Nigerian Victor makes OGC Nice debut in 8-0 thrashing of Saint-Etienne

OGC Nice marked their 120th anniversary in emphatic fashion, delivering a resounding 8-0 victory over Saint-Etienne in a Ligue 1 encounter. Among the key highlights of the night was the senior debut of 18-year-old Nigerian forward Victor Orakpo, who made his first appearance for the French club.

Orakpo, the latest Nigerian striker to emerge in European football, came on as a second-half substitute, replacing Mohammed-Ali Cho with 13 minutes left to play. At the time of his introduction, Nice already held a commanding 7-0 lead, allowing the young forward to soak in the historic occasion at the Allianz Riviera.

Victor Orakpo’s journey to OGC Nice is a testament to his rising potential. He earned a contract after impressing in a trial with the club and initially joined Nice’s Elite reserve team.

The young Nigerian forward, who has also featured for Nigeria’s U20 team (the Flying Eagles), is seen as a long-term prospect with the potential to establish himself in the first team.

Though Orakpo’s debut was a special moment, the night belonged to Borussia Dortmund loanee Youssoufa Moukoko, who starred with a brace in the one-sided victory.

Orakpo joins fellow Nigerian and Super Eagles star Terem Moffi at Nice, though Moffi missed the match due to injury. The young forward’s debut further cements the growing influence of Nigerian talent in European football, following in the footsteps of players like Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Victor Olatunji.

This momentous victory and Orakpo’s debut were the perfect tributes to Nice’s 120th anniversary, a night that will be remembered for years to come.