Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi came in as a substitute to inspire Union Berlin to a 3-1 win against Waldhof Wannheim in their DFB Pokal second round clash on Wednesday night.
Alexander Rossipal gave the home team the lead on four minutes.
Kevin Behrens however equalised for Union Berlin in the 18th minute.
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The game went into extra-time after both teams failed to find the winning goal.
Awoniyi took the place of Sheraldo Becker in the 72nd minute and put the visitors ahead for the first time in the game four minutes into extra time.
Behrens then scored his second of the game two minutes from time.
7 Comments
12 goals already by a reliable striker who has always showed up in Nstional team colors and someone is thinking of Ighalo. The more reason why Roar is technically bereft. At the moment, we have top players in every position but our current coaching crew lack the capacity and the will to get the best out of them
At the world cup I noticed that Ighalo had an influence on Rhor……I saw when he was demanding to enter the game from Rhor several times which is highly unprofessional…….At last he entered the game and cost us an advancement into the knockout stage…….I don’t know what is going on at the background but I also saw something similar at the Afcon where Ighalo was asking to be brought into a game by Rhor…….If to Rhor, satisfying Ighalo is more important than the feeling of 200million souls and the safety of his job then I am ok by it.
Our best strikers are Osimhen, Iheanacho, Awoniyi, Ighalo take or leave it
The same Rohr was in attendance yesterday to watch Awoniyi. So calm down
CONSISTENT GOAL SCORER. KEEP IT UP
With players like Osimhen, iheanacjo and awoniyi playing regularly in the top 5 leagues in the world and scoring or creating goals regularly, I wont blame coach rohr for not being interested in other strikers since he has more than he needs.
Awoniyi just needs to keep this run going. His confidence is increasing and can continue to do so with behind-the-scenes hard work and tireless dedication. Even when not scoring, he should be giving assists, pre-assists or at least making his presence felt in other ways (like creating outlets for his colleagues).
I remember in the 2013 under-17 world cup where he was second choice to Isaac Success, he proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was up to the job when Success sadly copped injury just after the first match in the tournament.
Awoniyi combined beautifully well with Iheanacho to score bucket load of goals to power the Nigerian teenagers to victory.
Will history somewhat repeat itself?
I pray we don’t have injuries to any of our key players.
But in a sense, Awoniyi (if he continues to churn out such quality performances eloquently cladded with resplendent goals for Union Berlin) is proving that though he is not first choice at the moment for the Super Eagles, he will be more than ready and capable to step in and wreck havoc on opponents when called upon.
The goal yesterday was simply deluxe. Backing the goalkeeper he made a 360 turn with the speed of light before moving and unloading powerfully to give his team the lead.
The finish belies a striker brimming in confidence.
All that is left is to replicate this sort of ruthlessness in Nigeria colours, something he is more than capable of.