Super Eagles defender, Zaidu Sanusi, scored the opener for FC Porto with a powerful header in their 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to record their first Group B victory of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League campaign.
The pacy left-back found himself in the opponent’s 18-yard as the hosts countered, connecting to a well timed cross by Mehdi Taremi in the 69th minute of the game which saw two goals ruled out in the first half.
Calum Hudson-Odoi and Taremi had found the back of the net for their respective teams in the 16th and 42nd minutes but both goals were ruled out after checks by the Video Assistant Referee concluded that fouls were committed leading to the goals.
There was drama in the 45th minute after Porto’s David Carmo handled the ball in his penalty box with the referee pointing straight to the spot. Patrik Schick stepped up to take the penalty but the spot-kick was saved by Diogo Costa.
The hosts were more determined in the second half and deservedly went in front through Sanusi before Wenderson Galeno put the game beyond the reach of the visitors in the 87th minute. The Nigeria international had only been on the pitch for six minutes before finding the back of the net, his first goal of the season in 10 games across all competitions.
He came on for Wendell in the 63rd minute.
Reacting to the goal and the win, the Super Eagles defender says he’s excited for the goal and the three points also revealing that the manager has always instructed the full-backs to be more adventurous.
“It was good for us, three points for our club and for our fans. The goal? Our coach always asks these things from the full-backs. I have to do it and I’m used to it. This victory is very important for us and for our path.”
FC Porto will be in Germany next week for their return leg against the Germans.
