Algeria won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations which ended on the 19th of July with Nigeria picking up the tournament’s bronze medal two days earlier. Half of the 22 man Super Eagles squad that defeated Tunisia on that occasion have since changed clubs.
With the expiration of the transfer period in Europe, Soccernet.ng brings you the details of how Nigeria’s AFCON 2019 squad members fared during the transfer window.
Francis Uzoho, Cyprus’ OMONIA NICOSIA – Loan
The Super Eagles goalkeeper made only one appearance at the AFCON but had done enough to earn a loan move back to the country where he controversially stayed earlier in the year.
Once the youngest ever foreign goalkeeper to debut in La Liga, Uzoho has a lot of developing to do to reclaim his number one spot both at his parent club and with the national team.
Mikel Obi, Turkey’s TRABZONSPOR – free transfer
After a 13-year career with the Super Eagles, the former Chelsea midfielder announced his retirement at Egypt 2019 and subsequently made public his decision to join Trabzonspor on a two-year contract with the option of a further year.
Mikel spent the previous six months with Middlesbrough after returning from a spell in the Chinese Super League.
OFFICIAL: John Obi Mikel joins Trabzonspor.
He has penned a two-year contract deal with an option to extend by a further year with the Turkish side.
Goodluck on your new challenge, Skippo! pic.twitter.com/DbNaEbPYSF
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) July 1, 2019
Victor Osimhen, France’s LILLE – £12m
20 goals in 36 games on loan at Belgian side Sporting Charleroi highlighted a successful season for the junior World Cup winner and opened the door for his switch to the French Ligue 1.
Soon after being a part of a bronze medal winning squad at the AFCON, Osimhen signed for Lille to replace departed Ivorian Nicolas Pepe and such a fine job of it he has done so far, netting four strikes in his first four games in France.
Confirmed!
Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen joins Lille on a 5-year deal.
Victor Osimhen , who joined Lille from Sporting Charleroi, will be hoping to fill the big boots of Nicolas Pepe, who joined Arsenal for a club record £72M fee.Congratulations Osy! pic.twitter.com/2kMNRaxRwI
— SportsSailor (@sailor_sports) August 2, 2019
Henry Onyekuru, France’s MONACO – undisclosed.
In his lone season on loan with Galatasaray, Onyekuru scored 16 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions, helping the Turkish giants lift the Turkey Super League.
Parent club Everton wanted him back but a work permit in the UK became a stumbling block and Onyekuru decided to join AS Monaco on a permanent transfer instead.
Onyekuru signed a five-year deal with the Ligue 1 club.
AS Monaco 🇲🇨 are delighted to announce the signing of Henry Onyekuru 🇳🇬 from Everton. Our new attacking midfielder joins us on a 5-year deal 👏. pic.twitter.com/5r6drWUoDQ
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) August 12, 2019
Alex Iwobi, England’s EVERTON – £28m
A year after Iwobi signed a new long-term contract with the club, Arsenal were willing to offload the Nigeria international to make room for the arrival of Ivorian star Nicolas Pepe.
The Super Eagles playmaker has settled quickly in Merseyside banging in a fine header on his full debut for the Toffees.
OFFICIAL: Alex Iwobi joins Everton from Arsenal, pens five-year contract deal. pic.twitter.com/enWMGQHxSe
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) August 8, 2019
Moses Simon, France’s NANTES – Loan
Simon has been a hot prospect in Europe since helping Gent win their first ever national Championship title in May 2015. But he has not really fulfilled his potential despite joining Spanish La Liga side Levante last year.
A loan move to Nantes is expected to give his dragging career a big kick in the butt.
Moses Simon joins Nantes in the French Ligue 1. pic.twitter.com/vqZFlUFl0d
— TopPro Sport (@SportToppro) August 16, 2019
Chidozie Awaziem, Spain’s LEGANES – Loan
The Enugu born, FC Porto defender has spent different times on loan at Nantes and Çaykur Rizespor, and has yet again been sent to Leganes in Spain where he will look to impress before returning to Portugal to claim his shirt.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Nigeria’s HEARTLAND – Free transfer
The Super Eagles goalkeeper has reportedly return to the same club he left more than a decade ago. This came after he terminated his contract with Katsina United, a club he joined earlier in January.
Ezenwa has previously played for Ocean Boys, Ifeanyi Ubah, and Enyimba International making him the only home-based footballer presently in Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles.
UPDATE : @NGSuperEagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa has joined "Naze Millionaires " Heartland FC of Owerri.
The former @SunshineFCAkure & @fckatsinaunited safe hands joins the club on a 2-year deal. #TransferNews #NPFL20 pic.twitter.com/J7UbFAU98W— Baojis_media (@ojobabatundeiso) August 16, 2019
Paul Onuachu, Belgium’s GENK – £6m
After a protracted transfer saga that ran through his time in Egypt with the Super Eagles, Onuachu finally departed Danish club FC Midtjylland to team up with Belgian side Genk.
The Super Eagles star will hope his time in Belgium will be a successful one so he could lay claim to the Number 9 jersey left behind by Odion Ighalo.
Kenneth Omeruo, Spain’s LEGANES – £4m
After 7 years on the books of Chelsea – he signed from Standard Liege in January 2012 – Omeruo finally joined Leganes on a permanent deal sometimes after helping Nigeria claim the lesser glory at the 2019 AFCON.
The 25-year-old former AFCON champion spent last season on loan at the same club.
Ola Aina, Italy’s TORINO – £9m
Ola Aina signed for Chelsea before his 11th birthday and has featured at all the age grades for the Blues.
Taking the step up to the first team however was a bridge too far before Aina chose to join Italian club Torino on a season-long loan. A fine season in the Serie A convinced Torino to trigger the option of a permanent transfer for the Nigerian from Chelsea for a reported fee of £9 million.
OFFICIAL: Defender Ola Aina joins Torino for €10M.
All the best, Ola! 👊 #ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/BRHOaABR24
— Dr. IMF (@sports_IMF) June 10, 2019
John Ogu, India’s GOKULAM KERALA – free transfer
Nigeria international and versatile midfielder John Ogu has completed plans to join Indian side Gokulam Kerala on a three year deal with only medicals delaying the announcement of the agreement.
Ogu had been a free agent since quitting Israeli club Hapoel Be’er Sheba where he spent five seasons, winning the Premier League three times and 2 Israeli Super Cup.
