Yusuf Otubanjo beats Samuel Chukwueze to UEFA Europa Conference prize

By Olu Dare

Nigeria’s Yusuf Otubanjo has been named winner of the UEFA Europa Conference League Goal of the Group Stage ahead of Samuel Chukwueze.

The forward’s sumptuous strike in Pyunik’s home victory against Slovan Bratislava picked the prize ahead of the Villarreal player and eight others.

“The goal of our striker Yusuf Otubanjo was named as the best goal of the group stage of the Europa Conference League,” his club tweeted.

“This recognition is a great reward for Otu’s work, but it would have been impossible without your support, thank you.”

Meanwhile, Chukwueze has been linked with a move to join his former Yellow Submarine manager Unai Emery at Aston Villa.

The winger was part of the Spaniard’s team that beat Manchester United in the final of the Europa League few seasons ago.

During his spell in Spain, Chukwueze played 94 games across all competitions – scoring 14 goals and providing 15 assists in process.

The 23-year-old was snapped up by Villarreal from Diamond Football Academy in 2018 after helping Nigeria U17 team winning the U17 Fifa World Cup.