Brentford celebrate Frank Onyeka’s record-making appearance against Cote d’Ivoire

The Bees were pleased to watch the Nigeria international take his place in the Super Eagles starting lineup in the competition’s title decider

Frank Onyeka has entered Brentford’s record books after featuring for Nigeria in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Onyeka was in the Super Eagles’ starting lineup as Nigeria battled Cote d’Ivoire for the biggest prize in African football inside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.

Premier League club Brentford have revealed that in so doing, Frank Onyeka becomes the first player in the club’s history to feature in a major tournament final.

Nigeria lost the match 2-1 despite taking the lead through a fantastic William Troost-Ekong header in the first half.

Cote d’Ivoire fought back brilliantly, courtesy of goals from Frank Kessie and Sebastien Haller to pick up the country’s third AFCON trophy.

Nigeria also remain on three continental honours, having now earned five runners-up medals. The Eagles lost three AFCON finals to Cameroon (1984, 1988, and 2000) and one to Algeria (1990) before succumbing to Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

With the conclusion of the AFCON, Onyeka will look to return to Brentford in top shape.
While Onyeka was away with Nigeria, Brentford won only two of six games in all competitions.

Brentford will play Liverpool and Manchester City within the next eight days.