As the 2025/26 season continues to take shape, with clubs either challenging for league titles, FA Cups, or battling relegation, Nigerian footballers were in action across Europe over the weekend—scoring goals, providing assists, and making notable contributions for their respective clubs. The Guardian Sports reviews how some of the stars fared.

TURKEY

Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Victor Osimhen scored in the 39th minute with a powerful header from a Leroy Sané cross to inspire Galatasaray to a 1–0 win over Wilfred Ndidi’s Beşiktaş in a Turkish Trendyol Super Lig encounter on Saturday.

The result at the Tüpraş Stadium ended Beşiktaş’ 18-game unbeaten run and kept Galatasaray at the top of the Turkish league table. Both Osimhen and Ndidi played the entire match, although the Nigerian striker received a yellow card as early as the sixth minute.

Osimhen’s latest strike further underlines his impressive form for Galatasaray. The Nigerian forward now has 18 goals and six assists in 26 appearances across all competitions this season.

Since joining the Turkish giants from Napoli, initially on loan in the summer of 2024, Osimhen has amassed an outstanding record of 55 goals and 14 assists in 67 appearances, cementing his status as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.

ENGLAND

Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham)

The Nigerian trio of Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Calvin Bassey will play no further part in this season’s FA Cup following Fulham’s shock exit from the competition.

Bassey was an unused substitute, Chukwueze played the entire match, while Iwobi replaced Tom Cairney in the 65th minute as Fulham lost 1–0 to Southampton in Sunday’s fifth-round clash at Craven Cottage.

Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Tolu Arokodare also suffered FA Cup elimination with Wolverhampton Wanderers following a 3–1 defeat to Liverpool in a fifth-round encounter at Molineux Stadium on Friday.

The Nigerian striker featured for 75 minutes before he was replaced by Hwang Hee-chan.

Frank Onyeka (Coventry City)

Frank Onyeka was in action for 77 minutes on Saturday as runaway Sky Bet Championship leaders Coventry City secured another impressive away victory.

Josh Eccles replaced the Nigerian midfielder as Coventry defeated Bristol City 2–0, edging closer to securing automatic promotion to the Premier League.

SPAIN

Umar Sadiq (Valencia)

Umar Sadiq played a decisive role as Valencia boosted their chances of retaining their La Liga status with a dramatic 3–2 comeback victory over Deportivo Alavés on Sunday.

The Nigerian forward played the entire match and provided an assist in the 47th minute, setting up Javi Guerra to level the score at 1–1.

Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid)

Ademola Lookman was substituted in the 54th minute for Antoine Griezmann—who later provided an assist—as Atlético Madrid edged Real Sociedad 3–2 in an entertaining five-goal La Liga clash at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.

Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla)

Akor Adams was on target, but his goal was not enough as Sevilla were held to a 1–1 draw by Rayo Vallecano in Sunday’s La Liga match.

Adams gave Sevilla the lead in the 13th minute after being set up by former Chelsea defender César Azpilicueta.

The Super Eagles striker was replaced by Isaac Romero in the 67th minute, while fellow Nigerian international Chidera Ejuke came on for Alexis Sánchez a minute later.

ITALY

Maduka Okoye (Udinese)

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye committed an error that ultimately cost Udinese victory in their Serie A clash against Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Saturday.

The match ended 2–2 after Udinese squandered a two-goal lead.

Although Okoye made one save and claimed two high balls, he was partly responsible for Atalanta’s second goal after a poor clearance was capitalised on by Nikola Krstović, allowing Gianluca Scamacca to score his second of the game.

Okoye, who received a yellow card in the 66th minute, later redeemed himself with a crucial late save. In the 83rd minute, he produced a full-stretch dive to deny Krstović’s powerful effort from the edge of the box.

Gift Orban (Hellas Verona)

Gift Orban provided an assist on his return from suspension to inspire Hellas Verona to a 2–1 comeback victory over Bologna in a Serie A clash on Sunday.

The Nigerian forward had missed two league matches after receiving a red card just 11 minutes into Verona’s 2–1 defeat to Parma.

However, he made an immediate impact on his return by setting up Kieron Bowie’s 57th-minute winner.

Orban was substituted for Al-Musrati in stoppage time, as the crucial victory ended Verona’s 12-game winless run and renewed their hopes in the battle against relegation.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Salim Fago Lawal (Viktoria Plzeň)

Salim Fago Lawal scored his second career goal for Viktoria Plzeň as they recorded a comfortable 3–0 victory over Hradec Králové in a Czech league fixture on Sunday.

The Nigerian forward opened the scoring in the 44th minute, giving Plzeň a crucial lead just before halftime. (Guardian)

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