Tag: Raphael Onyedika

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has explained how preparation and teamwork helped him score twice in Nigeria’s 3–1 win over Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Club Brugge star was the standout performer in the Group C encounter, netting both goals in the second half to secure Nigeria’s perfect group-stage record. His display earned him the Man of the Match award at the Fez Stadium.

Onyedika praised Samuel Chukwueze for his role in both goals, noting that their on-field understanding was built through repeated drills in training.

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“We worked on those movements a lot in training,” Onyedika explained, stressing the importance of anticipation and quick decision-making during matches.

He added that his familiarity with Chukwueze’s style—particularly the winger’s ability to beat defenders and cut the ball back—allowed him to arrive in the right positions at the right time.

Reflecting on his Man of the Match award, Onyedika described the moment as emotional, calling it a reward for years of perseverance and hard work.

Nigeria finished top of Group C with nine points from three matches to book a place in the knockout stage.

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika is again attracting significant transfer interest ahead of the January window, with clubs in the Premier League, Serie A and Turkish giants Galatasaray monitoring his situation closely.

The 24-year-old was on several shortlists during the summer, but Club Brugge opted to retain him as they considered him vital to their season plans.

Now, with the winter window fast approaching, multiple clubs are back at the table. According to transfer analyst Ekrem Konur, Galatasaray have renewed their pursuit as they look to strengthen their midfield. Several Premier League sides—previously linked with Onyedika due to his athleticism and ball-winning ability—are also expected to revive talks, while at least two Serie A clubs are keeping tabs.

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Onyedika has developed into one of the Belgian Pro League’s most complete midfielders, combining defensive solidity with progressive distribution and strong physical presence. His performances in the UEFA competitions have further boosted his profile across Europe.

Club Brugge, however, reportedly want at least €20 million for the Nigerian international, who is under contract until June 2027. The Belgian side are reluctant to lose a key player mid-season but could be persuaded if an irresistible offer arrives.

With interest growing on multiple fronts, Onyedika’s January could be one of the most closely watched Nigerian transfer stories.

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has been reported as a top transfer target for Turkish champions Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt.

According to Sky Sports, Frankfurt are interested in the Club Brugge defensive midfielder, and he is on their shortlist.

The interest is particularly because Hugo Larsson’s future remains uncertain.

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Frankfurt appear to be mainly considering Onyedika as a replacement for him, and it also appears that Frankfurt will only take action if Larsson left.

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Brugge sweat over fitness of Super Eagles star

Raphael Onyedika  may miss  out of next month’s crucial  2026 World Cup  qualifiers  with Club Brugge’s  Greek striker  Christos Tzolis fearing   that  the  Super Eagles midfielder has not suffered  a long term injury

Onyedika  limped off just 15 minutes into Wednesday’s Jupiler Pro League clash with Westerlo and his absence proved costly as Brugge’s defensive shape faltered in a game that quickly turned into a high-scoring 5-5 margin.

 “It was clear that Onyedika’s injury weakened our defence. I hope it is not too serious,” Tzolis told the club media.

Onyedika  is expected to  undergo medical tests in the coming days after which the club will issue an official update on his condition.

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But speaking on DAZN, Timmy Simons, a former manager of Westerlo,  is apprehensive  of  Onyedika’s condition , saying he  might be out for weeks

 “They’ll be without him for a few weeks, I’m afraid. You see the grimace on his face, and you know what’s going on. As a player, you know immediately when it’s not a regular strain,” Simons said  DAZN.

This  would be a heavy blow for Club Brugge as Onyedika has once again become one of Nicky Hayen’s most important players in recent weeks. His absence threatens to severely disrupt the balance in midfield, just as the Belgian team continue their busy European campaign.

Club Brugge are fighting hard to keep Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and so have asked Galatasaray to pay them a staggering 30 million euros for the player.

“His transfer fee is incredibly high. Club Brugge want 30 million euros,” the Turkish press reports

This could now be the main stumbling block to Onyedika transferring this summer.

 Galatasaray, who like Club Brugge will feature in the group phase of the UEFA Champions League, are exploring alternatives.

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“There could be surprising developments involving Hakan Çalhanoğlu or İlkay Gündoğan. İlkay could join if he accepted a salary of €4.5 million,” reported Turkish journalist Ferhat Kiziltas.

