Victor Olatunji, a 25-year-old Nigerian forward, made history in Sparta Prague’s commanding 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. Olatunji became the first Nigerian to both score and assist on his Champions League debut, solidifying his impact in European football.
Starting alongside Veljko Birmancevic and Lukas Haraslin, the Sokoto-born star made an immediate mark, showcasing his talent from the outset. His contribution was vital to the team’s success, as they extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches across all competitions.
The game began in high gear at the Epet Arena, with Sparta Prague taking an early lead just two minutes into the match. Finnish midfielder Kaan Kairinen opened the scoring, capitalizing on a rebound after a save from RB Salzburg’s goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.
Just before the halftime whistle, Olatunji doubled the advantage for the Czech side. Assisted by captain Filip Panak, Olatunji fired in a goal from a tight angle, further solidifying his team’s dominance.
In the second half, Olatunji turned provider, setting up Qazim Laci for Sparta’s third and final goal in the 60th minute. This incredible performance ensured that Olatunji etched his name in history as the first Nigerian to score and assist on his Champions League debut.
Notably, Olatunji joined an elite group of players, becoming only the third player to achieve this milestone. He follows in the footsteps of Ivorian star Serge Aurier and Gabonese football legend Daniel Cousin. Cousin first achieved the feat in 2007 during Rangers’ 3-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais, while Aurier matched the achievement in 2015 when Paris Saint-Germain defeated Shakhtar Donetsk.
This victory also ended Sparta Prague’s long drought in the Champions League, marking their first win in the tournament since defeating Lazio 1-0 in 2003. It was also the first time the Czech side had ever opened their Champions League campaign with a victory in what is their eighth appearance in the tournament.
After the match, Olatunji expressed his joy, stating, “I feel good, I feel great and I’m very happy for myself because I worked hard to get to this point. I’m also happy for the team. We always play like a team – I really enjoyed it.”
Looking ahead, Sparta Prague will face Ceske Budejovice in a league game on Sunday before their next Champions League outing against Stuttgart on October 1st.
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