By Daily Sports Nigeria on September 20, 2024
Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji made UEFA Champions League history on Wednesday by scoring on his debut in his club Sparta Prague’s resounding 3-0 win over FC Salzburg at epet ARENA in Prague, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 25-year-old striker scored his team’s second goal in the 42nd minute, becoming the third African to score and assist on their debut in Europe’s elite club competition after Gabon’s Daniel Cousin did in 2007 for Rangers vs. Lyon and Serge Aurier of Ivory Coast achieved the feat in 2015 for PSG against Shakhtat Donetsk.
After putting the team 2-0 up following Kasper Kairinen’s 2nd-minute opener, Olatunji assisted Qasim Laçi for their third goal on 58 as the hosts recorded a comprehensive win before over 17,000 home fans.
He made another history with Sparta Prague, which finally played a Champions League match at Letná after 19 years.
This result ended Sparta Prague’s long wait for a Champions League victory, their first since a 1-0 win over Lazio in December 2003. It also marked the first time they have ever opened the competition with a win, in what is their eighth appearance in the tournament proper.
“I feel good, I feel great and I’m very happy for myself because I worked hard to get to this point. I’m also happy for the team,” Olatunji told UEFA media after the match.
“We always play like a team – I really enjoyed it. For the third goal, I could have shot, but I wanted to give us a bigger chance (of scoring) because missing that chance would not have been good for the team.”
Born in Sokoto, Olatunji, who is playing his second season with Sparta Prague, has been playing his trade in Eastern Europe since 2019 when he joined Podbrezová from Inter Milan. He also donned the colours of
AEK Larnaca, Liberec, Alki Oroklini, AEK Larnaca, and Mattersburg.
Source Punch Ng
Posted September 20, 2024
You may also like...
Echiejile-backed Pearlmag FC soldier on in Edo FA...
Rohr: We Already Know What Simy Offers
Didier Drogba returns to Chelsea
Young Nigerian Fikayo Tomori’s Rise at Chelsea a...
Fans, Analysts, Bookmakers Task Uzoho To Perform Likewise...
Koeman Uncertain About Messi’s Future At Barca
SWAN Honours Ezeonwuka, 40 Years After Building Rojenny, Nigeria’s First Private Stadium
Man City need to 'step up' as striker's goal run ends
'People are afraid' - why 'juggernaut' Arsenal are team to beat
Aspinall requires further tests on eye injury in UK
Real Madrid impress but Vinicius tension grows - Clasico talking points
Rooney says struggling Liverpool lack leadership
NOC To Host FinalIOC Advanced Sport Management Course Module
4 Teams Lock Horns For N10m Tiger 5-Aside Football Battle In Awka
Nezianya, Odikpo, Balepo, Ndukuba, Chukwuleta For SWAN @60 Veterans’ Awards
Anambra FA Crisis: Igbokwe, 61 Years Old Football Administrator Protests Arrest, Detention
Gala European record thrills Osimhen
La Liga: 'I am enjoying football at Barca', Rashford eyes permanent move
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,273 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,479 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,428 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,036 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,015 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (51,988 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,818 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,398 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,512 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,052 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,491 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (46,953 views)