Nigerian goalkeeper Matthew Yakubu delivered a moment of magic in Slovakia on Saturday, saving two penalties in a high-stakes shootout to fire OFK Baník Lehota pod Vtáčnikom into the second tier of Slovak football for the first time in their history, Footynaija.com reports.
In a dramatic promotion playoff final against MFK Snina, the Kaduna born goalkeeper, who once earned a Super Eagles call-up in 2020, stepped up when it mattered most. His heroics helped maintained the goalless draw before turning the shootout into his personal stage.
After 120 minutes of football with no clear winner, Snina had the edge in rhythm and looked the more composed side during regular time. But Yakubu flipped the script when he made two saves that proved decisive.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said after the final whistle. “It was a difficult situation before the opponent’s fifth penalty, but I believed that God would show me which side I should fit on. And this is what happened.”
For a player who has flown under the radar in recent seasons, this was huge. The 26-year-old, who made his mark with Nigeria’s U20s before his senior national team call-up five years ago, had been working to get his career back on track in Slovakia.
As revealed by Slovakian outlet Sportnet, the Nigerian’s performance swung the tie decisively in Baník’s favour, with Lehota coach Dušan Oravec admitting: “We survived clinical death when Mathew caught Snine’s pass and then it turned in our favor.”
The win is historic for OFK Baník Lehota pod Vtáčnikom, a modest side from the Trenčín region now preparing for life in Slovakia’s 2. Liga. It is a promotion few saw coming, and one that will be remembered for a goalkeeper who stood tallest when the lights shone brightest.
Yakubu, reflecting on the occasion, could barely contain his emotions. “Thank you to everyone who kept their fingers crossed for us,” he said amid the celebrations.