Super Eagles forward Peter Olayinka was the hero for APOEL FC, scoring an 81st-minute winner to secure a hard-fought 1–0 win over Omonia Nicosia in the Cypriot First Division Nicosia derby on Sunday.
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The goal marked Olayinka’s first for APOEL since joining the club during the winter transfer window and came in only his second appearance for the Cypriot giants.
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The tight contest stayed goalless for much of the afternoon until Olayinka capitalised on a defensive lapse at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, smashing the ball home to claim bragging rights for APOEL in the city rivalry.
Editorial
Peter Olayinka’s late winner in the Nicosia derby underscores his immediate impact since arriving at APOEL. Scoring in such a high-profile match in front of supporters will endear him to the club’s fanbase and boost his confidence as he seeks to establish himself in Cypriot football. A derby goal is the kind of moment that can define a new chapter in a player’s career, and Olayinka delivered exactly that.
For APOEL, the victory was about more than three points it was pride and local supremacy in one of Cyprus’s fiercest fixtures. The result also moves APOEL above Aris Limassol into fifth place on the league table, giving them momentum as they look to climb higher in the 2025/26 Cypriot league campaign. Meanwhile, Omonia still clear leaders will be disappointed to lose at home but can take positives from their overall league position.
From a Nigerian perspective, seeing another Super Eagles player excel abroad reflects well on the country’s football exports. Olayinka’s derby winner adds to a growing list of memorable contributions by Nigerian professionals in European leagues, and fans will be keen to see what he does next as APOEL chase success domestically.
Did You Know?
Peter Olayinka scored the only goal in APOEL’s 1–0 win over Omonia Nicosia in the Nicosia derby. The decisive strike came in the 81st minute of the Cypriot First Division clash. It was Olayinka’s first goal for APOEL and came in just his second appearance for the club. APOEL’s victory lifted them into fifth place in the league standings with 39 points from 23 matches. Omonia Nicosia remain top of the Cypriot First Division, six points clear of second place.