Victor Olatunji, the 25-year-old Nigerian forward eligible for the Super Eagles, made an unforgettable UEFA Champions League debut, leading Sparta Prague to a dominant 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday night.
In a standout performance, Olatunji directly influenced two of Sparta’s three goals. He scored just before halftime to double the lead and later provided the assist for the third goal before being substituted in the 64th minute.
His debut stats—one goal and one assist—quickly captured the attention of Nigerian football fans. But it was his celebratory message that truly made waves on social media. After his goal, Olatunji revealed an undershirt with the phrase, “I am a Chosen, who are you?” referencing a popular Nigerian social media trend linked to a church, highlighting his connection to his heritage.
Olatunji’s standout performance is sure to catch the eye of the Super Eagles selectors. Despite being uncapped at the senior level, his impact in such a high-profile European competition could accelerate his national team debut.
With this stellar start to their Champions League campaign, Sparta Prague owes much of their success to their Nigerian star.