Another Victor! 18-year-old Nigerian forward makes debut in historic Nice win

OGC Nice marked their 120th anniversary in spectacular fashion, thrashing Saint-Etienne 8-0 in a Ligue 1 encounter that saw Nigerian youngster Victor Orakpo make his senior debut for the French club.

The 18-year-old Orakpo, the latest in a line of talented Nigerian forwards named Victor to make waves in European football, came on as a second-half substitute. 

He replaced Mohammed-Ali Cho with 13 minutes left to play, entering the fray with Nice already commanding a 7-0 lead.

Several milestones marked this historic night for Nice:

1. The club became the first in Ligue 1 history to score six goals in the first half of a match.

2. Nice equalled their Ligue 1 record for goals scored in a single game, matching their 8-0 victory against Sedan in 1957.

3. The match served as a fitting celebration for the club's 120th anniversary.

Orakpo's journey to Nice is a testament to his talent and potential. The young striker, a member of Nigeria's under-20 team (the Flying Eagles), initially impressed during a trial with the Ligue 1 side. 

This led to his signing, where he joined fellow Nigerian international and Super Eagles star Terem Moffi, who missed the explosive clash due to an injury, at the club.

Nice's management has a clear vision for Orakpo's development. He initially joined the club's Elite reserve team, where he was given time and ideal conditions to adapt his game to the demands of French football.

However, the club sees him as a potential first-team player in the coming years, highlighting their faith in the young Nigerian's abilities.

While Orakpo's debut was a significant moment, the star of the show was on-loan striker Youssoufa Moukoko from Borussia Dortmund, who netted a brace in the emphatic victory.

This debut marks another chapter in the growing story of Nigerian talent in European football. 

The celebrated former Bayern Munich academy boy Orakpo follows in the footsteps of players like Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Victor Olatunji, who have significantly impacted top European leagues in recent years.