Awoniyi extends advantage over Osimhen, edges closer to Onuachu with another goal in Union Berlin’s defeat

The former Liverpool signing has been a nightmare for defenders in the German league, and he proved to be a terror for Feyenoord’s backline in their continental clash on Thursday

Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi was Union Berlin’s only shining light as the Bundesliga side fell to a 3-1 defeat to Feyenoord at de Kuip in a Europa Conference League matchup on Thursday evening.

Union Berlin endured a terrible start to the matchday three encounter, falling two goals behind within the opening half-hour after strikes from Feyenoord’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Bryan Linssen.

But Awoniyi reduced the deficit for the visitors in the 35th minute, when he pounced on a Christopher Trimmel pass to fire past goalkeeper Justin Bijlow.

The goal was Awoniyi’s tenth for the Iron Ones after his permanent switch from Liverpool in the summer, making him the second most prolific Nigerian international in Europe at the moment.

The one-cap Super Eagles star is now one goal behind KRC Genk’s Paul Onuachu (11), while he now has two more than free-scoring Napoli striker Victor Osimhen (8).

Six of Awoniyi’s goals have come in eight Bundesliga matches. The Union number 14 has two goals in the Conference League, while the other two were scored in the Europa League qualifiers in August.

Union Berlin could not build on Awoniyi’s effort after the break, though, allowing Luis Sinisterra to net a third for the Dutch side in the 76th minute to bag the three points that put them clear at the top of Group E.

The defeat leaves the Germans rooted to the base of the table, with three more matches left to conclude the group stage.