Frank Onyeka: AFCON 2023 success has given me momentum
Nigerian was impressive against Man City Tuesday in his first start for the Bees in over two months
Frank Onyeka has told his club, Brentford’s official website that his successful Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Nigeria will stand him in good stead for the remainder of the Premier League season.
The Nigerian who made his first start for the Bees since early December in their 1-0 loss at the Etihad stadium to Man City in a Premier League fixture on Tuesday night was close to bringing a winner’s medal back to west London with Nigeria falling at the final hurdle against hosts Ivory Coast.
He started all seven of the Super Eagles’ games and was a vital part of José Peseiro’s side – accumulating a total of 608 minutes.
‘Going back to Africa, helping my team, coming back fit, it’s been really good. I feel really fit,’ said Onyeka after Brentford’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Onyeka put in an impressive display on Tuesday night, guarding the Bees’ backline and using his pace and power to drive his team up the pitch.
‘It was hard, but it was also good, especially defending and on counter-attacks,’he said.
‘We came here believing we could do it again, so to lose 1-0 is sad, but it was a good performance’.
‘It’s hard because they move the ball really quick, so we needed to adjust as quick as possible. We did that pretty well in the first half and the second half; defensively we did really well.
‘With the slip, it happens in football. It’s sad that we couldn’t get something out of the game.’
