Paul Onuachu is already looking forward to picking up the 2022 African Cup of Nations gold medal and trophy in Cameroon after scoring the only goal of Saturday’s qualification match against the Republic of Benin at the Stade Charles de Gaulle as Nigeria won 1-0.
Nigeria had already qualified even before their clash with Benin as Saturday’s earlier game between the two other group L opponents, Lesotho and Sierra Leone had finished goalless. This meant the two countries could no longer meet the Super Eagles on the table.
Onuachu, however, had other ideas as he came on as a substitute to score the only goal of the game against Benin in the 93rd minute to all but confirm Nigeria as group L winners. The goal was Onuachu’s second ever in the colours of Nigeria despite scoring regularly for KRC Genk of Belgium.
After the match, Onuachu said: “I’m just going to say thanks to the nation for the push, they really pushed me to show what I have to show. National team, I did it, I am so happy for the team and for the country. It’s a lot of confidence for a striker to score and I’m very happy. We just have to go there (to the AFCON) and take the gold.”