Anthony Nwakaeme, Victor Moses, And The Nigerian Stars In Title Chase

It is no longer news that Liverpool – after 30 long years – are the champions of England, PSG are the conquerors yet again in France, and Bayern Munich have been crowned kings in Germany.

But while the title races in the Premier League, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga have all been decided, several top leagues and second divisions in Europe are far from being over.

Nigerian stars have been fully involved in some of these title run-ins with Emmanuel Dennis and David Okereke lifting the Belgian championship with Club Brugge. At the same time, Joe Aribo and Umar Sadiq were not so lucky in Scotland and Romania, respectively, as they ended as runners-up.

With football fully back across the continent after the coronavirus hiatus, Soccernet.ng brings you some other Nigerians who are still challenging for league honours across Europe.

Serie A: Victor Moses, Inter Milan

On-loan Chelsea forward Victor Moses came off the bench to inspire Antonio Conte’s men to a much-needed 2-1 win at Parma over the weekend.

Even with that victory, Inter Milan remain eight points behind league leaders Juventus, but a defeat would have certainly squashed their slim Serie A title hopes.

Internazionale boast the league’s joint-third most prolific attack as well as its third-best defence. Still, Moses – who has contributed two assists in six games – and his colleagues have to do even better to overtake Juventus as the best team in Italy.

Turkey: Okechukwu (Istanbul Basaksehir), Nwakaeme (Trabzonspor), Onyekuru (Galatasaray).

It is setting up to be a two-way battle between league leaders Istanbul Basaksehir and second-placed Tranzonspor with two points separating both sides at the top of the Turkish Super Lig table, five games to the end of the campaign.

Anthony Nwakaeme has been one of the crucial reasons why Trabzonspor are in the title race, with the 31-year-old forgotten Super Eagles star contributing 11 goals and six assists to the Black Sea Storm’s challenge.

Istanbul Basaksehir have never won the Super Lig in their 30-year history, but 23-year-old Azubuike Okechukwu may become a Turkish champion if Okan Buruk’s men can hold on to their lead at the top of the table.

And back in fourth place are Henry Onyekuru and reigning champions Galatasaray who are refusing to give up the hopes of retaining their title, despite being a massive eight points behind Basaksehir.

Albania: Coach Ndubuisi Egbo, Tirana

Tirana need just two wins from their last five matches to claim the Albanian Super Liga and coach Ndubuisi Egbo would have achieved a historic feat.

The Nigerian manager – one of the few managing a first division side in Europe – has managed to turn a team that barely escaped relegation last season to a championship-winning side.

Tirana have only lost six games all season, winning 20 of 31 matches and 46-year-old Egbo – who won the league title as a goalkeeper with Tirana almost 17 years ago – is proving to be the best man to restore the club’s lost glory.

Championship: Semi Ajayi, West Brom

Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi has been one of the standout performers for West Bromwich Albion this season as the Baggies chase after the chance to return to the Premier League.

There is also the opportunity to end the campaign as the champions of the division, with Leeds United, the only rival capable of thwarting that dream.

Ajayi could not help Slaven Bilic’s men avoid defeat at third-placed Brentford last Friday, with the loss leaving West Brom three points behind Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

There are seven games still to play and 21 points to fight for, and Ajayi will hope there’s enough willpower left in his mates to push past Leeds and secure the Championship crown.

Segunda Division: Ozornwafor (Almeria), Nwakali (Huesca), Igbekeme (Real Zaragoza), Erimuya (Cadiz)

While no Nigerian is involved in the close race for La Liga title between Barcelona and Real Madrid, the opposite is the case in the Segunda Division.

There is at least one Nigerian star in each of the first four clubs in the Spanish second-tier, with only five points separating leaders Cadiz and fourth-placed Almeria.

Saturday Erimuya’s Cadiz only need to win their remaining six matches to gain promotion to La Liga as Segunda champions.

But the trio of Zaragoza’s James Igbekeme, Huesca’s Kelechi Nwakali, and Almeria’s Valentine Ozornwafor would be putting in the efforts needed to take advantage of any Cadiz slip up.