Another exciting match week has passed and once again, Super Eagles players continue to make headlines across Europe’s top leagues.
From the English Premier League to La Liga, Serie A, and the Turkish Super Lig, here’s how our Nigerian stars performed.
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
Victor Boniface celebrates scoring. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
The Forward was Bayer Leverkusen’s stand out star in their resounding 4-1 victory over TSG Hoffenheim.
Returning from international duty where he didn’t find the back of the net, Boniface silenced any doubters with a Man of the Match performance.
The forward scored twice and provided an assist in a masterclass display.
His compatriot, Nathan Tella, also started the match but was substituted after 57 minutes, while Boniface was replaced in the 86th minute after leaving an unforgettable mark on the game.
Now having four goal involvements this season, Boniface will look to carry his hot form into Bayer’s next UEFA Champions League tie against Feyenoord.
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Nathaniel Clyne against Wilfred Ndidi (R) during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Leicester City FC at Selhurst Park. (Photo by Alexander Canillas/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Wilfred Ndidi was a creative force for Leicester City in their dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw against Crystal Palace.
Known for his defensive role, Ndidi took on a new role as an attacking midfielder, and it paid off beautifully.
He provided two assists, both crucial in giving the Foxes an early 2-0 lead. Ndidi combined effortlessly with Jamie Vardy for the first goal and continued to pull the strings in midfield until Crystal Palace clawed their way back into the game with a brace from Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Ndidi’s two assists have now taken him past the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha’s 10 Premier League assists, with Ndidi boasting 12 in total.
However, Nwankwo Kanu still holds the crown for the most Premier League assists by a Nigerian player with 33, while Alex Iwobi is the highest active Nigerian player in this regard.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Victor Osimhen. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
In Turkey, Victor Osimhen made his much-anticipated debut for Galatasaray in their 5-0 demolition of Rizespor.
Although Osimhen didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, he played a vital role, providing an assist for Galatasaray’s second goal after initially being credited with the goal himself.
Osimhen was involved in several dangerous moments, showing glimpses of his lethal instincts despite the final touch eluding him.
With his full 90-minute debut performance Galatasaray fans have plenty to look forward to, and his first goal in the Super Lig seems only a matter of time.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
Darwin Nunez competing with Ola Aina during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ola Aina put in a defensive masterclass as Nottingham Forest stunned Liverpool with a 1-0 victory at Anfield, their first win at the iconic stadium since 1969.
Aina was impeccable at the back, completing all 23 of his passes, winning three tackles, and delivering crucial clearances to help secure a historic win.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed, with fans and pundits hailing him as one of the Premier League’s underrated gems.
One fan even tweeted, “If you watched Ola Aina today against Liverpool, you’d see how criminally underrated he is. What a player!”
Well, it is no news and Aina is easily in the top ten of best fullbacks at the moment.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Ademola Lookman skips past a challenge from Lucas Martinez Quarta during the Serie A match between Atalanta and Fiorentina at Gewiss Stadium. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Ademola Lookman continued his bid for CAF Player of the Year with another breathtaking performance for Atalanta in their 3-2 win over Fiorentina.
Lookman scored and provided an assist in a dazzling display.
Receiving a long-range pass, he danced past defenders before slotting in a superb right-footed shot just before halftime.
His assist for Mateo Retegui earlier in the game was equally impressive, as he dictated the flow of the match and earned the Man of the Match award.
This will be his first league game of the season with Atalanta and he started on a good note with a goal an assist and a man of the match award.
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers)
Cyriel Dessers celebrates during the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Dundee FC. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
In the Scottish Premiership, Cyriel Dessers registered his first assist of the season as Rangers cruised to a 2-0 win over Dundee United.
Having already scored three goals this season, Dessers continues to be a pivotal player for Rangers, although he was substituted in the 65th minute.
Leon Balogun remained an unused substitute in the game as Rangers bounced back from their recent defeat to Celtic.
Frank Onyeka (Augsburg)
Augsburg’s Frank Onyeka reacts. (Photo by Harry Langer/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Frank Onyeka made a memorable debut for Augsburg, providing a brilliant assist in their 2-0 win over Darmstadt.
Onyeka, making his first appearance since joining Jess Thorup’s men from Premier League side Brentford for the season, assisted Tietz in the 66th minute to double the home side’s advantage.
Onyeka’s had a decent game winning nine of his 11 duels, completing 100% of his aerial challenges, and attempting five tackles, the Nigerian midfielder made a strong first impression in the Bundesliga.
Moses Simon (Nantes)
Moses Simon during the Ligue 1 match between Nantes and Reims. (Photo by Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Moses Simon continued to showcase his creative flair for Nantes in their narrow 3-2 defeat to Reims.
Simon provided an assist, while also completing six successful dribbles and delivering six key passes throughout the match.
Though Nantes were unable to snatch a result, Simon’s influence on the game remained undeniable, adding to his tally of two goals and one assist for the season.
Nigerian players continue to represent the nation with pride across Europe’s top leagues.
As we await the next international break in October, many of these stars will be looking to secure their spots in the Super Eagles squad, while others aim to break into the team with their standout performances.
