Viktoria Plzen manager Miroslav Koubek has hailed Nigerian forward Rafiu Durosinmi as a player of “extraordinary quality” after his two-goal performance secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Teplice on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 22-year-old, who had endured a frustrating 18-month wait for a goal, marked his first start in over a year with a brilliant brace at the AGC Aréna Na Stínadlech, lifting Plzen to an important Czech Liga win on matchday 22.
It was a long-awaited moment of redemption for Durosinmi, who last found the net on September 30, 2023, in a 2-1 defeat to Sparta Prague. Since then, injuries had kept him sidelined, derailing a planned move to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2024.
Rafiu Durosinmi's stunning return to goalscoring groove
Durosinmi’s impact was immediate. He broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute, finishing off a well-worked counterattack after latching onto a Pavel Sulc pass.
Just three minutes later, he linked up effectively with Jiří Panos before drilling a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper to double Plzen’s advantage.
His return to the scoresheet was more than just a personal triumph. It shows the youngster has loads of resilience after a difficult year that saw a knee injury in October 2023 disrupt his career trajectory.
Viktoria Plzen had already agreed on a transfer deal with Frankfurt, but as his recovery took longer than expected, the German club pulled out, leaving the striker in limbo.
Despite the setback, Plzen remained committed to his rehabilitation, supporting him throughout his recovery. That faith has now been rewarded.
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Koubek’s tactical gamble on Rafiu Durosinmi pays off
Head coach Miroslav Koubek revealed that the decision to start Durosinmi was made during Viktoria Plzen’s recent trip to Budapest.
“The decision was made in Budapest,” Koubek told the club's official website.
“We wanted to bet on two tall towers up front. The players gave a very physically demanding performance against Ferencváros, which was one of the reasons for this choice. We expected to help ourselves with long balls to them, and at the same time, they had the task of putting pressure on the Teplice defenders.”
Durosinmi, who was substituted in the 76th minute after an impressive shift, is still working his way back to full fitness.
“I think he did well in today's 60 minutes,” Koubek continued. “He got another portion of playing time, which will move him forward. We are very happy that he scored two goals and that he will be able to play the whole half.”
The manager had nothing but praise for the Nigerian’s talent and potential.
“He is a striker of extraordinary quality. He will help Plzen when he reaches the level he had before the injury. They were also interested in him in the Bundesliga. If I had to list his strengths that sparked that interest, there would be countless. Everyone can see how great a player he is.”
What’s Next for Rafiu Durosinmi and Plzen?
The victory keeps Viktoria Plzen second in the Czech Liga standings, maintaining a three-point cushion over third-placed Sparta Prague. However, they remain ten points adrift of league leaders Slavia Prague.
With his confidence restored, Durosinmi will now look to carry his scoring form into Plzen’s crucial UEFA Europa League playoff second leg against Ferencváros. The Czech side faces a tough challenge, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Hungary.
If his performance against Teplice is anything to go by, Durosinmi could yet prove to be Plzen’s difference-maker on the European stage.
