Nigerian Stars Shine Across European Leagues
Nigerian footballers continued to make their mark in various European leagues over the weekend, with several players scoring crucial goals and contributing significantly to their teams’ successes. From Turkey to England, Cyprus to France and Spain, the Super Eagles stars delivered impressive performances that kept fans engaged.
Turkey: A Mix of Success and Grief
In the Turkish Super Lig, Paul Onuachu continued his remarkable season by scoring his 17th goal of the campaign. Trabzonspor came from behind to defeat Gaziantep 2–1, with Onuachu’s goal pushing him ahead of Eldor Shomurodov in the Golden Boot race.
Wilfred Ndidi, who recently returned from Nigeria after his father’s passing, made a strong return to the field. He opened the scoring for Besiktas in their 4–0 victory over Goztepe, marking his second goal of the season. Despite being booked in the 15th minute, Ndidi’s performance was a testament to his resilience.
England: Goals and Comebacks
In the Premier League, Alex Iwobi played a pivotal role in Fulham’s 3–1 win over Sunderland. The former Wolves striker scored his third league goal of the season and provided an assist, helping end a three-game losing streak. His contributions included setting up Raul Jimenez’s goal and later scoring a penalty to seal the victory.
Calvin Bassey made his second start of the season, while Samuel Chukwueze missed the game due to injury. Chrisantus Uche was left out again as Crystal Palace secured a 1–0 win over Wolves, and Tolu Arokodare had a tough time, missing a crucial penalty that could have changed the outcome of the match.
Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi were part of Nottingham Forest’s 1–0 loss to Liverpool, with Aina involved in the build-up to the decisive goal. Awoniyi remains sidelined, having missed six consecutive matches.
Cyprus: Olayinka Scores First Goal Since October
Peter Olayinka, who joined APOEL as a free agent in January, made a significant impact in the Cypriot top flight. He came on as a substitute and scored the winning goal in the 81st minute, marking his first goal since October 2025. This was a welcome return to form for the Nigerian forward.
Francis Uzoho, however, did not feature in Omonia’s starting XI as they lost 1–0 to APOEL. Uzoho has only made one league appearance this season, with four others coming in the Conference League.
France: Nantes Secures Vital Win
Chidozie Awaziem had a solid 90-minute performance as Nantes secured their first win in six matches. They defeated Le Havre 2–0 at the Stade de la Beaujoire, with Awaziem playing a key role in the team’s defensive efforts. The win was crucial for Nantes’ survival hopes.
Spain: Sevilla and Valencia Deliver Strong Performances
Akor Adams played a crucial role in Sevilla’s 1–0 win over Getafe, providing the assist for the only goal of the match. His clever backheel found Djibril Sow, who finished past goalkeeper David Soria. Chidera Ejuke nearly doubled the lead but shot wide.
Umar Sadiq, who recently scored in a win over Levante, was given a rare start for Valencia as they faced Villarreal. His presence on the field was a positive sign for the team.
Conclusion
The weekend saw Nigerian players making a significant impact across Europe, with goals, assists, and strong performances. Whether in Turkey, England, Cyprus, France, or Spain, the Super Eagles stars continue to showcase their talent and determination on the international stage. Their contributions are vital for their respective clubs and serve as inspiration for fans across the continent.
