Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika made his mark in Europe on Thursday evening, scoring in Club Brugge’s emphatic 4-1 victory over AS Monaco in their UEFA Champions League opener.
The 24-year-old was on target in the first half, showcasing his growing influence at the Belgian side.
Onyedika struck in the 39th minute, calmly finishing off a well-worked move to double Brugge’s advantage after Nicolo Tresoldi had earlier opened the scoring in the 32nd minute.
Captain Hans Vanaken added a third before the break, while Mamadou Diakhon made it 4-0 in the 75th minute, ensuring Nicky Hayen’s men began their European campaign in style.
Ansu Fati pulled one back for the Ligue 1 team with a deflected effort in the first minute of stoppage time.
The result underlined Club Brugge’s attacking quality, with Onyedika’s performance standing out.
His goal not only gave his team control of the contest but also added to his growing reputation as a reliable midfielder capable of contributing decisively in big games.
Meanwhile, there was Nigerian interest on the sidelines as well. Kaye Furo, son of former Super Eagles centre-back Furo Iyenemi, was named among the substitutes for Brugge but remained unused.
The 18-year-old forward, who has represented Belgium at youth level, became provisionally cap-tied to the Red Devils in March 2024 when he featured in a UEFA U17 European Championship qualifier against Finland.
The convincing victory puts Club Brugge in a strong position at the start of the league phase, while Onyedika’s display will undoubtedly be celebrated back in Nigeria as he continues to impress on the European stage.
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