Nigerians all over the world are known for their hard work and excellence. This remains the case in the world of football as well. Some Nigerian football players have taken Europe by storm this season.
They are playing their best football and having the season of their lives. It’s a shame the AFCON is not scheduled to hold until next year.
Their current form would have made a huge case for their selection. Imagine them carrying their red-hot form into the competition?
Who are these players anyway and where do they play? Sit back as we give you the gist of the hottest Nigerian football players in Europe this season.
Ebere Paul Onuachu
First on the list is Paul Onuachu who plays as a forward for Belgian club Genk in the Jupiler Pro League. Born in Owerri on 28 May 1994, the Nigerian is only 26 years old.
The striker joined Genk from FC Midtjylland in the summer window of the 2019-20 season for a reported six million Euros fee. But due to his recent heroics, he is now valued at 17 million Euros according to transfermarkt
Onuachu has scored 34 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions this season. He has 30 league goals, two AFCON qualifiers goals and two goals in the Belgian Cup games which his side won this season.
Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo
Known simply as Simy, he is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Crotone.
He was born on the 7th May 1992, in Onitsha. Signed by Crotone in July 2016, he has 63 goals for the club in 148 appearances.
He’s had a prolific season so far with only Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku ahead of him in the Serie A goal standings.
However, despite his goals, his side are set to be relegated once again this season as they currently sit bottom of the Serie A table.
The 28-year-old striker has not played for the Super Eagles since the 2018 World Cup in Russia but will be looking for a call up due to his season’s form.
Also read:
- Simy Sets Spectacular Serie A Record
- Gernot Rohr Names Super Eagles Provisional Squad For Friendly
- Oshoala Sets New Record In Barcelona Win Over Chelsea
Kelechi promise Iheanacho
Iheanacho alias Senior man is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Leicester City.
Born on the 3rd of October 1996, he is presently 24 years old. Despite not being a regular starter for most part of the season, Iheanacho is having his most prolific season of his club career notching 17 goals so far and five assists as well in all competitions.
His goals included a hat-trick against Sheffield United in the Premier League. Iheanacho also helped Leicester City knock out Manchester United and qualify for the FA Cup final where they are set to face Chelsea.
He is currently the highest goal scorer at the club this season in all competitions, two goals ahead of Jamie Vardy who has 15 goals.
Terem Moffi
Teremas “Terem” Igobor Moffi is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 side FC Lorient.
He was born 25 May 1999 in Calabar. He signed with the French side on October 1st 2020. Moffi had never played in any of Europe’s top five leagues until this year. This makes his 15 goals in 31 appearances all the more applaudable.
His 14 league goals this season has seen him equal the record for the highest number of goals scored by a Nigerian in Ligue 1 which was set by Victor Ikpeba with Monaco in 1997/98.
With three matches left to play, the Nigerian would be hoping to break the record as well as keep his side out of relegation as they are currently 17th on the log.
Umar Sadiq Mesbah
Sadiq plays as a forward for Spanish club UD Almería in the segunda division. He was born in Kaduna on the 2nd of February 1997.
He represents the Nigeria national under-23 team and was amongst the squad that won bronze at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The forward has 20 goals in all competitions so far this season having featured in 38 appearances.
His goals have fired the club into third place in the LaLiga SmartBank and have them dreaming of promotion.
Which of these Nigerian football players based in Europe do you think deserves a call up to the National Team for the AFCON? Let us know in the comment section.
Enjoyed the article? Share with others as well. Stay in the know, follow us on Twitter @punditgist.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.