Ighalo edging closer to quashing Nigeria’s EPL record
Odion Ighalo has scored 12 goals in 17 games in his first EPL season, bringing him closer to setting a new Nigerian player’s goals record.
In 1999/2000, Kanu, touted as Nigeria’s best export to the EPL, had his first full EPL season with Arsenal and scored 17 times in 50 appearances in all competitions, with 12 of the goals in 31 league appearances.
Having joined Arsenal in the second half of the 1998/1999 season in February, he appeared in only 12 games and scored six goals.
Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and Yakubu Aiyegbeni are other Nigerians with more than 10 goals in their first EPL campaign.
Ighalo is the third highest goal-scorer with 17 games gone in the 2015/2016 season. He is billed to surpass Aiyegbeni’s record of 16 goals should he score five goals more in his next appearances for Watford before the season ends.
Watford’s year ending games against Chelsea and Tottenham in December; January encounter with Man City and FA Cup third round match with Newcastle, afford the 26-year-old the opportunity to close the gaps.
Nigerian exports in first Full season
| Player | Season | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Amokachi (Everton) | 1994/1995 | 4 |
| Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal) | 1999/2000 | 12 |
| Austin Okocha (Bolton) | 2002/2003 | 7 |
| Obafemi Martins (Newcastle) | 2006/2007 | 11 |
| Osaze Odemwingie (West Brom) | 2010/2011 | 15 |
| Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Portsmouth) | 2003/2004 | 16 |
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