Joel Asoro: Nigerian-born striker secures rare win for Metz at Lens 

By Wale Mustapha

Nigerian born striker, Joel Asoro was the hero for his new club, Metz on Saturday as he scored the lone goal to earned an shocking 1-0 away win at RC Lens in the French Ligue 1.

Asoro, who has committed his international allegiance to Sweden registered the goal in the first half to further dampen Lens’ miserable start to the new season.

Though the hosts played with much intensity and vigor creating lots of scoring opportunities in the opening half an hour of the match but met a resolute Metz defense and goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja, who was at his very best with series of saves.

With less than 10 minutes to the break, Asoro stuck a foot out to divert a cross into the net to cause a huge roar at the away end of Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Elye Wahi thought he had scored the equalizer for the hosts in the 65th minutes but had his effort chalked off for offside.

A draw with a late effort from Florian Sotoca but Oukidja stood firm in goal to ward it off.

Lens, who finished second in Ligue 1 last season, are second from bottom in the league standings, while Metz’s win takes them up to sixth with eight points from five games.