Nathan Tella has credited his Bayer Leverkusen teammates Victor Boniface and Patrick Schick for influencing his decisive goal in their 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal.
The winger, who started Tuesday night’s clash on the bench, replaced Schick in the 61st minute and made an immediate impact. Just seven minutes later, Tella headed home Alex Grimaldo’s precise cross to hand Xabi Alonso’s side a memorable win over their Bundesliga rivals.
Reflecting on his goal, the 25-year-old revealed how observing Boniface and Schick’s movement in previous games shaped his approach.
“I knew once Grimaldo had the ball wide, he was going to deliver into the box,” Tella told the club’s official website. “I’ve watched Patrick and Victor a lot this season. They’re excellent at positioning between defenders and the post, so I thought if I got into the same position, I’d have a chance. Thankfully, the ball was perfect, and I managed to score.”
The Super Eagles attacker has not played a minute for the Nigerian national team since his last game for the team in 2023 against Zimbabwe. Speaking on this, the forward has expressed his frustration.
“Yeah, of course, I’m an attacker. I always want to score, be a part of the goals for the team, but I’ve had a bit of difficulty this season. In the last two games, I think we’ve shown character and I hope it continues like this.
I think everyone wants to play more games, but obviously, with the way the team is playing, everyone can play, everyone will get their opportunity, everyone will get minutes. It’s just about being ready, so when the opportunity comes, we’ll take it,” the former Southampton man told OmaSports TV.
Although, the Super Eagles will not be playing any game this year until 2025. But the former Southampton player will be hoping to make a positive impression to be worthy of a call-up.
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.
