European football is back in full swing after the World Cup break and winter break with the major leagues back in action.
Over the weekend, Nigeria internationals gave good accounts of themselves with outstanding displays and Afrosport ranks the country’s stars who are making huge waves across Europe.
Victor Osimhen: Napoli
In July 2020, Victor Osimhen sealed a move to Italian side Napoli for a club record fee of around €80 million with add-ons, making him the most expensive African transfer to date.
The transfer raised many eyebrows as he had only played one full season in an European top-five league with French Ligue 1 club Lille.
The 24-year-old seemed to have put all the noise behind him with a series of breathtaking performances for the Partenopei across the two-and-a-half years he’s spent with the club, reaching double figures in goals in every season so far.
However, his form in the ongoing 2022–23 season makes him one of the most feared and sought-after strikers in world football, as he leads the list of goal scorers in Serie A with 12 goals in 14 appearances.
The former U-17 star has 13 goals and three assists across 17 games for Napoli this season, becoming the Nigerian with the most goals in the Italian top flight with 34 goals. He is also on course to become Africa’s highest goalscorer in Italy, as he is just 13 goals behind Liberian legend George Weah.
Paul Onuachu: Genk
Arguably Nigeria’s most consistent and prolific striker in Europe, Paul Onuachu’s goal scoring prowess is as impressive as they come.
The lanky striker has netted 14 times in the 17 appearances for Racing Club Genk in the Belgian Pro League this season, and he currently has 15 goals in 20 games in all competitions.
Onuachu won the top scorer and best player awards in the Belgian Pro League in the 2020–21 season, where he finished with 33 goals and 5 assists.
The 28-year-old bagged 21 league goals last season, and he is on course to pass the 20-goal mark this season if he continues in his hot form and barring any injuries.
The former Midtjylland striker’s goals have been instrumental to Genk’s season, as they currently sit atop the Belgian first division with 52 points, seven in front of their closest opponent.
Terem Moffi: Lorient
Born in Calabar, Cross River, Terem Moffi signed for French club Lorient in October 2020 after a short but impressive spell with Belgian club K.V. Kortrijk, where he scored five goals in eleven games across two seasons.
Moffi bagged 15 goals in all competitions for Lorient in his first season, but his 12 goals in 18 league games this season are what have kept him in the prying eyes of bigger teams.
The 23-year-old is tied for second in Ligue 1 with Canada’s Jonathan David, and is only one goal behind French and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Lorient presently occupy the seventh spot in the French top league, and if they are to go any further, they will have to convince Moffi to stay, with reports showing that Premier League side West Ham have tendered a £25 million bid for him.
Chuba Akpom: Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom continues the long list of Nigerians impressing across Europe.
The 27-year-old is the leading goal scorer in the English Second Division with 13 goals and an assist in 20 games, including a stunning hat trick in a Boxing Day game against Wigan.
The former Arsenal striker has four goals in as many games in the league for Boro who are currently fourth and continue the push for promotion to the Premier League.
Josh Maja: Bordeaux
Bordeaux striker Josh Maja leads the list of prolific scorers in the French second division this season with 11 goals from 19 games.
The former Sunderland forward has netted four goals in his last three games for Bordeaux, including a first-half penalty against Amiens last Friday.
Maja enjoyed his best goal scoring season with the Black Cats in English League One in the 2018-19 season, when he scored 15 league goals in 24 matches.
However, he is expected to shatter the record this season while hoping to lead ”The Pearl of Aquitaine”, who are second on the Ligue 2 standings behind Le Havre, back to French Division 1.
Ademola Lookman: Atalanta
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman was born on October 20, 1997, in South London to Nigerian parents. Having represented England across the youth teams, he switched to the Super Eagles in February 2022.
Lookman is tied for the second most goals in the Italian Serie A with 9 goals, behind country teammate Victor Osimhen, confirming Nigeria’s dominance in the league.
The 25-year-old has three goals in his last three league games, and his brace in Sunday’s thrashing of Salernitana continued his fine run of form in front of goal.
Albeit known for being heavy scorers, the black and blues have struggled in front of goal this season with 34 goals in 18 games, with Lookman contributing to about 35% of the goals with his combined tally of 12 goals and assists.
