By Ebube Dike

Former Water FC of Abuja midfielder, Oladoye Adewale, is thrilled to have inspired Gent’s 2-2 comeback draw against RFS from Latvia at the Ghelamco Arena in Thursday’s first leg of the third round of the European Cup qualifying match.

The 19-year-old who joined Gent in March alongside his bosom friend Chinoso Emeka from Nigerian club, Water FC was handed his first start by coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck in the encounter and he repaid the faith by scoring a crisp 20-yard shot to reduce his side’s deficit in the 57th minute after Gent trailed RFS 2-0.

Darko Lemajic and Tomas Simkovic had shot the visitors into a two-goal lead before the break before the Nigerian halved the RFS’ lead in the 52nd minute.

Tarik Tissoudali earned Gent a share of the spoils in the 77th minute.

Adewale making his third appearance for the club since he was promoted to the first team at the start of the season said, “I’m feeling really happy we came back to draw the game.

“It shows that all the hard work I’ve put in over the months since I arrived in March is just starting to pay off,” Adewale said after the game.

“It’s important that I keep working hard to enjoy more moments like this.

“I didn’t think that particular attempt was going to be my chance, but I always try to stay ready around the edge of the opponent’s box and I’m happy that on this occasion it paid off.

“It’s been good to be involved with the first team and I’m happy to see the boss (Vanhaezebrouck) showing faith in me. It feels like a good experience for me, I just need to keep on learning, keep on adding to my game and I’m happy that I could contribute today.”