Nigerian footballers delivered standout performances across multiple European leagues over the weekend, with Taiwo Awoniyi breaking a lengthy goal drought and several compatriots registering goals and assists in their respective competitions.
The weekend marked a strong return to club football for Nigerian internationals following the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal finish.
ENGLAND
Awoniyi and Ola Aina played pivotal roles in Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 away victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, with both players recording their first direct goal contributions of the season.
Aina, operating at right-back, was instrumental in Forest’s opening goal. Despite appearing short of space on the right flank, the full-back maintained his composure to deliver a delicate cross into the area. Igor Jesus controlled the ball on his chest before unleashing a superb right-footed volley into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher with no chance.
Awoniyi was introduced in the 68th minute in place of Jesus and made an immediate impact. Just 11 minutes after his introduction, with Brentford pressing for an equaliser, Nikola Milenković intercepted danger before Morgan Gibbs-White released Awoniyi down the right. The striker drove into the box, evaded Van den Berg, and calmly slotted his finish past Kelleher.
The goal was Awoniyi’s first for Forest since February 11, 2025, when he scored in a 2-2 FA Cup draw against Exeter City. It brought an end to a barren run of 348 days and 29 matches without finding the net.
For Aina, who missed Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations bronze-winning campaign through injury, the performance underlined his return to full fitness. The result was Forest’s first victory in four matches, following two draws and a defeat.
Chrisantus Uche made a brief appearance for Crystal Palace, coming on in the 85th minute to replace Jean-Philippe Mateta in his side’s 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea. The Nigerian midfielder managed seven touches during his cameo, marking his 11th Premier League appearance of the season.
FRANCE
Chidozie Awaziem featured for Nantes on his return to club duty following the Africa Cup of Nations, though his side suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Nice at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Despite the loss, the Nigerian defender registered an assist.
After Nantes fell 3-0 behind, they pulled one back through Mostafa Mohamed, who headed in Awaziem’s knockdown from a corner. The defender now has one goal and one assist in 17 league appearances this season.
Terem Moffi remains unavailable for Nice following an incident in November 2025 in which he and teammate Jérémie Boga were targeted by sections of the club’s supporters amid the team’s poor form. Both players have since sought redress and requested to leave the club. After initially taking sick leave, the Nigerian striker has now missed Nice’s last nine matches in all competitions. Prior to the incident, Moffi had scored two goals in 10 appearances.
Moses Simon was an unused substitute as Paris FC played out a goalless home draw against Angers on Matchday 19 of Ligue 1. Before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the winger had recorded three goals and two assists in 16 league matches.
ITALY
Ademola Lookman was reintegrated into domestic action as he made a 13-minute appearance in Atalanta’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Parma, having provided an assist in midweek.
A slow start to the season due to transfer-related issues has limited the forward to two goals in 12 league matches. However, he was outstanding for Nigeria at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where he registered four goals and three assists.
In the Italian women’s top flight, Super Falcons forward Rinsola Babajide and defender Shukurat Oladipo both came off the bench as AS Roma secured a 1-0 away win over Genoa. It was Roma’s ninth consecutive league victory, extending their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
BELGIUM
Yira Sor scored his second league goal of the season in Genk’s 1-1 home draw against Cercle Brugge. The winger attempted six shots, with four on target, and has now featured in 17 league matches this campaign.
CYPRUS
Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho returned to the bench for Omonia in the Cypriot top flight after marking his national team reintegration with an appearance at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Omonia claimed a 5-3 away win over Aris to maintain their five-point lead at the summit of the table.
CROATIA
One-cap Super Eagles midfielder Salim Lawal was named on the bench for Istra 1961, while compatriot Israel Ayuma played 34 minutes in their 2-1 away win over Hajduk Split.
Lawal, who has impressed with five goals and two assists in 17 league matches, was included in Nigeria’s 28-man AFCON squad and made his senior debut in the 3-1 victory over Uganda on December 30, 2025. He marked his AFCON return with a goal six days before the club fixture.
TURKEY
Nigerian midfielder Regina Otu was on the scoresheet as Fenerbahçe Women thrashed ALG Spor Women 18-0. Otu netted the 16th goal of the contest, while Maria Salas scored four and Yağmur Uraz grabbed a hat-trick.
Victor Osimhen made an immediate impact on his return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring in Galatasaray’s 3-1 away win over Karagümrük in the Turkish Süper Lig.
The striker, who missed more than seven league games while on international duty, showed no signs of rust with a close-range finish. He played 79 minutes before being replaced by Kaan Ayhan.
Osimhen now has seven league goals and 13 in all competitions this season, adding to his six strikes in the Champions League. The goal also took him to 50 goals for Galatasaray since joining the club.
**SPAIN**
Akor Adams continued his fine form in La Liga, scoring the decisive goal in Sevilla’s 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao.
The Nigerian converted a 56th-minute penalty to complete the comeback, despite recording just 29 touches across the match, the fewest of any outfield player. The goal was his third in two league appearances and took his tally to five goals and two assists in 15 matches.
Chidera Ejuke came on in the 81st minute for Isaac Romero, making his 13th league appearance of the season.
Samuel Chukwueze made an instant impact off the bench as Fulham claimed a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Brighton at Craven Cottage.
Introduced in the 59th minute, the winger scored the equaliser in the 72nd minute, cancelling out Yasin Ayari’s opener and paving the way for Harry Wilson’s stoppage-time winner. Chukwueze now has three goals and four assists this season.
Alex Iwobi started the match and played 88 minutes, registering one shot, 62 touches, and completing 38 of 46 passes. Calvin Bassey was an unused substitute.
SAUDI ARABIA
In Saudi Arabia’s women’s football, Francisca Ordega provided an assist off the bench as Al Ittihad exited the Saudi Women’s Cup at the quarterfinal stage against Al Qadsiah.
Introduced in the 73rd minute, Ordega set up the equaliser three minutes later, but Al Ittihad were eliminated 5-2 on aggregate following a 4-1 first-leg defeat. Ashleigh Plumptre also featured in the match.
FRANCE (LIGUE 2)
Nigerian youngster Hafiz Ibrahim scored the winning goal as Stade de Reims secured a 1-0 home victory over Saint-Étienne in Ligue 2.
The 20-year-old played 76 minutes and now has six goal involvements this season, comprising five goals and one assist. The win lifted Reims to third place on 35 points, six behind leaders Troyes.
The weekend’s performances highlighted the growing influence of Nigerian players across European football, with contributions spanning men’s and women’s competitions in England, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, and Saudi Arabia.
