UCL Qualifiers Recap: Emenike Scores But Crashes Out With Fenerbache

Former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Emenike, was on the score sheet again but it was not enough as home side AS Monaco, without Elderson Echiejile, defeated Fenebahce 3-1 to qualify for the UEFA Champions League play-offs.

Monaco progressed 4-3 on aggregate after losing the first leg 2-1 in Turkey courtesy of Emenike’s brace. Valere Germain gave Monaco the lead just two minutes into the game.

Manchester United and Chelsea flop, Radamel Falcao, who scored Monaco’s goal in the first leg, made it 2-0 from the penalty spot on 18 minutes.

Emenike brought Fenebahce back into the tie when he scored in the 53rd minute to make it 3-3 on aggregate. Germain finally sealed the win and qualification for Monaco, scoring in the 66th minute.

Also on Wednesday night, Efe Ambrose was not listed as Celtic edged nine-man FC Astana 2-1 at Celtic Park to qualify for the play-offs 3-2 on aggregate.

Celtic forced Astana to a 1-1 draw away in the first leg in Kazakhstan. Leigh Griffiths gave Celtic the lead on 45 minutes before substitute Agim Ibrahimi equalised for the visitors on 53 minutes. And in the 90th minute, Moussa Dembele scored from the penalty spot to give Celtic the win.

In Poland, Trencin, who paraded Nigerian trio of Christopher Udeh, Samuel Kalu and Aliko Bala, held Legia Warswaza to a 0-0 draw but crashd out 1-0 on aggregate.

Trencin had lost the first leg 1-0 at home last week Tuesday. Former junior international, Rabiu Ibrahim, was not included in Trencin’s squad while Udeh was replaced by Rafael on 90 minutes.

Also, Nigeria duo of John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme featured for Hapoel Beer Sheva who pipped Olympiakos with Brown Ideye also in action 1-0 in the second leg third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League in Israel.

The win saw Beer Sheva advance into the play-offs 1-0 on aggregate after holding the Greek champions to a 0-0 away draw in the first leg last week Tuesday. The only goal of the game was scored by Shir Tzedek in the 79th minute.

In Romania, former Nigeria junior international, Kehinde Fatai, was an unused substitute as his teamSparta Prague lost 2-0 to Steaua Bucuresti to lose out 3-1 on aggregate.

Nicolae Stanciu scored both goals for Steaua Bucuresti. He opened the scoring in the 31st minute before sealing it in the 62nd minute.