Just a few days after being named in Eric Chelle’s 54-man Super Eagles squad for AFCON 2025, Philip Otele delivered the perfect response by scoring in FC Basel’s Cup win over FC Grand-Saconnex.

His performance not only lifted Basel but also boosted his growing case for a spot at the continental showpiece this December, Footballrover reports.

Philip Otele sparks Basel comeback in Swiss Cup

Otele played a key part in Basel’s recovery, providing the moment that broke the tension and shifted momentum back to the favourites.

He scored Basel’s second goal as they overcame a tricky test to reach the quarter-finals of the Swiss Cup on 4 December 2025, beating Promotion League side Grand-Saconnex 3–1. It was his first goal in two Cup matches.

This season, the 26-year-old forward has four goals and three assists in 15 Super League games, plus two goals in five Europa League outings — taking his total goal contributions to ten.

The visitors shocked the home crowd when Jules Matuvunu equalised only three minutes after Bénie Traoré’s opener.

The turning point arrived in the 58th minute. Otele stepped up over a free-kick and drilled a low, direct finish to restore Basel’s lead at 2–1. Ten minutes later, Traoré added another to secure the win.

That result lifted Basel back to winning ways after four straight matches without victory — a run of two draws and two defeats.

With that momentum, they will now prepare to face Winterthur in Super League Round 16 on Sunday.

Uchenna Ogundu shines in Turkish Cup rout

It was a similar story for Uchenna Ogundu in the Turkish Cup Round 4 single-leg tie, where he inspired Alanyaspor to an emphatic win over Çorum FK.

Ogundu opened the scoring as Alanyaspor cruised to a 5–0 victory, and that was his first goal of the competition and his fourth goal contribution of the season (three goals and one assist in 14 appearances).

The 19-year-old Nigerian wasted no time, firing his team ahead inside the opening three minutes.

But soon after, the spotlight quickly shifted to Steve Mounié, who delivered a stunning hat-trick within 38 minutes before adding a fourth late on to seal their progress to the next round.

Monday Etim delivers Cupa României brace

On the same day in Romania, Monday Etim delivered a standout performance that powered Universitatea Craiova to a 4–0 victory over Petrolul Ploiești in a Cupa României Group B clash at Stadionul Ilie Oană.

The 27-year-old, who has just one goal in nine Superliga matches this season, struck twice in his first Cupa României appearance.

Craiova were the sharper side from kick-off. In the 10th minute, Oleksandr Romanchuk smashed in the opener after a corner.

Eight minutes later, Etim doubled the lead with a low effort from outside the box.

Craiova controlled the second half with confidence. Etim grabbed his second in the 57th minute to put the game out of reach.

Late in the 87th minute, Anzor Mekvabishvili added the fourth to complete a commanding performance.

With the win, Craiova climbed to six points and moved to the top of Group B after two matches.

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Last Updated on December 5, 2025 6:36 am by footballrover