By Jon Essien
Samuel Chukwueze became the latest Nigerian export to finish the season with a silverware after his club, Villareal defeated Premier League giants Manchester United to lift the 2021 UEFA Europa League on Wednesday, Heritage Times reports.
Recall that Super Eagles duo of Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, while Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho inspired Leicester City to their first English FA Cup victory in over five decades.
Also, Super Falcons captain Asisat Oshoola won the Spanish female league as well as the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona Feminni in celebrating trophies in the past 2020/2021 league season across Europe.
Although Unai Emery had not listed Chukwueze for the match due to injury, but his teammates ensured the Spanish side went home with the trophy after beating United 11-10 on penalties.
The game ended 1-1 with neither of the teams able find the back of the net after extra time.
Gerard Moreno put Villarreal ahead in the 29th minute but Edinson Cavani equalised for Manchester United in the 55nd minute to force the match into extra time.
Chukwueze was instrumental in Villarreal reaching the final after he provided an assist in the first semi-final in Spain as The Yellow Submarine defeated Arsenal 2-1 but got injured in the return leg as they played a scoreless draw in London a week later to progress to the final.
With this victory, Chumwueze have joined his other compatriots such as Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West, Chidi Odiah, Mikel Obi and Victor Moses in the exclusive list of Nigerians who have won the European competition.
The win also hands Villareal an automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League despite finishing seventh on the La Liga table.
