Taking a look at some Super Eagles players' performances in European leagues.
It is no longer a fairy-tale that the top 5 leagues have ended with some other leagues in Europe, like the
Portuguese Primeira League and the Scottish Premier League. After 9 full months
of internal and external football activities, it eventually came to a wrap last
weekend.
We will be evaluating the
performances of some selected Nigerian and Super Eagles players in European leagues,
especially after a disappointing performance at the AFCON in Cameroon coupled
with the fact that failed to make it to biggest football fiesta, the Qatar 2022
World cup losing their qualification berth to fellow West-African neighbour Ghana
on away goal rule at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
There is a popular saying
that, there is “light after a tunnel”. Putting aside a disappointing year for
Super Eagles, some of the players stood out in their respective clubs and even
clinched some titles and awards.
The
Biggest Winner
Porto Fc left-back and
Super Eagles of Nigeria player Zaidu Sanusi tops the chart as he helped his
Portuguese club clinch two titles namely; the Portuguese Liga and the
Portuguese Cup ahead of their arch-rivals Benfica.
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| Zaidu Sanusi with the Portuguese cup |
The trio of Joe Aribo, Leon
Balogun, and Calvin Bassey lifted the Scottish Cup with Rangers Fc domiciled in
Scotland. They narrowly missed the Europa leagues trophy after losing out to
German Side FC Frankfurt in a penalty shootout in an end-to-end encounter at
the. 
Aribo and Balogun with the Scottish Cup
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| Calvin Bassey lifting the Scottish Cup |
It was a memorable one for Super Eagles attacker Joe Aribo as he gave his
side the lead early in the first half before Frankfurt equalized deep in
stoppage time. But they beautifully ended the season with a 2-0 triumph over
Hearts to win the Scottish Cup.
In faraway Italy, Napoli Fc and Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen ended the season on a high even though, his club side missed out on the Serie A crown as they claimed the third position. He was voted Serie A Under-23 player of the season.
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| Victor Osimhen with the Under-23 best player award |
He scored a total
of 18 goals (14 Serie A + 4 in the Europa League) in all competitions.
Lastly, in France Super
Eagles winger Simon Moses scooped the French Cup with his club side Fc Nantes.
They defeated Nice 1-0 in the Final of the French cup to win the trophy for the
first time in 22 years. 
Moses Simon celebrating with the French Cup
They ended in the ninth position in French Ligue 1. Moses
Simon was ranked number 7 on the assist log with 9 assists + 6 goals.
Losers
The duo of Super Eagles attacker Kelechi Ihenacho and defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi could not power their side Leicester Fc to retain their Fa cup crown as they also failed to qualify for any European competition. They missed out on both the Europa League and Europa conference league.
They could not replicate and capitalize on last
season’s success. Ihenacho could not replicate his 2020/21 season form where he
attained double figures in both goals and assist, he finished with just 5
assists and 4 goals in the EPL.
In North-west London, the Super Eagles trio of Ekong, Emmanuel Dennis, and Etebo were all relegated to league 2 with their side Watford Fc. Emmanuel Dennis's heroics (10 goals + 6 assists) in the league was not enough to save the clarets from dropping to the second tier of the English league.
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