Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has praised his teammate Lesley Ugochukwu for his performance in Southampton's 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest, Soccernet.ng reports.
Onuachu made an immediate impact at the City Ground when he came off the bench in the 58th minute in the clash against Forest.
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Despite his team's 3-0 deficit, the Nigerian forward helped revive a near-sensational comeback. Onuachu provided a perfect knockdown for fellow substitute Lesley Ugochukwu, whose shot deflected off Jan Bednarek to score the Saints' first goal.
Paul Onuachu scores his first Premier League goal for @SouthamptonFC, and now they're only one behind in added time!
Will they find time for another?#NFOSOU
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2025
Later, Onuachu headed in from a Mateus Fernandes corner during added time to bring Southampton closer, but the comeback fell short in a 3-2 defeat.
“Of course, the whole team in the second half, they were full of energy, Lesley was brilliant again, an amazing player to watch,” Onuachu said via Southampton's official website. “It was disappointing that we lose, but of course, as a striker, you have confidence that you get the first goal for Saints and I think the fans will be happy for me.”
Meanwhile, Ugochukwu earlier spoke about his admiration for former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi, who greatly influenced his ambitions in football.
“Just look at all the trophies he [Mikel Obi] has won and the legends that have passed through the club,” Ugochukwu remarked. “I want to be like him, but it’s up to me to prove that I can have my place in the long term.”
“They say I can become a great midfielder like him, if I put in the work and everything goes well. I wanted to take this step. When a club of this stature comes in for you, it’s very difficult to refuse.”
Ugochukwu has continued to develop his game in the Premier League during his loan spell at Southampton. He will be hoping to build on this performance as he strives to carve out a similar path to that of Mikel Obi.
