)
EuroEagles Review is a weekly series evaluating the performances of Nigerian footballers in Europe.
What more does Onyedika have to do?
It has been a rollercoaster of a season for Club Brugge, with multiple managerial changes and title defence gone wrong. However, by some miracle, they remain in with a chance of making the Pro League Championship round; they did their prospects no harm by dispatching bottom club Seraing on Friday.
At the heart of it all was midfielder Raphael Onyedika, who has been excellent for the Blauw-Zwart, and was here again. The 21-year-old completed the most passes (81) at a 93 per cent completion rate, and it was not all sideways either. He also consistently progressed the ball into the final third, was literally perfect in five attempts with his distribution over long distances, tallied 2/3/10 for tackles, interceptions and recoveries and completed the game’s second-most dribbles.
)
There has to be some accounting for the level of the opposition, naturally, but a performance like this is not a one-off where Onyedika is concerned. He has been one of best performers in the division, and impressed while Brugge were in the Champions League as well. If only the Super Eagles had a midfielder of this ilk to call upon in its current shortage. Oh, wait…
Duelling pistols fail to fire
The meeting between Gent and Union St Gilloise was billed as a clash of the Super Eagles striker prospects. In the home corner was 20-year-old Gift Orban, who has taken the Belgian top-flight by storm in the space of two months; in the away Victor Boniface, 22, who has shone particularly brightly in European competition for Europa League surprise package USG.
In the end, there was neither victor nor vanquished, even though Boniface assisted the game’s opener inside the first minute. Between them, the two hotshot marksmen managed one shot: a blocked effort. This was particularly surprising in the case of the usually shot-happy Orban, who before the game received his awards for Player and Goal of the Month. Both forwards were subbed off as the spoils were shared – a valuable point for USG, who maintained a three-point gap to Lokeren in third.
Chubben? Robbueze?
As you read this, say a prayer for Nacho. The Real Madrid defender was put in the fryer at the weekend by an extremely convincing Arjen Robben tribute act as Villarreal ran out 3-2 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Samuel Chukwueze’s performance in Madrid was the latest star turn in a season that has seen him blossom like none other. The Nigeria international looks reborn under Quique Setien, whose trust and tactical recalibration is getting the best out of the previously inconsistent and often sidelined forward.
Forward, not winger: The small recalibration that has made Chukwueze unstoppable
The reigning European champions certainly felt the burn, as the 24-year-old took both his goals with poise and control, in both cases rendering Thibaut Courtois, one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, a non-factor. His winner, the most Robben-esque action of all, is the dream goal for every inside forward: while it was abundantly clear what the intention was, the Real Madrid defence was nevertheless powerful to stop it.
In addition to the Man of the Match award, Chukwueze became the first player since Lionel Messi in 2017 to complete seven dribbles at the Santiago Bernabeu (per Opta). His five shots was also a game-high tally, and his brace made him only the second Villarreal player in history to score a double at Real Madrid – the first since a certain Diego Forlan. Far from shabby company, to be sure.
Africa United shred Leeds
If you had nothing better to do with your afternoon than dedicate 90 minutes of it to watching Leeds United take on Crystal Palace at Elland Road, you will no doubt have had your jaw hanging out in the second half of that encounter. Not only were the hosts dominant in the opening period, but the visitors looked utterly incapable of posing any threat whatsoever.
)
Yet, 10 minutes after the break, Crystal Palace were 3-1 up. Football, eh? At the heart of the turnaround was the duo Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze running buck wild. The former in particular laid on three assists, his cultured left foot a wand that ripped through the Leeds defence time and again. It truly was something to behold, even though the hosts were extremely pliable at times.
)
09:47 - 10.04.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Team of Week 30: Haaland outscores Chelsea, Olise, Ayew, Ramsdale star
Following every round of Premier League fixtures, Pulse Sports presents the most impressive performers of the matchday.
The reaction was predictable and unsurprising. Both are eligible for Nigeria by parentage, but both have yet to commit unequivocally to playing for the Super Eagles. Cue the gnashing of teeth and goo-goo eyes.
Thing is, if they don’t intend to play for Nigeria, why are they seducing us like this? Why are they everything we need in the national team at the moment, right down to the swag? Why are they introducing us to a vibe they cannot maintain? Is it even right?
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)