NIGERIAN PLAYERS UPDATE
Joel Obi Receives First Red Card Of His Career

Torino coach Giampiero Ventura will not call - up Joel Obi for his side’s next Serie A fixture against Jerry Mbakogu’s Carpi next weekend after the Nigeria international was sent off in the 2 - 1 win over Palermo on Sunday.

The midfielder was shown a straight red card one minute from time by referee Maurizio Mariani for a hard tackle on Franco Vasquez.

And that was the first time in Joel Obi’s professional career that he received a red card, having played 60 games in the Italian top flight for Inter Milan, Parma and Torino.

However, the 24 - year - old has been yellow - carded 7 times , four of them coming in the 2011 - 12 season while defending the colours of Inter Milan.

In Europe, the Super Eagles midfielder has been cautioned twice in 14 games.

Emmanuel Emenike scores in Al Ain loss.

Junior Ajayi Shines On CS Sfaxien Debut

Nigeria Under 23 international Junior Ajayi scored in the 34th minute of his Tunisian Ligue 1 debut on Sunday as CS Sfaxien rolled to a 3 - 1 win over EGS Gafsa at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri.

But it was the visitors that went in front in the third minute through Ghazi Chellouf before Ben Djemia leveled the tie 24 minutes later.

Junior Ajayi added another goal for CS Sfaxien in the first half and Maâloul made sure the points were safe in the bag when he converted his spot kick 7 minutes from time.

The former Shooting Stars man began training with CS Sfaxien early last week after defending the colours of the Dream Team at the All - Africa Games and approximately 3,000 fans had come to the stadium to catch a glimpse of the new signing.

CS Sfaxien are the only team with maximum points in the league after three rounds.

Emmanuel Emenike netted what turned out to be a consolation goal for Al Ain as they surrendered their 100 percent record in the Arabian Gulf League, losing 2 - 1 to Al Wahda on Saturday.

A goal in each half from Sebastian Tagliabúe put the home team two goals up before Emenike netted his fifth goal in all competitions in the 65th minute to give Al Ain a boost but they failed to get the equalizer before the final whistle.

The Nigeria international bagged a double on September 13 against Al Wasl  and also netted a pair of goals against Al Nasr in the Super Cup.

Despite the loss, Al Ain tentatively occupy the second position on the table with nine points, with 5th place Al Ahli having two games in hand.

Obafemi Martins Enters Seattle Sounders History Books After Fifth Consecutive MLS Goal

Published: September 28, 2015

Nigeria international Obafemi Martins set a club record after hitting target as Seattle Sounders played out a 1 - 1 draw with Sporting Kansas City on Sunday night at Sporting Park.

The striker’s 32 minute goal was his fifth consecutive goal in the MLS, joining Fredy Montero in the history books as the only players to have netted in five straight games.

Stretching from August 30 - September 27, 2015, Obafemi Martins found the back of the net against Portland Timbers, Toronto, San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps and Sporting KC.

Should the former Newcastle United and Inter Milan star score against LA Galaxy next Monday, he’ll be the sole holder of the record.

The 30 - year - old Martins is 4 goals shy of beating his single - season scoring record of 17 goals which he set in the 2014 campaign.