Nigerian striker Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi has become the new star at Belgian side OH Leuven after scoring a brace that secured victory over Charleroi last weekend.
The former Nigerian youth international netted two well-taken goals to lead his team to a 2-0 win, ending their winless run and thrilling the Leuven fans.
These two goals also make him the team’s top scorer, marking his first goals since joining on loan from Italian side Salernitana.
The forward had struggled to find the net since the start of the season but has now announced himself to the fans.
It took him 10 matches to break his duck, and the way he scored—through solo efforts—alongside the similarity of his name to Argentina’s Lionel Messi, led the Leuven fans to chant “Messi, Messi” whenever he touched the ball.
Head coach Oscar Garcia has been cautious about fielding either of his two strikers for much of the season so far.
However, Ikwuemesi has now given the former Brighton and Watford manager a compelling reason to make him a regular starter.
Leuven faces Club Brugge next, which will be a major test for the Nigerian striker. Garcia will hope Ikwuemesi replicates his form against Charleroi and keeps the fans chanting his “Messi” nickname.
Who is Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi?
The 23-year-old’s story is unique, as he came into the limelight playing for Nigeria’s U-20 team.
Nurtured at Olive Charles Academy, he joined Giant Brillars, where he first tasted organized football.
Ahead of the 2021 WAFU B U-20 tournament in Benin, Nigeria invited some players to camp for preparation, but the then-19-year-old was not among them.
That didn’t deter him.
He gatecrashed the camp and was eventually given a chance by Ladan Bosso, then coach of the Flying Eagles.
He seized the opportunity, and in the cameo he played, he impressed the coaches enough to receive an official invitation to the team, eventually making the squad for the tournament in Benin, where Nigeria exited in the group stage.
Following the regional qualifiers, Ikwuemesi moved to Europe and joined Austrian third-division side Vorwärts Steyr.
From there, he joined Slovenian side NK Krško Posavje in 2022, scoring four goals in 11 matches.
His career continued its upward trend when NK Celje signed him for the 2022/23 season. Here, he began to show his potential, scoring 10 goals in 32 matches, which caught the attention of Italian side Salernitana.
Ikwuemesi joined Salernitana, but the move did not pan out as he had hoped, with just one goal in Serie A against Cagliari and two more in the Coppa Italia against Sampdoria and Juventus.
Road to Belgium for Nigerian striker Ikwuemesi
Ikwuemesi’s time in Italy was marred by limited playing time and injuries.
With the club relegated to Serie B, the striker sought opportunities elsewhere.
He was offered to clubs in Italy and Austria, but Belgian side OH Leuven ultimately secured his signature.
Although Ikwuemesi had been playing well, he had struggled to score.
However, his brace against Charleroi might have opened the door to more goals and helped him turn a corner. Oscar Garcia will hope Ikwuemesi finds the net again when his side faces Club Brugge in their next game.
