UEFA Conference League: Niger forward Sosah stars in Kazakhstan, Pululu breaks hearts as Jagiellonia wins in Serbia

It was a busy Thursday in UEFA club competitions, particularly the UEFA Conference League and one of the standout performers on the day was Niger national team star striker Daniel Sosah. Sosah scored the opening goal and assisted the match winner for Kazakh club FC Aktobe as they took a slight edge with a 2-1 first leg victory over Sparta Prague in their qualifying stage duel.

Despite a nightmare 2024-25 season that saw them finish fourth in the Czech top flight, Sparta were still favorites away from home in the first leg but Sosah spurred the hosts on with a perfect bouncing header in the first half. With Sparta pushing for an equalizer late, Sosah showed all of his poaching instincts in the 83rd minute to get on the end of a long pass and then set up Oralkhan Omirtaev for Aktobe’s second.

A 2-0 first leg victory would have been perfect to take to Czechia for the second leg but Sparta did manage to pull a goal back through a Veljko Birmančević penalty kick in the 90th minute. For Sosah, the goal and assist on Thursday are his first goal contributions for Aktobe through four games since the Accra-born naturalized Nigerien joined from Ukrainian side Kryvbas.

Over in Serbia, Polish club Jagiellonia Białystok got their Conference League campaign off to a bright start and it was last season’s breakout star Afimico Pululu who produced the magical moment late on against FK Novi Pazar. However, after a dream start for the Polish club to take an early lead it was young Nigerian forward Ejike Opara who equalized for the hosts from a brilliant assist by an Italian forward of Nigerian descent, Bob Omoregbe.

But Jagiellonia saved their star for a late cameo and Pululu delivered in dramatic fashion to win it for the third place finishers in Poland’s top flight. Deep into second half stoppage time, Pululu received the ball in the opposition penalty area and played a quick combination with Jesús Imaz before finishing with a quick low shot to give his team the first leg advantage.

The native of Luanda continues to be an instrumental figure for Jagiellonia in what is now his third season after leading the club to a surprise run to the quarterfinals of last season’s Conference League. His international future remains a big question, however.

Pululu initially was called up to the Angola national team for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games in March but pulled out for health reasons before sensationally deciding to represent DR Congo, the country of his parents. However, once again he was forced to withdraw from the squad after the Leopards called him into the squad for June friendlies against Mali and Madagascar.