BY Jonathan Ledger
It has been a busy year for the national team, with the Super Eagles clinching qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon while the Super Falcons are set for a tour of the US.
The European legion transferred this form to their various clubs, with the strikers particularly impressive. Victor Osimhen finally delivered the goods for Napoli and Kelechi Iheanacho became Leicester City’s talisman up front. Paul Onuachu treated Belgium with non-stop goal contributions and Asisat Oshoala shone in Spain.
As the 2020/21 season winds down, we review the top Nigerian performers who won silverware with their clubs.
Asisat Oshoala
The Ikorodu-born speedster trumped them all, winning the Women’s UEFA Champions League title in style with the Barcelona female team.
The Super Falcon was a 71st minute substitute in the 4-0 drubbing of Chelsea in the final. While a foot injury limited her involvement in the encounter, Oshoala helped Barcelona to their first-ever European honour with four goals en route to the final.
She has also scored 15 goals in 21 league matches this season.
Samuel Chukwueze
The 22-year-old winger celebrated his biggest achievement of the season, winning the Europa League with Villarreal as the Yellow Submarines defeated Manchester United for their first-ever major trophy.
Chukwueze was integral to the success, playing 11 of 15 matches as Villarreal won the ‘Unai Emery League’ without losing a game.
The winger got injured during the semi-finals and was sorely missed in the final.
Chukwueze, who is the sixth Nigerian to win the Europa League, contributed four goals and three assists in 28 league matches. Next season’s UEFA Champions League now beckons.
Kelechi Iheanacho
When Leicester needed a new talisman, Iheanacho stepped up to lead the club to their first-ever FA Cup win with man-of-the-match contributions.
The 24-year-old put Leicester in the final with four goals in three knockout stage matches. His brace eliminated Manchester United in the quarter-final.
Iheanacho has come into his own this season with further excellent performances in the league, culminating in a player of the month award in March, with 19 goals and seven assists in 39 matches.
Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi was also integral to the FA Cup triumph with vintage performances of his own in the middle of the park.
The defensive midfielder showed his grit and tenacity especially in the final, reducing the impact of Chelsea’s midfield and attack.
The tough-tackling midfielder destined for a bigger club featured in 36 games this season despite a lengthy injury lay-off.
Paul Onuachu
The forward was named the 2020/21 player of the year in the Belgium Super League on the back of a 33-goal league season with RKC Genk.
The Super Eagles star also claimed the top scorer award.
The 26-year-old added two further goals as he helped his club to the Belgian Cup triumph.
Peter Olayinka
Olayinka featured in 38 games throughout the season as Slavia Prague claimed the Czech League title for a third straight season.
The former Gent striker scored six and assisted three in the title triumph. He was also a mainstay in the side that got knocked out of the Europa League in the quarter-final stage.
He also helped the club to an unbeaten league season, breaking a 75-year-old record as Slavia ended the league without a loss in 45 matches.
Honourable Mention: William Troost-Ekong
When Troost-Ekong swapped Udinese, a Serie A club, for Watford FC in the English Championship, not many would have seen it as a move destined for the English Premier League.
But the Netherlands-born, easy-on-the-eye central defender made a success of the move, helping the Hornets back to the EPL 12 months after their exit.
The 27-year-old was the club’s defensive rock as he featured in 32 matches in a 46-game season.
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