Battle of 5 Nigerians: Butler-Oyedeji strikes as Lausanne-Sport stun Ndidi's Besiktas

It took Arsenal academy graduate Nathan Butler-Oyedeji ten games to open his goalscoring account for Swiss Super League side FC Lausanne-Sport, but the wait proved worthwhile.

The 22-year-old forward, who left Arsenal in the summer after fourteen years, delivered the biggest moment of his career on Thursday, netting the decisive goal in Lausanne-Sport's 1-0 victory over Turkish giants Besiktas to secure their place in the UEFA Conference League league phase.

The clash carried strong Nigerian interest, with five players of Nigerian descent named in the starting line-ups. 

Butler-Oyedeji was joined by Lausanne centre-back Bryan Okoh, while Besiktas fielded Wilfred Ndidi, Felix Uduokhai and Tammy Abraham.

The former Arsenal starlet struck in first-half stoppage time after latching onto a pass behind the defence and calmly slotting past goalkeeper Mert Günok in a one-on-one. 

The goal ultimately proved the difference over two legs, with Lausanne advancing 2-1 on aggregate after last week's 1-1 draw in Switzerland.

Besiktas' night went from bad to worse early in the second half when Danish referee Jakob Kehlet brandished a straight red card to Uduokhai following a rash challenge on Brandon Soppy.

Ndidi endured a nervy evening after going into the referee's book on 30 minutes for a foul on Lausanne captain Olivier Custodio, forcing him to play the remainder of the contest under caution.

With the defeat, Besiktas bow out of the Conference League, while Lausanne-Sport march on thanks to Butler-Oyedeji's breakthrough strike.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: lausanne-sport.ch

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