey wonder wetin go happen.
Maduka Okoye stand strong as Akinsanmiro provide assist
For another Super Eagles Derby for Italy, Maduka Okoye survive serious second-half pressure as Udinese manage dramatic 3-2 away win against AC Monza for Saturday’s Serie A clash at U-Power Stadium.
The Nigerian goalkeeper concede two goals, but he still put up important performance for between the sticks as Udinese hold on for maximum points after Monza nearly complete comeback.
Okoye concede goals from Andrea Colpani and Gustavo Varela, but the Nigerian goalkeeper no lose composure when Monza start putting serious pressure on them after halftime.
The 27-year-old keeper make three saves, complete 25 accurate passes, record 12 recoveries and deliver 12 accurate long balls during the entertaining game.
Those saves come in handy as Udinese withstand Monza’s late pressure, protect their small advantage and carry all three points go house.
Meanwhile, another Nigerian, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, make him presence felt after coming into the game as second-half substitute for Mathis Mout for the 54th minute.
Akinsanmiro no even spend up to 10 minutes before making impact.
Just nine minutes after entering the pitch, the midfielder provide the assist for Monza’s second goal.
Akinsanmiro send one fine cross from the left, and Gustavo Varela use him head direct the ball into the net from about seven yards.
Na Varela second goal for two Serie A appearances, but unfortunately for Monza, the goal no enough to even give dem one point.
Udinese first take the lead against the run of play after Mout lose possession for midfield.
After several attempts get blocked, Jakub Piotrowski get too much time and space to sweep the ball home from 12 yards.
Monza later get the equaliser wey dem deserve when Colpani beat the offside trap after Mangas play inspired pass to am.
Colpani keep him cool and finish the one-on-one chance.
But things turn bad for the hosts again as dem concede two goals during first-half added time.
Udinese threaten again through Ekkelenkamp and Davis, but Monza no give up and fight back once more through Varela’s header.
Even though Monza put plenty pressure for the final minutes, dem no fit complete the comeback.
Udinese stand strong till the end and carry dramatic away victory comot from the U-Power Stadium.
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Last Updated on August 30, 2026 6:51 am by Hitvibz Media
Super Eagles Derby: Ajayi shine pass Awoniyi as Okoye stand strong against Akinsanmiro assist, late Serie A wahala
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