Russian-born forward eyes Super Eagles berth after treble for Kayserispor

German Onugkha is riding a rich vein of form for Kayserispor in the Turkish Süper Lig, having scored three goals in his last two appearances.

The 29 year old opened his account as a substitute on 19 October, finding the net in a 3-1 defeat to Samsunspor after a quiet start to the campaign, in which he failed to score in his first four matches.

Just five days later he was handed a start and repaid the faith of manager Radomir Djalović with a well-taken brace in a 2-2 draw against Fatih Karagümrük.

Born in Moscow to a Russian mother and a Nigerian father, Onugkha made headlines in September 2024 when he turned down a call-up to the Russian national side for a friendly against Vietnam national football team, declaring his ambition to represent the Nigeria national football team instead. He will reportedly visit the Nigerian Embassy in Copenhagen to initiate the process of obtaining a Nigerian passport.

During his time in Denmark, Onugkha enjoyed success with FC Copenhagen, winning the Danish Superliga Golden Boot for the 2023-24 season with 15 goals in 31 matches and earning a Player of the Month award in March 2025. His earlier career has also seen spells in his native Russia and in Israel.

Editorial

In the refined theatre of modern football, form is momentary yet merciless in its demands none understand this better than German Onugkha. He has transformed quiet promise into striking efficacy at Kayserispor, a leap that demands the recognition it now receives.

There is something entirely compelling about a player who realises his potential not at the apex of expectation, but in the crucible of reclamation. Onugkha’s brace, following a long-silent start, suggests more than mere luck it is the product of resilience, of craft sharpened by patience. This is a striker rediscovering agency in the half-lit corridors of opportunity.

His narrative reaches far beyond club form. Born in Moscow, of mixed heritage and raised in the intersection of cultures, Onugkha’s decision to decline the Russian national call-up and aim for the Super Eagles is more than symbolic. It is a statement of identity, of choosing purpose over convenience. Football’s global diaspora often creates such crossroads players who straddle nations, allegiances, dreams.

What he now faces is the cruel arithmetic of football can the good become great, and the great become consistent? To claim a Super Eagles berth is to move from ambition into expectation. In the Turkish Süper Lig, he has established that he can strike now, the challenge is to impose himself week after week, to ensure that this moment is not an outlier but a trajectory.

In Nigeria, a country rich in attacking tradition, the bar is high. The crowd knows names, demands impact, expects character. Onugkha’s story has all the elements heritage, ambition, late-blooming brilliance. But he must now deliver in matches that matter, under stadium lights that show no forgiveness. If he does, he won’t just be a footnote in the Super Eagles’ story he could write a new chapter.

Did You Know?

1. Onugkha’s goal-scoring rate in his first two starting appearances for Kayserispor is one goal every 37.5 minutes on the pitch.
2. During his Golden Boot winning season at FC Copenhagen, Onugkha scored twice as many away goals as home goals.
3. Onugkha’s father is originally from Edo State in Nigeria, a region noted for producing several Nigerian international footballers.
4. Prior to his move to Denmark, Onugkha played for two clubs in Israel, accumulating over 20 appearances before turning 25.
5. The last time a player born in Russia opted to represent Nigeria at senior level dates back to the early 2000s making Onugkha’s potential switch a rarity in footballing nationality decisions.