Nigerian players are no pushover, as their immeasurable talent continues to be witnessed in competitive football leagues from the top five leagues in Europe to other lesser-known divisions across Europe and beyond.
Nigerian seems to have an extremely talented and admirable pool of talent, one that is being drained by nationally recognized teams all throughout the world.
There are dozens of Nigerian players plying their trade across the globe, however, there are some who were quite exceptional in regards to their performances in the year 2020.
While Nigeria has always been recognized as the home of footballing talent in Africa, the performances of Nigerian players in Europe’s top leagues have been awesome in the year 2020.
Here are 11 of the best Nigerian players for the year 2020
- Daniel Akpeyi – (Kaizer Chiefs)
The Super Eagles shot-stopper has proved to be an immense success at the PSL side, since his arrival from Chippa United another club based in South Africa. Akpeyi didn’t quite hit the ground running for the Amakhosi when he joined due to Khune’s impressive form.
However, as time goes by, the former Heartland goalkeeper got his chance in between the stick when the South Africa goalkeeper Khune got injured, and since then he hasn’t looked back on delivering top-notch performances for the PSL side.
Akpeyi may not be plying his trade in Europe’s top-flight league. However, what he has done in the PSL is quite stunning, which got him nominated for the goalkeeper of the season in the Premier Soccer League. Plus winning a couple of man of the match award for his outstanding performances.
- Ola Aina – (Fulham)
Following Aina’s arrival from Seria A side Torino on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent, the Nigeria international has been delivering amazing performances defensively and offensively for Craven Cottage’s side.
The former Chelsea left-back has made double-digit appearances for the Whites since teaming up with them, helping them to steady the ship defensively, and going forward offensively.
Aina’s performances so far also help the Cottagers climb off the bottom table on the league, which cumulated into winning the Premier League goal of the month award in November. Which explains further how brilliant he’s being for the Whites since he returned back to England.
To win the award, the left-back beat off strong competition from Crystal Palace’s midfielder Eberechi Eze, City’s Riyad Mahraz, Solly March of Brighton, Leicester’s Jamie Verdy, Leeds United’s Raphinha, and Southampton duo of Ward Prowse and Danny Ings.
- Zaidu Sanusi – (FC Porto)
Nigeria international Sanusi is gradually turning himself into one of the finest full-backs in the Portuguese league. Following his arrival from Santa Clara in the summer to team up with Portuguese champions Porto, having spent just a season with the ‘Azoreans’.
The 23-year-old has quite impressed since joining Porto and looks to be taking his game to a new level with brilliant performances week in, week out for the Dragoa side.
Sanusi as a matter of fact, is without a doubt one of the revelation stars of 2020, as such making this list of best Nigerian Players of 2020 is a testament to how fantastic he’s being for Porto both in the league and European competition.
After an impressive 2019-20 season at Santa Clara, in which he created chances an average of 0.7 passes per game over 21 starts. Some set of fans wouldn’t have thought he would found it so easy to fill the huge boot the Brazilian Alex Telles left behind following his move to Manchester United.
So while Telles is somewhat finding life at United quite cumbersome, the Nigeria international has already laid claim to the position the Brazilian left, with mouthwatering performances and his relentless stamina on the defensive third, as well as his whip of crosses on the offensive.
- Troost Ekong – (Watford)
Troost has always been a solid defender for both country and club since he burst to the scene. The Nigeria international has plied his trade in the Dutch, Turkish, Italian league where he impressed brilliantly with Bursaspor before sealing a move to Udinese in Seria A.
For some years now, the Haarlem born defender has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent player playing in Europe, with brilliant performances for his team as well as being reliable defensive wise for the Super Eagles.
The 27-year-old moved to the Hornets from the Seria A side Udinese in September this year. Since he moved to the Championship with Watford, he has been very instrumental in their quest to return back to the top-flight.
As such, Ekong was voted Watford man of the match for his superb performance in his side’s triumph against fellow Championship side Birmingham City, beating teammates Troy Deeney and Chalobah to the award.
READ ALSO: Top Nigerian Players In The Premier League: Past & Present
- Semi Ajayi – (West Brom)
The Hawthorn may have exhausted the kind of form they enjoyed back in the Championship with the Nigeria international playing an integral part in their quest to return to the Premier League. Right now their form in the top-flight hasn’t been something to wish for.
However, the central defender has been decent for a couple of years, but in 2020 his career experienced a lift in form. Starting from 2019, the former Rotherham United had a fantastic season for West Brom, which cumulated into them securing promotion to the English top-flight.
The imposing center back showed remarkable composure and solidity at the back for the Baggies. Ajayi was that good for West Brom that he scored six goals in the league for the Baggies, and some of those goals came in pivotal moments.
Although the Baggies ain’t that fantastic and are struggling in the league this season. However, the Super Eagles defender has been quite decent with fine top-notch performances and stands out amongst his colleagues.
