Former Nigeria U20 star Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi continued to make his mark in Belgian football, scoring for OH Leuven in their emphatic 5-0 win over Zulte Waregem in a Belgian Cup clash on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old forward capped off a remarkable team performance by netting the final goal in a match that saw Leuven dismantle their opponents with clinical precision.
The rout began early when Hassan Kurucay opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a deft finish.
Leuven’s dominance grew as Youssef Maziz doubled the lead in the 35th minute, showcasing his composure in front of goal.
Just four minutes later, Ezechiel Banzuzi made it 3-0, putting the game firmly out of Zulte Waregem’s reach before halftime.
Leuven picked up where they left off in the second half.
In the 53rd minute, Konan Ndri added his name to the scoresheet, calmly finishing off an assist from Maziz.
The icing on the cake came in the 60th minute when Ikwuemesi, rounded off the scoring with a well-taken goal to seal the victory and confirm Leuven's place in the next round of the cup.
This strike marked Ikwuemesi’s first goal in the Belgian Cup and his third across all competitions for OH Leuven.
The Nigerian striker, currently on loan from Serie A side Salernitana, started the game and delivered a solid performance in his second cup appearance of the season.
Ikwuemesi this season for OH Leuven
He previously featured in Leuven’s victory over Seraing earlier in the campaign.
Ikwuemesi’s journey in Belgium has seen its fair share of challenges.
He initially struggled to adapt after joining OH Leuven but broke his duck with a stunning brace against Charleroi in October, securing a 2-0 league win.
He followed that up with an assist in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise, gradually establishing himself as a valuable asset to the team.
So far this season, Ikwuemesi has played 16 matches for Leuven, starting in six and coming off the bench in eight.
He has logged 721 minutes of action, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
Averaging 48 minutes per match, the Nigerian forward continues to show promise and resilience as he adapts to life in the Belgian Pro League.
