Philip Otele has etched his name into the proud lineage of Nigerian footballers who have conquered the Swiss Super League, following FC Basel’s emphatic title win on Sunday.
The 25-year-old attacker played 11 minutes in Basel’s thrilling 5-2 away victory over Lugano, a match that proved crucial in the title race on Saturday.
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Twenty four hours later, confirmation came from Geneva, where Servette held defending champions Young Boys to a goalless draw.
That result handed Basel an unassailable 11-point lead at the top of the table with just three matches remaining, officially crowning them Swiss champions.
It marks FC Basel’s 21st league title and their first since 2017, a long-awaited triumph for the club and a dream come true for Otele, who now celebrates the first major silverware of his career.
Otele joined Basel on loan from UAE Pro League side Al-Wahda during the January transfer window.
In just 16 league appearances he scored 8 goals, made his presence felt and added crucial depth to the squad during the title push.
With this triumph, Otele becomes the latest Nigerian to celebrate domestic glory in Switzerland.
Before him, the likes of Ifeanyi Mathew (with FC Zürich), Innocent Emeghara (with Grasshopper), and the legendary Sunday Oliseh (with FC Lugano) have all lifted the Swiss league title, cementing Nigeria’s enduring legacy in the Alpine nation’s top-flight football.
His addition to this distinguished list underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in European football beyond the traditional power leagues.
With this career turning point, and his loan spell nears its end, Otele will draw some attention as he must settle whether to return to UAE or stay in Europe .
