Nathan Tella had the opportunity to represent Nigeria or England, but opted to play for the Super Eagles, claiming he wants to do it for himself.
Super Eagles’ newest player, Nathan Tella, celebrated his call-up by scoring his maiden Bundesliga goal in Leverkusen’s 4-0 win over Union Berlin, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian joined Leverkusen in the summer from relegated Premier League side, Southampton, but has mostly played second fiddle to in-form Jonas Hoffmann.
Union Berlin have been winless in the Bundesliga since September, and Alex Grimaldo made sure they’d be leaving the Bay Arena with no points.
In the twenty-third minute, the Spanish full-back swung a stunner into the back of the net from outside the box to score the first of the evening.
Victor Boniface and Florian Wirtz had opportunities to extend the lead for Xabi Alonso’s men but were denied by Union Berlin goalkeeper, Frederik Ronnow.
Twelve minutes into the second half, a corner-kick from Hoffmann was met by Ivorian centre-back, Odilon Kossounou in the eighteen-yard box to double the lead for Die Werkself.
Grimaldo turned provider for the third goal, playing a corner which was met by one of the longest serving Leverkusen players, Jonathan Tah, making sure Union were demoralized and dispirited.
With nine minutes to go, Tella was introduced, as he replaced Jonas Hoffmann. Two minutes later, he got on the scoresheet. A free kick from Union fell into the path of Wirtz who spread the ball to Tella.
The 24-year-old winger started a counter-attack and fed the ball to Moroccan Amine Adli. Adli then played the ball in behind an outnumbered Union defence, finding Tella in space. The player had the chance to pick out Boniface or go for goal, but went with the former, and scored his first-ever Bundesliga goal.
https://twitter.com/bayer04_en/status/1723737491612533186
The addition of Tella to the already talented front line of the Super Eagles has come as good news for Nigerian football fans, at home and abroad.
