Awoniyi reflects on Hull defeat as Osimhen, Lookman shine in Europe

Taiwo Awoniyi has called for greater clinicality from Coventry City after their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Hull City, as fellow Super Eagles forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman enjoyed contrasting fortunes in Europe on Saturday.

Awoniyi started Coventry’s first home Premier League game in 25 years at the Coventry Building Society Arena and was involved in several of the hosts’ best attacking moments.

The Nigerian striker came close to opening his account on three occasions in an entertaining first half, but Coventry were unable to turn their possession and chances into goals.

They were eventually punished in the 82nd minute when Liam Millar struck on the counter-attack to give Hull, featuring fellow Nigeria international Semi Ajayi, all three points.

For Awoniyi, the defeat was a case of Coventry failing to make the most of their opportunities.

“We did quite well in terms of having the ball, but unfortunately, they had that great counterattack, and they took their chance. It is on us to take our chances as well,” Awoniyi told Coventry media.

Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis also played a key role, producing several saves to keep Coventry at bay.

Awoniyi was particularly frustrated by one opportunity when he attempted to get a decisive touch, only for the goalkeeper to intervene.

“The chances that we had were the ones that the goalkeeper saved. I wanted to put my foot in, and that was one of the clear chances that we had, and I think the keeper was brilliant for them,” he said.

“We just have to take our chances, as I said earlier. We didn’t take it, and they took theirs; it was a disappointing defeat for us.”

The result leaves Coventry with two defeats from their opening two matches since returning to the Premier League. Still, Awoniyi believes the newly promoted side showed enough in possession and build-up play to suggest they can compete.

The major concern, he said, is converting that possession into meaningful opportunities in the opposition box.

“As a team, we played better, we had the ball more, but at the end the goal counts, and we just have to penetrate the ball more into the boxes, and to create more chances,” he added.

Different stroke

While Awoniyi searches for his first Premier League goal of the campaign, Osimhen and Lookman provided reminders of the attacking quality available to Nigeria at the club level.

Osimhen continued his impressive start to the season by scoring and assisting in Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over Göztepe at Rams Park.

The 2023 African Player of the Year first set up Gabriel Sara before converting a penalty in the 63rd minute.

The goal took his tally to five in three league appearances after he began the campaign with consecutive braces against Çorum and Erzurumspor.

In Spain, the 2024 African Player of the Year, Lookman, also opened his account for Atletico Madrid in their 3-1 win over Sevilla.

The Nigerian forward scored in the 26th minute, receiving the ball inside the box before calmly finding the bottom corner.

It was his first goal of the campaign after he failed to score in Atletico’s previous league matches against Malaga and Villarreal.

The performances of Osimhen and Lookman offer an encouraging contrast to Awoniyi’s frustrating afternoon, with Nigeria’s leading forwards continuing to make their presence felt across Europe.

For Awoniyi, however, the immediate focus is on helping Coventry adjust to life back in the Premier League.

“A fantastic club. My achievement is for us to be in the league and stay in it, because the Premier League is the most difficult in the world. The goal for every player is to be a Premier League player.”

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The striker has also urged Coventry to quickly put the Hull defeat behind them ahead of a difficult assignment against Manchester City on 5 September.

“It’s just the start of the season. We have to look ahead to every game. We still have more games coming up, and the goal is to forget about the defeat and to look forward to what we can improve and get the points as quickly as possible.”

With the season still in its early stages, Awoniyi will hope Coventry can turn their promising performances into goals. At the same time, Osimhen and Lookman will look to maintain their early-season momentum.