Paul Onuachu Shines Bright in Turkey, Outperforming Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman; Alex Iwobi Breaks Nigerian Premier League Appearance Record
Nigerian footballers showcased their talents worldwide this past weekend, with Paul Onuachu continuing his remarkable goal-scoring streak in the Turkish Süper Lig, establishing himself as Nigeria’s leading striker currently. Meanwhile, Fulham’s Alex Iwobi etched his name into Premier League history by setting a new record for Nigerian players.
Onuachu’s Dominance and Osimhen’s Limited Role
Onuachu, the towering forward and former Southampton player, scored a vital goal in Trabzonspor‘s 2-1 win over Rizespor, boosting his league tally to an impressive eight goals in just nine appearances. This scoring rate now places him ahead of fellow Nigerians Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in the Süper Lig charts.
In contrast, Victor Osimhen’s involvement was minimal as he came off the bench for only 17 minutes during Galatasaray‘s narrow 2-1 away victory against Başakşehir. Despite his recent heroics in the World Cup qualifiers, Osimhen was carefully managed by his club in this fixture.
Ademola Lookman also featured for Atalanta in Serie A but was unable to find the back of the net in their clash with Lazio.
Iwobi’s Milestone in the Premier League
Alex Iwobi made history by becoming the Nigerian player with the highest number of Premier League appearances. Starting for Fulham against his former club Arsenal, Iwobi reached his 299th league game, surpassing Shola Ameobi’s previous record of 298 appearances, a milestone that highlights his longevity and consistency in England’s top flight.
Although Fulham lost the match, Iwobi’s achievement places him ahead of Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu, who holds 273 Premier League appearances. Fellow Nigerian Calvin Bassey also featured for Fulham, coming on as a substitute during the game.
Goals from MLS and Czech Leagues Highlight Nigerian Talent
Nigerian players also made significant contributions outside Europe’s top leagues. In Major League Soccer, Olatunji Victor starred for Real Salt Lake by scoring twice in a thrilling 2-2 draw against St. Louis City on Decision Day, a result that secured his team’s playoff qualification.
Similarly, Alhassan Yusuf impressed for New England Revolution by scoring just 44 seconds into their match-the fastest goal of the season for the club-and adding an assist in a 2-2 draw.
In the Czech First League, Rafiu Durosinmi continued his fine form for Viktoria Plzen, netting a goal in a tight victory over Bohemians 1905, bringing his season total to double digits.
This weekend’s performances offer a vivid snapshot of the current Super Eagles’ talent pool. Onuachu’s explosive start, with eight goals in nine outings, positions him as a formidable contender, challenging established forwards like Osimhen and Lookman.
Iwobi’s record-breaking feat underscores the lasting influence Nigerian players have had in the Premier League, a legacy celebrated by the league itself.
As the next round of World Cup qualifiers approaches, the form of these forwards and the steady presence of veterans like Iwobi will be pivotal to Nigeria’s ambitions on the international stage.
The spotlight now turns to whether Onuachu can sustain his remarkable scoring momentum and if Osimhen will reclaim his dominant role at Galatasaray. Meanwhile, Iwobi aims to complement his record with further goals and assists as he continues his distinguished career.
Who stood out as your Nigerian Star of the Week? Share your thoughts in the comments below!