Samuel Chukwueze etched his name in Coppa Italia history on Tuesday night, joining an elite group of Nigerian players to have scored multiple goals in a single game in the competition, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles winger delivered a sensational first-half brace, propelling AC Milan to a commanding 6-1 victory over Sassuolo at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the tournament’s Round of 16.
Chukwueze struck early to open the scoring in the 12th minute, before netting Milan’s third if the game just nine minutes later with a brilliant first-time finish. His dazzling display ensured his place among Nigerian greats in the competition.
Obafemi Martins: The Benchmark of Excellence
Historically, no Nigerian has been more prolific in the Coppa Italia than former Inter Milan forward Obafemi Martins.
The ex-Super Eagles striker netted nine goals in just 16 appearances, including a memorable hat-trick in Inter's 3-1 triumph over Bologna in 2005.
The former Wolfsburg man remains the only Nigerian to have smashed a hat-trick in Coppa history.
Martins crowned that season by lifting the Coppa Italia as Inter defeated AS Roma in the final.
He added another winners’ medal in 2006, departing Italy with two Coppa Italia titles, a Serie A championship, and a Supercoppa Italiana to his name.
Earlier Achievers – Onwuachi, Adeshina
Martins may have been the most prolific, but the honour of being the first Nigerian to score more than once in a Coppa Italia match belongs to Benjamin Onwuachi.
In August 2004, Onwuachi struck twice in the opening eight minutes, leading US Salernitana to a 3-1 win over US Avellino.
Barely a month later, Saidu Alade Adeshina followed suit, netting a brace for Ternana Calcio in a dramatic 4-3 victory over Bologna. Adeshina’s performance cemented his place in Nigerian football folklore.
Jerry Mbakogu also joined the exclusive club years later, scoring twice for Carpi FC 1909 in a resounding 4-0 win against AS Livorno.
Ademola Lookman: Atalanta's iconic hero
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman has quickly made his mark in the competition. Despite featuring in just five Coppa Italia matches, Lookman has already registered three goals and one assist.
Two of those goals came in a dazzling Round of 16 performance in January last year, where he fired Atalanta to a 5-2 rout of Spezia Calcio.
The Full List: Nigeria’s Coppa Italia Scoring Elite
Here’s a breakdown of Nigeria’s top scorers in Coppa Italia history:
- Obafemi Martins: 9 goals, 16 games
- Saidu Alade Adeshina: 6 goals, 13 games
- Osarimen Ebagua: 5 goals, 12 games
- Isah Eliakwu: 4 goals, 9 games
- Christian Obodo: 4 goals, 27 games
- David Okereke: 3 goals, 13 games
- Ademola Lookman: 3 goals, 5 games
- Simy Nwankwo: 3 goals, 12 games
- Benjamin Onwuachi: 3 goals, 4 games
- Jerry Mbakogu: 3 goals, 8 games
- Isaac Success: 2 goals, 4 games
- Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi: 2 goals, 2 games
- Samuel Chukwueze: 2 goals, 2 games
- Adewale Dauda Wahab: 2 goals, 6 games
