AFCON 2023 super-sub, unknown Nigerian hero too good for Boniface, Osimhen and Lookman

The duo of Paul Onuachu and little-known Dapo Afolayan emerged as the stars of the weekend from the Nigerian point of view after dusting Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman and others abroad. 

Onuachu and Afolayan helped themselves to a brace respectively as they led their teams to important wins. 

Jose Peseiro’s special AFCON 2023 sub, Onuachu needed just two minutes to add to his tally for the season in Turkey.

The 29-year-old netted twice in two minutes to inspire Trabzonspor to a comprehensive 3-0 thrashing of Istanbulspor at home. The goals were his 13th and 14th of the season.

In germany, Afolayan outshone Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella despite the latter duo having a lot to celebrate.

The 26-year-old Dapo proved to be the hero as his netted a brace to fire St Pauli back to the Bundesliga after 13 years absence. 

Afolayan’s heroics mean that he would join Boniface, who scored a penalty in Bayer Leverkusen’s 5-0 win at Bochum on Sunday, and Tella Baby in the German topflight next season. 

In Spain, the girl with the blue hair, Rasheedat Ajibade was the only Super Falcons star who found the net and impressed.

Ajibade proved just too good for Real Madrid after she scored one and assisted another to lead Atletico Madrid to a 3-2 win in the derby. 

Elsewhere, it was a weekend to forget for the Nigeria’s biggest star in the Serie A, Osimhen, as his dream of European football came crashing down.

Osimhen was caged as former champions Napoli fell at home in Naples to the superiority of a brilliant Bologna who have now replaced the former champions in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Samuel Chukwueze played for 46 minutes as AC Milan dispatched Cagliari emphatically to seal Champions League football while compatriot, Lookman, came on to feature for Atalanta, who kept their Champions League hopes alive with a stunning win against Roma. 

In Britain, while the Premier League based contingent of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Taiwo Awoniyi had a quiet weekend, Cyriel Dessers continues to find the net for Rangers in Scotland.

Dessers’ 21st goal of the season was , however, not enough for the Gers who suffered defeat against their bitter rivals Celtic in the Old Firm derby.

In Belgium, giant forward Toluwase Arokodare was on target for Genk against Anderletch, with Chidera Ejuke and Alhassan Yusuf continuing their free fall with Royal Antwerp.