Nigerian footballer Raphael Onyedika became a Belgian champion for the first time on Sunday night, May 26, when Club Brugge secured the Championship Playoffs title.
In a tense derby, Club Brugge was held to a scoreless draw by Cercle Brugge, but the result was enough for them to clinch the title with 50 points, just one point ahead of Union St. Gilloise, who defeated Genk 2-0.
Onyedika, a key player for Club Brugge, played the full match in their final league game of the season. Throughout the campaign, the 23-year-old defensive midfielder made significant contributions, scoring three goals in 30 league appearances.
This championship adds to his accolades, having previously won the Danish League title with FC Midtjylland.
With this victory, Club Brugge has qualified automatically for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League next season.
Onyedika’s impressive performance has also earned him a spot in Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Benin Republic’s Squirrels.
