Onuachu Wins Turkish Cup With Brace, Iheanacho Seals Celtic Double, Ajayi Returns to Premier League

Nigerian players across Europe delivered one of the most decorated weekends in recent memory, collecting major silverware in Turkey and Scotland while also securing top-flight promotion in England.

Paul Onuachu was the standout performer of the weekend, scoring twice in the Turkish Cup Final to guide Trabzonspor to the title. The striker opened the scoring with his first goal before adding a second to complete the brace, earning him the Player of the Match award. Compatriots Chibuike Nwaiwu and Tony Nwakaeme were also part of the Trabzonspor squad that celebrated on the podium following the victory. Trabzonspor confirmed the triumph via their official account on May 24, 2026.

In Glasgow, Kelechi Iheanacho continued his reputation as a reliable impact substitute by coming off the bench in the Scottish Cup Final and scoring the decisive goal to hand Celtic a domestic Double. The victory completed a league and cup sweep for the Scottish club, with Iheanacho’s contribution proving pivotal in sealing the result. The forward marked the occasion on social media, posting on May 23, 2026: “Gods time is the best. Double trophy. Double blessing.”

Semi Ajayi, meanwhile, earned promotion back to the English Premier League as Hull City defeated Middlesbrough in the Championship Playoff Final. The Super Eagles centre-back, who featured throughout the season for Hull, will now compete in England’s top flight following what the club described as a decisive victory. Hull City announced the result on May 24, 2026. It marks a significant return to the Premier League for Ajayi, who has been a consistent presence in the Championship.

Elsewhere in England, the Premier League concluded its 2025/26 season with mixed outcomes for Nigerian internationals. Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey both delivered strong individual performances in Fulham’s 2-0 win over Newcastle on the final day, according to reports, but the result was not enough to secure European football, with Fulham finishing 11th — one point outside the European places. Taiwo Awoniyi came off the bench for Bournemouth on the final day of the season as the club confirmed a 16th-place finish.

In Italy, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru closed his Serie A campaign on a positive note, scoring an equaliser against Pisa in the final round of fixtures. The goal drew widespread attention online, with the forward’s turn and finish earning him viral comparisons to Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.

Not all Nigerian players ended the weekend on a high note. Ademola Lookman and Atletico Madrid suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at Villarreal on the final day of the La Liga season, a result that will have done little to ease any end-of-season frustrations at the club.

In the United States, Super Falcons defender Nicole Payne marked a personal milestone by scoring her first goal for Orlando Pride in the NWSL, with the strike securing a narrow away victory over the San Diego Wave.

With domestic seasons now concluded across the major leagues, attention turns to international duty. Nigeria are set to field a heavily rotated, youth-oriented squad in the Unity Cup against Zimbabwe in London on May 26, 2026, with 12 potential debutants in contention, according to reports. Senior players including Onuachu, Iheanacho, Lookman, and Ajayi are expected to feature in June friendlies against Poland and Portugal following a period of rest.