Raphael Onyedika was at the heart of a glittering Club Brugge display as the Belgian giants crushed Rangers 6-0 to storm into the Champions League group stage with a 9-1 aggregate victory.
The Nigerian midfielder dictated proceedings from start to finish, completing 96% of his passes, 94 touches, 2 shots, won 3 of his 5 ground duels, 1 tackle won, 1 interception, and registered an assist.
His dominance in midfield left Rangers chasing shadows and has now handed Nigeria coach Eric Chelle a major selection dilemma ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Onyedika’s influence was evident from the opening minutes. After Nicolo Tresoldi struck in the fifth minute, Rangers’ hopes collapsed when Max Aarons was sent off just three minutes later.
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With the visitors reduced to 10 men, Brugge poured forward relentlessly. Hans Vanaken, Joaquín Seys with two goals, and Aleksandar Stankovic all struck before half-time to make it 5-0.
Onyedika scored in the Champions league at Etihad stadium last season ( Photo by imago)
Christos Tzolis added a sixth after the interval, but the margin could have been even greater, with Brugge striking the woodwork twice and missing clear chances.
For Rangers, missing their key Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers, it was a night of humiliation their 9-1 aggregate defeat ranking among the heaviest in the club’s European history.
Onyedika, however, continues to shine. His consistency at club level is beginning to rival that of Wilfred Ndidi, leaving Chelle to decide whether experience or current form should anchor Nigeria’s midfield in September’s qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
Club Brugge, meanwhile, advance to the league phase brimming with confidence, their demolition of Rangers a warning to future opponents that they are a force to be reckoned with in this season’s competition.
Meanwhile, Nigerian forward Philip Otele suffered heartbreak in Denmark as FC Copenhagen defeated his Swiss side Basel 2-0 to progress to the League phase of the Champions league
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – AUGUST 02: Philip Otele of FC Basel celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Swiss Super League match between FC Basel and Grasshopper Club Zurich at St. Jakob-Park on August 02, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
According to the BBC Otele is subject of interest for West London club Fulham who had earlier sent scouts to monitor him in the first leg as well the 2nd leg.
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They’re also chasing Nigerian international winger Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan, they will run the rule on Otele in the coming hours after last night performance.
