Super Eagles and Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika has praised Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze for the assists he laid down for the goals against Uganda, Soccernet.ng reports.
Eric Chelle brought the duo in, as the Nigerian coach opted to rotate, given that his side would be heading into the next round as Group C leaders after victories in their first two games.
Other players brought in include Francis Uzoho, Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu.
The decision yielded fruit for the three-time AFCON winners, as Onyedika scored a brace while Dele-Bashiru set up Paul Onuachu’s first goal.
Onuachu opened the scoring for the green and whites before the Club Brugge midfielder completed the rout with a brace, eventually winning the man of the match award.
Samuel Chukwueze and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru were also creatively involved, as the duo combined for three assists at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
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Raphael Onyedika lauds Samuel Chukwueze’s creativity in Uganda victory
The brace against Paul Put’s side took Onyedika’s goal tally for the Super Eagles to three, and coincidentally, all have been assisted by Samuel Chukwueze.
In the mixed zone, the West Ham-linked midfielder revealed he’s thankful for the support from the AC Milan loanee, and joked he could get him a gift.
“We talked in the dressing room already, and I told him I have to get a present for him because he’s assisted all three of my goals for the Super Eagles,” Onyedika told Soccernet.ng.
After being on the bench in Nigeria’s two opening group games, the former Midtjylland midfielder was proud of his feat, although he clarified it’s not a statement of intent as his goal is to help his team in any possible way.
“I’m so happy, so proud to get a goal at the AFCON. Of course, you dream, and you believe, but I never expected that I’d score two goals today,” Onyedika.
Although he walked home with the man of the match award, Onyedika highlighted two teammates who helped him ahead of the game.
“Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is an amazing guy, an amazing player. Even in training before the start of the game, we knew we had to help each other. I know his quality; he’s a very good player.
“Ndidi is a good player, and he’s had a fantastic career, also, so he’s someone who demands a lot and helps the younger players in training. Before the game, we spoke a lot, and even at half-time as well,” the 24-year-old concluded.
The Super Eagles will be without Alebiosu for the remainder of the tournament after the Blackburn Rovers full-back suffered a deep cut on his right leg.