Nigerian Stars Shine: Simon, Osimhen, Lookman Impress; Onumonu Makes History

It was a stellar weekend for Nigerian footballers across Europe, with impressive performances and milestones.

• Moses Simon stole the spotlight in France, scoring a stunning solo goal for Nantes against Rennes. Simon weaved past three defenders before unleashing an unstoppable strike, bringing his tally to four goals and four assists in 13 Ligue 1 matches.
• Ademola Lookman continued his fine form in Italy, netting a late goal for Atalanta in their victory, earning the Man of the Match accolade. Lookman now boasts eight goals and four assists in 12 Serie A games.
• Victor Osimhen, on loan at Galatasaray, converted a penalty in their 3-2 win over Sivasspor. He has contributed 10 goals (scored and assisted) in nine Turkish Super Lig matches.
• In England, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey put in solid performances for Fulham in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal, while Wilfred Ndidi suffered an injury during Leicester City’s 4-3 loss to Brighton.
• Ola Aina made history with Nottingham Forest, helping them secure their first win at Manchester United in 30 years with a strong defensive display.
• In Scotland, Cyriel Dessers registered an assist in Rangers’ 3-0 win, complemented by a solid defensive effort from Leon Balogun. Nathan Tella impressed for Bayer Leverkusen, though his goal was ruled out by VAR.
• Ifeoma Onumonu made history, becoming the first Nigerian to score against France in the Super Falcons’ 2-1 loss. She also scored in her club’s match against Dijon, marking her sixth consecutive goal for club and country.
• Rinsola Babajide was on target again, scoring for Tenerife in their 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid, making it two consecutive goals for her.

Nigerian players continue to prove their mettle in top-flight football, with standout performances and historic achievements across Europe.

Editorial

The success of Nigerian players abroad highlights their immense talent and adaptability across various leagues. From Moses Simon’s brilliance in France to Ifeoma Onumonu’s historic feats, these performances inspire fans and emphasize Nigeria’s footballing prowess.

While individual brilliance steals the headlines, these achievements also showcase the importance of consistent development and opportunities for Nigerian footballers globally. With each milestone, these players not only represent themselves but also elevate the profile of Nigerian football.

Did You Know?

1. Moses Simon has been involved in eight Ligue 1 goals (four goals and four assists) this season.
2. Ademola Lookman has scored in five of his last seven Serie A matches for Atalanta.
3. Victor Osimhen’s loan spell at Galatasaray has seen him contribute to more goals than any other player in his first nine matches for the club.
4. Ola Aina’s contribution to Nottingham Forest’s historic win marked their first victory at Old Trafford since 1994.
5. Ifeoma Onumonu’s goal against France was the first scored by a Nigerian woman against the European powerhouse.