As the curtains draw on the 2023/24 European football season, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances of Nigerian footballers who have graced the continent’s pitches with their skill and dedication.
In this comprehensive piece, penned by Completesports.com‘s ADEBOYE AMOSU, we delve into the remarkable journeys of 10 Nigerian players who have left an indelible mark on the European football landscape.
1. VICTOR BONIFACE (BAYER LEVERKUSEN)
The 23-year-old joined Bayer Leverkusen from the Belgian Pro League outfit Union St Gilloise last summer.
The powerful forward made positive contributions to Die Werkself’s title success, the first in the club’s history, despite missing a chunk of the campaign due to an adductor injury.
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Boniface has scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists in 30 appearances across all competitions for Xabi Alonso’s side this season to merit a spot among the outstanding Nigerian footballers in Europe this term.
He could win a treble with Bayer Leverkusen, already in the final of the DFB Pokal and the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League.
2. VICTOR OSIMHEN (NAPOLI)
Despite Napoli enduring an underwhelming campaign, Victor Osimhen has maintained his status as the team’s most important player.
The 25-year-old has contributed 16 goals and four assists in 29 appearances this term.
3. CYRIEL DESSERS (RANGERS)
Despite criticism from a section of the Rangers fans, the former Feyenoord man has continued to thrive in his first season at Ibrox and hogging the headlines as one of the most resourceful Nigerian footballers in Europe this season.
Dessers has netted 20 times across all competitions for the Gers.
The striker is in line to win a double with the Light Blues, who are in a two-horse race for the Scottish Premiership title with rivals Celtic.
Phillipe Clement’s side will also face Celtic in the final of the Scottish Cup next month.
4. ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (ATALANTA)
The talented winger has enjoyed another successful campaign for Serie A club Atalanta after a stellar showing last term.
Lookman has registered 11 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances across all competitions for La Dea this season.
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The 26-year-old could finish the season with a silverware with Atalanta already in the final of the Italian Cup where they will face Juventus.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are also in the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League.
5. ALEX IWOBI (FULHAM)
The 27-year-old versatile midfielder has been one of the top performers for Premier League club Fulham this season.
Iwobi has registered six goals and two assists in 32 outings for the Whites this term.
6. WILFRED NDIDI (LEICESTER CITY)
Wilfred Ndidi’s contribution to Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League cannot be underestimated.
Manager Enzo Maresca has converted Ndidi to a more attacking role, and the former KRC Genk player rewarded the Italian with four goals in 31 games, his most prolific campaign since linking up with the Foxes in January 2017.
7. TEREM MOFFI (OGC NICE)
The 24-year-old has once again underlined his status as one of the leading marksmen in the French top-flight.
Moffi already has 11 goals and two assists to his name this season and has merited a spot in this standout Nigerian footballers rollcall.
8. PAUL ONUACHU (TRABZONSPOR)
The lanky loaner hitman, who struggled at his parent club, Southampton, is enjoying a new lease of life at Turkish Super Lig outfit, Trabzonspor.
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In 21 matches this season, Onuachu has registered 12 goals and four assists.
9. CALVIN BASSEY (FULHAM)
Calvin Bassey had a torrid spell at Eredivisie giants Ajax last season. A move to Fulham has revitalized the versatile defender.
After a slow start at Craven Cottage, the 24-year-old has earned the trust of manager Marco Silva and is already a regular at the club.
He has scored once in 27 league appearances.
10. BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL (FENERBAHCE)
The right-back is one of the reasons Fenerbahce area challenging for the Turkish Super Lig title this season.
The former Queens Park Rangers star has not only been solid in defense but has also been a reliable attacking outlet.
He has netted three goals and six assists in 35 appearances across all competitions to earn a recognition as one of the outstanding Nigerian footballers in Europe for 2023/2024 season.
7 Comments
Rubbish where is Nathan tella he is supposed to be the second if not the first. Anyway this amosu is something else
Expand that number to 20 and you still would not find a product of the NPFL in the last 10 years….!!!
Expand the number to 20 and the timescale to the last 5 european seasons and i can bet you’ll still not find any product of the NFPL in the last 10 years
Yes….I said so…! European seasons
Expand that number to 20 and you still would not find a product of the NPFL in the last 10 years…!!!
Expand the number to 20 and the timescale to the last 5 seasons and I can bet you’ll still not find any product of the NFPL in the last 10 years
Yes…I said so…!
We need to deliberately start a project to discover and intentionally train midfielders especially attacking midfielders. This I suppose should get more focus as we currently have strikers and probably defenders too aplenty
Yes I agree with you on this @Anetimd. The SE midfield is the weakest link of the squad. We need a decent attacking midfielder, who can link play with a range of short, and long diagonal and defence splitting passes to our forwards. We have world class attackers like the 2 Victors- Boniface and Osimhen, who need to be fed with good passes to do damage to the opposition.
Frank Onyeka is good in Defensive midfield role with his energy, strength and drive. We need another strong defensive midfielder and a strong, creative attacking midfielder who can do quick links and hold the ball with good dribbling ability when necessary.
Orban fits that role you eloquently described. No one will look his way all because he has no Godfather to bribe the corrupt officials on his behalf. if you think that Finidi did not bribe his way before the rookie coach got the nod, l have a big Ovia bridge to sell you. Amuneke could not afford to bribe because he has been jobless for so long. They were doing what they do best, hocking the coaching position all over the internet. They gave the position to the highest bidder who happen to be Finidi George.
Rubbish write-up. Is that what you were cooking up in your tainted brain. Has amuneke come begging for food that you come here and call him jobless. Sometimes i wonder what some of you smoke before coming on this platform to exhibit your stupidity.