Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika was in brilliant form for Belgian First Division A outfit Club Brugge in the Championship Round as his brace on the night helped his side to a comfortable win over rivals Anderlecht.
Despite the absence of some key players, the home side were resilient and exhibited some tactical acumen to bag the crucial win that has since moved them up to third in the standings.
The top position in the Belgian league was within reach for the visitors but Club Brugge had a different plan as they edged closer to the top in the Championship play-offs.
Much-needed win propels Club Brugge to the top 3
The Super Eagles midfielder scored in the 61st and 89th minute but the team had started well as early as the 3rd minute. Brandon Mechele out-jumped the defenders from a set piece inside the box to plant a perfect header inside the right post, giving the hosts the lead.
The home side could have doubled their lead before the break but the chance went begging through their forwards as the first half ended 1-0.
The second half got underway with chances created and consistent pressing, and it finally paid off after the hour mark. Barely a minute after Igor Thiago had driven into the box and hit his shot wide of the left post, Onyedika unleashed a strike from 20 yards out to double his side's lead.
The visitors tried to come back in the game with the coach injecting some new blood but they couldn't convert their chances and in the 89th minute, Onyedika put the game to bed with another sublime strike to make it 3-0.
A late bid to rally back into the game saw the visitors pull a goal back through Anders Dreyer. The former Brighton player rose highest and produced a brilliant header that went past the goalkeeper into the net but it was only enough as a consolation.
What is the First Division A Championship Round?
At the end of the regular season, the Belgian First Division A teams usually play a Championship Round round to determine the winners where the top six teams from the regular season enter the championship playoff, with the first-placed team winning the championship.
Likewise, there's a Relegation Round that'll decide who stays in the top flight, and who gets relegated to the First Division B.
A point system in the Championship playoff is the same as during the regular season, except that each team starts with half of the points they won in the regular season, rounded up to the nearest number. The points gained by rounding are deducted in the case of a tie.
Each team plays their opponents twice and the teams are ranked by points, points from rounding, wins, etc. as in the regular season.
With Sunday's victory, Club Brugge are now in third-place, five points behind league leaders Union SG and second-placed Anderlecht.
Onyedika, a key figure in Bruges
The 22-year-old joined Club Brugge in August 2022 from Danish side Midtjylland and took no time to become an integral part of the team. In his first season, Onyedika made 38 appearances, recording a goal and two assists.
Interestingly, while the Super Eagles midfielder scored three times across all competitions this campaign, he did not score in the First Division A's regular season.
If Club Brugge want his services beyond this season, they have to fend off big teams gunning for the signature of the lad. Reports in the Belgian media suggest that the Super Eagles midfielder could leave this summer.
The 22-year-old has been linked with several top European clubs as a result of his performances for Club Brugge. Already, the First Division A outfit have started preparing for life without the Nigerian with the capture of a 21-year-old Swiss midfielder Ardon Jashari.
Onyedika has been linked to several clubs including Barcelona, Nottingham Forest, Galatasaray, Crystal Palace and Everton. However, the Turkish giants, who are reportedly long-time admirers of the Nigeria international, are keen on snapping him up with Club Brugge setting a price tag between €10 million and €15 million.
