Nigerian-born forwards Kevin Carlos and Phillip Otele both found the back of the net as FC Basel dominated FC Sion 4-1 at St. Jakob-Park on Sunday.
The visitors took the lead in the 20th minute through Theo Berdayes, but Dominik Robin Schmid restored parity for Basel just before halftime in the 43rd minute. In the 53rd minute, Spanish-born Nigerian forward Kevin Carlos put the hosts ahead.
Joe Mendes extended Basel's lead with a goal in the 66th minute, before Nigerian forward Phillip Otele sealed the victory in the 76th minute, securing a commanding 5-1 win for Basel as they continue to close the gap on league leaders Lugano.
Otele's goal marked his first for the Swiss giants since joining on loan from Al Wahda, while Carlos extended his impressive tally to eight goals for the season, having scored in 18 appearances.
Carlos and Otele lead Basel's charge with goals in dominant Sion win
Kevin Carlos and Phillip Otele were pivotal in FC Basel’s commanding 4-1 win against FC Sion, with both forwards finding the net in a performance that showcased their clinical finishing abilities.
Carlos played for 69 minutes, registering one goal from two shots on target, and contributing to the team’s play with a 75% pass accuracy. Despite missing one big chance, he was a constant threat in the final third, winning one ground duel out of three.
Otele, who came on in the 64th minute for Benie Traore, made an immediate impact, scoring a goal from his only shot on target. He had 11 touches and a solid pass accuracy of 67%, completing four out of six passes.
Additionally, he won one out of two ground duels, further highlighting his effectiveness after entering the fray.
Their combined efforts were crucial in Basel’s pursuit of league leaders Lugano, and both players’ performances only added to the growing anticipation around their potential future contributions to Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
