Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi continued to make his mark in Belgian football, showing off his knack for goals by finding the net in OH Leuven’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Zulte Waregem in the Belgian Cup on Wednesday evening.
The former Nigeria U20 star capped an impressive team performance by netting the final goal of the match against Tochukwu Nnadi & his team, Zulte Waregem, footballrover reports.
The home team wasted no time asserting their dominance at the Den Dreef. Hassan Kurucay opened the scoring with a deft finish barely 15 minutes into the encounter.
Youssef Maziz then doubled the lead in the 35th minute with a composed strike, and just four minutes later, Ezechiel Banzuzi made it 3-0, effectively ending Zulte Waregem’s hopes before halftime.
Ikwuemesi shines amid Leuven’s dominance
The second half was no different, with Leuven maintaining their clinical edge. Konan Ndri added his name to the scoresheet in the 53rd minute after a well-worked assist from Maziz.
The icing on the cake came in the 60th minute when Ikwuemesi delivered a well-taken goal, sealing his team’s passage to the next round.
This goal marked the former Flying Eagles star’s first in the Belgian Cup and his third across all competitions since joining the Belgian side on loan from Serie A side Salernitana.
Despite initial struggles adapting to Belgian football, the 23-year-old has gradually found his rhythm, contributing three goals and an assist in 16 appearances this season.
Adding to the night’s excitement, 17-year-old Nigerian-Belgian forward Chike Van De Ven made his senior debut for the host team.
The centre-forward, who has represented Belgium at several youth levels, could only feature for just four minutes after coming in to replace Ivorian midfielder Konan Ndri.
The 13th-placed Belgian Pro League side will be facing Standard Liège next as Ikwuemesi continues to adapt and Van De Ven begins his journey.
Like this post?
We’d be delighted to hear from you. Please leave a comment in the box below!
Last Updated on December 5, 2024 7:38 am by footballrover
Be the first to comment on "Ex-Nigerian youth international Ikwuemesi scores, Chike debuts in Leuven’s 5-star cup win"