From Europe’s elite leagues to emerging teams around the globe, a few Nigerian footballers rose above the rest. These standout athletes didn’t just participate , they dominated and took charge. With relentless drive, unshakable passion, and undeniable talent, they lit up stadiums and played decisive roles in their teams’ title-winning campaigns. Their success is yet another powerful testament to Nigeria’s enduring legacy of producing world-class football talent.
Victor Osimhen: Nigeria’s Relentless Goal Machine And Global Champion ( Galatasaray (Turkey)
After spearheading Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades, Victor Osimhen added yet another jewel to his crown by firing Galatasaray to the 2024/25 Turkish Süper Lig title, a feat that marked the club’s 25th league triumph and their first domestic double since 2019. On loan from Napoli, the Nigerian forward was simply unstoppable, netting 25 goals in the league and 36 in all competitions, reaffirming his status as one of the most lethal strikers in world football.
Osimhen’s impact in Turkey was historic. His stunning brace in the Turkish Cup final shattered Mario Jardel’s long-standing record, making him the highest-scoring foreign player in a single season in Turkish football history, a testament to his unyielding hunger for goals and greatness.
Born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Osimhen’s rise to the top has been anything but ordinary. He began his professional career in Germany with VfL Wolfsburg in 2017, but it was a loan move to Belgian side Charleroi in 2018–19 that served as his breakout moment. His 20-goal haul that season earned him a transfer to Lille in Ligue 1, where he scored 18 goals in just one campaign catching the attention of European giants.
In 2020, Osimhen made a blockbuster move to Napoli for a then-club record fee of €80 million, becoming the most expensive African footballer at the time. His Serie A journey saw a meteoric rise. After winning the Serie A Best Young Player award in 2021–22, he went on to make history the following season by scoring 26 league goals—the highest ever by an African player in a single Serie A campaign. His goals powered Napoli to their long-awaited scudetto, and he was deservedly crowned Serie A Best Striker and later named the Serie A Footballer of the Year.
Osimhen is now the highest-scoring African player in Serie A history, eclipsing legends before him. But his achievements go far beyond club football.
He first caught global attention after winning the Golden Boot at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he led Nigeria to victory with a record-breaking 10 goals. He made his senior international debut in 2017 and has since become a key figure for the Super Eagles, playing at both the 2019 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the final in the latter edition. With Nigeria’s second-highest all-time goal tally, Osimhen continues to chase records on the international stage.
In 2023, he achieved a groundbreaking milestone, finishing eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings, the first Nigerian ever to break into the top 10 of the prestigious award. That same year, he was crowned African Footballer of the Year at the CAF Awards, ending a 24-year wait for Nigeria since Nwankwo Kanu’s triumph in 1999.
Victor Osimhen is more than just a striker. He is a symbol of determination, resilience, and excellence. A generational talent, a trailblazer for African football, and a true ambassador for Nigeria on the global stage.
Christy Ucheibe – SL Benfica (Portugal)
Christy Ucheibe continued her historic run with SL Benfica, securing her fifth consecutive Liga BPI title and fourth straight Portuguese League Cup (Taça da Liga) win. The Super Falcons’ midfielder played a key role throughout the season, scoring in the title-clinching game and anchoring Benfica’s midfield with her tactical brilliance and physical presence.
At just 23, Ucheibe has become one of the most successful Nigerian players in European women’s football history. She began her professional career with the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) side Nasarawa Amazons in the 2018 season.
She secured a move to Portuguese club Benfica in 2020, where she signed a 3 1⁄2-year deal.
Ucheibe was selected for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. In the last tournament, she played three matches from the start.
She was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and in 2023, she was included in the 23-player Nigerian squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She is currently on duty with the Super Falcons at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2025) in Morocco.
Peter Olayinka – Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)
Peter Olayinka added to his impressive European trophy cabinet by winning the Serbian SuperLiga with Red Star Belgrade. Known for his versatility and attacking instincts, Olayinka played a crucial part in another dominant season for Serbia’s most successful club.
This adds to the winger’s earlier success in the Czech Republic with Slavia Prague, reinforcing his reputation as a consistent winner across multiple leagues.
