WATCH: Kanu strikes but Durosinmi’s heroics lift Viktoria Plzen; Chinedu, Otusanya shine; Osimhen fires blank

Stanley Kanu and Rafiu Durosinmi were both on target as Viktoria Plzen thrashed Zlin 4-1 after extra time to book their place in the Czech Cup quarterfinals on Thursday evening, Soccernet.ng reports.

Kanu stunned the Doosan Aréna in Plzeň with a goal inside the opening minute, giving Zlin a shock lead with an excellent run followed by a clinical finish. 

Viktoria Plzen, however, responded through Václav Jemelka’s header to equalise in the 32nd minute, but the visitors held firm to take the match into extra time.

Nigeria’s Rafiu Durosinmi, Viktoria Plzen. Photo by IMAGO

Durosinmi, introduced in the 61st minute, made his mark three minutes into extra time, outmuscling his marker before firing past goalkeeper Stanislav Dostál.

It was the Nigerian forward’s fourth goal in his last four matches, continuing his impressive form after missing the entire year 2024 due to injury.

Nigeria and Viktoria Plzen striker Rafiu Durosinmi. Photo by IMAGO

Jan Kopic added two late goals to Durosinmi’s strike to seal Viktoria Plzen’s passage to the last eight — a competition the club last won in 2010.

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Like Durosinmi and Kanu, more Nigerian stars shine

In England, Wilfred Ndidi played the full 90 minutes for Leicester City but could not prevent Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side from falling to a 2-0 defeat at West Ham United — their 18th Premier League loss of the season.

In Brazil, Samuel Otusanya grabbed a consolation goal for ten-man Náutico in their 4-1 loss to CS Alagoano — his first goal in the Copa do Nordeste since joining the club from Norway’s FK Haugesund in December.

Egyptian Premier League new boy John Ebuka netted his maiden goal for Al Masry in their commanding 3-0 away win over Smouha. The former Ceramica Cleopatra striker joined Al Masry earlier this winter.

In Serbia, Stephen Chinedu scored his second league goal of the season to help Radnički Kragujevac secure a 2-0 victory against Novi Pazar.

The forward has now found the net twice in three matches since joining from Siroki Brijeg in February.

Meanwhile, Bright Osayi-Samuel played 67 minutes as Fenerbahce cruised to a 4-1 win at Gaziantep FK in the Turkish Cup.

Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Eyuspor at Rams Park Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by IMAGO

In Turkey’s Super Lig, Victor Osimhen came off the bench but could not inspire Galatasaray as they were held to a goalless draw by Konyaspor.

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad. From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.

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