Nigeria forward Olanrewaju Kayode made a striking impact on his first start for Shakhtar Donetsk, propelling them to a resounding 5-1 victory over Mariupol and securing a coveted spot in the Ukraine Cup final, as reported by Completesportsnigeria.com. Kayode, currently on loan from English Premier League champions Manchester City, showcased his prowess by netting the fourth goal in the 74th minute of the encounter.
The match saw an early lead for Shakhtar, with Brazilian forward Taison Barcelos finding the net in the eighth minute. Mariupol responded with determination as Igor Tyschenko equalized in the 22nd minute. However, Shakhtar quickly regained control, with Marlos Romero securing the lead 16 minutes later. The second half witnessed a commanding performance from Shakhtar, with Taison, Kayode, and Ivan Petryak contributing additional goals in the 47th, 74th, and 81st minutes, respectively.
Kayode’s goal marks his second in three appearances across all competitions for Shakhtar Donetsk, highlighting his growing impact on the team. The Ukrainian powerhouse is now set to face Dynamo Kiev in the final on May 9 at the Dnipro Arena. Dynamo Kiev secured their spot by defeating Dnipro 4-1 in the other semi-final, setting the stage for an intense and highly anticipated showdown in the Ukraine Cup final. Football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the clash between these two formidable sides as they vie for the prestigious cup title.
