Newly invited Super Eagles winger Philip Otele marked his maiden call-up with a goal, but it was not enough as Hamburger SV fell to a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday, Footynaija.com reports.
Otele handed Hamburg the perfect start in the 19th minute, tapping home from close range after connecting with a well-delivered cross from William Mikelbrencis. The Nigerian winger looked lively throughout the opening exchanges and posed a constant threat on the flanks.
Dortmund responded with intent though, with Nico Schlotterbeck striking the crossbar before the break, but it was Die Rothosen who doubled their advantage shortly after. Former Arsenal midfielders Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga combined brilliantly, with Lokonga rifling a powerful effort into the roof of the net.
The hosts had a chance to pull one back before halftime when Maximilian Beier won a penalty, but Felix Nmecha squandered the opportunity from the spot.
Momentum shifted in the second half following key changes from Dortmund boss Niko Kovac and substitute Ramy Bensebaini proved decisive as he converted a penalty in the 70th minute after another foul on Beier to spark the comeback.
Serhou Guirassy then brought Dortmund level with a close-range finish during a frantic final period before Bensebaini struck again from the spot late on, calmly dispatching his second penalty to seal a remarkable turnaround for BVB.
Despite the defeat, Otele’s performance will be a major positive for Hamburg and Nigeria national team boss Eric Chelle. The 26-year-old, who only joined the Bundesliga side in January, continues to show promising signs as he settles into life in Germany.
Otele will now be looking to carry his scoring form into the international break as he looks to potentially make a flying start to his Super Eagles career and justify Chelle’s call to involve him in the upcoming fixtures.
