Super Eagles hopeful Oladapo Afolayan played a crucial role in St. Pauli’s surprising 2-0 victory over Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena.
With Nigerian fans watching keenly, the match carried added excitement as it featured two players of Nigerian descent. St. Pauli’s forward Afolayan, born in England to Nigerian parents, has been open about his ambition to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma, capped several times for the Super Eagles, did not feature as he remained an unused substitute.
Afolayan’s striking impact
St. Pauli’s first real attempt came in the 20th minute, as midfielder Jackson Irvine found Afolayan with an impressive cross. Despite Hoffenheim’s defensive setup, Afolayan’s first-time volley hit the ground and found the back of the net, stunning the home crowd.
This shot, calculated at just a 7% chance of success, underscored the forward’s sharp eye and efficiency, giving St. Pauli a surprising lead against a favored Hoffenheim.
Afolayan continued to challenge Hoffenheim’s backline, nearly doubling his tally in the 27th minute with a close-range header that was blocked. He also set up Morgan Guilavogui early in the second half, but Guilavogui’s shot was thwarted.
Impressive stats for Dapo Afolayan
Afolayan left the pitch after 80 minutes, having tallied a goal, 42 touches, and 17 completed passes at an impressive 81% accuracy. His passing game included one key pass and two crosses, although neither was completed.
The forward also contributed defensively with four ground duels won out of 12 attempts and one of five aerial duels won. Despite losing possession 14 times, his presence was crucial in unsettling Hoffenheim’s defense.
St. Pauli’s second win of the season moved them to 15th place with eight points from nine matches, a vital push in their quest to improve league standing.
