Top Performing Nigerian Footballers Abroad Last Weekend: Osimhen, Onuachu, Others

Nigerian footballers delivered standout performances across Europe last weekend, with several Super Eagles stars playing key roles in victories and important draws for their clubs.

In Turkey, Victor Osimhen was on target again for Galatasaray, scoring his ninth league goal of the season in a commanding 3-0 win over Rizespor. The Nigerian striker sealed the victory in style, rounding the goalkeeper before finishing from a tight angle.

The goal took Osimhen’s tally to 52 for Galatasaray, moving him into fourth place among the club’s all-time foreign goal scorers, ahead of Bafetimbi Gomis. Only Milan Baros, Gheorghe Hagi and Mauro Icardi now sit above him in the rankings.

Earlier in his Turkish adventure, Osimhen made history by breaking the record for most goals scored by a foreign player in a single season and played a decisive role in Galatasaray’s Turkish Cup triumph over Trabzonspor. Despite an injury-hit start to the current campaign, he remains a major attacking threat for the Istanbul giants.

Paul Onuachu Bags Brace for Trabzonspor

Paul Onuachu continued his impressive scoring run with a brace in Trabzonspor’s 3-0 win over Samsunspor. The Super Eagles striker opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a towering header from an Ernest Muçi cross.

Although a second goal was ruled out by VAR earlier in the match, Onuachu had the final say late on, converting a low cross from Umut Nayir in the 81st minute to complete his double.

Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi put in another solid shift for Besiktas, playing the full 90 minutes in their 2-2 draw with Alanyaspor. The midfielder, who joined the Turkish side in the summer and was appointed vice-captain, continues to be a key figure in the team’s engine room.

Despite links with a return to the Premier League, Ndidi appears focused on his role at Besiktas, where he has already made 16 league appearances this season.

In Spain, Ademola Lookman retained his starting spot for Atletico Madrid against Real Betis after an eye-catching Copa del Rey outing. The Nigerian forward thought he had scored before halftime, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Although Atletico fell to a 1-0 defeat, Lookman’s recent performances suggest he is settling quickly into Diego Simeone’s side, adding pace and creativity to their attack.

At Sevilla, Nigerian duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke were both involved in their 1-1 home draw with Girona. Adams, who has scored three goals in his last four matches, started the game and was substituted in the 74th minute, while Ejuke came on at halftime to inject attacking energy.

A late strike from Kike Salas rescued a point for Sevilla after Girona had taken an early lead.

In Belgium, Raphael Onyedika delivered another composed midfield display as Club Brugge secured a convincing 3-0 win over Standard Liege. The Nigerian played the full match as Brugge kept their championship ambitions alive.

Onyedika’s consistency has been vital this season, with the club also preparing for a UEFA Champions League knockout clash against Atletico Madrid.

Moses Simon featured for Paris FC in their 0-0 draw with Auxerre as he continues his search for a first league goal since November. In Italy, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru came off the bench for Lazio in their clash with Juventus, gaining more minutes after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In England, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made several saves for Brighton Women, though her side suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to West Ham United.