Naija Stars Abroad: Rejected Eagles outshine Nigerian superstars Victor Osimhen, Lookman

Naija Stars Abroad: Rejected Eagles outshine Nigerian superstars Victor Osimhen, Lookman

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 07:42 - 31.03.2025

Naija Stars Abroad watched Super Eagles superstars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman suffer a quiet weekend compared to their Nigerian compatriots.

This weekend in the world of football saw a fascinating mix of performances from Naija Stars Abroad, with Super Eagles main stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman struggling to make an impact.

Meanwhile, others, notably those overlooked by the national team, stole the spotlight with their impressive displays.

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Rejected Eagles Shine Bright

Cyriel Dessers, who has been overlooked by the Super Eagles, celebrated a milestone as he became a Rangers FC centurion,

Dessers scored his 12th league goal of the season in a 4-3 win over Dundee FC, a feat that highlighted his consistency and prowess in front of the goal.

Dessers with another goal for Rangers.

Leon Balogun also featured in the match, contributing to the Rangers' success and demonstrating his enduring influence in the Scottish Premiership.

Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanacho, another player rejected by the Eagles, scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in their comeback victory over Oxford United in the EFL Championship, marking a significant turnaround for the Nigerian striker who had been struggling to find form.

Iheanacho off the mark for Boro.

Super Eagles Stars Struggle

In contrast, Super Eagles superstars Osimhen and Lookman had a quiet weekend, with Osimhen's Galatasaray suffering their first defeat of the season in the Istanbul derby, a match that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer mastermind a tactical victory for his opponents.

Despite his team's loss, Osimhen remains the top scorer in the Turkish Süper Lig, a testament to his goal-scoring ability and impact on the pitch.

Osimhen was caged for 90 minutes by Ole.

Lookman, on the other hand, was unable to make an impact against Fiorentina, with former Manchester United goalie David De Gea proving to be a formidable barrier in goal, caging Lookman's attacking efforts throughout the match.

FA Cup Disappointment and Bundesliga Brilliance

Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey endured a tough day as Fulham were knocked out of the FA Cup by a rampant Crystal Palace.

Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi in action for Fulham on March 29, 2025 (Credit: Imago)

Eberechi Eze starred for the winners and showed his blistering form in a match that highlighted the gulf in class between the two teams.

Despite their disappointment, both Iwobi and Bassey have been integral to Fulham's campaign this season, providing crucial contributions in various roles across the pitch.

Calvin Bassey
Bassey against Palace. Calvin Bassey could have scored for Fulham against Crystal Palace (Credit: Imago)

Victor Boniface returned to form with a goal for Bayer Leverkusen, helping them keep pressure on Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

Boniface demonstrated his ability to bounce back from setbacks, especially after his lackluster performance for the Super Eagles.

Boniface liberated from Super Eagles chains.

Proving a Point

Frank Onyeka continued to impress for Augsburg, proving his worth after being overlooked for the Super Eagles by Eric Chelle, a decision that has been questioned by many, given Onyeka's consistent displays in the Bundesliga.

Rinsola Babajide scored a goal and provided an assist in a big league win for her team, showing her versatility and skill as a Super Falcons forward.

Frank Onyeka

Terem Moffi made his return to action for OGC Nice, though they lost to Monaco, marking an important step in his recovery from a long injury layoff and providing a boost to Nice's attacking options.

Goals Galore

Rafiu Durosinmi netted two goals and assisted another in a big win against Victor Olatunji's Sparta Praha, highlighting his attacking ability.

Rafiu Durosinmi in fine form for his club.

Tolu Arokodare overcame a penalty miss to score his 18th league goal for Genk, demonstrating resilience and determination in a match that saw him shake off early disappointment to make a significant impact.

Moses Simon took his league goal tally to seven but ended up on the losing side against Le Havre, a result that was disappointing despite his effort.

Arokodare

Challenges in Italy

Samuel Chukwueze was a second-half substitute in AC Milan's defeat to Napoli, a match that saw him struggle to make an impact in a tightly contested encounter.

Maduka Okoye faced a tough outing as Inter Milan proved too strong for Udinese, with the Nigerian goalkeeper unable to prevent a 2-1 defeat despite his best efforts.

Maduka Okoye conceded twice against Inter Milan.

This weekend highlighted the depth of Nigerian talent abroad, with players like Dessers and Iheanacho proving their worth despite being overlooked by the national team, and it will be interesting to see how these performances shape the future of Nigerian football both domestically and internationally.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, these performances will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Nigerian footballers abroad, with many hoping to catch the eye of the Super Eagles coaches and secure a place in future squads.

Eric Chelle of the Super Eagles. (Photo Credit: Pooja Media/X)

The Super Eagles, under the guidance of coach Chelle, are navigating a challenging World Cup qualifying campaign, and the form of players like Osimhen, Lookman, and others will be pivotal in their quest for success.

Meanwhile, players like Dessers and Iheanacho will be looking to continue their impressive form and perhaps force their way into the national team setup, adding depth and competition to the squad.