Club Brugge skipper lauds Onyedika after game-winning assist as Nigeria midfielder hits key milestone

Club Brugge captain Hans Vanaken applauded Raphael Onyedika following his impressive display during the Champions League meeting with Sturm Graz at Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt on Wednesday evening.

After a disappointing 3-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund on matchday one, the Belgian champions got their first three points on the board in the Champions League, with Onyedika providing the game-winning assist - the midfielder's first ever goal involvement in Europe's flagship club competition. 

Midway through the first half, Christos Tzolis broke the deadlock with a magnificent shot curled beyond Sturm Graz goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen into the far corner after Onyedika's perfectly weighted long pass. 

Just after the half hour mark, the Nigeria national teamer was presented with a chance to double the advantage but his effort missed the target.

Speaking post-match, Vanaken praised Onyedika as he reacted to Christos Tzolis's goal that secured a win for the Blue-Black.

"What a goal. Fine control, great assist too by Onyedika, and then neatly tucked in by Tzolis," he told the official webpage of Club Brugge. 

"We had so much possession. We had another excellent opportunity through Jutglà, that really should have gone in, but it didn't. It would have made it much easier on us."

Against the Austrian side, Onyedika hit a key milestone of 100 appearances for Club Brugge, comprising 69 in the Jupiler Pro League including the playoffs, 11 in the UEFA Conference League, 9 in the Champions League, 6 in the qualifying rounds of the Conference League, 4 in the Croky Cup and one in the Super Cup. 

The FC Ebedei product played in his first game after he was named Club Brugge's Player of the Month for September 2024.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: clubbrugge.be

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