Bournemouth put one foot into the Sky Bet Championship play-off final after Nigerian-born Dutch international, Arnaut Danjuma gave them a slim 1-0 lead in the first leg against Brentford Monday evening.
After a scoreless first half, the Lagos-born forward superbly turned in David Brooks’ cross before wheeling away to celebrate with the fans on their return to the Vitality Stadium.
Brentford had their chances to equalise too, with Bryan Mbeumo missing the most glorious of chances, somehow turning Christian Norgaard’s cross past the post of a gaping goal.
Danjuma’s goalscoring heroics come on the heels of a weekend in which Nigerian players did the country proud in Europe. On Saturday, Leicester City duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho helped the Foxes to a first-ever FA Cup win in their history before Asisat Oshoala, 24 hours later, won the UEFA Women Champions League after her FC Barcelona team annihilated Chelsea 4-0.
The 24-year old Danjuma, born in Nigeria to a Dutch father and Nigerian mother, was eligible for either national team but has since been capped by the Netherlands.
He earned his first full international call-up when Ronald Koeman named him in the squad to face Germany on 13 October. He came on as a 68th-minute substitute and had to wait just three days later until 16 October 2018 before getting his first international goal against Belgium.
Danjuma had a late flourish to the end of the season, making ten goal contributions in April to be awarded the Championship Player of the Month award for April 2021.
The result sees Bournemouth take a slim advantage into the second leg as they aim for an instant return to the Premier League. Brentford also have improvements to make to avoid another playoff disappointment.
The return leg is away at Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday following which the aggregate winner will face the winner of the Swansea vs Barnsley in the play-off final.
