Swiss Super League: Bénie Traoré, Nigerian forward Otele lead FC Basel's thrashing of Yverdon

FC Basel superstars Philip Otele (center), Bénie Traoré (right) and Xherdan Shaqiri celebrate after a dominant victory. Photo Credit: FC Basel 1893

FC Basel are in a strong position in the Swiss Super League after Monday saw the 20-time Swiss champions finish the league's initial phase with a 5-0 thumping of Yverdon. Nigerian forward Philip Otele and Ivorian attacker Bénie Traoré each scored two goals with Traoré also providing an assist to club legend Xherdan Shaqiri.

Otele opened the scoring with a splendid first-time strike, curling his effort in to make it 1-0 in the 16th minute. The Yverdon defense was exposed on the second goal in the 27th minute when a pass from Traoré sent Shaqiri in on goal for a routine finish, a moment that began Yverdon's swift demise.

By halftime it was 4-0 in favor of hosts Basel with Traoré scoring twice, both on assists from Shaqiri. Otele completed the scoring in the second half before the hour mark with another curling finish from an assist by, of course, Shaqiri.

FC Basel are six points clear of second place Servette after 33 matches and now the league will split into two halves for the final phase of the season. Basel will play the other top-6 teams once, meaning five matches remain with the Swiss giants in a strong position.

Traoré and Otele continue to be Basel's African dynamic duo. Since joining from Sheffield United before the current season, Traoré now has 10 goals and 7 assists in 31 league appearances. 26-year-old forward Otele, who made his name in the top division of Lithuania and Romania, has 8 goals and 2 assists in 14 matches since joining midway through the season on loan from Emirati club Al Wahda.