From Elijah Adebayo, to Michael Olise, Players of Nigerian Descent Put on a Show in Premier League

• Footballers of Nigerian descent are thriving in the Premier League
• On Tuesday, these players contributed goals and assists for their teams
• Nigeria are currently at the 2023 AFCON and will play Angola in the quarters

All Nigerians across the globe have their eyes fixed on the Super Eagles in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

While they are cheering on their national football team, players of Nigerian descent were wreaking havoc in the Premier League on Tuesday, January 30.

The standout performer was Luton Town forward Elijah Adebayo. The 26-year-old bagged Luton's first-ever Premier League hat-trick as they thrashed Brighton 4-0. Adebayo's treble came in the 1st, 42nd and 56th minute, per BBC.

The incredible win saw the Hatters move to the 17th spot in the Premier League table. Adebayo also took his Premier League tally to eight. Chiedozie Ogbene scored the other goal for Luton.

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Crystal Palace came from behind to beat Sheffield United 3-2. All three goals were scored or assisted by Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, players with Nigerian roots. Olise assisted Eze's brace before scoring the winner in the second half.

Bukayo Saka scored for Arsenal in their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. Forest's consolation was scored by Super Eagles target man Taiwo Awoniyi.

Nigeria have a serious depth of footballers in the diaspora. Some, like Bukayo Saka, opted to play for England.

Nigeria named AFCON favourites

With Senegal and Morocco knocked out of the continental competition, the Opta supercomputer has provided the new favourite to claim the top honours.

2013 AFCON champions, Nigeria are now AFCON 2023 favourites with a 28.8% chance. Jose Peseiro's team are having a good outing in Ivory Coast.

They could face Cape Verde or South Africa if they go through, as Sports Brief reported earlier, with Mali given a 14.7% chance to claim a first title.

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Players that eluded Nigeria

Sports Brief earlier reported on players who opted to play for other nations instead of Nigeria.

Ross Barkley, Manuel Akanji, David Alaba, Bukayo Saka, and Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi could've made Nigeria arguably the most talented team in world football.

Still, Nigeria possesses some of the best players in the world. Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Taiwo Awoniyi are some of the best strikers in Europe.