Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru appears to be fulfilling his promise to Lazio fans, as he helped the Biancocelesti to a convincing 3-0 victory over Dinamo Kyiv on his European debut on Wednesday night.
A strong start to the Europa League opening clash saw Lazio take an early lead courtesy of Boulaye Dia, who executed a composed finish from a sublime Pedro pass.
Dele-Bashiru then made his mark in the 35th minute, unleashing a well-composed strike into the top corner to double the lead for the Serie A side.
The Nigerian got on the end of an incisive Matias Vecino pass to score his first goal in a Lazio shirt, having moved to the club on loan over the summer transfer window.
Watch Dele-Bashiru’s goal as shared by Football Report on X:
CHE GOL DI FISAYO DELE-BASHIRU!!!
CHE ASSIST DI MATÍAS VECINO!!!pic.twitter.com/2T8XAty6iy
— Football Report (@FootballReprt) September 25, 2024
Shortly after, the Super Eagles star turned from scorer to provider, setting up a well-weighted right-footed cross to Boulaye Dia, who towered high to head home his second of the game and the last of the encounter.
Dele-Bashiru, a solution to the Super Eagles’ creative woes?
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has featured for the Nigerian national team four times and has scored a goal and provided one assist so far. His most notable contribution is a 62nd-minute equalizer against South Africa in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
He also shone during the international break, coming off the bench to orchestrate attacking moves against Benin Republic, one of which resulted in a goal for Victor Osimhen.
This impressive cameo performance was enough to earn him a spot in Augustine Eguavoen’s starting lineup against Rwanda.
With the Super Eagles starting to find their foot, Dele-Bashiru could be the missing piece to Eguavoen’s self-proclaimed ‘Guardiola-esque’ style.