Belgian sports pundit Pieter-Jan Calcoen, Chief of Sports at Het Nieuwsblad, has praised Nigeria international Raphael Onyedika for his impressive performance in Club Brugge’s 3–3 draw with Barcelona on Wednesday night.
Heading into the fixture, one of the key talking points was whether Onyedika, who had only recently returned from injury, was fit enough to start. Manager Nicky Hayen took the gamble — and the 24-year-old midfielder rewarded that decision with a composed and disciplined display against Barcelona’s world-class midfield.
The clash at the Jan Breydel Stadium proved to be a high-tempo spectacle. Goals from Nicolò Tresoldi, Ferran Torres, and Carlos Forbs made for an explosive first half. Lamine Yamal levelled the game for Barcelona after the break, but Forbs quickly restored Brugge’s lead before a late own goal by Christos Tzolis sealed a thrilling 3–3 finish.
Onyedika’s night came to an end in the 84th minute after receiving a yellow card in the first half for a foul on Yamal, but his influence was already well felt across the midfield battle.
Calcoen, analyzing the game at halftime, highlighted the midfielder’s impact on the team’s performance and stability.
“It was striking how confident Club showed themselves,” Calcoen said.
“The presence of the recovered Onyedika cannot be underestimated. He makes the players around him a few percentage points better. Club cannot replace Onyedika. It’s a shame he already picked up a yellow card.”
With his fitness fully restored, Onyedika’s form is expected to earn him a recall to the Super Eagles squad ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon next week.