The 29-year-old Nigerian forward started his career with (Baba Boss) in Ibadan before joining Albanian side, Bylis in January 2012, where he initially joined the club’s under-19s due to being just 17 at the time.
He was promoted to the senior team under Agim Canaj during the 2012–13 season, and made his professional debut on October 20, 2012 in a Kategoria Superiore game against Luftëtari, in which he came on as a substitute. In 2018, Slavia Prague signed Olayinka on a four-year contract from Gent for €3.2 million.
He moved to his current team Red Star Belgrade in January 2023.
Olayinka made his Super Eagles debut in September 2019, in an international friendly match between Nigeria and Brazil. He has since made four appearances for the Nigerian national team.
David Cobnan – Krasnodar (Russia)
David Cobnan won the 2024–25 Russian Premier League title with Krasnodar, where he played a key role in their historic triumph.
This marked the first league title in the club’s 17-year history.
Krasnodar entered the final day of the season with 64 points, holding a narrow one-point lead over closest rivals Zenit Saint Petersburg.
To secure the championship, krasnodar needed a win against visiting Dinamo Moscow, and they delivered, cruising to a 3-0 victory.
Cobnan came off the bench in the 78th minute, making his 25th league appearance of the season, during which he recorded four goals and one assist.
Zenit also finished their campaign with a 3-0 home win over Akhmat Grozny, but it wasn’t enough to overtake Krasnodar.
Since joining Krasnodar in January 2023, Cobnan has been vital to their success story. His key goals including a late winner against Rostov and an early strike against FC Dynamo Makhachkala — underscored his impact throughout the season.
The 22-year-old’s standout performances earned him a contract extension through June 2028.
Cobnan’s contributions were central to this historic success, solidifying his status as a key figure in the club’s ascent to the top of Russian football.
Anderson Esiti & Tosin Kehinde – Ferencváros (Hungary)
Nigerian midfielders, Anderson Esiti and Tosin Kehinde, were part of the Ferencváros squad that lifted the 2024/25 Hungarian NBI title under the management of Robbie Keane.
The duo contributed significantly to the club’s midfield depth and overall balance during a commanding league campaign.
Their contributions helped Ferencváros maintain domestic dominance and secure yet another place in European competition for the coming season.B
Born on May 24, 1994, in Warri, Delta State, Esiti took his first steps in football with Bobbies United.
In 2012, he made his trip to Europe to join Leixões. After a few games with the second-string team, he was promoted to the senior side of the club, and played 45 matches.
His overall performance caught the eye of José Mário Branco, the technical director of Estoril at the time and they signed him. He played there for two seasons, featuring in 57 appearances.
He established himself as one of the leading midfielders in the league and attracted interest from various clubs around Europe.
Eventually, he signed with Gent and made a total of 95 appearances in all competitions.
In February 2022, Esiti moved to Hungarian club Ferencváros and in May 2023, he won the 2022–23 Nemzeti Bajnokság with Ferencváros, after Kecskemét lost 1–0 to Honvéd at the Bozsik Aréna on the 30th match-day.
His teammate and countryman, Tosin Kehinde, began his football career with the Manchester United Academy at the age of 13.
His contract expired in June 2018, and he was linked with a transfer to a number of clubs across Europe as well as in England.
In 2023, Kehinde signed for Hungarian club Ferencváros, where he and Esiti won the 2023–24 league championship with the club.
Kehinde is eligible to represent either Nigeria or England at international level, but he announced his intention to represent Nigeria.
Hamza Muhammad Sani – Ħamrun Spartans (Malta)
In the Maltese Premier League, Hamza Muhammad Sani celebrated a league title with Ħamrun Spartans as the club emerged champions in the 2024/25 season.
The Nigerian midfielder played a vital role in the heart of midfield, helping the team navigate a competitive season and clinch the top spot.
Hamza’s success in Malta continues the tradition of Nigerian players making their mark in lesser-publicised European leagues.
He is a a formidable presence on the field, known for his skills and contributions to Hamrun Spartans, as well as his dedication to the sport.
A valuable asset for both his club and national team, Hamza continues to make an impact in every match.
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