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By Anthony Nlebem.
Terem Moffi’s sensational overhead kick against Basel in the UEFA Europa Conference League first-leg, quarter-final match on Thursday has been voted the competition’s goal of the week, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
“Terem Moffi’s incredible finish wins Goal of the Week!,” UEFA said on its official Twitter Account.
The Nigeria international scored a brace, including a stunning kick, as the Eaglets held Basel to a 2-2.
He becomes the third Nigerian to win the award this season after Yusuf Otubanjo’s strike for Pyunik in their 2-0 win over Slovan Bratislava and Samuel Chukwueze’s volley against Lech Poznan in the group stage of the competitions.
Having already grabbed his team’s first – an equaliser after Zeki Amdouni scored the opener for the home side in the 26th minute from the penalty spot, the inform Nigerian striker then put Nice 2-1 ahead seconds before half time as he met a cross in incredible fashion with an absolute worldie.
His magnificent effort was not enough to earn his team an away win as Basel battled back to earn a 2-2 first leg draw after Amdouni salvaged a point for the RotBlau when he scored the equaliser in the 71st minute.
Reacting to his overhead kick in a post-match interview on Canal+, Moffi said, “It was a special goal, a special moment. I would never have imagined scoring such a goal. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. I saw the ball coming and I tried. The goal of the year? Maybe not. But maybe the goal of the competition.”
The Nigerian striker, ostensibly proud of his goal, went on – “To be honest, it’s not something you can prepare for. I saw Haaland do it last weekend (against Southampton) and I was like, ‘Why not?’”
Moffi also tasked Didier Digard’s men to show more consistency in the return leg. To qualify for the last four, Nice must secure a win in the return match at the Allianz Riviera on next Thursday.
“It was a special goal, a special moment. I would never have imagined scoring such a goal,” Moffi continued.
“Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. I saw the ball coming and I tried. The goal of the year? Maybe not, but maybe the goal of the competition.”
The Nigerian international moved there on loan until the end of the season, with an obligation-to-buy for £26.4m as part of the package.
Since then he has hit the ground running for Nice with seven goals, two assists in 11 games for the Ligue 1 club.
So far this term, the Buckswood Football Academy star has netted 19 goals in 29 games across all competitions.