Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has praised his teammate Lesley Ugochukwu for his performance in Southampton\u2019s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest, Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Onuachu made an immediate impact at the City Ground<\/a> when he came off the bench in the 58th minute in the clash against Forest.<\/p>\n Get Our Sports News First \u2013 Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Despite his team\u2019s 3-0 deficit, the Nigerian forward helped revive a near-sensational comeback. Onuachu provided a perfect knockdown for fellow substitute Lesley Ugochukwu, whose shot deflected off Jan Bednarek to score the Saints\u2019 first goal.<\/p>\n Paul Onuachu scores his first Premier League goal for @SouthamptonFC<\/a>, and now they\u2019re only one behind in added time!<\/p>\n Will they find time for another?#NFOSOU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Later, Onuachu headed in from a Mateus Fernandes corner during added time to bring Southampton closer, but the comeback fell short in a 3-2 defeat.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, the whole team in the second half, they were full of energy, Lesley was brilliant again, an amazing player to watch,\u201d Onuachu said via Southampton\u2019s official website<\/a>. \u201cIt was disappointing that we lose, but of course, as a striker, you have confidence that you get the first goal for Saints and I think the fans will be happy for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Meanwhile, Ugochukwu earlier spoke about his admiration for former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi, who greatly influenced his ambitions in football.<\/p>\n In an interview with Chelsea\u2019s official website, the young midfielder revealed how much he wants to emulate the former Nigeria international.<\/p>\n \u201cJust look at all the trophies he [Mikel Obi] has won and the legends that have passed through the club,\u201d Ugochukwu remarked. \u201cI want to be like him, but it\u2019s up to me to prove that I can have my place in the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Ugochukwu expressed his desire to follow in Mikel\u2019s footsteps, believing that with hard work and determination, he could achieve similar success.<\/p>\n \u201cThey say I can become a great midfielder like him, if I put in the work and everything goes well. I wanted to take this step. When a club of this stature comes in for you, it\u2019s very difficult to refuse.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Ugochukwu has continued to develop his game in the Premier League during his loan spell at Southampton. He will be hoping to build on this performance as he strives to carve out a similar path to that of Mikel Obi.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/john-obi-mikel_3791023.jpg\")
<\/a>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/imago1057931214.jpg\")
<\/a>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ayomide-Oguntimehin-pics-150x150.jpg\")
\t\t<\/p>\n