How Arinzechukwu Okafor fired Switzerland into 2022 FIFA World Cup in emphatic style

[By VICTOR NZE]

By Monday night, Noah Arinzechukwu Okafor and his Switzerland national teammates were already celebrating their qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as they saw off the Bulgaria challenge.

Beating Bulgaria was not the major issue, but emerging winners in a group that had current Euro defending champions, Italy was a huge feat, which even the players could not believe.

With a 4-0 (0-0) win against Bulgaria, the Confederates secured first place in Group C and shocked Italy.  However, Nigerian-born player, Noah Arinzechukwu Okafor made the headlines for the right reasons, as it was his goal which opened the floodgate of goals in the demolition of Bulgaria firing the first salvo in the 48^th minute.

Switzerland, playing as the home were already superior in the first round. But it was not until after the break before Noah Okafor (48th), Ruben Vargas (57th), Cedric Itten (72nd) and Remo Freuler (90th +1) eliminated all doubts with their goals.

Celebrating his feat with the Switzerland team, Arinzechukwu Okafor said: “Words fail me.”

Okafor further admitted his surprise at going to the World Cup in Qatar with his adopted national teammates.

“We always believed in ourselves. We stayed calm and deserved it as a team. “

Switzerland’s victory has meant that world football powerhouse Italy will now face the playoffs against countries like Portugal, Sweden, and others who failed to deliver on the final day of qualification matches in Europe.

Italy’s 37 games unbeaten had only recently come to an end with a 1: 2 defeat in the semi-finals of the Nations League against Spain.

However, in their game against Switzerland, Italy blew two penalty opportunities with the gane ending a draw which opened the door for Switzerland to only needing to bat Bulgaria to qualify.

As for Noah Okafor, not much is known about the Nigerian born striker who is highly missed in the Super Eagles squad looking to also make it to the World Cup in Qatar.

The 21-year-old Noah Arinzechukwu Okafor plays as midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg and the Switzerland national team. Wikipedia

He was born in Binningen, Switzerland to a Nigerian parent.

At 6 ft 1 in and wearing the jersey number 77 for the Swiss national team, Okafor is a striker.

Noah Okafor grew through the youth ranks of Switzerland national teams where he featured for the country at the 2018/2019 UEFA U-17 Qualifiers in 2017; the UEFA U-19 Qualifiers in 2019 for the UEFA Nations League; UEFA U-21 Qualifiers in 2021; UEFA U-21 Qualifiers for 2023; and the present senior national team where he is listed as a striker with in Switzerland’s WC Qualification for 2022.