Steven Nsimba marked his arrival in Romanian top-flight football with a standout performance, scoring twice to help Universitatea Craiova to a 3-2 away victory over Béni Nkololo’s Cluj on matchday four of the league season.
The Congolese forward, who joined Craiova earlier this summer, made an immediate impact by netting in the 20th and 56th minutes, opening his goal account in emphatic style.
His clinical finishing put the visitors 3-0 up before Cluj mounted a late resurgence to narrow the deficit. The match showcased Nsimba’s goalscoring instinct and ability to deliver under pressure, particularly against a side still active in the UEFA Europa League qualification rounds.
The result sees Universitatea Craiova maintain their strong start to the season, moving to the top of the league table with 10 points from four matches.
Nsimba’s double not only secured the victory but also bolstered his confidence as he looks to establish himself as a key figure in Craiova’s attacking line this season.
The 27-year-old’s performance will likely reassure fans and club officials alike that he is the right man to lead the line, especially after his time with Stade Lavallois in France.
In contrast, it was a disappointing outing for fellow Congolese striker Béni Nkololo and his Cluj teammates, who slumped to their second consecutive defeat. Despite fighting back with two goals late in the second half, the damage had already been done.
The loss underlines the challenges Cluj face in maintaining domestic form while juggling European commitments, and raises questions about their early-season consistency.
Nkololo, although involved, was unable to replicate the decisive impact of his counterpart and will be hoping to bounce back quickly to help his side recover from their slow start. With only four points from four matches, Cluj find themselves in 12th place in the standings, a position that hardly reflects the club’s usual top-tier ambitions.
The next round of fixtures sees Universitatea Craiova host Hermannstadt as they look to continue their impressive form. Meanwhile, Cluj will aim to halt their recent slide when they face Csikszereda. Both matches are scheduled for Sunday, August 10, offering each side another opportunity to build momentum as the season progresses.
Steven Nsimba’s brace and overall display were the highlight of a competitive encounter, underlining why Universitatea Craiova invested in his services.
If his early form is anything to go by, the Congolese striker could play a pivotal role in Craiova’s pursuit of silverware this campaign. For Cluj, the need for a swift response is growing more urgent as they seek to rediscover their rhythm before falling further behind in the title race.
