Super Eagles stars once again made headlines over the weekend, delivering standout performances across Europe.
From Paul Onuachu’s decisive brace to Ademola Lookman’s return to form, Football411 monitored Nigerian players abroad as they displayed why they are key figures for their various clubs ahead of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
Paul Onuachu drives Trabzonspor’s comeback with clinical brace
Paul Onuachu was the centre of attention as he inspired Trabzonspor to a 3–1 comeback win over Konyaspor.
The Super Eagles striker converted a penalty just before halftime to level the score, then calmly slotted home the go-ahead goal after the break.
His brace extended his scoring run to three consecutive games and lifted his tally to 11 league goals.
With 12 goal contributions in 14 matches, Onuachu remains central to Trabzonspor’s attack as they maintain third place in the table.
Ajayi scores maiden goal for Hull
Semi Ajayi put out stunning display for Hull City in their 2-1 win over Stoke, netting his first goal for the club.
The Nigerian centre-back, starting for the sixth time in nine appearances, levelled the score early in the second half with a commanding header, swinging the game in Hull’s favour.
Ajayi also impressed defensively, marshaling the backline and bouncing back from an earlier risky challenge.
His strike set the stage for Joe Gelhardt’s stoppage-time winner, propelling Hull into the Championship’s top six.
This display highlights Ajayi’s rising form ahead of AFCON 2025, potentially becoming a key figure for Eric Chelle after Troost-Ekong’s international retirement.
Lookman on fire ahead of AFCON 2025, sparks Atalanta resurgence
Ademola Lookman continued his impressive form, firing Atalanta to a 2–0 win over Fiorentina.
The winger delivered a composed finish for the second goal, adding to his midweek strike and assist against Frankfurt.
After a slow start to the campaign, Lookman now has three goals and an assist in 14 appearances.
His influence helped Atalanta end an eight-game Serie A drought and claim their first league win under coach Raffaele Palladino, providing Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle with a confident attacking option ahead of AFCON 2025.
Durosinmi, Chukwueze, and Maja make impact in crucial moments
Rafiu Durosinmi ended a seven-game goal drought to secure Viktoria Plzeň’s 2–1 victory over Mladá Boleslav.
Coming off the bench in the 72nd minute, he scored 10 minutes later to ensure three points for his team, highlighting his knack for decisive contributions. He now has 12 goals in 27 appearances this season.
Samuel Chukwueze made a mark in Fulham’s 2–1 win over Tottenham, producing his third assist of the season and claiming his first Man of the Match award.
The Super Eagles winger’s sharp cut-back created Fulham’s opener, and he played a central role alongside teammates Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.
Josh Maja was another Nigerian star who influenced a comeback, helping West Bromwich Albion overturn a 2–0 deficit to defeat Swansea City 3–2.
Coming off the bench, Maja’s smart positioning and decisive assist for the winner demonstrated his game-changing quality.
Okoye and Onyedika shine, Onyeka faces challenges
Maduka Okoye delivered a commanding display for Udinese, keeping a clean sheet in their 2–0 win at Parma. His composure between the sticks steadied the side, earning Udinese a crucial ninth-place hold in Serie A.
Gift Orban, Raphael Onyedika, and Christantus Uche also featured for their clubs, but their teams could not claim wins in Belgium, Italy, and England, respectively.
Meanwhile, Frank Onyeka’s role at Brentford remains uncertain ahead of AFCON 2025. The midfielder has been an unused substitute in four consecutive Premier League matches, raising concerns about maintaining his match sharpness for the national team despite his key contributions during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup playoff run.
Simon and Dele-Bashiru return to action
Moses Simon played the full match as Paris FC drew 1–1 with Auxerre in Ligue 1, contributing to a steady midfield display.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also returned from injury for Lazio in their 1–0 defeat to Milan, gaining valuable minutes after recovering from a biceps femoris issue.
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