Raphael Onyedika and Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Super Eagles and Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika has been making headlines for his performances in Europe this season, Soccernet.ng reports.
However, he might have made one for a not-so-good reason. The 24-year-old played 81 minutes in Club Brugge’s 4-0 win over Monaco in the UEFA Champions League last week.
He was withdrawn with nine minutes left on the clock, with 21-year-old midfielder Lynt Audoor. Onyedika reacted to the substitution badly and was visibly perturbed, refusing to shake hands with his replacement.
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Nicky Hayen reacts to Onyedika‘s gesture
The Super Eagles midfielder played another 90 minutes in Club Brugge’s 2-0 win over St Truiden last weekend, and the club’s head coach Nicky Hayen confirmed the tiny debacle was just in the heat of the moment.
“Oh well, that incident was quickly forgotten. He played a fantastic game against Monaco and even scored a goal,” the 45-year-old said in quotes revealed by Walfoot.
“He delivered a huge match. Solid ball to the foot, intelligent in the duels and always facing forward. That’s exactly what we need in our game.
“It was a storm in a glass of water. We discussed it immediately. For me, it was simply a misunderstanding.
After the game, he was already singing in the locker room. Onyedika is a simple, down-to-earth boy,” the Belgian gaffer concluded.
Onyedika was linked with a move to Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt. Still, none of these clubs were willing to match Club Brugge’s asking price of 25 million euros, even though the player had already accepted Okan Buruk’s side.
English Premier League side, West Ham United, are looking to revive their interest in the Nigerian midfielder, although it is highly unlikely the player would make the move.