LOSC Lille head coach, Bruno Genesio, lauded Chuba Akpom, after the Nigerian striker scored against Le Havre on his Ligue 1 debut, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 29-year-old had a difficult spell in the Dutch Eredivisie with Ajax Amsterdam, and made a January loan switch to Lille in a bid to get more playing time.
After making his debut for the club by coming off the bench in Lille's Coupé De France game against Dunkerque, Akpom came off the bench against Le Havre last night to score on his Ligue 1 debut.
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The former Middlesbrough striker came off the bench at the start of the second half at the Decathlon Arena but his goal came in the 97th minute, leaving it a little too late for Lille to turn the game on it's head as they were two goals down.
After the game, Genesio revealed he was pleased with Akpom's display off the bench, while maintaining he has to adapt to the needs of the French Ligue 1.
“Ethan (Mbappé) brought us his speed, his percussion. Chuba (Akpom) scored, that's always positive for an attacker, and Ayyoub (Bouaddi) also tried to bring his technical quality, but it's never easy when you come into a team in difficulty as was the case this evening (Saturday) at half-time.”
“Scoring is always a good sign for a striker. Chuba was opportunistic in this action. He is a player who still has to find his feet with us.”
“He still has to assimilate certain principles and what is asked of him here. It is good that he scored, it can only increase his confidence and bring us something extra for the end of the season,” the French gaffer said in quotes revealed by Le Petit Lillois.
