From the Belgian top-flight to the bright lights of Serie A and the Nigerian stars making their mark in the Premier League and the United States, it was another thrilling weekend for Nigerian footballers abroad.
While some delivered match-winning performances, others showed flashes of brilliance that reminded fans and scouts alike why they’re ones to watch.
Here’s Soccernet.ng‘s ranked look at the top ten best-performing Nigerian players over the weekend — and yes, Osimhen only makes it to sixth place.
10. Rasheed Akanbi – Sheriff Tiraspol
Lagos-born Rasheed Akanbi rediscovered his scoring touch with a clinical brace in Sheriff’s dominant 4-0 victory over Spartanii Selemet in the Moldovan Super Liga.
The 25-year-old forward now has seven goals in 15 league appearances — already surpassing the three he managed in eight games last season.
9. Raphael Onyedika – Club Brugge
Raphael Onyedika was a commanding presence in midfield as Club Brugge thrashed Gent 5-0 away to take a crucial step toward defending their Belgian league crown.
The win sees Brugge leapfrog Genk to go two points clear at the top of the First Division A.
Elsewhere, Tolu Arokodare scored a late consolation for Genk in a 2-1 defeat to Union SG. Genk had led the table for much of the season, but Brugge now look primed for their 20th title.
8. Rafiu Durosinmi – Viktoria Plzen
Rafiu Durosinmi continued his impressive form in the Czech top flight, netting a crucial goal in Viktoria Plzen’s 4-2 win over Dukla Praha.
The 22-year-old forward, who missed the entire year 2024 due to injury, struck in the 33rd minute to complete Plzen’s comeback after going behind early. He now boasts five goals and two assists in just 11 league outings this season.
7. Faustino Anjorin – Empoli
Faustino Anjorin came off the bench to rescue a point for Empoli in a 2-2 draw with Venezia in Serie A.
MAIS NON ???? FAUSTINO ANJORIN CLUTCH VA ARRACHER LE MATCH NUL POUR EMPOLI #EmpoliVenezia pic.twitter.com/9OKkWHpn2h
— Le Football en VOD LXXV (@LeLxxv9258) April 20, 2025
The Chelsea academy product, being monitored by Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle, curled home a low shot from just inside the box in the 87th minute — his first-ever Serie A goal — just ten minutes after replacing Liam Henderson. It came after 1,000 minutes across 18 games in Italy’s top flight.
6. Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen may not have found the net, but he remained a constant threat in Galatasaray’s 2-0 win over Bodrum FK.
The Super Eagles star registered nine shots, missed four big chances, and completed two of three dribbles.
Victor Osimhen does this and it counts as “big chance missed”. Stats will never tell you the entire story https://t.co/e8TuHRVql3 pic.twitter.com/w68O8G5CL6
— Dera (@HeDontMakeNoise) April 20, 2025
He remains top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig with 21 goals. Galatasaray are now seven points clear at the summit following Fenerbahce’s 3-3 draw with Kayserispor.
5. Alex Iwobi – Fulham
Alex Iwobi continued his superb season by scoring Fulham’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea.
Alex’s ninth goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/3jsZUQlq77
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) April 20, 2025
The Nigerian international finished calmly with his left foot after a well-weighted pass from Ryan Sessegnon.
Iwobi now has nine goals and five assists from 33 Premier League games — his most productive campaign ever, surpassing his time at Arsenal and Everton.
4. Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
Lookman didn’t add to his 13 Serie A goals but played a pivotal creative role in Atalanta’s 1-0 win over AC Milan.
In a tightly contested affair at the San Siro, Lookman’s perfectly lofted cross found Raoul Bellanova, who nodded the ball across for Ederson to head home.
Though he’s yet to score at the iconic venue, Lookman has now helped Atalanta defeat Milan in four of their last five meetings.
3. Umar Sadiq – Valencia
Valencia edged further from the relegation zone thanks to Umar Sadiq’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano.
The Super Eagles forward came off the bench to bundle the ball home, taking his tally to five goals in 12 La Liga appearances. The result keeps Valencia seven points clear of the drop.
2. Gift Monday – Washington Spirit
Super Falcons forward Gift Monday bagged her first NWSL goal to hand Washington Spirit a 1-0 win over Orlando Pride.
Signed in March from UD Tenerife — where she scored 10 goals in 19 league games — Monday scored in just her second appearance for the American club. She had previously been crowned Best Player in Spain’s top women’s league in February.
1. Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi – OH Leuven
The standout Nigerian performer of the weekend was Chibuike Ikwuemesi, who delivered a man-of-the-match performance in OH Leuven’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Dender.
The 22-year-old striker scored twice and provided an assist, earning a 9.5 Sofascore rating — the highest of any player in the game.
Ikwuemesi also created two big chances and four key passes. With Leuven just four points behind the UEFA Conference League play-off spot, his contributions could prove vital.
Nigeria: Honourable mentions
Odeni Jamabo (Al-Qasim): Scored twice in a 2-2 draw against Naft Al-Basra on his Iraqi Premier League debut.
Adeshina Ayodele (Lille II): Netted a career-first brace as the 18-year-old led Lille II to a 6-0 win over Pays de Cassel.
Abdulrahman Taiwo (Riga FC): Recorded a goal and an assist in Riga’s commanding 3-0 victory over Grobiņa.
