Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji is in a happy and great mood after his masterclass UCL debut for Sparta Prague.
Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji is riding high following his impressive UEFA Champions League debut for Sparta Prague.
The 25-year-old forward played a pivotal role in Prague's 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg, managed by former Liverpool assistant coach Pepijn Lijinders on Wednesday night.
03:58 - 19.09.2024
Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu moved by 4-word message from departed 18-year-old Nigerian youth international
Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu has approved the latest message from his youngster who left Enyimba for Europe.
PAY ATTENTION: Join the BETTING PROF Telegram channel now
Olatunji's performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he contributed a goal and an assist to help secure the win for his team.
This achievement marks him as the first Nigerian, and only the third African player to both score and assist on their Champions League debut.
In a post-match interview with UEFA, Olatunji expressed his joy and satisfaction with his performance.
"I feel good, I feel great and I'm very happy for myself, because I worked hard to get to this point. I'm also happy for the team," he stated, highlighting the personal significance of the moment.
The striker's focus and determination were evident in his approach to the game as he noted he only had one job and dream in the match.
"I just wanted to put the ball in the back of the net. It was my only dream for tonight," Olatunji revealed, demonstrating his goal-scoring mentality.
However, Olatunji also showed his team-first attitude, particularly when discussing his assist for Prague's third goal.
"We always play like a team – I really enjoyed it. For the third goal, I could have shot but I wanted to give us a bigger chance [of scoring], because missing that chance would not have been good for the team," he explained.
This selfless play and impressive debut have undoubtedly put Olatunji in the spotlight, not just in Europe but also back home in Nigeria.
Olatunji's successful Champions League debut not only marks a personal milestone but also adds to the growing list of Nigerian talents making waves in top-level European football.
His performance against Salzburg will likely attract attention from bigger clubs and possibly the Nigerian national team selectors, potentially opening new doors in his promising career.