This means there’s a chance Onyedika will stay at Club Brugge for a few more months or even a season.

The holding midfielder was already linked with a move last summer, but it didn’t happen. There’s also a chance he’ll stay this summer.

Raphael Onyedika is closing in on a Super Eagles reunion with Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray after he agreed personal terms with the Turkish champions, who have now contacted Club Brugge on an agreement.

Fanatik reported on Galatasaray’s pursuit of Raphael Onyedika from Club Brugge following unsuccessful negotiations with Yves Bissouma.

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Galatasaray, after unsuccessful negotiations with Yves Bissouma from Tottenham, turned their attention to Raphael Onyedika from Club Brugge.

Onyedika agreed to Galatasaray’s offer, and negotiations for the transfer fee with Club Brugge have started.

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has distanced himself from reports linking him with a move away from Belgian giants Club Brugge, despite reported interest from top European clubs.

The 24-year-old has drawn attention from the likes of Fenerbahçe, West Ham, and AC Milan.

Fenerbahçe were particularly keen, but negotiations reportedly stalled after Brugge placed a €40 million valuation on the Nigerian star.

Sources close to Onyedika’s agency, CAA Stellar, revealed to Africafoot that the midfielder remains fully committed to the Brugge project and is not agitating for a transfer.

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“Right now, his full focus is on Club Brugge,” the source said.

“He’s not pushing for a move. Raphael is happy, fully professional, and always working to improve. If the right opportunity comes, it will be considered but only under the right circumstances.”

Onyedika, who is under contract until 2027, has become a key figure for the Belgian side and continues to maintain a high level of performance.

Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika has added to the injury concerns of the Super Eagles after he was forced out of his team’s Belgian league game.

Onyedika was injured during the Jupiler Pro League match against Standard Liège yesterday.

Club Brugge announced Onyedika’s injury when the midfielder was forced off the pitch and was substituted in the 23^rd  minute.

The exact nature of Onyedika’s injury has yet to be made known by the club.

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Onyedika thus became the third Super Eagles player to be injured over this weekend after Semi Ajayi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

Semi Ajayi was injured in West Brom’s 2-0 win over Oxford United, while Dele-Bashiru suffered an ankle injury in Lazio’s goalless draw with Venezia.

The injuries must be a concern for new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe next month.

Raphael Onyedika has said he is proud to score his first UEFA Champions League goal at Manchester City.

Onyedika opened scoring Wednesday night for Belgian champions Club Brugge just before the break only for the home team to fight back and win 3-1 to stay alive in the competition.

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 “It’s hard to describe, but it’s an amazing feeling to score my first (Champions League) goal,”’ he told Flashcore.com. “We knew it would be tough once we conceded the first goal, and we got a bit sloppy.

 “After that, they gathered momentum and energy, making it even harder for us due to our mistakes.”

Both Club Brugge and Manchester City will feature in the Champions League playoffs for a place in the Round of 16.

Super Eagles defensive midfielder, Raphael Onyedika,was sent off in Club Brugge’s 3-1 loss to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League tie played at the Gueseppe Meazza Stadium (San Siro) yesterday.

In a clash supposedly against his Super Eagles teammate, Samuel Chukwueze, Onyedika started the game while the former Villarreal winger on the bench.

Things went awry for Onyedika in the 40^th  minute when he was given a straight red card with Club Brugge a goal down by then through Christian Pulisic’s 34^th  minute opener.

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Kyriani Sabbe briefly equalised for the visitors in the 51^st  minute despite playing with a man down but Tijani Reijnders’ quickfire double in the 61^st  and 71^st  minutes nailed Club Brugge’s coffin as the Rossoneri secured their first win of the group stage after three games.

Meanwhile, Chukwueze was introduced in the 60^th  minute in place of Rafael Leao but the Nigerian was not on the score sheet as he did in the weekend game with Udinese when his solitary goal decided the Serie A tie.

In another UEFA Champions League tie, George Ilenikhena came on in the 77^th  minute for AS Monaco in their emphatic 5-1 home win over FK Crvena Zvezda of Serbia. Zvezda also featured their Nigerian striker, Peter Olayinka who was on for the duration of the game but his presence could not influence things in the visitors advantage.