Southampton head coach Ivan Juric, has showered praises on Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu after he scored his first-ever goal for the club in the 3-2 loss at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The 30-year old opened his account for the English side with a brilliant header in stoppage time, after coming on as a substitute for Adam Armstrong in the 58th minute, in what was his 26th appearance for the club and 14th of the season, since his move to the Saints from Belgian side KRC Genk in January 2023.
The striker has struggled for playing time and consistency, and has been down the pecking order with other players preferred to him.
Despite the loss, Juric was impressed with the Nigerian’s impact, as he had a hand in both goals scored in Sunday’s match.
“I think Paul has quality,” Jurić said.
“He wants to score, he is a fighter. This is the quality, and I want players with quality. I think Paul can give us a lot.”
While also speaking after the match, Onuachu was excited to end his goal-drought, while also dedicating the goal to the Saint supporters.
“I mean, it’s a good feeling to score, but disappointing we lost, but I’m happy that I scored in front of the fans,” he said.
“The away fans, they were brilliant, they’ve been supportive even though we are last on the table and they’ve been also cheering for me to get this goal. I think all kudos to them for the goal because they’ve been really cheering for me to get the first goal.”
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.
