The 2024 calendar year was one filled with success and good tidings for Nigerian players, as they were standout performers at their respective clubs. In this piece, we take a look at some of the nation’s finest exports doing excellently well abroad.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
The Super Eagles forward had arguably the best year of the lot, helping his team to win the Europa League title where he scored a hat-trick in the Final.
His double digits return in goals and assists this season has also helped his Bergamo outfit to top of the Serie A table, ahead of Napoli on goal difference.
His efforts did not go unrecognised as he was crowned CAF Men’s Player of the Year at the end of 2024, having finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings as well.
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
The striker was instrumental as Bayer Leverkusen won the German Bundesliga title for the first time in history – doing so in invincible fashion and also claiming the DFB Pokal as well.
Boniface also contributed in B04’s run to the Europa League final as the Bundesliga outfit fell just short of winning a treble at the hands of Lookman’s Atalanta. An tournament-ending injury just before AFCON kicked off in Cote D’Ivoire also robbed him of more recognition at the CAF Awards.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Having endured an underwhelming 2023/24 campaign with parent club Napoli, Osimhen secured a loan move to the Turkish Super Lig giant and has been spectacular.
The 26 year-old has so far found the back of the net 12 times and added a further five assists for the reigning Turkish champions. He has also helped Gala in their Europa League campaign, where they are unbeaten after six matches.
Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
The often maligned midfielder has been stellar for the Craven Cottage outfit, as his goals and all-round displays has helped the Cottagers occupy the top-half of the Premier League standings. H w
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
The Super Eagles defender has registered two goals for the two-time European Cup winners in the Premier League to help the club punch high at the halfway stage of the league season.
Aina began the year by helping his country reach the AFCON Final in Cote d’Ivoire and he has been one of the best defenders in the ongoing 2024/25 Premier League season. As a result of Aina’s brilliance, Nottingham Forest are currently occupying the UEFA Champions League spots on the log.