Conference League: Uche stars for Crystal Palace

Christantus Uche enjoyed a first bright spot in the midst of a difficult loan with Crystal Palace, providing a goal and an assist in the club’s 3-0 UEFA Conference League victory at Shelbourne.

هدف كريستال بالاس الاول !!! كريستانتوس اوتشي#SHLCRY pic.twitter.com/5OcjyNz4W9

— RAKAN‏ (@6a2_r) December 11, 2025

The loanee from Getafe, who will join the club on a permanent basis at the end of the current season, scored his first goal since arriving and also provided his first assist in eleven appearances.

It was a dominant victory for the English Premier League side, who overwhelmed their less pedigreed Irish hosts. The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute and it was the Nigerian international who received a cross from Eddie Nketiah for a routine finish.

About fifteen minutes later, Uche returned the favor. The forward got on the end of a pass in the box and flicked his shot past the onrushing Shelbourne goalkeeper. Uche’s shot went off the post but Nketiah followed up for an easy finish into the unguarded net and it was 2-0.

Man of the Match Yeremy Pino finished the scoring close to halftime and Palace held on easily after a scoreless second half. They move up to 9th place on the league phase table with the result and will hope to secure a top-8 spot and direct qualification to the Round of 16 with a victory at home against Finnish club KuPS next Thursday.

Unfortunately for Uche, his struggles this season negatively impacted his Nigeria national team fortunes. The attacker was overlooked by coach Eric Chelle for the Super Eagles squad that will represent Nigeria at the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to a notable lack of playing time.

After featuring mostly as a late substitute in his limited appearances this season, the talented 22-year-old earned his dream move to the Premier League but will have to wait for an opportunity to represent his nation on the big stage. The Nigerian, who enjoyed his first start of the season on Thursday, will hope for more playing time when the South London side travel to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.