The dust has barely settled on the Moroccan turf following Nigeria’s bronze-medal finish at AFCON 2025, but the Super Eagles’ elite contingent has wasted no time asserting their dominance on the European stage. In a weekend defined by broken records and dramatic resurrections, Nigeria’s footballing ambassadors have sent a resounding message: the African giants are back, and they are hungry for more.
Turkish Delight: Osimhen and Onuachu Reclaim the Throne
The Turkish Süper Lig has effectively become a playground for Nigerian marksmen. At the heart of the frenzy is Victor Osimhen, who continues to cement his status as a Galatasaray icon. In a clinical 3-1 dismantling of Fatih Karagumruk, the “King of Boys” didn’t just find the net—he rewrote the record books.
By bagging his 50th goal for the club, Osimhen became the fastest player this century to reach the half-century mark, achieving the feat in a staggering 59 appearances. Analysts have been quick to point to the telepathic understanding between Ilkay Gündoğan and Osimhen as the catalyst for this historic form.
Not far behind, Paul Onuachu proved that his continental exploits in Morocco have only sharpened his predatory instincts. The towering forward was back among the goals for Trabzonspor, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most feared strikers in the league.
The Premier League Resurrection: Awoniyi’s 384-Day Wait is Over
In England, the narrative of the weekend belonged to Taiwo Awoniyi. The Nottingham Forest talisman finally exorcised his demons, ending a grueling 384-day Premier League goal drought.
Introduced as a substitute against Brentford, “Big Taiwo” reminded the City Ground of his explosive power. Embarking on a vintage solo surge, he bypassed Sepp van den Berg with ease before rifling home a “worldie” to seal the points. It was his first strike since January 2024, signaling the return of Forest’s most lethal weapon. The goal was made even sweeter by the contribution of Ola Aina, whose assist earlier in the match further solidified his claim as one of the division’s most consistent full-backs.
Meanwhile, at Craven Cottage, the “Chukwu Magic” was in full effect. AC Milan loanee Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench to orchestrate a stunning 2-1 comeback for Fulham. His contribution—a signature Thierry Henry-esque curler—left the home fans in awe and the opposition in tatters.
La Liga’s New Heir: Akor Adams Surpasses the Legend
Spain witnessed a torch-passing moment as Akor Adams continued his meteoric rise at Sevilla. In a high-stakes 2-1 victory over Athletic Club, Adams showed nerves of steel to convert the winning penalty, securing Sevilla’s first victory in five outings.
More significantly, the goal saw Adams officially surpass the legendary Rashidi Yekini on the all-time La Liga Nigerian scorers list. With three goals in his last two matches, the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán faithful are already whispering his name in the same breath as “African Player of the Year” contenders.
Mixed Fortunes Across the Alps and France
While some soared, others played the role of the strategic reserve:
Italy: Ademola Lookman maintained his role as an impact sub for Atalanta, helping La Dea stabilize their form after a disappointing Champions League exit. In Rome, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru featured off the bench in Lazio’s scoreless stalemate with Lecce.
France: It was a quieter weekend for Moses Simon, who remained a spectator in Paris FC’s draw. Conversely, Chidozie Awaziem provided a bright spark with an assist for Nantes, though it wasn’t enough to prevent a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Terem Moffi’s rampant Nice.
From the historic milestones in Istanbul to the redemptive strikes in the English Midlands, the Nigerian flag is flying at full mast. If this weekend was a preview of the post-AFCON era, Europe’s defenders are in for a long, difficult season.
