Golden Eaglets alumni lead Gent II to dominant victory in Belgium

On a crisp evening at the Chillax Arena in Oostakker, two young Nigerians lit up the pitch with a dazzling display of attacking football. Idris Abdullahi and Umar Abubakar, both products of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, led KAA Gent II to a resounding 4-0 victory over Lyra-Lierse Berlaar, further cementing their team’s place at the top of the Belgian First Amateur Division.

Early Statement of Intent

Lyra-Lierse arrived with confidence, having gone five matches unbeaten, but they were quickly overwhelmed by Gent II’s relentless intensity. It took just five minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock, with Abdullahi rifling a shot past Mats Sterkens for his ninth goal of the season—already a personal best.

Gent II never eased off, and by the 19th minute, Umar Abubakar made his mark. The former Plateau United starlet finished clinically to double the lead, sending a clear message to defenders across the league: he is a striker in unstoppable form.

Abubakar wasn’t done. In the 36th minute, he struck again, completing his brace and taking his season tally to a staggering 23 goals in 26 matches. The 19-year-old has now recorded multiple-goal performances four times in 2025, making a strong case for promotion to Gent’s senior squad.

A Journey of Growth

Both Abdullahi and Abubakar featured in Nigeria’s squad at the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, though their tournament experiences were starkly different. Abdullahi was a key player, scoring twice as Nigeria reached the quarterfinals, only to fall 2-1 to Burkina Faso, missing out on a U17 World Cup berth. Meanwhile, Abubakar played a minor role, making just two substitute appearances.

Yet, fast forward two years, and Abubakar has transformed into one of the most lethal young strikers in Belgian football. With Gent II sitting comfortably at the top of the table, his rise shows no signs of slowing.

As Gent II continues its charge towards promotion, the question now is not whether Abubakar will get his chance at senior football—but when.