The Nigerian Invasion: 7 players make top 10 list of Africa’s most prolific goalscorers

With 2022/2023 entering the home stretch, it is important to highlight that it has been a campaign dominated almost in its entirety by the brilliance of several Nigerian attackers. Of the ten most prolific African strikers in Europe, seven are Nigerians.

Soccernet.ng shines the light on their incredible feat.

Victor Osimhen 

Osimhen is the top scorer in the Italian top flight with 21 goals. The Napoli striker has 25 in all competitions, and only Man City’s Erling Haaland getting more.

The Super Eagles striker is having the best season of his career so far and has been instrumental in Napoli’s push for a first Scudetto title in over 30 years. The 24-year-old is a complete forward blessed with pace, power, and an eye for goal. He has been compared to Nigerian legend Rashidi Yekini and is tipped for a bright future.

Mohamed Salah

Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah 1s second on the list with 23 goals in all competitions. Salah has been a revelation since his move to Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and has established himself as one of the best players in the world. He has won several individual awards, including the Premier League Golden Boot twice.

Victor Boniface

Royale Union Saint-Gilloise forward Victor Boniface has been one of the most talked about Nigerian stars in Europe third with his 19 goals in all competitions. 

The 23-year-old Nigerian has been in sensational form this season and has attracted interest from several top European clubs.

Folarin Balogun

Folarin Balogun is a young Anglo-Nigerian striker owned by Arsenal and currently on loan at Reims, where he has set the French Ligue on fire.

Playing as a key man for a top club for the first time in his career, Balogun has received numerous applause for the 18 goals he has got in all competitions this season.
Balogun is a highly-rated prospect and has been tipped for a bright future.

Paul Onuachu

Paul Onuachu is yet to hit the ground running since arriving in the English Premier League to play for Southampton in January. Still, the 17 goals he scored for Genk before that move has placed him in fifth position on this exalted.

Terem Moffi

Terem Moffi, who plays for OGC Nice in the French Ligue 1, has also scored 17 goals this season and is sixth on the list. The 23-year-old Nigerian has established his reputation as an accomplished finisher after competing his winter switch from Lorient to Nice.

Ademola Lookman

Lookman, the Super Eagles winger enjoyed a fantastic spell for Atalanta in the first half of the campaign registering 15 goals this term. The former RB Leipzig star will hope to add to that tally as the Blue-and-Blacks challenge for an European spot.

Habibou Diallo

RC Strasbourg Alsace’s forward Habibou Diallo has scored 15 goals this season and is eighth on the list. The 27-year-old Senegalese striker has been in good form and has been a consistent performer Ligue 1.

Gift Orban

Gift Orban, who plays for KAA Gent in the Belgian Pro Leage, has also scored 14 goals this season and is ninth on the list. Only 20, Orban could be set for the biggest transfer move of his career this summer following his excellent showings.

M’bala Nzola

Angola and Spezia star M’bala Nzola comes in tenth position after smashing 14 goals this season. Twelve of the goals have arrived in Serie A and it is no surprise that the 26-year-old is attracting interest from several top European clubs.

Top 10 best African scorers in Europe

1. Victor Osimhen – 25 goals
2. Mohamed Salah – 23 goals
3. Victor Boniface – 19 goals
4. Folarin Balogun – 18 goals
5. Paul Onuachu – 17 goals
6. Terem Moffi – 17 goals
7. Ademola Lookman – 15 goals
8. Habibou Diallo – 15 goals
9. Gift Orban – 14 goals
10. M’bala Nzola – 14 goals