Club Brugge coach Nicky Hayen has come to the defence of Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika following his sending-off in the club’s 3-2 loss to Fiorentina in the semifinals of the UEFA Conference League.
Onyedika, who has been in excellent form under Hayen’s interim management, was expected to play a crucial role in Club Brugge’s bid against Fiorentina. Despite the team trailing 1-0 at halftime, hopes remained high for a comeback.
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However, their aspirations took a hit in the second half when Onyedika was shown two quick yellow cards, resulting in his dismissal.
Nonetheless, Club Brugge managed to equalize just two minutes after Onyedika’s exit, demonstrating their resilience.
Following the game, Hayen defended Onyedika, asserting that the young midfielder was unaware of his first yellow card.
“Onyedika just didn’t know that he had gotten a yellow card that first time. I know him well enough, he is a sensible player,” Hayen stated.
Hayen emphasized Onyedika’s intelligence on the field, suggesting that had he been aware of his booking, he wouldn’t have risked a tackle to earn a second yellow.
Despite the setback, Onyedika will be eligible for Club Brugge’s upcoming Jupiler League Pro fixture against Antwerp but will miss the second leg against Fiorentina next week.
Onyedika’s red card adds a layer of complexity to Club Brugge’s campaign in the UEFA Conference League, but with the coach’s backing and his proven abilities, the team remains hopeful of overcoming the odds in the upcoming fixtures.
