A Weekend of Goals, Assists, and Shock Wins as Super Eagles Hopefuls Make Their Case.

Nigerian Players Abroad

As Nigeria’s final AFCON 2025 squad announcement looms, Super Eagles stars and prospects delivered standout performances across Europe. From Turkey to England, Croatia, and beyond, players like Paul Onuachu, Olanrewaju Kayode, and Salim Fago showcased their credentials, per Sportblits.com.

Kayode Hits Double Figures in Turkey’s Second Tier

Super Eagles striker Olanrewaju Kayode stole the show in Turkey, netting twice and providing an assist in Erokspor’s dominant 4–1 victory over Sakaryaspor. His goals in the 53rd and 79th minutes, following an early assist, propelled him to 10 goals this season—second only to one player in the league.

Erokspor climbed to third with 31 points from 15 matches, trailing leaders Pendikspor by just one. Kayode’s consistency has reignited talks of a national team recall.

In the same league, Super Lig top scorer Paul Onuachu (11 goals) earned a suspension-triggering booking for Trabzonspor but helped secure a 2–1 win at Göztepe with defensive contributions late on. The ban could see him join Nigeria’s AFCON camp earlier.

Little-known Anthony Dennis provided the weekend’s Turkish highlight, stunning Trabzonspor with a stoppage-time screamer—his third goal in 14 appearances—for Göztepe’s consolation in a 2–1 defeat.

Elsewhere in Turkey, Victor Osimhen bagged a brace to lead Galatasaray to a 3–2 thriller over Samsunspor. Tom Dele-Bashiru started in Gençlerbirliği’s 3–0 win over Fatih Karamguruk, while Henry Onyekuru‘s goalless streak persisted.

Fago Bolsters AFCON Claim in Croatia

22-year-old Salim Fago reinforced his place on Nigeria’s 54-man provisional AFCON list with a confident finish in NK Istra’s 5–1 rout of Osijek—his fourth goal this season. The forward’s rise since the 2023 U-20 World Cup continues to turn heads in Croatia.

Payne Ends Chelsea’s Unbeaten Streak in England

Toni Payne

In the WSL, Everton’s Toni Payne delivered the assist for a shock 1–0 win at Chelsea, halting the Blues’ remarkable 585-day (34-game) unbeaten league run. The Super Falcons midfielder now boasts one goal and three assists in 13 appearances.

Fulham’s Nigerian trio—Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze—started in a 2–1 loss to Crystal Palace. Chukwueze entered with the Premier League’s best goal involvement rate (every 46 minutes) for players with 200+ minutes.

Christantus Uche

Christantus Uche impressed off the bench for Palace, winning the corner that led to the late winner in his 66th-minute introduction.

Brighton’s Chiamaka Nnadozie secured her third clean sheet in a 1–0 win over London City Lionesses, while compatriot Rofiat Imuran played the full 90 for the losers.

Mixed Results Across Europe

  • Victor Boniface: 11 minutes in Werder Bremen’s 3–2 loss (Germany).
  • Moses Simon: Goal drought hits five games in Paris FC’s draw with Le Havre (France).
  • Akor Adams: Seven-match La Liga goal wait in Sevilla’s 1–1 with Valencia; Chidera Ejuke unused (Spain).
  • Chubuike Nwaiwu: Second red card this season, yet Wolfsberger won 2–1 over Austria Vienna (Austria).
  • Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi: Benched (Belgium); Emmanuel Ayoasi‘s streak ends in Karvina’s 0–0 (Czech Republic).
  • Cyriel Dessers and Kelechi Iheanacho: Both benched in Greece and Scotland; Iheanacho yet to play under new coach Eric Chelle.
  • Philip Otele: Four shots (three on target) in Basel’s 2–1 win over Winterthur (Switzerland).

With AFCON 2025 on the horizon, these displays from Nigerians abroad—including Kayode‘s double figures, Fago‘s rising stock, and Payne‘s historic assist—offer timely reminders to selectors. The final squad reveal can’t come soon enough.