AFCON 2025
A couple of Nigerian players put on a good show for their respective European clubs over the weekend as the football season nears its tail end.
Alex Iwobi and Christantus Uche put up fantastic performances while Moses Simon continues his imperious form for Nantes in the Ligue 1.
Unfortunately, Paul Onuachu and Joseph Aribo will probably play in the Championship next season after Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League.
This post takes a look at the performances of Nigerian players abroad over the weekend.
1. Alex Iwobi
The Super Eagles midfielder wrote his name in the history books as he became the first Nigerian player to reach 30+ goals and 30+ assists in the history of the Premier League. Alex Iwobi scored a goal and provided an assist as Fulham came from a goal down to beat Liverpool 3-2 at Craven Cottage on Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off. The 28-year-old powered a left-footed strike into the roof of the net to give Fulham the lead and provided the assist to Rodrigo Muniz’s goal as the Cottagers secured maximum points over the Reds. Alex Iwobi is having a fantastic season, and he is in contention to be nominated for one or more of the Premier League awards at the end of the season. Iwobi has eight goals and five assists for Fulham so far in the league.
2. Chrisantus Uche
Despite missing out on Eric Chelle’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers squad in March, the Getafe midfielder has continued to impress for Getafe in the Spanish La Liga. Chrisantus Uche had another commendable display over the weekend as he provided two assists in Getafe’s 4-0 win at Real Villadolid on Sunday afternoon. Uche provided the assist to Mauro Arambarri’s opener and Ramon Terrats’ goal as he doubled Getafe’s lead within 20 minutes. The 22-year-old midfielder has three goals and five assists in 28 matches for Getafe in the La Liga this season.
3. Moses Simon
The Super Eagles winger is in pole position to win “Best Dribbler of the Year” – a recently created award in the French Ligue 1. Moses Simon is leading the race to win the award with over 56 successful dribbles this season. The Super Eagles winger provided an assist in Nantes’ 2-1 win away at Nice on Friday evening. Simon has seven goals and nine assists in 26 matches for Nantes in the Ligue 1 so far this season.
4. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
The Super Eagles midfielder had a good performance for Lazio in the narrow win at Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta on Sunday evening. Dele-Bashiru started in midfield and provided the assist to the only goal of the match. Gustav Isaksen scored nine minutes into the second half as Lazio secured maximum points at Bergamo.
5. Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu
Super Eagles duo Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu will probably play in the English Championship next season after Southampton was relegated from the Premier League following the loss at Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. Aribo and Onuachu featured in the 3-1 defeat as their place in the second tier of English football got confirmed. Onuachu currently has four goals and an assist in 21 matches for the Saints, while Aribo registered three goals in 30 league matches.
