Soccer
Nigeria and Viktoria Plzen stars Rafiu Durosinmi and James Bello. Photos by IMAGO
Two young Nigerian forwards, James Bello and Rafiu Durosinmi, played starring roles as Viktoria Plzeň thrashed lower-league side Sokol Lanžhot 6-1 in the Czech MOL Cup on Tuesday night, Soccernet.ng reports.
Bello, who only joined Viktoria Plzeň B from Nigeria’s Right2Win Football Academy last year, marked the occasion with his first competitive goal for the senior side.
The 20-year-old striker struck in the second half to extend the visitors’ lead, as he continued his rapid progress in Czech football.
Bello had already impressed in the club’s B team, netting twice and providing three assists in just four games this season.
His numbers last term were equally eye-catching: eight goals and five assists in 18 matches during his adaptation campaign.
With two senior league appearances already under his belt this term, Tuesday’s strike was further proof that Bello is settling well into life at the top level.
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Compatriot Rafiu Durosinmi, a graduate of Box2Box FC in Lagos, also got on the scoresheet.
The 22-year-old forward, who came close to leaving Plzen this summer, netted the club’s fifth goal of the evening. It has been a bright start to the season for Lazio-linked Durosinmi, who has already registered six goals in 12 appearances in all competitions.
Durosinmi’s athleticism and sharp finishing have quickly made him one of Plzeň’s attacking spearheads.
The Nigerians weren’t alone in making headlines.
Captain Matěj Vydra opened the scoring from Bello’s clever assist before Christophe Kabongo doubled the lead.
Though the hosts briefly reduced the deficit from the spot before half-time, Viktoria’s dominance was never in doubt.
Karel Spáčil added a third early in the second half, Bello grabbed the fourth, Durosinmi the fifth, and Tomáš Ladra rounded off the rout with a spectacular long-range strike.
For Plzeň, the result means smooth passage into the next round of the MOL Cup.
Durosinmi and Bello will look to make similar impact when Viktoria Plzen make the trip to face Sparta Prague on Saturday.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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