Bruges, Belgium — Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika is fast emerging as the Super Eagles’ midfield linchpin, with his sights firmly set on a starting berth ahead of Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers.
The 24-year-old defensive midfielder, once a street football prodigy in Nigeria, has blossomed into a Belgian Pro League powerhouse. His talent was on full display during Brugge’s 4–1 Champions League victory over Monaco on September 18, where he not only anchored the midfield but also found the back of the net — underlining his box-to-box versatility.
Since joining Brugge in 2022 on a five-year deal, Onyedika’s rise has been meteoric. First called up by then-Super Eagles coach José Peseiro in 2022, he has become a consistent presence in the squad, often contesting a starting role alongside Wilfred Ndidi, with Alex Iwobi his main competition for that central spot.
For Brugge, manager Bruno Genesio envisions a possession-based, high-pressing system where Onyedika’s deep-lying role — dictating tempo, breaking up play, and shielding the back four — is pivotal. His upcoming Champions League clash with Manchester City will serve as a litmus test of his credentials on the biggest stage.
For Nigeria, the stakes are just as high. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the Eagles’ midfield in recent campaigns, but Onyedika’s composure, tackling prowess, and tactical discipline offer stability. Should he edge out Iwobi for a starting role, Nigeria could gain a sharper, more balanced engine room — one capable of controlling games in both defense and attack.
With World Cup qualification on the horizon, Raphael Onyedika looks poised not just to compete, but to define Nigeria’s midfield future.
