Some Nigerian players have been painting Europe red with goals while those saddled with the sole responsibility of preventing goals are not doing badly either. David Kabiyesi x-rays seven Nigerian players that are on a roller-coaster for their clubs this year.
1. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
For a player who dribbled his way past poverty and horned his skills in wasteland kick-about, Victor Osimhen is regarded as the hottest property in Europe at the moment with Manchester United and Chelsea ready to break the bank and pay over £200m to lure him to England next summer.
This Super Eagkes’ “weapon of mass destruction” has continued to bang in goals for Napoli this season with 16 goals from 17 matches with 3 assists. Indeed, other African national team coaches will be turning their heads with envy when the AFCON qualifier gets underway.
2. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Once criticized by his detractors for not settling down to business when he joined Atalanta, the thick-skinned, self-willed Lookman has turned that criticism around in his favor after he rediscovered his scoring mojo in the Italian Serie A. Lookman is regarded as Super Eagles’ weapon of mass destruction 2 behind Osimhen after scoring 12 goals in 21 matches with four assists.
3. Terem Moffi (Lorient)
This stoned-faced striker has been firing in all cylinders for Lorient this season with 12 goals from 20 matches. The former Kortrijk forward combines hard work with versatility full of common sense in the box and his positioning off the ball is top-notch.
4. Chuba Akpom (Middlesbrough)
Overlooked by past Super Eagles gaffers, Akpom has worked his back to the hearts of Nigeria’s manager, Jose Peseiro after scoring 16 goals from 22 matches in the Championship. The former Arsenal star is seriously pushing for a place in the overcrowded Super Eagles attack.
5. Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)
In what looks like a terrible start for Leicester City given their worst performance since gaining promotion to English Premier League, the team is gradually turning things around thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s natural penalty-area predatory instinct coupled with his all hustle, bustle, and incisiveness lately. He was on song in Foxes’ 4-1 win over Spurs, making it his second straight goal in two matches. He may have scored 3 goals in the EPL so far, but he still fits into Super Eagles’ top seven players this year.
6. Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
With 4 goals in 22 matches so far, one can argue that this towering striker has not live-up to his price tag this season but his work rate and overall commitment towards Nottingham’s cause to stay afloat at the end of the season is highly commendable. When he doesn’t score, he paves way for others.
7. Zaidu Sanusi ( FC Porto)
The dark-skinned defender is arguably the most in-form Super Eagles defender in Europe this year with 12 appearances to his credit after an injury setback.
