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Raphael Onyedika: Club Brugge boss reveals why Super Eagles star was not selected for Union Saint-Gilloise draw

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Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika was not dressed up for Club Brugge’s league game against Union Saint-Gilloise which ended in a 2-2 draw, Soccernet.ng reports.

Before Saturday’s clash between the two Belgian giants, Onyedika had featured in all but two of Club Brugge’s 18 league games, missing one of the other matches due to a red card suspension.

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BRUGGE – Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge KV during the UEFA Champions League match between Club Brugge and Borussia Dortmund at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Sept. 18, 2024 in Bruges. Photo by IMAGO

The Nigerian international, with an increasing valuation, was on course to be named in the starting lineup against Union SG, having impressed in Brugge’s impressive 2-0 victory over league leaders KRC Genk last week.

However, Onyedika suffered an injury during training on Saturday which forced him out of the session as he complained of pain in his adductors.

Raphael Onyedika
Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika. Photo by IMAGO

The former FC Midtjilland ace failed a late fitness test on Sunday and was left out of the squad for the trip to the Stade Joseph Mariën in Brussels.

Giving an update on the injury to Onyedika, Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen said,

“We tested him on Sunday, but it quickly became clear that he was not ready for the match against Union.”

Despite the draw against Union SG, Club Brugge remains second on the Belgian Pro League table, four points behind high-flying Genk.

The champions, who have lost fewer games, scored more goals and conceded fewer goals than the league leaders, will remain optimistic of retaining their crown.

Raphael Onyedika, Club Brugge
October 22, 2024, Milan, Lombardy, Italy: RAPHAEL ONYEDIKA 15 of CLUB BRUGGE stops EMERSON ROYAL 22 of AC MILAN during Matchday 3 of 8 of the UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 between AC MILAN and CLUB BRUGGE at San Siro in Milan, Italy. Photo by IMAGO

Coach Hayen will, however, hope Onyedika can recover in time to be available for selection when Club Brugge played their last match of year 2024 on Thursday, December 26.

Club Brugge’s first three games in January are against OH Leuven, Anderlecht and Beerschot before they face Juventus – a match they need to win to boost their chances of reaching the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.

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