The 2019/20 season was a great season for the Nigerian footballers in Europe, as the likes of Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen filled the hearts of football fans with memorable moments.
With the old guards – like the retired duo of Odion Ighalo and John Obi Mikel – vacating their Super Eagles spaces, new stars are taking over and the world is taking notice.
As the new season begin across Europe, NetBet Nigeria focuses on Nigerian players who could light up Europe this new footballing season but this list goes in no particular order.
- Eberechi Eze
The new Crystal Palace midfielder was one of the most gifted players in the Championship with QPR, and it is not a surprise he enjoyed an incredible season.
Netting ten goals and providing six assists to the Hoops, Eze would playing with the Selhurst based club – Crystal Palace this 2020/21 season
The 22-year-old is poised to deliver more spectacular performances in the coming season and find a place in your head to keep the name because it might ring a bell pretty soon.
- Joe Aribo
Nicknamed Uncle by fellow teammate Jermain Defoe, Joe Aribo was famously condemned for moving to Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers after helping then League 1 side, Charlton Athletic regain their Championship status.
But since then, the 23-year-old has played and scored in the Europa League, while he has also debuted, and become a key player for the Super Eagles.
The new season could become an even greater year for the Camberwell-born midfielder as he leads Rangers charge to unseat bitter rivals Celtic as the champions of Scotland.
- Josh Maja
Josh Maja scored his first goal of the season as Bordeaux claimed a 2-0 away win over Angers at the Stade Raymond Kopa last week.
Unlike many other young strikers who have a fast pace and a quick start, Maja’s strengths are not just being sent behind the opponent’s last line with good timing but he always finds smart positions in the penalty area and scores a large part of his goals with the first contact after a cross from a teammate.
- Kingsley Ehizibue
Prominent on the list is Germany-based Kingsley Ehizibue. The right-back who plays for Bundesliga club FC Cologne was born in Germany to Nigerian parents, but moved to Netherlands at two years of age, growing up in Zwolle.
The 24-year-old, who can also play as a right midfielder, started playing football at local amateur outfit CSV’28.
The defender made his professional debut in 2014 for Dutch outfit, PEC Zwolle in a Cup game against HHC Hardenberg and made his Eredivisie debut two months later against Willem II.
He joined FC Cologne last summer, penning a four-year contract.
- Victor Osimhen
This man certainly needs no hype after a stellar performance at LOSC Lille in the 2019/20 French Ligue 1 campaign scoring 18 goals in all competitions as well as winning the Player of the year at the club.
He recently joined S.S.C Napoli ahead of this new season for a club record fee of €81.3 million (bonus inclusive) which means he must have caught the attention of the Italian side. He has recently also scored back-to-back hat-tricks during their pre-season friendlies which is a good sign the Nigerian would definitely have a good season in the Serie A.
Did we miss out any player you thought would have a great season?
You know you can back these players up when you bet on football on NetBet Nigeria platform.