Peterborough United’s League One campaign began with a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Cardiff City, but the performance of striker Bradley Ihionvien offered a silver lining for Darren Ferguson’s side.
Despite being transfer-listed just months ago, Ihionvien was handed a start by Ferguson and responded emphatically by opening the scoring in the 33rd minute.
The 21-year-old confidently dispatched a penalty into the bottom left corner after Declan Frith was brought down in the area by Cardiff’s Will Fish.
The goal not only marked the first strike of the 2025/26 EFL League One season but also showed Ihionvien’s resilience, coming on the back of a turbulent few months in which his future at Peterborough was publicly cast into doubt.
Three players of Nigerian descent started for the visitors at Cardiff City Stadium: Ihionvien was joined by debutant defender David Okagbue and winger Abraham Odoh, both of whom featured prominently throughout.
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Peterborough carried their slender lead into the break, but the hosts came roaring back early in the second half. Rubin Colwill drew Cardiff level just four minutes after the restart, curling a sublime free-kick into the top-right corner.
Cardiff completed the turnaround in the 60th minute, when Ronan Kpakio, scoring his first senior goal for Cardiff City, smashed home from the right side of the box after good work by Ollie Tanner.
David Okagbue, who signed from Stoke City in July, had a baptism of fire on his League One debut. The 21-year-old defender showed glimpses of promise despite Cardiff’s pressure.
Abraham Odoh, entering his second full season with Peterborough, showed his usual verve down the flanks. The former Salford City man is coming off a strong finish to last season, where he scored a first-half hat-trick in a thrilling 4-3 win over Crawley Town.
Peterborough finished 18th last term, but Ferguson will be hoping that the blend of youth and experience, along with a motivated Ihionvien, can drive the club towards mid-table safety — or better.
While the result was disappointing, the individual performances of the trio of Nigerian heritage, especially Ihionvien’s goal and poise, suggest Peterborough have a foundation to build on in the coming weeks.