Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers believes “the best is yet to come” after his dramatic brace sent Panathinaikos into the UEFA Conference League league phase with a 2-1 victory over Hradec Kralove, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Dessers came off the bench in the 60th minute and broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute before converting a penalty in the 125th minute to seal a 4-3 aggregate victory for the Greek side.

“I’m glad I gave Panathinaikos something after a difficult year. The best is yet to come. I’m growing, and the team is growing too,” Dessers said after the match.

The 31-year-old was also delighted to help Panathinaikos secure qualification at a time when the club is undergoing significant changes, with new players arriving and increased pressure surrounding the team.

“I am very happy that my first goals gave us qualification. It is a special phase of the year; changes are made, new players are coming, there is pressure. Now that we have qualified, the pressure can be reduced, and we can play good football as a team,” he added.

Dessers’ heroics came after Panathinaikos surrendered a two-goal advantage from the first leg, which ended 2-2 in Athens. Vladimir Darida’s 92nd-minute equaliser in the return fixture forced the contest into extra time before Dessers delivered the decisive moment from the penalty spot.

The brace represents a timely boost for Dessers as he seeks to rebuild his form following an injury-hit spell and push for a return to the Super Eagles.

The 11-cap Nigeria international will now look to build on his impressive European performance and maintain his momentum as the season progresses.

Tolu Arokodare continued his impressive start to life at Ajax by scoring twice in their 5-3 victory over Sion in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff tie on Thursday night, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The result saw the Dutch giants secure a 9-5 aggregate victory and book their place in the group stage of the competition.

Arokodare, making his first competitive start for Ajax, opened his account in the first-half stoppage time when he connected with Abdellah Ouazane’s cross before calmly finishing into the net.

The Nigeria international completed his brace six minutes into the second half, with Ouazane once again turning provider for the striker.

Arokodare had already made his mark in the first leg, scoring once and providing an assist as Ajax established a strong advantage in the tie.

The forward has now registered four goals and two assists in five appearances across all competitions since joining Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window.

His latest performance further strengthens his case for a regular starting role as Ajax continue their campaign on domestic and European fronts.

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has expressed his delight after opening his Ajax account in their UEFA Conference League play-off victory over FC Sion on Thursday, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.

The Nigerian forward made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, scoring in the 74th minute and providing an assist in the 87th as Ajax secured a convincing 4-2 win over the Swiss side.

Arokodare, who joined Ajax after a difficult spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, is determined to put last season’s struggles behind him and rediscover the form that made him one of the leading strikers in Belgium.

Speaking to ESPN, the 25-year-old also outlined his ambitions with Ajax, insisting that the Dutch giants belong in the UEFA Champions League.

“I don’t think there’s a real reason or there’s a real excuse,” Arokodare told ESPN. “I think it’s part of the game.

“As players, we have seasons and moments like this in our careers, and it’s something to learn from, that I’ve moved on from, and I’m focused on the new season.

“I’ve been preparing well with the Ajax team and the players, and I’m focused on this season. I’m focused on getting better, focused on better things for myself. Focused on not making the same mistakes I did. That’s all I’m focused on. Not focused on last season.”

Arokodare added that while winning the league title and returning Ajax to Europe’s elite competition remain long-term ambitions, the immediate priority is to continue winning matches and progress through the Conference League.

The striker will now look to build on his impressive introduction and establish himself as a regular contributor for the Amsterdam giants.

Crystal Palace have confirmed that new signing Christantus Uche has been included in their squad for the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League, writes Nigeriasoccernet.com.

Uche, who sealed a deadline-day move from La Liga side Getafe, has been handed the number 12 jersey and placed on List A, which accommodates 25 registered players for the competition.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is now in line to make his continental football debut when the Eagles begin their campaign against Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday, October 2.

The highly rated youngster will be hoping to make an instant impact under coach Oliver Glasner, as Palace look to make a strong impression in Europe this season.

Bright Osayi-Samuel, Super Eagles defender was at his best as Fenerbahçe SK crashed out of Europe after losing 2-3 to Olympiacos on penalty in one of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa Conference League games played on Thursday, reports Nigeriasoccernet.com.

Osayi who was in action from start to finish in the first leg played in Greece last week maintained his spot in the team on Thursday, performing his defensive duties well while also contributing to attacks.

Losing the first leg 2-1 in Greece last week, Fenerbahçe  won the second leg in Turkey 1-0 thanks to ?rfan Kahveci 11th minutes goal. With the scores levelled after the regulation and extra-time, Fenerbahçe missed three of their shootout as Olympiacos scored three of theirs to progress to the semifinal.

With European action now out of the way for the season, Osayi's attention will noew be fully focused on the league where they stand a chance of lifting the top prize as they sit just two points behind Galatasaray S.K who occupies the top place with six games left.

They visit Sivasspor on Monday before hosting Be?ikta? following Saturday.

By Oluwayemi Omolagba

With three goals in his last two games, one would expect Raphael Onyedika to continue his scoring in Greece on Thursday night, however, the Nigerian gave more than goal contribution as he solidly guides Club Brugge to their first ever UEFA Europa League semifinal, nigeriasoccernet.com writes.

After playing the entire duration in the first leg played in Belgium which Brugge won by a lone goal, Onyedika was effectively instrumental at the middle of the park, dictating the pace of the game as Club Brugge defeated PAOK 2-0 in Greece, winning 3-0 on aggregat to progress to the semifinal.

A first half brace from Ferran Jutglà (33', 45') ensured Brugge weren't troubled in Greece as the 18 times Belgium league champions cruise to the semifinal.

Their next opponent in Europe is Italian Serie A side Fiorentina, who were last finalist of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The first leg will take place in Italy on the 2nd of May with the return leg set for Belgium 7 days later.

By Oluwayemi Omolagba