How Super Eagles players performed in Europe’s top leagues
ITALY
Again, no Super Eagles player plying his trade in this league won the Scudetto as none played for Juventus.
Former Chelsea defender, Ola Aina played 34 times in all competitions for Torino. He played 29 times in the league without a goal to his name. He won’t be playing European football as his side secured a 16th place finish on the Serie A table.
Inter Milan’s Victor Moses, though retired from international football, played 11 league games for the Nerazzurri from the midfield without scoring a goal. He equally didn’t score a goal in the cup competitions. However, he will be playing in the Champions League following Inter’s 2nd place finish. Udinese defender, William
Troost Ekong played a major role as his side secured a 16th place finish, appearing 28 times but with no goal to his name as well.
The biggest achiever in Italy is no doubt out of favour Super Eagles striker, Simy Nwankwo who shot his team Crotone back to the Serie A. He scored a whopping 20 goals to end the season as the Highest Goal Scorer.
FRANCE
Yet again, no Super Eagles player earned a winners medal in Ligue 1 as PSG does not have a Nigerian player in their squad. Victor Osimhen who has become Africa’s most sought after striker was fans’ favourite in Lille where he scored 13 times and four assists in 27 league appearances. The club finished 6th on the Ligue 1 table.
The former Golden Eaglets striker scored 2 goals in 5 Champions League games as well as 3 other goals in French Cup competitions.
Bordeaux striker, Samuel Kalu was key to his side 12th place finish with a goal in 20 league appearances while Nantes’ Moses Simon scored 5 goals in 26 games as his side ended the Ligue 1 season 13th on the table.
Therefore, based on their performances, only Ighalo who is a former international will feature in the Champions League unless Victor Moses’ loan deal at Inter Milan is extended or he is recalled by Chelsea.
In the same vein, only three Super Eagles players, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Chukwueze are presently confirmed for appearances in Europe’s secondtier club competition, Europa League.
From the foregoing, it is evident that the present Super Eagles players have failed to match the performances of their predecessors like Emmanuel Amunike, Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Kanu Nwankwo, Finid George, Victor Ikpeba and a host of others who had won titles in the major European Leagues.