By Korede James
Super Eagles stars Nathan Tella and William Troost-Ekong played key roles on Friday night to inspire their clubs to victories in Germany and Saudi Arabia.
While forward Tella netted one of the goals that earned Bayer Leverkusen a 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund, centre-back Troost-Ekong provided the assist for the winning goal in Al Kholood’s victory by the same margin over Al Ettifaq.
Tella, filling in for his injured Nigeria international teammate Victor Boniface, stunned the home crowd in Dortmund in the first minute, rifling home his first goal of the Bundesliga campaign in his 12th appearance (fifth start).
Patrik Schick added two goals as Leverkusen took a 3-1 lead, but Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy struck 11 minutes from time to make for a nervy ending.
Leverkusen held on for the win and closed the gap to leaders Bayern Munich to just one point, although the Bavarians have a game in hand.
In the Saudi Professional League earlier on Friday, it was Troost-Ekong’s first assist in 14 appearances this season.
With the game heading for a 2-2 draw, Troost-Ekong set up teammate Myziane Maolida with a brilliant ball over the top to net the dramatic winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time.
It was Maolida’s second goal of the game after he had put Al Kholood 2-1 ahead on 54 minutes.
Jackson Muleka gave Al Kholood a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute before former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum made it 1-1 on 30 minutes.
The win took Al Kholood, now on 13 points, out of the relegation zone and they now occupy the 13th spot in the league table.
