[Watch]: 24-year-old Dele-Bashiru nets wonder goal to fire Watford to special FA Cup win

Tom Dele-Bashiru was left out of Nigeria's Super Eagles 2023 AFCON journey but proved the hero for Watford in the FA Cup.

Anglo-Nigerian player Tom Dele-Bashiru chose a special occasion to be a hero for his Championship side Watford on Saturday. 

On the occasion of the Graham Taylor Matchday, Dele-Bashiru fired Watford into the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup following a 2-1 win against Chesterfield.

Dele-Bashiru shines for Watford

Despite playing from an unusual right-back position, the 24-year-old came up clutch with his stoppage-time winner proving decisive. 

Joe Quigley’s 28th-minute opener gave the visitors a shock lead at the Vicarage Road but Mileta Rajovic levelled for the Hornets 14 minutes from time before Dele-Bashiru’s moment of glory. 

The midfielder, who was ignored by the Super Eagles for the AFCON 2023, produced a magical moment to send the Watford bench and fans into a frenzy when he netted a solo winner in the 95th minute of the game.

The goal was his second goal of the season and to score on the day of an occasion that saw legends of the club assemble to celebrate another legend, the Nigerian was a happy man at full time. 

“It was a very important day [being Graham Taylor Matchday],” Tom told the club website. “He’s a legend of this football club and he was an unbelievable manager, so it was an honour to score today.”

“The fans were great, the fans were supportive,” he added. “The first half was difficult and they were on our back a bit, but it’s normal. The second half was better and we felt the support, pushed on and got the victory.”

Tom has enjoyed massive game time this season at Watford, playing 20 matches across all competitions this season. 

However, he was not considered good enough for Nigeria’s quest to lift a fourth Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cote d’Ivoire.

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