Awaziem’s blunder ignites his team’s home defeat
Pius Ayinor
Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem’s blunder gave Real Valladolid the lead in just two minutes into their Saturday game. His team CD Leganes eventually fell 2-1 and further deep into the relegation waters, Extrasportsnigeria.com reports.
It was Leganes first match with the return of the La Liga after the three-month break as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was almost meant to be their first push in their fight to escape relegation but it was not to be as a back pass mix-up between the Nigeria defender Awaziem and goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar allowed Valladolid’s Enes Unal to kick the ball into an empty net. The Eagles defender made a header back to the box for the goalkeeper who had also dashed out for a catch. Awaziem’s move practically gifted the ball to Unal.
The goal energised the better organised guests who doubled their lead when Ruben Alcaraz lashed high into the net in the 54th minute. Leganes which also featured another Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo pulled a goal back in the 84th with a penalty from Oscar Rodriguez. Mohammed Salusi had made a malicious tackle just inside the box.
Following the result, Leganes are now placed at the 19th spot on 23 points after 28 games. They have been brought down to level with bottom side Espanyol who beat Alaves 2-0 earlier on Saturday.
But it was not all a bad Saturday for Nigerians in Spain as Samuel Chukwueze resumed his La Liga duties in lovely style.
The Super Eagles attacker was a 58th substitute for Gerard Moreno in their away game to Celta Vigo but he was still able to create Villarreal’s lone goal win. It was Manuel Trigueros who scored the late goal which came off Chukwueze’s run.
Chukwueze also had a chance at goal himself – a move that has got many Nigerians reviewing the video on Twitter. He made a Leo Messi-like dribble run through the entire defence of the Celta beating three defenders in the process but his shot bounced off the goalkeeper for a goal kick.
Villarreal are now 8th in the table with 43 points from 28 matches while Celta Vigo have dropped to the 17th place.