- Joe Aribo – (Glasgow Rangers)
The Super Eagles midfielder move from Charlton Athletic on a free transfer to Glasgow Ranger has been a blessing to the career of the former Staines Town midfielder. Since his arrival to the Ibrox Park, he has being a key cog of Steven Gerrard’s team with brilliant performances playing in multiple positions for the Gers.
Under Gerrard, Aribo has shown he’s not only a ball-playing midfielder but also the one with an eye for goals in the opposition’s yard. As a matter of fact, his previous matches for the Eagles since he decided to don the Eagles shirt, have shown how capable and dangerous he could be when in the opposing box.
This year, Aribo has been one of the most consistent Nigeria players both home and abroad, even when he was out injured for Rangers he did come back into the team being one of Steven Gerrard’s most trusted lieutenant.
- Wilfred Ndidi – (Leicester City)
Injury has been a dent on Ndidi’s form in the latter part of 2020. However, that hasn’t limited his impact and authority in Leicester’s midfielder anytime he returns from an injury layoff.
Wilfred Ndidi has been the most consistent and arguably the best Nigerian player in the last couple of years delivering world-class performances for the former Premier League Champion.
Since the Nigeria international left Genk for England, Ndidi has been one of the most consistent players in his position.
In the 2019-20 season, the midfielder helped Leicester City finished in the top four, and in 2020 he also continued in that stride delivering top-quality performances.
- Eberechi Eze – (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace is one of the consistent mid-table English Premier League teams in the last two to three seasons now, under the tutelage of Roy Hodgson. In other to compete well and stay consistent in the league, one would understand why the team from Selhurst Park secured the Nigerian-born player that will deliver the much-needed X-factor for the team.
Eze was signed from Championship side QPR for £16 million, a good deal that made the Palace faithful excited with the arrival of the midfielder, having performed extremely well with the most completed numbers of dribbles, 13 goals, and eight assists in the Championship.
Since he joined The Eagles, he has brought in some sort of improvement into the team in terms of midfield creativity.
The Nigerian player may not be one of the best ball-playing midfielders in the league, but the former QPR star is definitely an upgrade in Hodgson’s team.
Eze is expected to establish himself as one of the important players of Palace, and so far in the league, he’s being one of the brains of the Palace team.
READ ALSO: Talent Hunt: 15 Youngsters Of Nigerian Descent Who Could Play For The Super Eagles
- Victor Osimhen – (Napoli)
The undoubted number one striker for the Super Eagles may not be enjoying the kind of goalscoring form he enjoyed in the 2019-20 season with Lille in the Ligue 1, scoring 18 goals in 38 appearances. Which won him the club’s player of the year award, plus being included in the Ligue 1 team of the season and won the Marc Vivian For award for the best African player in the league.
In the 2020-21 season, the Nigeria international hasn’t really been in super hot form due to the injury he picked up during international assignment having moved to Napoli. However, what he achieved with Lille can’t be forgotten and that got him the opportunity to be included in this list of best Nigerian Players for the year 2020
With the year already running out, much more would be expected from Osimhen as we prepare to enter into a new year both with Napoli and the Super Eagles.
His previous goalscoring form with Lille may be hard to come by, with Osimhen playing with players with much quality compared to Lille’s caliber of players, the goal poacher would certainly improve and score more for Napoli in the Seria A.
- Paul Onuachu – (Genk)
After an impressive show of form in Denmark with FC Midtjylland, the forward moved to Belgium, a bigger league and more competitive compared to the Danish league. Getting to the Belgian league, Onuachu couldn’t replicate his Denmark form in the first season, scoring only 9 goals in 22 match appearances.
However, this year scoring goals has been quite easy for the lanky striker painting the league blue and black with goals, and so far as at this moment, he has scored over 14 goals for Genk.
Even though the former Vejle and Midtjylland forward may not have found it easy to play in the national team, however, he continues to show the kind of player that could give Gernot Rohr a lot of headache in terms of picking a striker.
Onuachu is so important in his team that when he was suspended by the team’s board, he came back into the team and start banging in the goals which is a testament to how important he has been for the Belgian side this year.
- Cyril Dessers – (Genk)
Dessers is among fantastic Nigerian players that had a wonderful 2019-20 season with Heracles Almelo in the Dutch league, scoring 15 goals in 25 match appearances. With such great form for Heracles, a lot of fans opine that it would be quite difficult for him to start the new season with the team.
As such, Genk proved to be his next destination, and the Belgian side is much stronger in terms of quality compared to Almelo. So with Dessers arrival having demonstrated how good he is in front of goal and his ability to carry the team, and he has been quite decent since he joined.
The new Super Eagles debutant may not be the go-to man for Genk, however, we would say that the former Heracles poacher is also an important member of Genk, with four goals to his name this year.
Conclusion.
Having said all of that, these Nigerian players listed are picked based on their form in the year in review. However, if you feel otherwise or disagree, feel free to draw up your own list in our comment session.
