Worst timekeeper: Nigeria star Onyedika’s training ground tardiness exposed by Club Brugge teammate

Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis has identified Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika as one of the club’s most frequent latecomers to training, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite being a key figure in Club Brugge’s recent success, Onyedika was singled out alongside 19-year-old winger Chemsdine Talbi as a “top sponsor” of the squad’s fine kitty for lateness.

In an interview with GVA, when asked who the biggest contributors to the team’s fine fund were, Tzolis responded with a laugh:
“Onyedika and Talbi are good sponsors.”

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While the remark was made in jest, it drew light to the 23-year-old’s occasional struggles with punctuality off the pitch. That said, Onyedika’s importance on the field has never been in question.

Signed from Danish side FC Midtjylland for €9.5 million in 2022, Onyedika has grown into one of Brugge’s most valuable assets, currently valued at €20 million according to Transfermarkt — a figure surpassed by only two other players at the club.

The Nigerian international played a pivotal role in helping Club Brugge reclaim the Belgian Pro League title last season, as the Blauw-Zwart pipped Union SG in the playoff round to lift their 19th league crown.

In the current 2024–25 campaign, Onyedika has already made 44 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable Champions League outing in which he scored against Manchester City. Only a handful of players — including Tzolis, Ferran Jutglà, captain Hans Vanaken, defenders Brandon Mechele and Maxim De Cuyper, and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet — have featured more often in the league this season.

 Encouragingly, his disciplinary record has improved markedly. After collecting 19 yellow cards in his first two seasons in Belgium, he has been shown just one yellow and one red card in the Pro League this term.

But as Tzolis pointed out, Onyedika’s improved discipline on the pitch has not fully extended to the training ground.

Still, with Club Brugge hosting Genk this weekend in gameweek three of the Championship round, focus will firmly be on the pitch. The defending champions sit second in the standings, four points behind leaders Genk. A victory at the Jan Breydelstadion could reignite their hopes of retaining the title.