As the 2023/24 season nears its end, PUNCH Sports Extra examines Nigerian players who have made 10 or more goal contributions for their respective clubs. While some of them have led their clubs to memorable victories, others are struggling to survive and maintain their status, according to EBENEZER BAJELA
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
Undoubtedly, Boniface has been Nigeria’s top player globally this season.
The 23-year-old has been in outstanding form for Bayer Leverkusen, leading the Die Werkself to their first-ever league title in their 120-year history.
Despite missing more than three months of action due to an abductor injury, no Nigerian has more goal contributions than the Akure-born striker. His 28-goal contribution (18 goals and 10 assists) already puts him in the running for the CAF 2024 Men’s Player of The Year award.
After sealing the German league title, Boniface and his teammates are still competing for the German Cup and Europa League titles and remain the only unbeaten team in Europe.
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers)
Interestingly, Dessers ranks second among Nigerian players with the highest number of goal contributions.
The 29-year-old took time to win over the passionate Rangers fans after his summer move from Cremonese in Italy, but there will be few doubters left after his clinical double against Hearts on Sunday helped propel his side to the final of the Scottish Cup to set up an exciting clash with eternal rivals Celtic United.
In his first 20 games for Rangers, the 29-year-old managed to score three times but has been able to turn the tide since the start of the year.
With 19 goals and eight assists, Dessers boasts the second-best goal contributions by any Nigerian player abroad.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Although not his best season by his standards, Osimhen remains one of the most prolific forwards in Europe.
The 25-year-old’s season has been marred by a series of injuries and international commitments, yet the Super Eagles striker has managed to contribute 15 goals and four assists, a total of 19-goal contributions so far this season.
Osimhen was in outstanding form in the 2022/23 season, scoring 26 goals in 32 Serie A games and 31 goals across all competitions to help Napoli claim the league title for the first time in 33 years. Despite losing the league title to Inter Milan this season, the Nigerian is joint-third on the scorers chart in the Serie A.
Only Lautaro Martinez (23) and Dusan Vlahovic (16) have scored more goals than Osimhen in the Italian topflight league this season.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
One of the outstanding performers in the Serie A this season, Lookman has 15-goal contributions for Atalanta as they continue their quest to secure a place in Europe next season.
The former Leicester City man has been consistent since moving to Italy two seasons ago and has established himself as one of the top players in the Italian Serie A.
Despite playing just 2,157 minutes out of a possible 3,150 minutes across 35 matches, the 26-year-old has scored nine goals and provided six assists.
After getting two assists in Atalanta’s 2-1 victory over Monza on Sunday, Lookman became only the fifth player to score over 20 goals and provide over 10 assists since last season in Serie A, following Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli, Raphael Leão of AC Milan, Paulo Dybala of Roma, and Olivier Giroud of Milan.
This is definitely the best season of his career, especially after being rejected by several English clubs and German team Leipzig. However, Atalanta took their rough, unpolished talent and transformed him into a valuable asset.
Tolu Arokodare plays for Genk.
In a season that has been relatively tough for Genk, Arokodare has stood out as one of the best players for the club in the Belgium Jupiler Pro League so far.
The 1.97m tall forward has scored 14 goals and provided three assists.
Although the goals have slowed down for the Genk forward, with only two goals in his last 10 matches, he still remains one of the top performers in goal conversion in the country.
Terem Moffi plays for Nice.
With 12 goals in 25 games, Moffi has proven to be one of the most effective strikers in the French Ligue1.
The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals in Ligue 1 and is tied for seventh place in the scorers’ charts with Kylian Mbappe, who leads with 24 goals.
Moffi has a chance to finish among the top three goal-scorers in the league with eight matches left in the season if his recent form continues. He has scored four goals in the last six games.
Peter Olayinka plays for Red Star Belgrade.
Although he hasn’t scored in other competitions, Olayinka has been very successful in the Serbian topflight, easily finding the target — his 12-goal contribution in 29 matches speaks volumes about that.
Despite playing as a left winger, the 28-year-old is tied for sixth top scorer in the Super Liga Srbije, having scored eight goals and provided four assists for Red Star. He is one of the club’s most outstanding players this season.
Samuel Omorodion plays for Alaves.
Apart from Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, striker Omorodion is the only other player to score against Barcelona in their two LaLiga clashes this season, which underscores his ability to shine in important games.
The forward eligible for the Super Eagles holds the record for the quickest goal scored in the Spanish topflight league this season, finding the net against the Catalans just 27 seconds after kick-off.
Even though the 19-year-old forward from Melilla has not scored in his last six games, his strong start to the season means his 10-goal contribution (nine goals and an assist) still puts him among the top performers for Alaves. His parent club Atletico Madrid is prepared to bring him back to the team for the next season. If he scores 10 goals in the league, he will be the first Nigerian to achieve this in the Spanish topflight.
OTHERS
Also worth mentioning are Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Elijah Adebayo, and Moses Simon.
Each of these four players has made nine-goal contributions, but their efforts have been hindered by various injuries.
Both Awoniyi and Adebayo have each scored nine goals for Nottingham Forest and Luton Town respectively, but they have been sidelined due to injuries. Iheanacho has six goals and three assists, but has hardly played for the Foxes, featuring in less than 90 minutes of football in their last 19 games.
Simon won't play for the rest of the season, but his three goals and six assists got him recognized as one of the top performers.
