It was another busy and revealing weekend for Nigerian footballers abroad, one that stretched from the Premier League to Turkey, France, Italy, and beyond. Goals arrived at the right moments, long waits finally ended, and familiar stars reminded everyone why they remain central to their clubs’ ambitions. For Nigerian fans, it was the kind of weekend that reinforces belief and sparks conversation.
From Taiwo Awoniyi’s long-awaited breakthrough in England to Victor Osimhen reaching a landmark figure in Turkey, the stories were not just about numbers on a scoresheet. They were about resilience, form returning at the right time, and Nigerian players continuing to leave their imprint across Europe.
Awoniyi Ends the Wait as Nigerians Lift Nottingham Forest
Read: New FIFA Ranking Sees Nigeria Climb 12 Places After AFCON 2025
In England, Taiwo Awoniyi finally found release after months of frustration. Nottingham Forest’s 2–0 away win over Brentford was significant on several levels, but for Awoniyi, it marked the end of a long goal drought that had followed him since early 2025.
Introduced in the 68th minute, the striker needed only eleven minutes to make his impact count. With Brentford pushing forward, Forest broke quickly. Awoniyi powered into the area, shrugged off his marker and calmly finished past the goalkeeper. It was his first goal in 348 days, a moment that felt more like relief than celebration.
Ola Aina also played a key role in the same match. His composure and awareness down the right flank led directly to Forest’s opener, as his clipped cross created the chance that Igor Jesus converted. After missing Nigeria’s AFCON campaign through injury, Aina’s display was a reminder of his reliability at club level.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Nigerian involvement came in quieter forms. Chrisantus Uche saw late minutes for Crystal Palace, while at Fulham, Samuel Chukwueze’s cameo against Brighton proved decisive. Introduced from the bench, he scored the equaliser that set the stage for a dramatic comeback win, with Alex Iwobi providing control and experience in midfield.
Mixed Fortunes in France, Breakthroughs for the Young
France offered contrasting narratives for Nigerian footballers. At Nantes, Chidozie Awaziem returned from international duty to a difficult afternoon as his side suffered a heavy home defeat. Still, he found a way to contribute, supplying the assist for Nantes’ consolation goal from a set-piece situation.
The situation around Terem Moffi at Nice continued to cast a shadow, with the striker still unavailable amid unresolved issues following last year’s unrest involving supporters. Before that episode, Moffi had been steadily contributing goals, making his continued absence a frustrating subplot.
In Ligue 2, however, there was a brighter Nigerian moment. Hafiz Ibrahim, just 20 years old, scored the winning goal in Stade de Reims’ narrow victory, underlining his growing influence. His performance added to a season that already shows promise, with goals and assists arriving consistently. It was a reminder that beyond the household names, a new generation is quietly building momentum.
Osimhen’s Landmark and Nigerian Firepower Across Europe
The headline moment of the weekend came in Turkey. Victor Osimhen returned from AFCON duty and immediately reminded Galatasaray fans of his importance. His close-range finish in a 3–1 away win was his 50th goal for the club, a milestone that cements his status as one of the most prolific forwards in their recent history.
Read: AFCON 2025 Awards: Mané Crowned Player of the Tournament
The goal was also a statement. After missing several league matches due to international commitments, Osimhen showed sharpness, movement and composure. It felt less like a return and more like a continuation of form.
In Italy, Ademola Lookman eased back into domestic action as Atalanta cruised to a comfortable win. While his minutes were managed, his broader impact this season, especially at AFCON, continues to shape expectations around his role for both club and country.
Spain also provided positive headlines. Akor Adams’ penalty for Sevilla completed another comeback win and extended his impressive run since returning from AFCON. Even with limited touches, his efficiency stood out, reinforcing the value of decisive forwards.
What This Weekend Says About Nigerian Footballers Abroad
Taken together, the weekend highlighted depth, resilience and variety. Some Nigerian footballers are rediscovering form, others are hitting historic milestones, and younger names are steadily carving space for themselves. Across leagues and roles, the influence remains clear.
For Nigerian football, these moments abroad matter. They shape confidence heading into international windows and remind fans that the talent pool remains wide and competitive.
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