Bundesliga: Nathan Tella scores brace as Leverkusen press on in title pursuit

Joseph Peseiro invited Nathan Tella to the Super Eagles squad ahead of their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November 2023.

Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen winger, Nathan Omotayo Tella, made all the difference as he scored a brace in his side’s 2-0 Bundesliga win over SV Darmstadt, Soccernet.ng reports.

Tella, 24, joined Die Werkself last summer from EFL Championship side, Southampton, after The Saints relegated from the English Premier League.

Since joining the club, the Nigerian has struggled for playing time due to ferocious form of the Leverkusen front three: Victor Boniface, Florian Wirtz and Jonas Hoffman.

An injury to Victor Boniface has seen Tella get an increase in playing time and the pacy winger isn’t slowing down in letting his hunger known on the pitch.

Drafted into the starting eleven by Xabi Alonso, the England-born winger broke the deadlock three minutes past the half hour mark. A cross from left wing-back, Alex Grimaldo met Tella at the far post, and the unmarked man had all the time in the world to pick a precise finish.

The former Burnley man added his second of the game seven minutes after the restart. Florian Wirtz placed a pass that cut through the SV Darmstadt defence to find Tella on the edge of the box, and he volleyed home, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.

Nathan Tella has now scored four goals in the Bundesliga, in just eleven games. Following Bayern’s victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, Alonso’s men are just two points clear on the Bundesliga table.