Al Arabi SC produced a dramatic 2–2 comeback against Al-Safa Beirut in the AFC Challenge League with Anayo Iwuala at the heart of the game, while Samuel Nnamani and Prosper Obah delivered match-defining performances in Sweden and Ukraine to cap a thrilling weekend for the Nigerian forwards.

Anayo Iwuala penalty sparks Al Arabi revival

The spotlight was firmly on Iwuala as Al Arabi SC fought back to snatch a 2–2 draw in their AFC Challenge League Group C opener on Friday, Footballrover reports.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges, with Kassem Hayek breaking the deadlock in the 43rd minute after a smart assist from Mohammad El Hayek.

Just two minutes later, Hassan Mehanna doubled the advantage, finishing clinically from Carter Ahiro’s delivery to put Al-Safa in control before halftime.

After the restart, Anayo Iwuala took charge. The Nigerian forward stepped up confidently to convert a 53rd-minute penalty, pulling Al Arabi back into the contest and shifting the momentum.

The former Espérance star showed composure, belief, and leadership, inspiring his teammates to push for the equaliser.

Their persistence paid off in the 69th minute when Kassem Hayek turned the ball into his own net, sealing the comeback at 2–2.

The match had fiery edges, with two red cards shown — Abbas Assi was sent off for Al-Safa in the 52nd minute, while Nabil Marmouk received marching orders for Al Arabi in the 81st.

Fellow Nigerian Eze Okeuhie featured for 66 minutes before making way, while Anayo Iwuala continued to influence proceedings as he extended his strong start to the season with four goals in four games.

After netting eight in seven league matches last season, the 26-year-old looks set for an even bigger campaign.

Nnamani brace rescues Nordic United in six-goal thriller

It was a similar comeback theme in Sweden as Samuel Nnamani powered Nordic United FC to a dramatic 3–3 draw against Sollentuna FK in Ettan Norra on Saturday.

The league leaders were stunned early, conceding twice in the first half and later falling 3–2 behind, but Samuel Nnamani stepped off the bench to flip the script and extend Nordic’s unbeaten run to 13 matches.

The Nigerian striker came on at the start of the second half and made an instant impact. He smashed home his first goal in the 57th minute to ignite belief before Shergo Shhab levelled nine minutes later.

Just three minutes after that, Samuel Nnamani struck again — a brilliant brace that silenced the home support and looked to have completed a sensational turnaround. Sollentuna, however, snatched a late equaliser deep into stoppage time.

The match was explosive on all fronts, with both sides finishing with 10 men. Jonathan Gursac received a red card for Nordic United in the 54th minute, while Jakob Bäckström of Sollentuna was dismissed in stoppage time.

Despite the chaos, Nordic United remain four points clear at the top with 59 points, and Samuel Nnamani now has 11 goals in 26 league games—three in his last four—as he pushes toward his best season in Nordic colours.

Obah strikes again to lift LNZ Cherkasy

Meanwhile, in the Ukraine Premier League, Prosper Obah was once again the difference-maker as LNZ Cherkasy sealed a narrow away victory over Metalist 1925.

The forward struck in the 62nd minute to hand his side their third straight win and stretch their unbeaten run to five matches.

Prosper Obah has now scored in three consecutive games, tallying four goals in his last five outings and five goals with one assist in 10 appearances this season.

The result puts Cherkasy in a strong position at the summit with 20 points as their push for a historic campaign gains momentum.

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Last Updated on October 25, 2025 4:37 pm by footballrover