Three Nigerians. One Austrian Cup final. A 61-year wait ended. Moses Usor scored, Samuel Adeniran scored twice, and LASK celebrated the greatest night in their recent history. Now the Super Eagles are watching very closely.
LASK 4-2 SCR Altach (AET)
Usor (11′) | Adeniran (66′, 103′) | Bello (93′)
Austrian Cup Final | LASK’s first title in 61 years
Altach took a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute. Usor answered in the 11th, extending his scoring run to three consecutive games and bringing his season tally to 14 goals. Altach went back in front through Vesel Demaku before half-time. Normal time ended 1-1 after Adeniran equalised in the 66th minute.
In extra time, Abuja-born United States international George Bello struck in the 93rd minute to give LASK the lead for the first time. Adeniran sealed it with his second in the 103rd. Three of LASK’s four goals came from players of Nigerian heritage. Nigerian fans following Usor’s push for a Super Eagles debut can use the Bet9ja Austrian football page ahead of the Unity Cup squad announcement.
The Case for a Super Eagles Call-Up
Chelle is finalising his Unity Cup squad this week. Usor, 24, was born in Abuja, holds Nigerian nationality, and has never been capped at senior level.
Fourteen goals across all competitions this season. Three goals in three consecutive games heading into the final. An Austrian Cup winners’ medal. LASK are also leading the Austrian Bundesliga, meaning Usor is contributing to a potential double. Chelle has indicated the Unity Cup will include players being considered for first call-ups. Usor has done everything possible to put his name on that list. Bet9ja’s YOHAIG promo code is available for fans following Usor and the potential Unity Cup debutants from May 26.
A Night Nigerian Football Should Celebrate
LASK last won the Austrian Cup in 1965. Nigerian firepower ended that 61-year drought. That the story has received limited coverage in Nigerian football media is a failure of attention that FootballInNigeria.com.ng is correcting now.
Usor came from Slavia Prague. Adeniran developed in the English football system. Both chose to pursue their careers in Austria and both delivered on the biggest night in their club’s modern history. That is a Nigerian football success story regardless of whether either player has yet worn the Super Eagles shirt. New Bet9ja users wanting to follow Usor through to a potential international debut can get started at Bet9ja’s YOHAIG welcome page.
📌 Did You Know?
- LASK’s Austrian Cup win on Friday was their first since 1965, ending the longest trophy drought in the club’s history and making it one of the most emotional moments in the Linzer Athletik-Sport-Klub’s 125-year existence.
- Moses Usor previously played for Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic before joining LASK, giving him experience of top-level Central European football that has clearly contributed to the technical and tactical development reflected in his current form.
- Samuel Adeniran, who scored twice in the final, is a forward developed in the English football system who has found his best form in Austria, reflecting a growing trend of English-based Nigerian-heritage players finding success in the Austrian Bundesliga.
- George Bello, who scored LASK’s third goal in extra time, was born in Abuja but represents the United States at international level, having moved to America as a child and progressed through the US Soccer development system before his professional career in Europe.
- The Austrian Bundesliga, where LASK currently lead the table, has become one of European football’s most important development leagues for African players, with the pathway via Austria to major clubs in Germany, England and Spain now well established for a generation of talented players.
- LASK’s potential domestic double, combining the Austrian Cup victory with the Bundesliga title they are currently leading, would be the club’s first double in their history and would rank among the most significant achievements in Austrian club football in recent years.
- Usor’s 14 goals across all competitions this season place him among the top scorers in the Austrian Bundesliga, a league that has produced players including David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic and Sadio Mane among many others who developed in Austria before major European careers.
