Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika was forced off through injury as Club Brugge played out a pulsating 5-5 draw against Westerlo in the Belgian Pro League on Wednesday, Afrosport reports.
Onyedika started the match at the Jan Breydel Stadium but lasted only 16 minutes before being replaced by Alexander Stankovic. The midfielder’s early exit will trouble Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, with Nigeria set to face Lesotho and Benin Republic in decisive 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures next month.
Westerlo stunned the hosts with a fast start as Josimar Alcocer opened the scoring before Nacho Ferri doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. However, Brugge responded immediately, as Nicolo Tresoldi pulled one back just before half-time to give them hope heading into the break.
FT: 5-5. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7jUHWgKQWn
— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) September 24, 2025
The momentum carried over after the restart. Carlos Forbs struck to level matters in the 49th minute, and Joaquin Seys completed the turnaround just six minutes later to put Brugge 3-2 ahead.
The chaos, however, was far from over as Ferri netted his second in the 61st minute to draw Westerlo level, before Isa Sakamoto restored the visitors’ lead in dramatic fashion.
Brugge fought back once again, with Tresoldi completing his brace to make it 4-4. An own goal from Emin Bayram then looked to have secured all three points for Nicky Hayen’s side, but in a final twist, Bayram redeemed himself with a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue Westerlo.
The result leaves Club Brugge sitting third in the Belgian Pro League with 14 points from eight games, while Westerlo climb to ninth on 10 points.
The setback leaves Hayen’s men sweating on Onyedika’s fitness, with important clashes against Standard Liege in the league and Atalanta in the Champions League fast approaching.
