Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom marked his Ligue 1 debut for Lille with a stoppage-time goal, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Le Havre on Saturday evening.

Chuba Akpom’s dream Ligue 1 debut ends in frustration

The Super Eagles hopeful came off the bench and made an instant impact, yet his late strike served only as a consolation in a game Lille will feel they should have won, Footballrover reports.

Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, Lille failed to convert their opportunities, while Le Havre capitalised on their moments, with Soumaré and Issa Soumaré finding the net.

The result denied Akpom’s side a chance to break into the Champions League spots, leaving them frustrated at full-time.

A historic moment for Akpom among Nigerian stars

While the defeat stung, Akpom’s goal placed him in elite company.

The former Arsenal prospect joins the list of Nigerian stars to score on a Ligue 1 debut, joining the ranks of Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, and Terem Moffi, who also found the net in their first appearances for Lille, Nantes, and Lorient, respectively.

Akpom is now the fourth Nigerian to accomplish this feat.

The 29-year-old striker, who arrived at Lille on loan from Ajax, is looking to revive his career after struggling for minutes in the Netherlands.

His performance against Le Havre suggests he’s ready to seize this opportunity in the French league.

What’s next for Akpom and Lille?

Akpom’s eye-catching display will boost his chances of a bigger role in Lille’s upcoming matches, starting with a tough clash against Rennes on February 16.

With Lille eager to bounce back, all eyes will be on the Nigerian striker to see if he can build on his promising start and help push his new club up the Ligue 1 table.

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Last Updated on February 9, 2025 12:14 pm by Sir Kris