Southampton’s towering forward, Paul Onuachu, could make his return to action in Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Manager Russell Martin remains optimistic about the striker’s fitness after he sustained an injury during the Saints’ dramatic 3-2 loss to Liverpool two weeks ago.
The injury sidelined Onuachu during Southampton’s 1-1 draw with Brighton last Friday, but Martin hinted at a potential comeback for the Nigerian:
“We’re hopeful that Paul will be involved on Wednesday, which will be good for us,” Martin told Yahoo Sports.
The 30-year-old has featured six times in the league for Southampton this season, but his exploits off the pitch have also garnered significant attention.
The forward recently made history as the first Nigerian to be nominated for the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award, celebrating the most outstanding goal of the year.
His audacious flying backheel strike for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Süper Lig earned him a spot among the elite nominees. During the clash, Onuachu’s acrobatic finish in the 85th minute, following a pinpoint cross from Enis Destan, secured a vital victory for the Black Sea Storm.
Now back at Southampton after his loan stint at Trabzonspor, Onuachu faces stiff competition for the award. Nominees include Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning overhead kick for Manchester United and Mohammed Kudus’ dazzling solo effort for West Ham.
Onuachu’s recognition comes during a golden period for Nigerian footballers on the global stage. Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman is a finalist for FIFA’s Best Attacker award, while William Troost-Ekong of Al-Kholood contends for Best Defender. Both players played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s journey to the Africa Cup of Nations final, where Troost-Ekong was named MVP.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
