Soccer
Copyright: xEibner-Pressefoto/ IMAGO
Super Eagles invitee Philip Otele made history on Saturday by scoring for Hamburger SV in their 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Soccernet.ng reports.
Otele scored from close range in the 19th minute to open the scoring and write his name into the club’s history books.
With that goal at Signal Iduna Park, he became the first Nigerian player to score for Hamburg in the history of the Bundesliga.
The first Nigerian to be associated with the club was Macauley Chrisantus, who joined in 2007 after helping Nigeria win the FIFA U-17 World Cup. However, he did not make an official appearance or score before leaving the club two years later.
The second Nigerian is Jordan Torunarigha, who joined Hamburg from KAA Gent last summer. A defender, he has made 25 appearances for the club and played the full match against Dortmund on Saturday.
But it was Otele, in just his seventh appearance for Hamburg, who made the breakthrough and placed Nigeria on the club’s Bundesliga scoring chart.
Despite the historic moment, the day did not end well for Hamburg, as they left Dortmund without any points after surrendering their lead.
Soccer New Super Eagles lad Otele’s special day dented by Dortmund
Otele’s goal also came shortly after he received his first senior call-up to the Super Eagles.
The 26-year-old winger, who joined Hamburg on loan from Basel during the winter transfer window, gave his team a bright start with a well-taken finish past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Hamburg looked in control in the first half and doubled their lead when Albert Sambi Lokonga scored with a powerful strike into the top corner to make it 2-0.
However, Dortmund responded strongly after the break. Ramy Bensebaini pulled one back in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot after a handball decision confirmed by VAR.
Just five minutes later, Serhou Guirassy scored from close range to bring Dortmund level at 2-2.
The comeback was completed in the 84th minute when Bensebaini scored another penalty, securing a 3-2 win for the home side despite Hamburg goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes getting a hand to the ball.
While Hamburg suffered defeat, Otele will be excited with his form ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Antalya, Turkey.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
A lifelong fan of Arsenal and the Super Eagles, Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng, where his journey as a journalist began more than six years ago. Since then, he has helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and guided it toward some of its proudest milestones.
With a background in Engineering and further training in journalism and digital media, Imhons brings both precision and passion to his storytelling. His love for football runs deep, but he also follows boxing, chess, and athletics with equal curiosity.
Read MoreImhonlamhen Eronmhonsele