Top 10 Nigerian stars who made headlines in 2023

By: Monsurah Olatunji

Nigerian footballers made significant strides on the global stage in 2023, bringing pride and recognition to their country through outstanding performances and achievements from both male and female players.

And NigeriaFootball.ng lists the top Nigerian football stars who made headlines in the passing year;

VICTOR OSIMHEN:

Osimhen is currently one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. The 24-year-old incredible exploits for club and country saw him dominate the media space for the entire outgoing year.

The Nigeria international is well known for his knack for goal-scoring plus ability and speed and has been instrumental in their successful Italian Serie A season, including a strong Champions League campaign.

The Super Eagles striker led Napoli to its first Serie A title in over 30 years, with his 26 league goals becoming the first African to be named best striker in Serie A’s 125-year-old history. He also scored five goals to help Napoli to its first-ever Champions League quarterfinals.

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He has also scored 10 goals to help Nigeria book a spot in the 2023 AFCON slated for Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11.

His incredible form saw him get nominations for several awards including; FIFA The Best, Ballon d’Or, CAF POTY, and Globe Soccer Awards, among many others.

He’s recently crowned African Player of the Year becoming the first Nigerian to win the award since Kanu Nwankwo 24 years ago.

The former Lille player also clinched the 8th spot of the Ballon d’Or rankings making history as the first Nigerian in the top ten, breaking Nwankwo Kanu’s 11th position record in 1997.

ASISAT OSHOALA:

Despite facing injuries, Oshoala’s influential role in Barcelona’s second UEFA Women’s Champions League triumph and her contribution to the Nigerian national women’s team was loud enough to make headlines.

She was spectacular throughout the season, winning the treble with Barcelona scoring 26 goals, and providing six assists in all competitions.

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She also led the Super Falcons to the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, scoring an incredible goal off the bench against co-host nation Australia to become the only African player to score in three consecutive World Cups.

The Barcelona star extends her record-winning reign as the most decorated player on the continent after winning the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award for the sixth time.

The 29-year-old is now the only player (male or female) with the most Player of the Year awards as she stepped further ahead of Yaya Touré, Samuel Eto’o, and Perpetua Nkwocha who all won the award four times apiece.

The former Super Falcons captain finished 20th on the 2023 Ballon d’Or ranking and remains the only African woman footballer to ever be nominated.

Agba Baller as fondly called by fans debuted with Barca Femeni on the EA SPORTS FC 24 game and remains the highest-rated female African footballer in the new game with an impressive overall rating of 85.

VICTOR BONIFACE:

Boniface has been crucial for Union Saint-Gilloise, particularly in the Europa League. His versatility as a striker and his goal-scoring ability have been standout features of his play which made a big move to Bayer Leverkusen.

The 22-year-old just like Victor Osimhen is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

He is currently responsible for 16 goals and 8 assists as Leverkusen sits top of the Bundesliga table and top of their UEFA Europa League group.

The Nigerian goal-poacher is ruling the German Bundesliga with five consecutive Rookie of the Month awards to his name.

CHIAMAKA NNADOZIE:

As a goalkeeper, Nnadozie has shown remarkable skills and has been a crucial player for her team, contributing significantly to their defensive strength.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a brilliant 2023 after reaching the second round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

She was the hero at the tournament after saving a penalty against Olympic champions, Canada, in the opening match and also helped the team to go unbeaten in the group stage for the first time in history.

The Super Falcons’ safe hands also had a sterling display with Paris FC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League playoff rounds saving back-to-back penalties to eliminate last season’s semifinalists Arsenal, and last season’s finalist, Wolfsburg, to qualify for the group stage for the first time.

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Nnadozie continued her impressive form in the group stage where she saved another crucial penalty in the first leg and was pivotal in the second leg win as she made three saves and also won three of her duels to keep a clean sheet against Real Madrid.

Her heroic form for club and country earned her the maiden CAF Goalkeeper of the Year award.

RAPHAEL ONYEDIKA:

Playing for Club Brugge, Onyedika has shown his skills as a midfielder, impressing with his ability to intercept passes and manage the midfield.

The 22-year-old has made more than 15 appearances for Club Brugge in the Belgian Jupiler League since joining from Danish club FC Midtjylland and scored a superb goal in the UEFA Conference Europa League (UECL).

His performances have drawn attention from various European clubs and he is currently valued at €9 million per Transfermarkt.

RASHEEDAT AJIBADE:

Playing for Atletico Madrid, Ajibade has emerged as a rising star in Nigerian women’s football, known for her on-field prowess and goal-scoring ability.

The 23-year-old midfielder with an impressive rating of 83 maintaining her overall rating in the now-defunct FIFA 23 Women’s World Cup, debuted on the EA SPORTS FC 24 game.

In 28 matches played for Atlético Madrid last season — which included 20 starts — Ajibade had nine goals and one assist.

However, she was brilliant for the Super Falcons at the World Cup. Although she missed Nigeria’s first game, she played the other three games, and she was a constant threat in the attack.

TAIWO AWONIYI:

The Nottingham Forest forward has been a key player since his Premier League debut, enhancing the team’s attacking dynamics.

Excelled in his Premier League debut with Nottingham Forest, improving the team’s attacking dynamics​​​​.

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The physical prowess had never been a problem. The effort was there too. But couple that with confidence and Awoniyi can appear unstoppable at times. Running through defenders and running over them.

The Super Eagles star was signed for a club record fee of £17.5m ($22m) from Union Berlin- tying him down to a five-year contract.

He also finished the campaign with the second-best shot conversion rate of all forwards that managed six or more shots (29%) – just behind City sensation Erling Haaland.

The 26-year-old made 41 appearances with Steve Cooper in the Nottingham Forest dugout and was on target fifteen times while registering three assists to help the Tricky Trees escape relegation.

ONOME EBI:

A veteran defender, Ebi’s experience and leadership have been vital in the Nigerian defense line.

Her ability to organize the backline and make crucial interventions has helped in maintaining the team’s defensive solidity.

She featured at six FIFA Women’s World Cups™ – a record for an African player, and joint-second overall behind Brazil’s Formiga – defensive stalwart.

The 40-year-old Nigerian became the oldest African woman to play in the World Cup.

ASHLEIGH PLUMPTRE:

Playing for Al Ittihad, Plumptre has become one of the highest-paid Nigerian female footballers.

Her defensive prowess and leadership qualities have been pivotal for both club and country.

The former Leicester City defender played a big role as the Super Falcons reached the second round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and also helped the team to go unbeaten in the group stage for the first time in history.

The 25-year-old has now scored six goals this season for the Ittihad side with two hat tricks.

DEBORAH ABIODUN:

She starred for Nigeria at the last U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica where she held the midfield down before exiting the stage at the quarter-final.

“Kante” as fondly called, then moved from NWFL side Rivers Angels to American collegiate team Pittsburgh Panthers in April and has since been making headlines.

The talented midfielder announced herself to the world in the opening match against the defending Olympic champions, Canada, but was given a marching order with a minute left on the clock, and couldn’t feature in the tournament afterward as Nigeria got knocked out in the round of 16.

Proving that her World Cup performance was not a fluke, the 20-year-old starred for Pittsburgh University in the American Women’s College Soccer League, scoring four goals and one assist.

Her impressive performance for club and country saw her earn a top 3 finish of the African Young Player of the Year at the last CAF Awards.

In summary, the year 2023 was a remarkable one for Nigerian footballers, both male and female, who shone brightly on the international stage and made their country proud through their achievements and contributions to the sport​​​​​​​​.