Nigerian stars dominate Europe: Champions, record-breakers, and award winners of 2022/2023

Most European leagues have concluded their seasons, with numerous Nigerian players celebrating successful campaigns by clinching club prizes and individual awards.

Here is Soccernet.ng‘s breakdown of the Nigerian champions and winners in European football.

CHAMPIONS

Victor Osimhen – Serie A

Napoli’s prolific forward, Victor Osimhen, played a pivotal role in helping his team secure the coveted Serie A title after a wait of more than three decades.

Osimhen’s remarkable tally of 26 goals crowned him the first-ever African Goal King of the Italian top flight. Additionally, he was named the Best Striker of Serie A.

Christy Ucheibe – Campeonato Nacional, Taça da Liga

Contributing significantly to Benfica Women’s success, Christy Ucheibe featured in 30 games this season, aiding her team in winning an astonishing 23. Ucheibe played an instrumental role in Benfica Women’s triumph in the Campeonato Nacional and the Taça da Liga.

Asisat Oshoala – Liga F, UEFA Women’s Champions League

Oshoala’s 21-goal performance led Barcelona to clinch the Spanish league title. 

Furthermore, her contribution extended to the UEFA Women’s Champions League, where she netted five goals in nine games, propelling Barca to their second-ever trophy in the competition.

Rasheedat Ajibade – Copa de la Reina

Ajibade played a key role in Atletico Madrid’s victory in the 2023 Spanish Copa de la Reina, as they emerged victorious in a thrilling penalty shootout against city rivals Real Madrid.

Bright Osayi-Samuel – Turkish Cup

Although Fenerbahce narrowly missed out on winning the Super Lig, Bright Osayi-Samuel and his team clinched the Turkish Cup, showcasing their prowess and determination.

Alhassan Yusuf – Belgian Pro League

Yusuf had a remarkable season in Belgium, securing both the league and cup titles with Antwerp, adding to his winners’ medal from the Swedish Cup with IFK Goteborg in the previous season.

Peter Olayinka, Igho Ogbu – Czech Cup

Olayinka, in his final season with Slavia Prague, and Igho Ogbu, in his initial months with the club, played crucial roles as Slavia triumphed in the Czech Cup after losing their league crown to city rivals Sparta.

Esther Okoronkwo – French Division 2 title

Okoronkwo celebrated winning the French D2 with AS Saint-Etienne. She has since joined UDG Tenerife in the Spanish La Liga F for the 2023/2024 season.

Zaidu Sanusi – Portuguese League Cup

Sanusi’s defensive prowess was instrumental in FC Porto clinching the Portuguese cup against Sporting Braga. Additionally, Sanusi secured the Portuguese League Cup this season.

Chidozie Awaziem – Croatian Cup

Awaziem played a vital role in helping his Croatian club, HNK Hadjuk, secure the Croatian Cup.

Atiemwen Iyayi, Rasheed Akanbi, Ismail Origbaajo – Moldovan league

The trio of Atiemwen Iyayi, Rasheed Akanbi, and Ismail Origbaajo celebrated winning the Moldovan league title with FC Sheriff.

Paul Mukairu – Danish Cup

Paul Mukairu secured the Danish Cup title with FC Copenhagen.

Hogan Ukpa – North Macedonia league title

Hogan Ukpa’s significant contributions helped FC Struga claim the North Macedonia league championship, securing their spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

WINNERS

Samuel Chukwueze – La Liga’s Best African Player

Super Eagles winger Chukwueze was honoured as the best African player in La Liga.

With an impressive record of 13 goals and 11 assists for Villarreal CF, this season proved to be his most productive since joining the Spanish club in 2019.

Victor Boniface – UEFA Europa League joint top scorer

Boniface etched his name in Nigerian football history by becoming the first Nigerian to be the top scorer in the UEFA Europa League. Representing Belgian club Union St.Gilloise, Boniface netted six goals during the competition.

Terem Moffi – Goal of the Season

Moffi showcased his scoring prowess in the UEFA Europa Conference League, scoring three goals, one of which was crowned the Goal of the Season for the competition.

Alex Iwobi – Everton FC’s Players’ Player of the Year Award

Super Eagles midfielder Iwobi received recognition from his teammates by winning Everton FC’s Players’ Player of the Year Award for the 2022/2023 season.

Iwobi’s contributions were instrumental in helping the club avoid relegation to the Championship.

Kelechi Iheanacho – Leicester City’s Player of the Season

Despite Leicester City’s disappointing relegation from the Premier League, Kelechi Iheanacho was acknowledged as the club’s standout player, earning the title of Leicester City’s Player of the Season.

Chuba Akpom – EFL Championship Player of the Season

Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom emerged as the standout player in the EFL Championship by claiming the prestigious title of Player of the Season.

Akpom’s remarkable performance saw him score an impressive 28 goals throughout the campaign, surpassing all other contenders in the English second-tier league.

Josh Maja – French Ligue 2 Team of the Season

Super Eagles striker, earned a place in the French Ligue 2 Team of the Season due to his excellent goal-scoring record for Girondins Bordeaux.

Fisayo Dele Bashiru – EFL Championship promotion

Young midfielder Fisayo Dele Bashiru played a significant role in helping Sheffield Wednesday seal promotion to the EFL Championship.

Elijah Adebayo, Fred Onyedinma, Gabriel Osho – Premier League promotion

Luton Town’s return to the Premier League was accompanied by the achievements of Nigerian-connected players Elijah Adebayo, Fred Onyedinma, and Gabriel Osho, who contributed to the team’s success.

Hamdi Akujobi – Eredivisie promotion

Free-scoring defender, Akujobi achieved promotion to the Dutch top league with Almere City through the playoffs.