Nigerian forwards Prince Ating and Charles Agada score first pro goals

Nigerian youngsters Prince Ating and Charles Agada continued the ever-growing trend of young players from the country making splashes in European football on Tuesday.

Another young Nigerian forward scores his first pro goal in Europe! Take a bow Charles Agada 🇳🇬!

The 19 y/o came off the bench to score in Croatian club NK Istra’s 1-3 defeat to Hajduk.

Agada is at the former club of Salim Lawal, who recently transferred to Viktoria Plzeň 🇨🇿. pic.twitter.com/hKUCLVMyma

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) April 7, 2026

Agada is attempting to follow in the footsteps of former NK Istra 1961 star Salim Lawal, who recently completed a big-money transfer to Czech club Viktoria Plzeň. The 19-year-old came off the bench to score his first goal in European football in Istra’s 1-3 defeat to Hajduk Split after failing to find the net in his first eleven matches with the club.

A big step forward for Nigeria U-20 international Charles Agada

It was a spectacular effort from the young forward, who was on his backside at one point as he scrapped his way past multiple defenders before firing in a low shot to give the hosts a consolation goal.

Agada represented Nigeria at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup as well as the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he produced a goal and an assist as the Golden Eaglets exited at the quarterfinal stage.

In the second division of Turkish football on Tuesday, 18-year-old Prince Ating scored his first goal for Hatayspor as they clobbered last place Adana Demirspor 4-0.

Ating bundled in from close range after getting on the end of a cross from Ghanaian midfielder Sharif Osman. It was the first victory for the club this season, who have experienced financial difficulties ever since the devastating earthquake in 2023 which claimed the life of former Ghana national team attacker Christian Atsu.

Ating joined the club on a short-term contract at the beginning of 2026 which runs until the end of June. He arrived from Lagos-based academy Klassisch FA and is doing all he can to impress and draw the attention of other clubs since Hatayspor are guaranteed to be relegated to the third division at the end of the season.