Nigerian Joy in Ukraine: Peter Itodo Claims Golden Boot as Shola Ogundana Lifts Cup Trophy

The 2025/26 Ukrainian Cup wrapped up with a distinct Nigerian flavour, showcasing a brilliant mix of individual dominance and collective triumph for two of the country’s rising stars.

At just 22 years old, Metalist 1925 Kharkiv forward Peter Itodo officially secured the tournament’s Golden Boot.

Peter Itodo’s Golden Debut Season

The Ajegunle-born striker was in devastating form throughout the knockout tournament, netting 5 goals to finish as the cup’s undisputed top scorer.

Itodo’s lethal cup run caps off a breathtaking debut year in Ukrainian football following his August 2025 transfer from Albanian outfit Dinamo Tirana.

Proving he is far from a one-competition wonder, the young sensation also bagged 10 goals and an assist in 25 regular-season matches.

With 16 total goal contributions in his first year, Itodo has firmly established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young African prospects.

Ogundana Secures Ultimate Glory with Dynamo Kyiv

While Itodo dominated the individual charts, football is ultimately a team game, and the bragging rights for the silverware went to fellow Nigerian Shola Ogundana.

Ogundana’s Dynamo Kyiv asserted their domestic dominance with a clinical 3–1 victory over FC Chernihiv in the grand finale at the Arena Lviv.

The 21-year-old winger, who arrived in Kyiv from Brazilian giants Flamengo in September 2025, was an integral piece of the champions’ puzzle this season.

Making 24 appearances across all competitions, Ogundana chipped in with two vital goals—including a crucial strike during this successful cup run—to ensure he walked away with a historic winners’ medal.

The Takeaway: While Metalist 1925’s Peter Itodo took home the individual honors, it was Dynamo Kyiv’s Shola Ogundana who got to lift the prestigious trophy, sealing a historic double-triumph for Nigerian talent in Ukraine.