Peter Olayinka scored his third goal for APOEL Nicosia in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Pafos at the GSP Stadium on Sunday, marking a significant moment in his ongoing European campaign. The Nigerian forward, who has become a key figure in Cypriot football, helped his side take a two-goal lead early in the match before Pafos fought back to secure a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time. This result keeps APOEL Nicosia in contention for top positions in the Cypriot First Division as the season progresses.
Olayinka’s performance comes amid a strong European career, with UEFA recently confirming that he is Nigeria’s joint-highest appearance maker in UEFA club competitions, sharing the record with legendary forward Nwankwo Kanu. The 32-year-old has amassed 81 appearances across UEFA competitions, including 32 in the UEFA Europa League and qualifying rounds, 21 in the UEFA Conference League and its qualifiers, and 28 in the UEFA Champions League and preliminary stages. His consistent presence on the European stage underscores his durability and adaptability across different leagues and formats.
The match against Pafos was one of the most electrifying of the 2025-2026 season. APOEL Nicosia opened the scoring with an early brace from Stefan Drazic within the first nine minutes, giving them a commanding lead. Nikolas Ioannou pulled one back for Pafos with a header in the 17th minute, setting the stage for a tense second half. Olayinka then reasserted APOEL’s dominance with a goal in the 74th minute, but Pafos mounted a late comeback, with Derrick Luckassen scoring twice with headers in injury time to snatch a point.
Before this match, Olayinka had been experiencing a seven-game goal drought in the Cypriot First Division, though he had found the net in the Kypello Kyprou semifinal against Apollon Limassol on April 22. His ability to deliver in crucial moments continues to highlight his value to APOEL Nicosia. Over the years, Olayinka has represented four different clubs in Europe: Skënderbeu, Zulte Waregem, Slavia Praha, and Crvena Zvezda, showcasing his experience across various competitive environments.
Despite his club success, Olayinka has not played for the Nigeria national team, the Super Eagles, in over four years. His last international appearance came in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match against Tunisia in January 2022. As APOEL Nicosia continues to push for silverware, Olayinka’s form could attract renewed interest from national team selectors, especially as Nigeria prepares for upcoming international fixtures. His consistent performances remain a testament to his enduring quality and commitment to the game.
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